parts list for future tranny swap

thegipper

thegipper

New member
Can anyone give me a detailed list of all of the parts I should replace while swapping transmissions (failing auto with another auto)?

My 97 4x4 SR5 auto looks like it needs a tranny swap and I'm wondering what I should all replace while doing the swap.

Rear main seal?
Flex plate?
New mount?

I'm looking on car-part.com for a 150k ish mileage used, with some kind of warranty and one that was tested as good. I'll be re-using my transfer case.

Are there any other gaskets, non replaceable bolts ect?

I do have the FSM.

Any other tips/tricks advise is welcome too.

Thanks
 
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Make sure to stick with a 96-98 tranny, due to the different valve bodies in later years.

I had a shop do my swap so that's all I'm good for. Lol.
 
thegipper said:
Can anyone give me a detailed list of all of the parts I should replace while swapping transmissions?

My 97 4x4 SR5 looks like it needs a tranny swap and I'm wondering what I should all replace while doing the swap.

Rear main seal?
Flex plate?
New mount?

I'm looking on car-part.com for a 150k ish mileage used, with some kind of warranty and one that was tested as good. I'll be re-using my transfer case.

Are there any other gaskets, non replaceable bolts ect?

I do have the FSM.

Any other tips/tricks advise is welcome too.

Thanks
Click to expand...

Hey Mike, you're on the right track. Sean and I were thinking of replacing the flex plate, rear main seal and input shaft seal on the transfer case but then decided to follow the line of thinking, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." Sean's rear main seal wasn't leaking at all, his flex plate had no signs of cracking and the input shaft seal on his transfer case wasn't leaking either.

Then flex plate isn't cheap. It's around $250 but the seals are inexpensive. I was thinking there was a chance we might potentially do more harm than good replacing the rear main seal and transfer case seal if we screwed something up with the removal and install so thought it was best to leave it alone. Also, the mileage on Sean's rig was a factor too. Hey only has 160,000 miles on it so we're thinking the seals still have a lot of life left even though they're 15 years old.

When you pull your trans mount, just see if the rubber is becoming separated from the metal plates. If so, replace it. If not, reinstall it.
 
thegipper said:
I thought 96-99 tranny's were all interchangeable (A340F)? Or did something change in 99?
Click to expand...

I heard 96-98, 99-00, and 01-02. They're the same transmission, but there were changes to the valve bodies. That's just what I've heard. I erred on the side of caution and didn't look for any transmissions outside of 99 or 00 for my 00. But hey, I'm all for learning something new. If you can swap a 99 into your 97 with success, let us know. :)
 
Ok I'll just look for a 96-98 tranny then.

EDIT:

I found this on rock auto. The reman tranny's then sell for a 97 have a part number of T500955.

When I switch it to 1999 instead of 1997, it has two listed for the A340F:

T500955
4WD; Trans. code A340F; PRODUCTION UP TO 5/99; TAG: 350003D450, 350003D550, 350003D770, 350103D55084, 350103D77084

T500956
4WD; Trans. code A340F; PRODUCTION FROM 6/99; TAG: 350103G03084, 350103G04084, 350003G030, 350003G040

So it looks like if the 99 tranny was made prior to 5/99, it would work (I would also double check the tags listed above).

Probably still safer to just get a 96-98. Unfortunately right now, there are no decent low mileage (less than 150k) tranny's available near me in Wisconsin. I'm not in a rush so I'll just wait (use car-part.com).
 
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Maybe someone who's actually done it can verify if it works as I'm basing my knowledge on anecdotes from other users on this forum.

I do know that 01 and 02 definitely will not work on 96-00 due to the electronically controlled line pressure governor.
 
thegipper said:
Ok I'll just look for a 96-98 tranny then.
Click to expand...
I put a '97 tranny in my '99 without troubles. I did swap over the transmission fluid temp sensor, just in case that wasn't compatible. If anything, it shifts better than my '99 trans did (fewer miles on the older trans).

There are internal differences in the valve body (if you are doing a shift kit, etc.) but they are controlled the same externally.

'96-'00 transmissions *should* be compatible. '01/'02 went to electronically controlled line pressure (instead of the cable control) and are not compatible.

-Charlie
 
phattyduck said:
I put a '97 tranny in my '99 without troubles. I did swap over the transmission fluid temp sensor, just in case that wasn't compatible. If anything, it shifts better than my '99 trans did (fewer miles on the older trans).

There are internal differences in the valve body (if you are doing a shift kit, etc.) but they are controlled the same externally.

'96-'00 transmissions *should* be compatible. '01/'02 went to electronically controlled line pressure (instead of the cable control) and are not compatible.

-Charlie
Click to expand...

Just to add to this for future readers:

I swapped a Federal tranny into my Cali vehicle with no issues. I'm not even sure what the differences are, if any.
 
All good info, thanks guys. I guess I won't replace any of the seals or flex plate unless they show signs of failure. The tranny mount is like 10 bucks so maybe I'll just put a new one in anyway.

Tim, did you remove the exhaust to get the tranny out? A buddy of mine with a 3.4 v6 tacoma said he never had to remove the exhaust to pull the tranny, the FSM says to remove the "front pipe"?
 
thegipper said:
All good info, thanks guys. I guess I won't replace any of the seals or flex plate unless they show signs of failure. The tranny mount is like 10 bucks so maybe I'll just put a new one in anyway.

Tim, did you remove the exhaust to get the tranny out? A buddy of mine with a 3.4 v6 tacoma said he never had to remove the exhaust to pull the tranny, the FSM says to remove the "front pipe"?
Click to expand...

The only reason I can see to remove the front pipe is to have an easier time to get the starter out. We tried to remove it but had rusted bolt/nuts giving us a lot of trouble so we reassessed. We quickly realized the exhaust can stay put to get the transmission out. We just used the wheel well route to pull the starter out after loosening the brake line.
 
Interesting info. I have been saving my 99 trans with 162k just in case my 02 needed a trans replacement. But now it sounds like it won't work anyways. Maybe I should just sell it.. what are tranny's going for? Maybe I better be more clear... what are "Transmissions" going for ;)
 
Transmission dip stick O ring.

I got a used trans for my car. Had around 150K on it and works well. If I ever do the job again i will definitely purchase a re-manufactured transmission, but thats also because i plan to run this truck until it can't run any longer. I would do the rear main.

When I did mine, I just unbolted the starter and left it where it was.
 
4racer said:
Transmission dip stick O ring.

I got a used trans for my car. Had around 150K on it and works well. If I ever do the job again i will definitely purchase a re-manufactured transmission, but thats also because i plan to run this truck until it can't run any longer. I would do the rear main.

When I did mine, I just unbolted the starter and left it where it was.
Click to expand...

We pulled the starter because we took the opportunity to replace the contacts and plunger in the solenoid. So consider doing this if you haven't serviced your starter yet.

Oh, another thing is the shifter seat for the transfer case was completely destroyed on Sean's rig. He bought an aftermarket seat from Marlin Crawler.
 
How hard is it to replace the rear main seal?

Also, how do you go about re-filling the transmission? I know the pan only holds 4 quarts ish so how do you get the torque converter filled? Do you just fill the pan as much as you can, start up it so it so its starts to cycle, and keeping filling through the dipstick?
 
mtbtim said:
We pulled the starter because we took the opportunity to replace the contacts and plunger in the solenoid. So consider doing this if you haven't serviced your starter yet.

Oh, another thing is the shifter seat for the transfer case was completely destroyed on Sean's rig. He bought an aftermarket seat from Marlin Crawler.
Click to expand...

I did the starter contacts/plunger on my rig about 6 months ago. Does the starter have to be removed or can you just unbolt it and leave it in place? Sounds like racer just left it in place.
 
mtbtim said:
We pulled the starter because we took the opportunity to replace the contacts and plunger in the solenoid. So consider doing this if you haven't serviced your starter yet.

Oh, another thing is the shifter seat for the transfer case was completely destroyed on Sean's rig. He bought an aftermarket seat from Marlin Crawler.
Click to expand...

Good point! Mine 4WD shifter seat was also destroyed and came out in pieces. I purchased another one from the dealer. I didn't know Marlin Crawler had them, is it the blue one for the transfer case?. I should service my starter next to be safe.

https://www.marlincrawler.com/hardware-tools/hardware/heavy-duty-shifter-seat-forward-shift
 
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thegipper said:
I did the starter contacts/plunger on my rig about 6 months ago. Does the starter have to be removed or can you just unbolt it and leave it in place? Sounds like racer just left it in place.
Click to expand...

You can unbolt and leave it in place. It doesn't interfere with anything.
 
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