Concerned about 4 speed Tranny in Colorado

N

nubine7

New member
Hi all,

I'm looking at getting a 2002 V6 4X4 4runner This guy in case you're wondering. I currently drive a 96 4X4 Explorer with a 4.0L V6 that I brought to CO from Texas and in the two years I've been here already blown a tranny. Granted the car is old, these CO hills are hell on Trucks and SUVs that constantly downshift in and out of overdrive. I know that the car would be great for snow driving and will get me to the mountains any day, but I'm worried about blowing the transmission in this one to. Anyone have any advice on whether this is a smart choice or should I try for another 4runner model year? Also if this is a good year to go with for mountain driving, is this an ok price for the vehicle?

Thanks for the help and advice!
 
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That is a Ford auto transmission. Toyota auto transmissions are more reliable overall. Keep the fluid changed yearly and add an external fluid cooler for an extra measure. You can also add an inline filter
 
Awesome, yea CO really put the Exploder to the test, and it failed miserably really wanting a 4runner for reliability. One of my buddies has a 97 that has close to 300k miles. I dare to dream haha
 
Ford auto transmissions have long been a weak spot in their vehicles. The Aisin-Seiki auto trans in the 4Runner, is generally much more robust and reliable.

I would still check the condition of the transmission fluid, before buying. The fluid should be clean and red in color. If it's brown or black, the fluid has been neglected, and the trans will have more wear than it would have if it had been properly maintained.
 
Why would you let it constantly shift back and forth. I thought everybody knew to put it in 3rd if it starts doing that?
 
blaze17 said:
Why would you let it constantly shift back and forth. I thought everybody knew to put it in 3rd if it starts doing that?
Click to expand...

Nope didn't quite figure it out til I moved here. Also, would rather have a car that doesn't have trouble finding the "sweet spot" between gears.
 
The A4LD, which your Explorer has, is a Pinto tranny with overdrive. Nothing more. No matter how much tweaking one can do to it, it should have never been put in a SUV or Ranger.

as 02se stated, the one in the 4runner is much more durable. Better design. A simple drain and refill every 30,000 miles gives it great longevity.
 
Having the same truck and also a Denverite, the tranny does fine. It doesn't get up and go to pass anyone on the climbs, but it'll do just fine. I tend to just try and keep at the high end of the speed of traffic so that I can pass easier... if you get stuck behind one of the slow-moving semi's, it'll take a pretty big gap in traffic to get around them cause she will not get up and go very fast. She makes a lot of noise, but doesn't do much. :) In any case, it's perfect for everything else! Just need to drive aware of the limitations.
 
fish0281 said:
Having the same truck and also a Denverite, the tranny does fine. It doesn't get up and go to pass anyone on the climbs, but it'll do just fine. I tend to just try and keep at the high end of the speed of traffic so that I can pass easier... if you get stuck behind one of the slow-moving semi's, it'll take a pretty big gap in traffic to get around them cause she will not get up and go very fast. She makes a lot of noise, but doesn't do much. :) In any case, it's perfect for everything else! Just need to drive aware of the limitations.
Click to expand...

Hey, thanks for this insight! I was really hoping someone for CO would comment with their experience. The speed issue is kinda one of the reasons why I'm looking at going with the fourth gen since there's more power. They're just so expensive.....
 
We have a TON of hills in the Seattle area and I've never had an issue. My GF and I were driving over Stevens Pass last winter in a blizzard in 4hi with the center diff unlocked, Torque App said I never got over 200 degrees in my 2000 Limited, but I noticed driving with OD off helped when pulling up the hill at around 50mph.
 
just an FYI, if you treat the Toyota transmission the same way you treated the ford, it will fail also.
 
Sounds like bad luck but again they are called Exploders for a reason. On a side note my wifes Expedition has 170k miles and its all CO mountain driving and tranny still shifts like a champ.
 
nevada said:
see above.
I don't know of any automatic transmission that will survive that type of use for very long.
Click to expand...

Driving in Colorado?

If you're referring to me downshifting, I always learned that you're supposed to stay in OD unless you were towing or going up an incredibly steep grade. Even though driving over a hill is much different than driving up the side of the mountain, I now treat my Explorer like they're one in the same because I'm afraid of the transmission going out (probably at the cost of my engine). My question though is whether the 4runner's transmission is smarter about knowing when to shift on it's on, and from all the answers here I'm thinking it is (thanks for the blurb about the ECT JowenBrown).
 
nubine7 said:
Driving in Colorado?

If you're referring to me downshifting, I always learned that you're supposed to stay in OD unless you were towing or going up an incredibly steep grade. Even though driving over a hill is much different than driving up the side of the mountain, I now treat my Explorer like they're one in the same because I'm afraid of the transmission going out (probably at the cost of my engine). My question though is whether the 4runner's transmission is smarter about knowing when to shift on it's on, and from all the answers here I'm thinking it is (thanks for the blurb about the ECT JowenBrown).
Click to expand...

nope. if its hunting for the right gear, it wont last any longer. if you start a grade, you need to drop it down out of OD.

I hate to say it, but you are the reason the ford transmission died.

im sure a quick check of the owners manual will tell you to drop if out of OD for hills, while towing, etc.

the Toyota is no different. its not a matter of smart. OD is only there for fuel economy, so its a very high gear, to bring engine rpms down. if you hit a hill, or even a heavy headwind, the transmission will shift down. if this only happens once, no big deal. the problem is when it shifts back and forth multiple times. this will overheat the transmission. heat kills them quickly.
 
I'll have to stand in the OP's corner on this one. The A4LD is a terrible tranny, and is more fickle than a woman. It should have stayed in the Pinto and died along with it. Heck, it is even made in France.

To the OP: keep your ATF clean in your 4runner and you will be fine. A tranny cooler will help.
 
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