manual trans to automatic swap???

A

airdreams1

New member
Yes I searched & all I found was auto to manual swap.....


How hard would it be to swap from a manual trans to an automatic in a 91 4runner? same question for a first generation.... OH & either way I go, Im getting a 4 cylinder! what all is involved, parts neded, etc..... I can do the work. Just not sure if I need a new wire harnics, computer, tcm, etc.


Im looking @ getting a 4runner very soon possibly this week.... so any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.
 
Last edited:
Register to hide this ad
You will fore sure need a different ecu. You will also have a huge cutout in the floorboard.
You won't like a 4banger with an auto. They are gutless to begin with.
 
I had a 90 extended cab 4x4 pu with the 3.sl0w/manual trans & hated it. It was very expensive to repair, had very little pow(mine were allterains & his were mudders).... thats why I sold it. (i put in manual lockers, catback flowmaster exhaust to help power & mpg. no such luck)


Specs say:
91 22re 4runner manual trans = 112 horsepower 142 pound-feet 17 city & 20 highway
(auto = 16 city & 18 highway)

91 3.0 4runner manual trans = 150 horsepower and 185 pound-feet 14 City & 17 highway
(auto got 13 city 17 highway.)

will it realy make that much differance??? I really want to have as much info as possible before I decide to buy another rig...... It will be my daily driver & only rig, so I got to be sure it is what I want & will be happy with it.

Currently have a 87 samurai That Im not really happy with. Yah its a cool little rig, lifted with 31x10.5's & you can take he top off in the summer.... But its slow as heck with the 1.3 motor & barely does freeway speed on flat ground, pretty cramped inside, cold as #ell to ride in, rides rough as hell, noisey & on & on & on... thats what the 4runner will be replacing.

Oh & how well do the heaters work i the first & second gen 4 runners? I have Raynaud's (so Im always cold) + a 4 year old daughter who will be in there.....
 
Last edited:
Since you don't have it yet... I would just wait and buy a 4Runner already set up the way you want it. That combo is out there, you just gotta be in the right place at the right time.
 
airdreams1 said:
Oh & how well do the heaters work i the first & second gen 4 runners? I have Raynaud's (so Im always cold) + a 4 year old daughter who will be in there.....
Click to expand...
I like the heater in my 85 better than the 2006. mostly because the 06 lacks the rear heater. bastards.
 
IMO a 4cylinder with auto isnt gonna be much better freeway wise than your existing samurai. But if thats what you want so be it.

As for the heater, I love the heat in my 89 4runner. It gets soo hot in the truck I have to end up opening the sunroof during the winter sometimes to vent it a lil. I do have the rear seat heater though and its amazing.
 
airdreams1 said:
Oh & how well do the heaters work i the first & second gen 4 runners? I have Raynaud's (so Im always cold) + a 4 year old daughter who will be in there.....
Click to expand...

I got Raynaud's too brother! The heater blasts hot 5 minutes after the truck is turned on. (even in temps below 15degrees) IDK for sure about the first gen, but my second gen has a rear heating unit as well.

PS I know how much it sucks with raynauds.. I'm with yah!
:hello:
 
airdreams1 said:
I had a 90 extended cab 4x4 pu with the 3.sl0w/manual trans & hated it. It was very expensive to repair, had very little pow(mine were allterains & his were mudders).... thats why I sold it. (i put in manual lockers, catback flowmaster exhaust to help power & mpg. no such luck)


Specs say:
91 22re 4runner manual trans = 112 horsepower 142 pound-feet 17 city & 20 highway
(auto = 16 city & 18 highway)

91 3.0 4runner manual trans = 150 horsepower and 185 pound-feet 14 City & 17 highway
(auto got 13 city 17 highway.)

will it realy make that much differance??? I really want to have as much info as possible before I decide to buy another rig...... It will be my daily driver & only rig, so I got to be sure it is what I want & will be happy with it.

Currently have a 87 samurai That Im not really happy with. Yah its a cool little rig, lifted with 31x10.5's & you can take he top off in the summer.... But its slow as heck with the 1.3 motor & barely does freeway speed on flat ground, pretty cramped inside, cold as #ell to ride in, rides rough as hell, noisey & on & on & on... thats what the 4runner will be replacing.

Oh & how well do the heaters work i the first & second gen 4 runners? I have Raynaud's (so Im always cold) + a 4 year old daughter who will be in there.....
Click to expand...


Heater in my 2nd gen gets my boots so hot I can burn my toes on them and I only drive 3 miles to work. At 25mph so it takes like 15 min but rear heater adds a good amount of heat back there for my kiddos

And to swap it would not be worth it. Just learn to drive a stick
 
541joseph said:
Oh and also I have the 3.slow 5speed and I get 18 city and 22hwy.
Click to expand...
I can drive a stick..... (the samurai is a manual) It would just much easier on my legs & & back to have an auto......

2ndGen4runner4x4 said:
Since you don't have it yet... I would just wait and buy a 4Runner already set up the way you want it. That combo is out there, you just gotta be in the right place at the right time.
Click to expand...

I waqs going to buy one the other day & it was a 4 cylinder with auto..... But the kid wanted to play a bunch of games & have several other people look at it first unless I wanted to pay more than the asking price...... Needless to say, I told him what I thought of that.......
 
airdreams1 said:
Yes I searched & all I found was auto to manual swap.....
Thanks.
Click to expand...

Just follow those threads starting from the end and go backwards.






:D

You'd need trans and t-case, trans ECM and harness, different x-member if I remember correctly, and probably some driveshaft work.
 
I bought a 89 with a manual & a 3.slow......... It has a blown head gasket, thinking Im going to just rebuild the whole motor. But the price was right & its in prety good condition + was a 1 owner rig..... will make a post soon...



 
Last edited:
I didn't read other comments, so I don't know if this was mentioned or not. The auto trans is only 3 gears + overdrive. The auto transmission will not shift into overdrive until the engine is up to temperature, which usually takes a few minuets. Just something to think about.
 
Stick to Auto

Autos just aren't worth it IMO. I've done 2 of the opposite because the autos are slower, have half the power(half the towing) and worse on gas. I my case though i was able to reuse the drive shafts. The Auto setup is longer and alot heaver. I had a 90 4 door 4Runner with a 22RE 5-speed combo and it was slower than my 87 and it would have been worse with a auto.

oops, didn't notice the second page. Nice lookin runner, I bought 1 like that for parts once, it had been rearended. i swear the 3.0 it it was stronger thans the 90's models i've had. My brother wheels the same model too. Good luck with the rebuild!
 
Last edited:
Couldn't help but notice your location (and sort of off topic) but the cave creek coffee company has the best breakfast anywhere! Southwest Benedict.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Members online

Total: 451 (members: 3, guests: 448)

Forum statistics

Threads
278,310
Messages
3,554,079
Members
248,016
Latest member
Advally Service

Share this page

Trending content

Back
Top