Metal flakes in Trans pan, won't shift into gear.

[akronevan2]

Hi I am new here and have looked all over the place for answers. I am considering buying a 2000 4runner limited V6 with 142k miles, the problem is the transmission. He has told me that I need a transmission installed. It will not shift into any gear, he has taken it to tranny shops and was told he needed a new one, there are metal shavings in the tranny pan. He is asking $2000 for it and I am not sure if it is worth the money. What do you all think? How much do trannies cost around here? Let me know what you think.

 

[brian2sun]

You should be able to find a used tranny for ~$5-800 and it'll be almost a day's labor to R&R at most shops. $2000 isn't a bad deal if the rest of the truck is in good shape. The problem is, if you buy it there's really no way to tell how the motor runs (under load) and how the truck drives/steers until you've already fixed the tranny. It could be a money pit or a good deal, but you would be taking a risk. I'd probably offer him $1200-1500 to reduce your risk. Then you could always get your money back if you part it out - if that's something you'd even want to mess with. If not, I'd pass and find one that runs good.

 

[Nelsonmd]

You should be able to find a used tranny for ~$5-800 and it'll be almost a day's labor to R&R at most shops. $2000 isn't a bad deal if the rest of the truck is in good shape. The problem is, if you buy it there's really no way to tell how the motor runs (under load) and how the truck drives/steers until you've already fixed the tranny. It could be a money pit or a good deal, but you would be taking a risk. I'd probably offer him $1200-1500 to reduce your risk. Then you could always get your money back if you part it out - if that's something you'd even want to mess with. If not, I'd pass and find one that runs good.

I agree. It could take a little while to find a tranny for a good price, so you better be able to go without it for a while until you get it fixed.

Did he mention why the tranny went? Does it look like he wheeled it?

 

[LittleCaesar]

$1500 cash if the rest looks OK. Take some pics (especially of the engine bay) and post them.

To find a new(used) tranny:
Car-Part.com--Used Auto Parts Market

 

[Jon]

Hi I am new here and have looked all over the place for answers. I am considering buying a 2000 4runner limited V6 with 142k miles, the problem is the transmission. He has told me that I need a transmission installed. It will not shift into any gear, he has taken it to tranny shops and was told he needed a new one, there are metal shavings in the tranny pan. He is asking $2000 for it and I am not sure if it is worth the money. What do you all think? How much do trannies cost around here? Let me know what you think.

Where are you from?

Will it not go into any gear?

Just metal shavings or lots of clutch mud with it? If so then he may have just smoked the clutches down to the metal discs. That means that there won't be any "broken" hardware=much cheaper rebuild. You might be able to get it rebuilt for $700-1000. The rebuild kits can be found for around $300+at least 8hrs labor (depends on where you go).

Might be worth $1200 as suggested, if it ends up being a flop, you can still part it out.

Personally, if your not able to do the removal/rebuild/install yourself you wont be getting a good deal. I'm afraid it will be a money pit. My $.02

 

[akronevan2]

Thank you everyone for your responses! I really appreciate them all. I am in Akron, Ohio. I know the seller, my friend, said that it was metal shavings all over the pan in the fluid. It won't even go into gear at all. I will keep everything you have said in mind and I will try to get over there this coming weekend for some pictures. Thanks again! Oh and one more thing, what other year transmissions will fit (I found one locally for $600 from a 1994)?

 

[LittleCaesar]

Look in the driver's side door jamb to see when it was made: month and year.

I know there was a change in 10/1999 in the A340F (4wd) but what the changes were I do not know nor if there is a compatiabilty issue.

 

[96743runner]

Thank you everyone for your responses! I really appreciate them all. I am in Akron, Ohio. I know the seller, my friend, said that it was metal shavings all over the pan in the fluid. It won't even go into gear at all. I will keep everything you have said in mind and I will try to get over there this coming weekend for some pictures. Thanks again! Oh and one more thing, what other year transmissions will fit (I found one locally for $600 from a 1994)?

One from a 94 (2nd generation 4Runner) won't fit the 2000 ( a 3rd generation 4Runner). Like the previous poster said, you are looking for a replacement A340F transmission. I'm not sure if 96-98 will be compatible, but I believe that Toyota changed some stuff with the 2001-2002 transmissions, so they wouldn't be compatible (or at least without some modification).