3rd gen transmission question

[P40Wolf]

Hey folks, I need to pick your collective brains, and I haven’t been able to find the info I need searching the forum.. I’ve found transfer case stuff, but not transmissions..

So, I have two more 4runners! One is a cherry 97 SR5 in blue that had a case of strawberry milkshake, and just picked up a 2001 limited with less than 160k that decided to lay over in a ditch. The blue truck has 194k. The silver 01s body is junk, and I’m just dismantling it. My question: what is, if any, the difference between the 97 auto trans and the 2001 auto trans. Both are 3.4s, etc. I’ve found the transfer cases are different with the different styles of 4wd shifting and center diff lock and awd, but are the 4speed automatic transmissions themselves different?

I appreciate it!

 

[SilverRidgeRunner1]

Hey folks, I need to pick your collective brains, and I haven’t been able to find the info I need searching the forum.. I’ve found transfer case stuff, but not transmissions..

So, I have two more 4runners! One is a cherry 97 SR5 in blue that had a case of strawberry milkshake, and just picked up a 2001 limited with less than 160k that decided to lay over in a ditch. The blue truck has 194k. The silver 01s body is junk, and I’m just dismantling it. My question: what is, if any, the difference between the 97 auto trans and the 2001 auto trans. Both are 3.4s, etc. I’ve found the transfer cases are different with the different styles of 4wd shifting and center diff lock and awd, but are the 4speed automatic transmissions themselves different?

I appreciate it!

The earlier model use a different VB which uses a Manuel kick down cable to control hydraulic pressure . The later years 00-02 have a electronic used to control this function instead of the cable plus the VB was redesigned.

1996-1999

2000-2002

 

[gamefreakgc]

If you search, there have been people who have installed different transmissions from the newer years into the older ones. I don't know if they swapped out the valve bodies though, I would think you would have to for the kick-down cable to work correctly.

 

[P40Wolf]

If you search, there have been people who have installed different transmissions from the newer years into the older ones. I don't know if they swapped out the valve bodies though, I would think you would have to for the kick-down cable to work correctly.

See, this is why I ask these questions. Does anyone know if what the transmission designations are? They are A30s, right? Or something along hose lines? I can also ask a transmission shop I suppose. Toyota wouldn’t just call both the A30 with such a difference as valve bodies I imagine

 

[thegipper]

96-02 3rd gen automatic transmissions are all either A340F (4WD) or A340E (2WD). Their designation did not change even though there are differences between the years.

Essentially, all 96-00 A340F transmissions are interchangeable even though the valve bodies on the 99-00 are a little different (still use a kick down cable though) than the 96-98 trannys.

The 01/02 A340F transmission will not work in a 96-00 because they do not use a mechanical kick down cable.

For reference, I installed a 99 A340F into my 97 (both 4WD trucks) without any issues or having to modify anything.

 

[gamefreakgc]

What he said.

Toyota like to switch things up but still label them with the same part #'s and not tell anyone.

 

[phattyduck]

For reference, I installed a 99 A340F into my 97 (both 4WD trucks) without any issues or having to modify anything.

And I did the exact opposite ('97 trans into '99 truck) and everything works perfectly.

If you are later going to install a shift kit or order internal repair parts, you have to get matching components to the trans year - otherwise they are externally compatible for '96-'00.

-Charlie