3rd Gen 4runner Automatic Transmission Replacement

[octanejunkie]

I agree that sounds like a lot of money for LBJ's, but at the same time these small businesses today have it pretty rough.

**Warning** Rant is imminent

<< Expurgated for purposes of brevity >>

I could go on but ill end here for now. Nothing against you Octane, just saw an opportunity for a soap box.

No offense taken. I get it. I run a customer-service oriented business. Much of our work is done at time and materials billing. I often struggle with "is the solution worth the price" and I try to be very up-front with my clients and let them make an informed decision.

Reading other's threads here, you see what mechanics run into, and why the price of things gets out of hand at times. Trying to get to this, you have to remove that, once you remove that, another issue appears that also has to be addressed. I see it in my business all the time. Again, I get it.

The truth is that service businesses are taking the heat, the pressure on everything is downward: lower price, faster service; instant gratification. There is an old adage that goes "you can get it done right, done cheap, or done fast; but you can't get all 3" - I would go so far as to say you can't even get 2 out of the 3 anymore. The juice just isn't worth the squeeze in many cases, and yes, the cost of running a business properly, and legally, is not going down.

The other end of the spectrum is pride of ownership. Owning a 15+ year old car is not the norm anymore. Most vehicles are not intended to last this long. We have become a consumeristic society, everything new every few years; better, faster, cheaper. Again, this comes at a price, and it's usually longevity.

This philosophy also fits a capitalistic model very well, turn over your customer base every few years. Keep them buying your products. Nothing lasts forever - the caveat to that are our rigs. These things virtually do, or at least a lot longer than most people expected. Kudos to Japan. They bought loyalty through quality. The number of 1st, 2nd and 3rd gen 4runners and other Toyota vehicles still on the road are a testament to that. But there is maintenance to be done. And we want to play with these toys, and that too comes at a price.

I will stop my rant here, we all get it, that's why we are here. I have no gripe with the shop that wanted to charge $300+ to do my LBJs, that's what the work, risk and exposure was worth to them. I also had a guy willing to do it for $120, but I had to provide my own loctite. That's when I said F it, get me a 6 pack and a youtube and let's do this. Done. And this rant is done.

Sorry for jacking your thread, [MENTION=120071]mtbtim[/MENTION]. Peace out

 

[mtbtim]

Tim, as usual, your video rocks! Watched all three parts today. I'm sure it was time consuming with having to video it but it actually didn't look too bad all. I imagine if you had a lift it would make it much easier to remove.

Unfortunately, I may need to use this video in the near future. Thankfully, it exists.

I know Mike. I was rooting for you to find a fix for your transmission. I've been following your thread the whole time and even get excited when you think you've found the answer. Well, if you have to replace it, you can definitely handle it. Just get a buddy to help you out.

 

[mtbtim]

I agree that sounds like a lot of money for LBJ's, but at the same time these small businesses today have it pretty rough.

**Warning** Rant is imminent

Their overhead is ridiculous. Everyone wants good work for a low price, at the same time they want to see a professional environment with all the necessary equipment and competent experienced technicians. That stuff costs a lot of money. We all know there are countless mechanics who price gouge customers, but is it out of greed? or are they just trying to keep the doors open? Overhead, labor, insurance, workmans comp, bonuses, countless small purchases, and bills. These are the things required for businesses to operate. I cant even fathom how most of them keep the doors open when people nitpick at every charge. At the end of the day there is a magic number these businesses need to bring in to keep the doors open and the employees paid.

I think Tims videos serve a different purpose. He's not intending to steal business away from mechanics, I mean I dont know Tim personally but I dont get that kind of immpression from him. These rigs are at the point where almost no one remembers how to work on their specific problems like the godawful axel seals. So to avoid wasting time and money we have learned from Tim and other contributors what the correct way is and we do it ourselves if possible. It would be nice if a business could accurately predict and guarantee and certain number of customers per day to better average out their pricing. Labor is usually the biggest cost in a small business and that what they charge for. I dont agree with price gouging but I understand why they try doing it. I dont know about you guys but I personally have never been to a mechanic that was complaining of too much business.

I could go on but ill end here for now. Nothing against you Octane, just saw an opportunity for a soap box.

Well, my intentions for the YouTube channel are to save people money by empowering them to do their own repairs and at the same time educating them about auto mechanics. I'm not necessarily trying to steal business away from auto shops but I sure get a big shit-eating grin when somebody comments on our YouTube channel telling us how much money they saved doing the repair themselves.

I tell ya what though, I don't feel sorry for any struggling shops. If they are doing good work and they treat their customers well, they will get good reviews and never have trouble keeping their doors open. If they do shitty work and price gouge their customers, they'll probably go under.

Labor rates are super expensive, especially where I live in the California Bay Area. My local Toyota dealer charges $150/hr and they have a line of cars waiting to get into the service department everyday. They are making a killing!
Before I started getting more into working on my 3rd Gen, I let the dealership do my rear axle seals and rear brakes. That job ran me $1500. Knowing how hard I got bent over helps fuel my desire to empower more people to do their own work. And the kicker, they f*cked up the job. I had to go back and school the mechanic who was supposedly one of their top guys for this job. What a joke!

As for price gouging, I'll give you an example. My girlfriend decided to pay for an oil change at some place because I was working a lot of overtime and didn't get around to it in time for her. They saw one of her struts was leaking and tried to talk her into the repair on the spot. They said it would run her $750. Luckily, she was smart enough to ask me about it first. Yeah, one of her struts was leaking a bit so I bought them for $150 and replaced them for her. They tried to gouge her for $600 labor for that job probably because she was a woman and they figured they could get away with it.

Survival of the fittest has applications in the animal kingdom and in the business world. If a shop is doing things right, they'll always have customers so I wouldn't worry about them.

 

[AZBub]

I'm glad I watched these videos for a different reason. It talked me out of doing the job myself. It really is A LOT of work for one guy. I could do it but time is money...

 

[mtbtim]

I'm glad I watched these videos for a different reason. It talked me out of doing the job myself. It really is A LOT of work for one guy. I could do it but time is money...

It is a lot of work for one guy and that's why you get a buddy to help you out. Then you repay the favor to him one day. But, if you make boat loads of money and have little time, I can see paying a shop to do this for you.

However, there are guys with boat loads of money but just enjoy wrenching on their own rigs. It's not the money savings that drives them. It's the challenge, the learning, the enjoyment of working with your hands, and the sense of accomplishment you feel when you've pulled off a job like this. Turning wrenches can be a very satisfying way to spend your time but also be very annoying when things fight you, which they usually do. But, you adapt and overcome and crack a beer after you're all done with the satisfaction you did your own work.

 

[Tomffmedic]

Lift

Another reason for me to talk my wife into a lift for the garage. Great video!

 

[mtbtim]

Another reason for me to talk my wife into a lift for the garage. Great video!

A lift would be awesome. I've literally given myself heavy abrasions on my shoulder blades sliding around the garage floor all day. But, I have a normal height garage and couldn't install a lift anyway. I'd need to buy an entirely different house with a high ceiling garage or out-building that could fit a nice hydraulic lift. Maybe one day.

 

[fourfive]

[MENTION=120071]mtbtim[/MENTION] & [MENTION=102606]infamousRNR[/MENTION], I know it's been a while since you guys did this but wanted to double check some part numbers with you guys after watching your video. Will most likely begin the process of removing my transmission this weekend.

The seal that is located on the front of the transfer case, 2nd video at 2:22, is that 90311-40021?

The seal that is located on the rear of the transmission that tore while removing the transfer case, 2nd video at 4:10, is that 90311-40001?

I am going to call a few local toyota parts for a transmission but is there a specific part number or anything you gave them? Or did you just tell them you need a transmission for your 02 4wd 4runner...which from what I read is A340F?

 

[mtbtim]

[MENTION=120071]mtbtim[/MENTION] & [MENTION=102606]infamousRNR[/MENTION], I know it's been a while since you guys did this but wanted to double check some part numbers with you guys after watching your video. Will most likely begin the process of removing my transmission this weekend.

The seal that is located on the front of the transfer case, 2nd video at 2:22, is that 90311-40021?

The seal that is located on the rear of the transmission that tore while removing the transfer case, 2nd video at 4:10, is that 90311-40001?

I am going to call a few local toyota parts for a transmission but is there a specific part number or anything you gave them? Or did you just tell them you need a transmission for your 02 4wd 4runner...which from what I read is A340F?

Can't confirm those seal part numbers because we never purchased them. The rebuilt transmission came with all new seals and we didn't mess with any of the transfer case seals either. Your best bet is to just visit your local dealer and order them because their parts schematics are far superior to anything you'll find online. Seals aren't that expensive so you won't overpay that bad using the dealer.

Sean just gave the dealers his called his year and model when looking for a transmission. There wasn't a specific part number.

 

[3bears]

Well, my intentions for the YouTube channel are to save people money by empowering them to do their own repairs and at the same time educating them about auto mechanics. I'm not necessarily trying to steal business away from auto shops but I sure get a big shit-eating grin when somebody comments on our YouTube channel telling us how much money they saved doing the repair themselves.

I tell ya what though, I don't feel sorry for any struggling shops. If they are doing good work and they treat their customers well, they will get good reviews and never have trouble keeping their doors open. If they do shitty work and price gouge their customers, they'll probably go under.

Labor rates are super expensive, especially where I live in the California Bay Area. My local Toyota dealer charges $150/hr and they have a line of cars waiting to get into the service department everyday. They are making a killing!
Before I started getting more into working on my 3rd Gen, I let the dealership do my rear axle seals and rear brakes. That job ran me $1500. Knowing how hard I got bent over helps fuel my desire to empower more people to do their own work. And the kicker, they f*cked up the job. I had to go back and school the mechanic who was supposedly one of their top guys for this job. What a joke!

As for price gouging, I'll give you an example. My girlfriend decided to pay for an oil change at some place because I was working a lot of overtime and didn't get around to it in time for her. They saw one of her struts was leaking and tried to talk her into the repair on the spot. They said it would run her $750. Luckily, she was smart enough to ask me about it first. Yeah, one of her struts was leaking a bit so I bought them for $150 and replaced them for her. They tried to gouge her for $600 labor for that job probably because she was a woman and they figured they could get away with it.

Survival of the fittest has applications in the animal kingdom and in the business world. If a shop is doing things right, they'll always have customers so I wouldn't worry about them.

yes some shops do price gouge and do take advantage of people if they can.

wonder what the person that turns the wrench makes when the shop charges 150 an hour. Back in the olden days...the wrench made half...doubt that now...that would be 75 an hour

 

[fourfive]

Can't confirm those seal part numbers because we never purchased them. The rebuilt transmission came with all new seals and we didn't mess with any of the transfer case seals either. Your best bet is to just visit your local dealer and order them because their parts schematics are far superior to anything you'll find online. Seals aren't that expensive so you won't overpay that bad using the dealer.

Sean just gave the dealers his called his year and model when looking for a transmission. There wasn't a specific part number.

I thought the transmission might come with all the seals but didn't want to assume. I've called one local dealer so far & they told me the automatic transmission part number for my 02 4wd was 35010-3G17084, helpful, but they quoted me $4000+, smoking crack. This is also the same dealer that told me there was a 10$ local pick up fee for on online orders. I'll be calling other dealers.

 

[mtbtim]

I thought the transmission might come with all the seals but didn't want to assume. I've called one local dealer so far & they told me the automatic transmission part number for my 02 4wd was 35010-3G17084, helpful, but they quoted me $4000+, smoking crack. This is also the same dealer that told me there was a 10$ local pick up fee for on online orders. I'll be calling other dealers.

That's recockulous! Sean got a dealer in Burlingame, California to sell him one for $2300. Prices in California are way more expensive than the Great State of Georgia. Definitely keep searching because that dealer you checked with sucks. Are you going to wrangle Jordan into helping you with the swap?

 

[fourfive]

That's recockulous! Sean got a dealer in Burlingame, California to sell him one for $2300. Prices in California are way more expensive than the Great State of Georgia. Definitely keep searching because that dealer you checked with sucks. Are you going to wrangle Jordan into helping you with the swap?

Lol, just texted our good friend. Who can resist beer and good food? aka pizza

Watching your video in detail has made this job seem much more doable. I especially appreciate the parts you go over certain clips to avoid breaking, best positions to reach certain bolts & what parts to remove from the old transmission.

 

[mtbtim]

Lol, just texted our good friend. Who can resist beer and good food? aka pizza

Watching your video in detail has made this job seem much more doable. I especially appreciate the parts you go over certain clips to avoid breaking, best positions to reach certain bolts & what parts to remove from the old transmission.

I think you'll be fine with this job especially if you get Jordan to help you. For the most part when Jordan was around, things went pretty smooth. I think he's sort of a wrenching good luck charm. Plus, he has a great mechanical mind and knows how to turn wrenches. He's also much calmer than me. I tend to lose my shit and swear and Jordan is pretty mellow so he balances out the situation.

Good to hear you're finding the video helpful and appreciate the detail we offer in the video series. When you get around to doing it, I hope it goes smooth for you.

 

[fourfive]

I think you'll be fine with this job especially if you get Jordan to help you. For the most part when Jordan was around, things went pretty smooth. I think he's sort of a wrenching good luck charm. Plus, he has a great mechanical mind and knows how to turn wrenches. He's also much calmer than me. I tend to lose my shit and swear and Jordan is pretty mellow so he balances out the situation.

Good to hear you're finding the video helpful and appreciate the detail we offer in the video series. When you get around to doing it, I hope it goes smooth for you.

I could see that. I knew he had to be some sort of engineer when I met him, they tend to be on a different level of genius. Good luck charm, I could use luck, no pressure [MENTION=148218]JZiggy[/MENTION].

I know the transmission has to be in neutral to rotate the driveshaft for removal but did you put the gear shifter in neutral before removing the shifter assembly then remove the driveshafts?

 

[danthomas]

Hey all,

Noob question but if the tranny is in a bad state and needs replaced is it a fair assumption that other parts of the drivetrain are in need of attention?

Yesterday I picked up a 2000 SR5 and on the way home the transmission gave in. So far the cost of a used transmission (and install), and buying the other bits and bobs I was going to do (timing belt, water pump, struts, other belts) adds up to the cost of the car. I get the feeling now it has been neglected. So when a transmission is rebuilt/replaced is that usually it or is that a sign the transfer or diff could be bad too?

And anyone happen to know of a decent transmission mechanic in the Edmonton, Alberta area?

Cheers!

 

[octanejunkie]

No, not necessarily

I would inspect everything and find out

Congrats and condolences

 

[D_T_F]

Video is great help!

Let me add to the many thanks!
Your video(s) for the trans swap have been extremely insightful and helpful in my first major project on our 2000 SR5 4WD!!!
I had a catastrophic failure of the starter which damaged the flexplate and your video gave me the courage to jump in to the repair.

 

[Thebeastlives]

Hey all,

Noob question but if the tranny is in a bad state and needs replaced is it a fair assumption that other parts of the drivetrain are in need of attention?

Yesterday I picked up a 2000 SR5 and on the way home the transmission gave in. So far the cost of a used transmission (and install), and buying the other bits and bobs I was going to do (timing belt, water pump, struts, other belts) adds up to the cost of the car. I get the feeling now it has been neglected. So when a transmission is rebuilt/replaced is that usually it or is that a sign the transfer or diff could be bad too?

And anyone happen to know of a decent transmission mechanic in the Edmonton, Alberta area?

Cheers!

if you just got the vehicle and the transmission failed immediately take it back or sell it. That 20 year old 4r could have other serious maintenance issues and beside fixing the transmission is already a major cost.

 

[mtbtim]

Let me add to the many thanks!
Your video(s) for the trans swap have been extremely insightful and helpful in my first major project on our 2000 SR5 4WD!!!
I had a catastrophic failure of the starter which damaged the flexplate and your video gave me the courage to jump in to the repair.

Great to hear our videos have inspired you tackle this job instead of paying big money at a shop. Hope the job goes smooth for you.