Comprehensive Guide to 5th Gen 4Runner Trans Service

[Agent_Outside]

You don't need a dongle, software, techstream, scanner or any other hardware to set fluid level in an A750E(2WD) or A750F(4WD) 4R 5th Gen /Tacoma 2nd Gen transmission.

All you need is a jumper wire and the instructions found on the first 2 pages of the following URL:

How to Drain/Refill Automatic Transmission | Tacoma World

You don’t buy diagnostic ability for reading trans temp. You buy it for being able to read and clear faults from every control in the vehicle and we’ll as see diagnostic data and measured values of anything and everything. Seeing actual trans temp is just one of many many uses.

 

[Lester Lugnut]

You don’t buy diagnostic ability for reading trans temp. You buy it for being able to read and clear faults from every control in the vehicle and we’ll as see diagnostic data and measured values of anything and everything. Seeing actual trans temp is just one of many many uses.

I agree, but some of the discussion in your fluid change thread centers around determining ATF fluid temp.
I was merely pointing out that Toyota's built-in jumper wire method addresses that.
Yes - scanners are useful for problem determination.

 

[smeerun]

There’s a lot of talk on here about cost and availability of the OEM fluid for diffs and especially the T/C. Looks like you found a dealer willing to actually order and ship the liquid gold?

Well, I was able to place the order and get a confirmation of the order. I will report back if they contact me saying "we can't order this".

Ordered from: Toyota Parts and Accessories Online - DARCARS Toyota of Frederick in Frederick, MD

Also some talk on the serpentine belt: Toyota vs. “OEM” Bando.
If possible, could you post a pic of the belt you get from Toyota to compare?

Damn. I didn't realize this. Yes I will post a pic once I receive it.

 

[badattitude]

Great Video, thanks Agent O.

Watching this video made me think...can 5th gen ATF be changed like the 4th gen? There are videos for a complete ATF change using the 4th gens 4runners ATF pump. Basically, find the trans cooler input/output. Then run the engine to pump out 2 quarts, put in two new quarts of ATF and repeat about 6x.

 

[Lester Lugnut]

I've always found the best Toyota WS deals on ebay. One of the better prices on there now is $104.99 for 12 qts. or $8.75 a qt. - free ship. Local dealer wants $13.00 a qt.

toyota Lexus Scion atf ws World Standard Transmission Fluid 12qts 00289-atfws | eBay

 

[1000MPH]

Here’s another option..I post this a lot so please forgive me if you already know...
Go to the Toyota parts website Toyota Parts and Accessories - Official Online Store
Search for the part you’re looking for - in this case 00289-ATFWS
Enter your zipcode to find the nearest participating dealer with a decent price, most won’t ship fluids.
I just ordered ATF and SLL coolant for pick up at a dealer 100 miles away from my house. I make my ordering a part of my road trip plans and I’ll pick it up on Saturday when I’m passing through.
My Local Toyota dealer charges list +20% and the Lexus dealer is routinely double list so screw them.

 

[smeerun]

Smart move [MENTION=53327]1000MPH[/MENTION] Why 12 quarts of ATF? (Edit: I'm guessing just for the future ATF service?)

 

[DougR]

Smart move [MENTION=53327]1000MPH[/MENTION] Why 12 quarts of ATF? (Edit: I'm guessing just for the future ATF service?)

4 quarts is sufficient for a drain and fill. Buy 12 quarts if you want to exchange most of the fluid in one service, i.e., drain, fill, pump out, top off, and repeat until 12 quarts has been exchanged.

Some prefer drain and fill, others prefer to exchange as much fluid as possible. Some compromise by performing 2 or more drain and fills over shorter intervals.

 

[smeerun]

4 quarts is sufficient for a drain and fill. Buy 12 quarts if you want to exchange most of the fluid in one service, i.e., drain, fill, pump out, top off, and repeat until 12 quarts has been exchanged.

Some prefer drain and fill, others prefer to exchange as much fluid as possible. Some compromise by performing 2 or more drain and fills over shorter intervals.

Shoot. I feel like I should have ordered 12 quarts as I literally have no idea how old my trans fluid is. My order arrives today and I'll be ready to do the ATF service with 6 quarts, new filter, gasket, etc on Saturday and I don't want to wait much longer because it's getting colder by the day.... Perhaps I'll order more and come spring time I'll do as you described to hopefully flush out as much of the old as possible? Thoughts?

I gotta say, while I am genuinely excited to be learning how to do all of this stuff... my brain is spinning. I think I spent 7 hours last night just reading about which grease to use on the spider / slip-yokes (the whole Moly NGLI 2 vs just NGLI 2). Ultimately I settled on following the manual's recommendation (understanding the "OR") and have purchased two grease guns and two greases. Sometimes the forums can be a devil. As a noob it is hard to differentiate someones opinion vs fact and it makes it even more confusing when four other users jump in to argue yay or nay. :wtf:

 

[ElectroBoy]

Shoot. I feel like I should have ordered 12 quarts as I literally have no idea how old my trans fluid is. My order arrives today and I'll be ready to do the ATF service with 6 quarts, new filter, gasket, etc on Saturday and I don't want to wait much longer because it's getting colder by the day.... Perhaps I'll order more and come spring time I'll do as you described to hopefully flush out as much of the old as possible? Thoughts?

I gotta say, while I am genuinely excited to be learning how to do all of this stuff... my brain is spinning. I think I spent 7 hours last night just reading about which grease to use on the spider / slip-yokes (the whole Moly NGLI 2 vs just NGLI 2). Ultimately I settled on following the manual's recommendation (understanding the "OR") and have purchased two grease guns and two greases. Sometimes the forums can be a devil. As a noob it is hard to differentiate someones opinion vs fact and it makes it even more confusing when four other users jump in to argue yay or nay. :wtf:

I know. OCD is a terrible affliction.
For greasing I put this on my general purpose grease gun to make the job easier. Getting a stubborn grease coupler off a fitting can be a knuckle buster.
LockNLube Grease Gun Coupler Amazon.com: LockNLube Grease Gun Coupler locks onto Zerk fittings. Grease goes in, not on the machine. World's best-selling original locking grease coupler. Rated 10,000 PSI. Long-lasting rebuildable tool.: Home Improvement

 

[smeerun]

I know. OCD is a terrible affliction.
For greasing I put this on my general purpose grease gun to make the job easier. Getting a stubborn grease coupler off a fitting can be a knuckle buster.
LockNLube Grease Gun Coupler Amazon.com: LockNLube Grease Gun Coupler locks onto Zerk fittings. Grease goes in, not on the machine. World's best-selling original locking grease coupler. Rated 10,000 PSI. Long-lasting rebuildable tool.: Home Improvement

My OCD and anal retentiveness wins every time. :hurt:

Ahh, yes. I saw the lock'n'lube coupler recommendation in multiple places and meant to order this. Thanks for the reminder.

Happy to report back that the dealer I linked above did come through with the liquid gold oil order. I have a lot of work ahead of me!

 

[DougR]

Shoot. I feel like I should have ordered 12 quarts as I literally have no idea how old my trans fluid is. My order arrives today and I'll be ready to do the ATF service with 6 quarts, new filter, gasket, etc on Saturday and I don't want to wait much longer because it's getting colder by the day.... Perhaps I'll order more and come spring time I'll do as you described to hopefully flush out as much of the old as possible? Thoughts?

I gotta say, while I am genuinely excited to be learning how to do all of this stuff... my brain is spinning. I think I spent 7 hours last night just reading about which grease to use on the spider / slip-yokes ...

I had a similar OCD response in regards to a 12 quart ATF exchange and what fluid to use, WS or MaxLife. Looking back, it was time well spent, I had no issues with the exchange. I settled on 12 quarts of MaxLife and I'm very pleased. The transmission shifts smoothly. Postscript: I found out later that I blew the OBD fuse using a jumper wire, but that was an easy fix and I made a post about it.

In regards to 6 vs 12 quarts and ordering more now versus later. Look at the 10-day weather forecast! It might warm up? If not, another 6-quart exchange latter is fine too.

 

[1jzgte]

i'd rather do all 13 quarts and be done w/ it for the next 50k.. if youre sticking w/ OEM i'd swap it again at 50k.. we'll see how maxlife does when this stuff gets 50k on it.. right now my maxlife shifts so smooth..

do all 13 quarts so you dont have to deal w/ getting the fluid heated and the right fluid levels..

 

[smeerun]

I had a similar OCD response in regards to a 12 quart ATF exchange and what fluid to use, WS or MaxLife. Looking back, it was time well spent, I had no issues with the exchange. As Master Yoda would say, "Easy it was, young Padawan." I settled on 12 quarts of MaxLife and I'm very pleased. The transmission shifts smoothly. Postscript: I found out later that I blew the OBD fuse using a jumper wire, but that was an easy fix and I made a post about it.

In regards to 6 vs 12 quarts and ordering more now versus later. Look at the 10-day weather forecast! It might warm up? If not, another 6-quart exchange latter is fine too.

i'd rather do all 13 quarts and be done w/ it for the next 50k.. if youre sticking w/ OEM i'd swap it again at 50k.. we'll see how maxlife does when this stuff gets 50k on it.. right now my maxlife shifts so smooth..

Alright, I have another 7 quarts on order, should be here Monday. I'll get the diffs and transfer case done this weekend and do the trans service next weekend.

do all 13 quarts so you dont have to deal w/ getting the fluid heated and the right fluid levels..

What do you mean in regard to not having to deal with getting the fluid heated? How would I avoid that?

This is where I am a little stuck on the order of operations for the full fluid flush/exchange that also includes dropping the pan and changing the filter.

Here is what I think I should do:

1. (Following the video from [MENTION=196768]Agent_Outside[/MENTION] for the initial steps)
2. Drain, drop pan, measure old fluid in measurement bucket
3. Clean pan, reinstall with new gasket
4. Fill pan with same amount of NEW fluid
5. Following this guide To drain fluid through the oil cooler outlet into a measurement bucket
6. Run the truck for about 30seconds to drain ~2quarts of old oil
7. Fill the truck with 2 quarts of new oil WHERE do I fill from? The fill plug in the pan or the dipstick in the engine bay like this guy does: Transmission Fluid Flush - YouTube
8. Run truck again, fill what was drained, etc... until I have put in all 12-13 quarts?

Head spinning again. Am I way over thinking this? I guess I am just stuck on where I need to fill from... if I can fill from the engine bay dip stick I think that makes more sense but if it's better to fill from the pan, why?

~smee

 

[JeuTheIdit]

Head spinning again. Am I way over thinking this? I guess I am just stuck on where I need to fill from... if I can fill from the engine bay dip stick I think that makes more sense but if it's better to fill from the pan, why?

~smee

The steps you outlined is exactly what you should do to flush the tranny! It is how I did mine at 100k.

5th gens do not have a tranny dip stick. The only way to fill it is by the fill plug underneath as outlined in OPs video.

 

[smeerun]

The steps you outlined is exactly what you should do to flush the tranny! It is how I did mine at 100k.



5th gens do not have a tranny dip stick. The only way to fill it is by the fill plug underneath as outlined in OPs video.

Oh my god. *lightbulb goes off*, hence the "sealed transmission"... Okay this makes way more sense.

Thank you.

Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk

 

[Lester Lugnut]

Fill plug is on top of the transmission - not the pan.

A750E - 2WD - on passenger side - top of transmission
A750F - 4WD - on drivers side - top of transmission

24MM socket gets the plug off. No need to replace the round rubber-like gasket on fill plug unless it's damaged.

 

[smeerun]

Fill plug is on top of the transmission - not the pan.

A750E - 2WD - on passenger side - top of transmission
A750F - 4WD - on drivers side - top of transmission

24MM socket gets the plug off. No need to replace the round rubber-like gasket on fill plug unless it's damaged.

Thank you. This is all making a lot more sense now. I feel like the plan is all coming together.

 

[1jzgte]

ATF Exchange (using the cooling line)

read this.. its 4th gen but the same process..

by the time i hit 50k i sure i'll be scrambling the forums again for a refresher.. its quite a process so give your self lots of time but it'll be worth it when you feel the improved shifting after you do a full 13quart flush

 

[smeerun]

ATF Exchange (using the cooling line)

read this.. its 4th gen but the same process..

by the time i hit 50k i sure i'll be scrambling the forums again for a refresher.. its quite a process so give your self lots of time but it'll be worth it when you feel the improved shifting after you do a full 13quart flush

Thanks 1jztge, I definitely want to do this right the first time and am looking forward to that satisfying feeling once I'm driving down the road shifting smoothly.