2001 4runnerTransmission rebuild

[djlbm]

I finally got my 01 4runner sr5 to the trans shop to be rebuilt. Things seemed to be going ok until today. I got a call saying my case was cracked. My cost went from $950 to $1800. The dealership I bought it from is putting up $900. I am grateful for that. I did buy it "As is". I just have to come up with the rest. Anyhow, They did a pressure test and the crack showed itself. I guess a new case from Toyota is $700. I also need a trans cooler. My understanding is that coolant and trans fluid mixed also. The radiator is fine. I don't know much about Toyota's but, it would seem I bought the year I should have avoided.

Originally I was having shifting problems so I changed out all of the solenoids and added new fluid. Not a flush mind you. Just added new. It worked fine for about 2 hours and then problems.. You could put it in any gear and it wanted to move forward. I parked it. I've found used ones but, they seemed priced really high and lord knows what you are going to get. Even if they say it was "tested". Here in Michigan it's like trying to find a needle in a haystack for this year and style trans. I really don't know what my options are other than what I've stated above. The trans guy is very reputable. Been around for 30 years. My mechanic friend swears by the guy. He just doesn't really do much foreign work.

Any input here would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Ckooyers]

Crazy! Cases usually don't just crack, could have been damaged from removal and nobody's owning up to it. Depending on where the crack is it may not affect performance that cooler failure is all to common but if the rad is fine you shouldn't need a secondary cooler I think they're just doing that to cover their basis where in michigan are you I'm in Grand Rapids area I've got a 97 in the junk yard I could get you another core for a case or I've got some guys who rebuild them pretty cheap could even maybe weld the crack I had $650 into my last rebuild with a new torque converter I'm fixing a smashed up 99 lmtd and then I'm pulling the tranny on my 2001 sr5 it to had the cooler failure but still rolling and you def bought the right year
3rd gen for life!!!!

 

[Brique]

Replace the radiator.

If you got coolant in your transmissIon it's because the radiator failed. That's probability what killed your transmission in the first place. Definitely have them put in an external trans cooler to bypass the rad, but don't trust the rad to cool your truck moving forward. I wouldn't, anyway.

And you didn't buy the wrong year. '01 was a great year for these trucks. The pink milkshake is one of the few big problems with the 3rd gens and replacing the radiator and/or bypassing with a trans cooler is one of the first things recommended here in order to prevent it.

On another note, you'll want to replace your lower ball joints (use oem). They're the other big failure point that can get really expensive if not prevented.

 

[jgue467]

Right Year

And you didn't buy the wrong year. '01 was a great year for these trucks.

Yeah if the trans/coolant mixed, there's a bad radiator involved.

And OP you did get a Great year, I usually like the last couple years of any vehicle, the builder has got all the bugs out and added in all the features the vehicle will ever come with from the factory.

Add an ODB2 BT so you can get trans temp readings via your favorite tool like say Torque (about $20-25 total cost). Luck! :cowboy: