97 SR5 Auto died...Opinions on 5 sp Swap

[billfahl]

All,

My transmission gave up the ghost last night. It has 190,XXX on the vehicle. I bought the 4-runner cheap with a 175,xxx miles. The owner just had the pink milk shake, and had the radiator changed and transmission flushed. So i had a little use of it. I have it lifted with coilvers/springs and 285/75 BFG AT's. Everything works good (Cruise, A/C, Power windows) . It has a manual transfer case and no e-locker.

So my questions. I have found a 96 5 SP and a 99 5 SP 4x4 locally. One is a 4cyl and one is a V6. I can buy either one for $1,500 ish. They are both have a good share of rust. I will be doing the swap myself.

What one would be a better one to start with? Would you change the Computer and the wiring harness (Engine)? Would I have to change the dash wiring harness?

I figure for the money i can buy either 4-runner for I can do the swap pretty cheap. Part it out or just scrap it.

Any input is appreciated....Thanks

Bill

 

[Singtoe]

buy the one with the v6. Part it out, and sell the V6 motor for 10 bills and have the manual swap under $500 bucks. Plus, you have the bell housing, fly wheel and ecu, wire harness.

 

[danthemanx07]

I swapped when I got the milkshake of death. Here is my project thread from TTORA:

3rd Gen Auto to Manual Swap - TTORA Forum

I still have not bothered doing anything with the ECU to cure the check engine light. We don't have emissions checks or anything like that down here, and my scan gauge keeps me abreast of the any other codes. There is some good information over on TTORA developed by some guys that helped me along with my swap if you need to deal with the check engine light.

I would get the v6 one and pursue the course Singtoe suggested.

BTW - if you don't pick up the v6, let me know and I might! Would like to pick up another one. :naughty:

 

[billfahl]

Any Auto transmission Gurus...help

Ok here is what is happened. I changed my transmission fluid by draining and refilling the transmission (went through a 5 gallon pail of DEX III). The fluid was slight brown and dirty before I changed the fluid. I drove it for probably 50 miles and it shifted fine, didn't slip. Then I was going down the highway 75ish for 15 miles, then the tach started climbing and speed decreased. Pulled over and you could put the transmission in any gear and it wouldnt move, just revup. So I had it towed home last week.

So it has been sitting for a week. I go out and start it tonight and see it it will move. I put it in drive and it drives. I drive it around for about 5 minutes going 40 mph tops, with some stop and go. It works fine. I go to pull in my driveway and I gave it some throttle to see if it would slip, well it does. So i have the same sypmtom, any gear I put it in it wont do anything. I shut it off, restart it and put it back and drive and it will drive ahead. I put the brake on and give it gas to try to spin the back tire and it spins, i figured the transmission would slip? The transmission doesnt make any noise either.

Clueless....... Maybe smoked clutch pack? Wrong fluid? I dont have any good transmission techs around me to ask either?

Any help would be much appreciated.

Bill

 

[billfahl]

I was going to do a 5 speed swap....but both 4 runners were 4 cylinders that I found.

 

[Dark Lord]

I was going to do a 5 speed swap....but both 4 runners were 4 cylinders that I found.

I have an entire donor truck with a 5-speed in Indianapolis if you're interested. It was my 4runner I rolled, and I ended up buying another one which is an auto. I had plans to swap in the 5-speed, but have since changed my mind due to easier driving offroad with the auto. PM me if you're interested.