High mileage runners - what's your transmission life?

This!:trophy: If you never changed it or don't know the history leave it alone.

The Toyota Maintenance Guide recommends replacing the tranny fluid every 30,000.


Changing it won't do anything. Just don't power flush it


Everyone says something different! Dunno!
 
My 4runner had 185,000 miles on it when trans cooler in the radiator hemorrhaged. Luckily no Pink Milkshake. I'd say ur transmission life is precariously tied to your radiator life.
 
262k on my 06 SR5 and no problems at all. In fact the whole vehicle has given me only minimal trouble. I drive it like I stole it. Change oil every 6 to 10k miles and usually keep the filters clean. Had a tune up at 110k and it's still gets 19mpg. What a machine. Was waiting for it to die, but that ain't happening. So watching the build threads to see what I can do with it. Think it's time to change the original shocks, tune it up, and see if can put another 50k on.
Are the 2015s this well made?
 
Everyone says something different! Dunno!

Well think about it. What would simply changing the fluid hurt?

The reason people say not to "flush" the trans once it gets higher miles is because surely there is some build up and by using an outside pump that is stronger than the transmissions pump may clog things up.

This is still controversial and as far as i know there is no definitive proof of this. Just coincidences.
 
Well think about it. What would simply changing the fluid hurt?

The reason people say not to "flush" the trans once it gets higher miles is because surely there is some build up and by using an outside pump that is stronger than the transmissions pump may clog things up.

This is still controversial and as far as i know there is no definitive proof of this. Just coincidences.

I've read a few times that even just changing the fluid with no flush can muck things up. I'm not totally convinced though.

Hard to pull the trigger though, as I don't currently have any issues with the tranny.
 
227k on my original transmission, supercharged for an unknown amount of time...but I think quite a while. 1st-2nd gear was a bit sketchy when I bought the truck, but after lots of fluid changing, filter change, t-tech machine flush, lubeguard red, and more fluid (valvoline max-life always), it's shifting great. I'm pretty sure if I floored it in 1st gear five or six times though, I'd kill the transmission at this point.

A trans-go shift kit is on the horizon to firm it up.
 
227k on my original transmission, supercharged for an unknown amount of time...but I think quite a while. 1st-2nd gear was a bit sketchy when I bought the truck, but after lots of fluid changing, filter change, t-tech machine flush, lubeguard red, and more fluid (valvoline max-life always), it's shifting great. I'm pretty sure if I floored it in 1st gear five or six times though, I'd kill the transmission at this point.

A trans-go shift kit is on the horizon to firm it up.

I've been thinking of adding Lubegard. What's your experience with it?
 
190k torque converter died, replaced transmission along with it. I could've tried putting the original trans back in and doing a flush, but It'd be an expensive gamble.
[MENTION=71030]T4R2014[/MENTION] The trans guy I went to put red gard in when I was initally having issues. Couldn't really tell if it made a difference or not, because my trans was on its way out. I wouldn't hesitate to put a bottle in though, the guy said he puts it in all his import transmissions
 
I love this transmission. After just renting a Chrysler 200 with a 9-speed auto I can say I prefer a Toyota 90s 4Speed over most newer automatics (beside Audi DSG, and PDK, etc).

Newer automatics with 6-8 gears are probably the most annoying thing ever, they shift to 2nd and 3rd gear at what seems like 7 mph....constant bucking on downshifts, etc. Somehow the 4 speed in our 4Runners has none of those issues.
 
I used to run red lubguard in my dodge transmission based on my builders advice. Pushing over 1000ftlbs of torque and countless 4wd 20psi boosted launches that transmission was still going strong with a 100k miles on it when I sold it. Must have done something.
 
I bought my 2000 at 185K and it had absolutely no problems and I'm now at 203K. I'm going to do the filter and fluid exchange soon, though. Not because anything is wrong, just to do some preventative maintenance. These trucks are hardy vehicles and will carry you long ways of you take care of them. I would say just buy one. It's rare to find one of these with relatively low miles, as someone stated earlier these are 15+ years old, so mileage comes with the territory.
 
I've been thinking of adding Lubegard. What's your experience with it?

Lubeguard Red seems to be quite awesome. I've only used it in the t4r, and I'm sure it played a part in cleaning the transmission and bringing it back to a point where it shifts normally through all the gears. I'll probably always use some in high mileage auto's from now on.
 
'99 with 110,000. Just did a drain and fill last weekend. Fluid was a bit funky. Will do another this weekend. Only 2 issues- seems to not want to shift up to third smoothly til warmed up and if I let off the throttle at around 50/55 there is a jolt. Not sure if that is tranny, drive shaft, or ???
 

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