AZBubs poor man build and budget Adventures.

[AZBub]

Well, a little update. My Torque converter was getting hot enough to turn the metal blue. Mechanics said pump and the converter failed. I got quoted two prices. one was a repair of my transmission, the other was for a USA remanufactured one with 3 year warranty. $500 difference in price. Let’s just say I went with the 3 year warranty. Should have it back Wednesday or Thursday. Thank little baby Jesus cause i’m done tired of driving a Ford Exploder.


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[habanero]

Well, a little update. My Torque converter was getting hot enough to turn the metal blue. Mechanics said pump and the converter failed. I got quoted two prices. one was a repair of my transmission, the other was for a USA remanufactured one with 3 year warranty. $500 difference in price. Let’s just say I went with the 3 year warranty. Should have it back Wednesday or Tuesday. Thank little baby Jesus cause i’m done tired of driving a Ford Exploder.

Driving the Exploder was numb and dumb and annoying, I can see why you're done with driving one. Glad you're getting your truck back in order and up and going again soon.

 

[AZBub]

Transmission is in, drives great. Mechanics want it back between 500-600 miles to check everything out. Apparently with the new transmission comes free annual drain and fills and inspections. Labor charge was $600, Transmission was $2,500.00 with 36 month warranty.

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[AZBub]

So long and bitter disasterous experience with the new transmission. It has been promoted to corporate conversations at this point. My truck has been back in the shop 7-8 times since the install.

At first the brand new transmission was overheating, back to shop.

second, throwing P0770, back to shop.

third, throwing p0770 and overheating

4th p0770 still

5th p0770 again

6th leaks cause they didn’t install my T case right

7th. Most recent, took it back cause it was hunting gears at low speeds and....throwing P0770.

current: No more hunting gears, they said a solenoid was damaged. But now it’s running hot again. I’m at wits end to say the least. If you go to the link and listen, this is how it sounded once I picked it up. They forgot about 2 qts of fluid....

Provident Pathfinders on Instagram: “Ahh the SWEET SWEET sound of my new transmission, 8th visit to shop now. Took it back cause it was hunting for gears and throwing p0770…”

This of course all happened during the government shutdown, not so good for this guy and family.

I wish I would have had the cash as I would have just bought a Toyota reman. and done the install myself but I had to finance one.

The good thing for me is i’m as stubborn as eff which is bad for the company that did the work. It will be made right [emoji48]


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[T4topher]

So long and bitter disasterous experience with the new transmission. It has been promoted to corporate conversations at this point. My truck has been back in the shop 7-8 times since the install.

At first the brand new transmission was overheating, back to shop.

second, throwing P0770, back to shop.

third, throwing p0770 and overheating

4th p0770 still

5th p0770 again

6th leaks cause they didn’t install my T case right

7th. Most recent, took it back cause it was hunting gears at low speeds and....throwing P0770.

current: No more hunting gears, they said a solenoid was damaged. But now it’s running hot again. I’m at wits end to say the least. If you go to the link and listen, this is how it sounded once I picked it up. They forgot about 2 qts of fluid....

Provident Pathfinders on Instagram: “Ahh the SWEET SWEET sound of my new transmission, 8th visit to shop now. Took it back cause it was hunting for gears and throwing p0770…”

This of course all happened during the government shutdown, not so good for this guy and family.

I wish I would have had the cash as I would have just bought a Toyota reman. and done the install myself but I had to finance one.

The good thing for me is i’m as stubborn as eff which is bad for the company that did the work. It will be made right [emoji48]


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Had a very similar thing happen to me with an autozone reman’d 3rz on my Tacoma. Was the reason I got rid of the truck in the end. basically I got the new engine, head gasket leak, got a warranty replacement same thing started happening.. I could feel it in the way the engine ran, sold it. This is why I do everything myself and try to get Oem Toyota as much as humanly possible lol.

 

[AZBub]

So it seems, so far, that the most recent issues were because the mechanic did not add enough fluid, 2 quarts were missing. I found another steal from Amazon Warehouse.....

I’m going to install it inline with the radiator. AZ gets hot so i’ll take any extra cooling I can get.


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[BrianSD_42]

Well, a little update. My Torque converter was getting hot enough to turn the metal blue. Mechanics said pump and the converter failed. I got quoted two prices. one was a repair of my transmission, the other was for a USA remanufactured one with 3 year warranty. $500 difference in price. Let’s just say I went with the 3 year warranty. Should have it back Wednesday or Thursday. Thank little baby Jesus cause i’m done tired of driving a Ford Exploder.


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Hey man sorry to hear about your new / rebuilt transmission. Was the one you bought from a Toyota dealership (dealer reman) like Camelback or one from a private shop?

I know these private shops guarantee more years in warranty but I have always been skeptical if that really means anything in the end.

My transmission is still going (knock-on-wood) but I am pretty paranoid about it one day having issues.
.

 

[AZBub]

Hey man sorry to hear about your new / rebuilt transmission. Was the one you bought from a Toyota dealership (dealer reman) like Camelback or one from a private shop?

I know these private shops guarantee more years in warranty but I have always been skeptical if that really means anything in the end.

My transmission is still going (knock-on-wood) but I am pretty paranoid about it one day having issues.
.

I got it from AAMCO because I could finance one there. Just couldn’t make it happen with a Toyota one from camelback. AAMCO gets their transmissions from some warehouse in the midwest that does all the rebuilds in house. The problem is that the AAMCO transmission uses all the old electrical connections they have to swap over and apparently being 18 years old and all the heat kind of wore them out. In my case some of the issues were related to bad connections. Some related to the head mechanic not being the one working on my truck. The last time I went in they had to replace the lockup solenoid cause it apparently malfunctioned from the overheating after the install. So knock on wood, I think i’m in the clear. I have 300 miles on since and no codes, still runs a little warm but i think it’s cause the fluid isn’t all the way up to where it needs to be. Im addressing that on super bowl Sunday with the cooler install.

Short answer. If you need a transmission just get the one from Camelback and install it yourself. Labor cost would be right around $600 if not.


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[BrianSD_42]

Sorry to hear that man. I actually haven't heard any reports of someone installing the Camelback (Toyota corporate) rebuilt transmission here on T4R although I am sure someone has done it.
.

 

[AZBub]

Past all the transmission crap. Time to enjoy Arizona. BEST time to be here is Feb-May! The sprig blossom is going to be amazing this year so expect tons of flowery nonsense

I need to upgrade my suspension from the economy stuff of years past to something a little more mid-tier. I know I need the FJ80 OME 2861’s. I have 9 wraps that keep bottoming out on everything since all the added weight in back. It’s going to be even more when that bumper becomes a reality.

Provident Pathfinders on Instagram: “Finally back on the dirt...err mud.

#3rdgen4runner #4runner #4runneroffroad #4runnerlifestyle #toyota4x4 #toyota #toyota4runner”


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[AZBub]

Did a repack and evaluation of my tool kit.

Found a smokin deal on some camping goodies. The growler is the perfect size for my fridge. I gotta have my iced tea. Also a 12ga steel griddle. Both items were on clearance.

Finally, added something i think a LOT of people overlook.

Other than that I’ve been prepping here and there for the camping season to start. We are going to End if the World here in AZ mid April [emoji2958]. The wife wants a Cot so Teton sports it is. (I already had one from my Black River trip). Happy wife happy Overlanding Life.

Then Overland Expo, where i hopefully buy something I’ve had my eye on for 3 years.....


Kind of moving away from this site as many do. If you want to keep following our journey please follow us @providentpathfinders on Instagram.



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[habanero]

Nice clearance finds and that socket string is a clever idea too.
I've been enjoying your build and adventures, may have to try the insta-thingy at some point.

 

[AZBub]

Did a 37mile loop. Took along a drone pilot and got some amazing video (coming soon). It’s time. I have to upgrade to the OME 2861’s. I had back seat passengers and a fridge full of food and beverage and was smacking the poor excuse for bump stops all day. While I would LOVE Icon, KING or FOA, It’s just to Scottsdale $$$ for me. Prolly going to go Tundra Bilstein 6112 up front and 4th gen rear remote resi 5160s....

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[eddielasvegas]

Just great pix.


Eddie

 

[toastyjosh]

Nice Rig!!

 

[AZBub]

Had a serene 35-mile trip to enjoy the spring bloom. Also brought along a drone pilot to get some killer footage.

<iframe width="640" height="400" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CzwTs93pATc" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[AZBub]

Provident Pathfinders on Instagram: “It won’t be long and the green will be gone.

#arizona #arizonasky #arizona #arizona_landscapes #desert #desertoasis”


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[AZBub]

Finally doing the TBU within my budget. I’ll do a little review video of the parts and install.

Provident Pathfinders on Instagram: “Finally tired of warping stock rotors. Bought this kit, which is the Toyota Brake Upgrade (TBU) that EVERY 3rd gen 4runner owner should…”


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[2ndhandyotaman]

Reading over this thread was the motivation that I needed to make the firm decision to keep my 3rd gen and just do some basic mods to make it more enjoyable to drive. ( seating is my biggest gripe, then the crappy range because of the small gas tank) I was *this* close to getting a '14 Grand Cherokee Laredo w/ the QT II system on Friday but after much thought, I didn't think that I'd really be gaining much in the long run besides a newer vehicle and a hefty loan payment.

Those pics of your trip look incredible! They definitely make me miss living near the SW region of the country.

 

[j_sav115]

Did you use wheel spacers to make the 285s fit?