Is this worth the repair at this point?

[shiftmx]

My '01 4Runner's transmission is likely on the way out. I get a whining noise only in 1st gear that I had my shop diagnose. After listening with a stethoscope they confirm the noise is coming from the trans and think it may be the planetary gears or clutches going out in the 1st gear.

There is a freeze plug leaking on the back of the motor that I was going to have to drop the transmission to replace anyway. The cost was initially going to be a little less than $900 and I was having them do both freeze plugs and the rear main since they were in there. Now, because I wouldn't want to pay for dropping the transmission twice, I am considering replacing the trans at this time. The best option they can give me is a used trans from a local yard with about 86K for a price the yard is asking $1200 for bringing my total repair to $2500 after trans flush, taxes, etc.

The 4Runner in question has 178K and the timing belt was done a year/15K ago. I can't help but wonder what else may go wrong as I took ownership of this vehicle at 130K and not sure of the previous way it was taken care of. There are stupid little things going wrong with it now like the power locks wont operate some doors when its sitting in direct sunlight and gets too hot, the headlight switch doesn't change between high and low beams anymore, and I still need to do the lower ball joints with inner and outer TREs. I can't help but think what else would pop up.

If we were talking about an 8-10 year old 4Runner, the choice would be an obvious "fix it". For a 17 year old SUV, would you put in the $2500 to fix it or would you just cut your losses at this point and buy something newer.

 

[Ricktuk]

tough question.
financial is easy, what is the worth of the vehicle if sold as compared to the cost if it were fixed. If the cost to fix doesnt bring up the value enough you dont do it.

Also can you wrench it? Do you have the time/ inclination/ ability to do it.

A lot can go wrong but these vehicles regularly get 300000+miles

But then there are other factors. is this YOUR car. do you love it. When you think of driving is this the vehicle you think of. Our relationships with our cars are sometimes as complicated as with our significant others. Only you can decide.

 

[JRZEE2000TR4LTD]

$1200 for a used tans?? WTF

 

[LittleCaesar]

Three questions that would be the deciding factors for me:

1. Is it a daily driver? IF it is and you need transportation for work, school, to see the woman, etc, you may want to get a newer auto.

2. Do you have the funds for an upgrade?

3. Can you wrench on it at all and/or have the time to? If not, then a newer auto may be in your future.

 

[shiftmx]

tough question.
financial is easy, what is the worth of the vehicle if sold as compared to the cost if it were fixed. If the cost to fix doesnt bring up the value enough you dont do it.

Also can you wrench it? Do you have the time/ inclination/ ability to do it.

A lot can go wrong but these vehicles regularly get 300000+miles

But then there are other factors. is this YOUR car. do you love it. When you think of driving is this the vehicle you think of. Our relationships with our cars are sometimes as complicated as with our significant others. Only you can decide.

I believe I have the ability to swap the transmission yes, but the place to do it is a problem. I live in an apartment and I don't have any friends with a driveway/garage. Dropping a trans in my assigned parking space is not an option. I do like my 4runner, that's the only reason I'm debating this as opposed to just junking it.

Three questions that would be the deciding factors for me:

1. Is it a daily driver? IF it is and you need transportation for work, school, to see the woman, etc, you may want to get a newer auto.

2. Do you have the funds for an upgrade?

3. Can you wrench on it at all and/or have the time to? If not, then a newer auto may be in your future.

This is my daily driver. I also use it to drive home quarterly to visit family which is a 12 hr round trip. I could fly, but it is more cost effective to just drive.

Yes, getting something newer within budget will not strain me, but I do like the fact that I haven't paid a monthly car payment in years.

 

[shiftmx]

$1200 for a used tans?? WTF

Yeah, that was my first reaction too. I was thinking this would be in the $500-$700 range. I guess this yard is proud of their stuff.

 

[nissanh]

2WD trans is about $300 from a private party or $150 at a yard. How good are you pulling parts out of a truck? I recently came across a transmission for a 4runner on Cl in TX (somewhere) but cannot not find it.

 

[Ricktuk]

]I believe I have the ability to swap the transmission yes, but the place to do it is a problem. I live in an apartment and I don't have any friends with a driveway/garage. Dropping a trans in my assigned parking space is not an option. I do like my 4runner, that's the only reason I'm debating this as opposed to just junking it.

Probably wont be junked. someone in your area will want to fix it

 

[thenightman]

$2500 is a lot. You could buy a different 3rd gen for a couple thousand more. But that truck would also be about 17 years old. It might have door lock problems too, and light issues. I say if you love this vehicle, fix it! You will probably be money ahead then getting another one. Instead of a new vehicle, why not get a beater to supplement the 4runner? Less miles on the 4 runner, and if the 4runner is down for a few days for repairs or mods sometime, you can still commute and continue life. I DD a beater Corolla. When I drive the 4runner it is a treat every time.