Rebuilt Trans - Which Way Would You Go?

[infamousRNR]

A few here have done it. COB and others. I think it's a lot more than part swaps.

Removing & installing a transmission seems hard enough...

Now throw in the fact that you have to absolutely know what you're doing to swap in a manual...

If you're offering help then let's rock n roll with the manny!

 

[SCRunner12]

I don't think it can be done easily at all with the multi-mode 4wd system in the 01-02's. I would stick with a rebuilt or like others said a low mileage trans as Rancho Cordova should have a ton available.

 

[St Runner]

One of the members on here (Anniesball) put a r150f with multimode using a late model 1st generation tacoma ecu. So yes it can be done. I swapped mine by myself never having pulled a transmission before. It was this site and ttora that helped me mostly because somebody had already done it and showed how. I always have the utmost respect for those who do it first. That is confidence

 

[buccaneerbandit]

trans

Didn't realize Camelback wouldn't ship the transmission listed on the site. That has always been my plan B if my tranny shit the bed.

 

[T4R2014]

Does Sean have intentions to supercharge at some point? If he is, then I would go IPT. I've heard nothing but great things about their rebuilds. But then again, I'm local to them and they aren't the only good transmission rebuilders in the world. If he isn't then the OEM is a solid option.

Just putting future mods into consideration.

 

[Tyler James Inc]

I think you're freakin yourself out a little as far as the difficulty of swapping a trans. As long as you don't try to pull the trans without unbolting the TC, it's not a super huge project.
I've only dropped 2-3 Toyota trans, and a couple FWD VW trans- so I'm no pro here. That said, I'm confident I could pull my trans in 2hrs, and re-install should take about the same.
4hrs start to finish on Saturday? Probably not quite, but I like to do these kinds of projects over two days. Clean garage and a good nights' sleep go a long way for me!

As for what I would do-
Used. Ideally from a low-mile, private party, service-record-having wrecked rig. Two of the three "ideals" req'd [emoji12] That's because that's what I would be able to afford(okay, actually, I would just buy the clutch kit I need to swap my R150F in)

Of your three options, I suppose the most expensive("better than OEM") trans- assuming they have 5 star 100% satisfied reviews posted.

 

[theesotericone]

I happen to like a quick Google search. These guys seem legit. I'm not a huge fan of Yelp but if you google MS auto gears everyone has good things to say about them. It's worth talking to them I'd say.

Oh and rebuilt locally would be my choice.

https://www.yelp.com/biz/ms-auto-gears-santa-clara-3?hrid=6esAWPXthEe470kMbQPPmw&osq=Transmission+Rebuild

 

[mtbtim]

Does Sean have intentions to supercharge at some point? If he is, then I would go IPT. I've heard nothing but great things about their rebuilds. But then again, I'm local to them and they aren't the only good transmission rebuilders in the world. If he isn't then the OEM is a solid option.

Just putting future mods into consideration.

He has a supercharger but we haven't installed it yet. IPT was originally our first choice since Sean also heard good things about their rebuilds. However, it's the most expensive option and the longest turn-around option since we have to pull his transmission, ship it to IPT, wait for them to rebuild it, and then ship it back to us.

 

[infamousRNR]

Does Sean have intentions to supercharge at some point? If he is, then I would go IPT. I've heard nothing but great things about their rebuilds. But then again, I'm local to them and they aren't the only good transmission rebuilders in the world. If he isn't then the OEM is a solid option.

Just putting future mods into consideration.

i REALLY want to go IPT....

i just wish i was able to source an 01-02 4wd trans on the east coast to give to them....and avoid sending my own over there...

anyone have a lead on a blown trans over there on the east coast?

 

[T4R2014]

i REALLY want to go IPT....



i just wish i was able to source an 01-02 4wd trans on the east coast to give to them....and avoid sending my own over there...



anyone have a lead on a blown trans over there on the east coast?

Why couldn't your transmission have gone boom a year ago? My mechanic had a junk 01 A340F sitting out back for a few months. Swapped out for a JDM unit because of... you guessed it: planetary gear failure.

That reminds me, look into JDM transmissions. I drove that 2001 4Runner with the JDM transmission. Filled it with OEM Toyota Type IV and it shifted smoooooooth. People are skeptical but I wouldn't hesitate to get a JDM engine/tranny as long as I inspected it in person. Whatever I've driven with JDM stuff was very good.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[amalik]

i REALLY want to go IPT....

i just wish i was able to source an 01-02 4wd trans on the east coast to give to them....and avoid sending my own over there...

anyone have a lead on a blown trans over there on the east coast?

Google 'All of craigslist', my friend.

http://www.searchcraigslist.org/

The only problem is, Craigslist is full of enough asshats when you meet them in person, let alone remotely! haha.

 

[thegipper]

Sorry Jerod, but no freaking way would I go this route. You don't know what you're getting. You could luck out and get a great transmission or you could get a total piece of shit and then you just did an incredible amount of labor for nothing. If Sean was just going to unload his truck, I'd say taking the risk with a used trans would be a solid decision. But, since Sean is planning on keeping his truck for a very very long time, the used route doesn't make much sense. There's a chance the seller lied about the miles on the transmission and there's a chance the previous owner(s) didn't do regular fluid changes and prematurely aged the trans.

Tim, I know you guys don't want to go used but "you don't know what you're getting" with a rebuild either really.

I think the reason why so many people on here say to stay away from rebuilds is because so many have had trouble with them.

If you guys are set on getting a rebuild, I would find one locally for a good price and good warranty. Do your homework and make sure they are a reputable shop that has been around for awhile. If they go belly up in a year, no amount of warranty will help you.

Good luck and make that video we are all waiting to watch!

 

[JayRolla]

That's disturbing that 2 out of the 3 OEM rebuilds only lasted 40-50k. No bueno!

Oem rebuilds are also prone for failure but best option for rebuild. Like posted above I've seen so many issues on rebuilds. I've had drag built trans hey out lasted by a 200k mileage oem trans from junk yard in my DSM's.

I would trust a rolled used trans over any rebuild by anyone. Risk involved in all situations. Even if labor had to be done twice you still save money. It's just big boy Legos. Not to hard to pull trans.

 

[IBallEngineer]

If my transmission in my 4runner went out I'd probably atleast look into seeing if there were any well reviewed transmission rebuilders in my area just to compare $ and weigh the pros/cons. If that wasn't an option I'd definitely go oem reman.

I've had 3 automatic transmissions go out in 2 honda accords (94 & 04) & all 3 times I went with an oem reman because I didn't have the time to research or go through the process of having the car towed to various shops for estimates. And the first time it happened I was working at an acura dealership so it was just easier going the oem reman route. 2 of the 3 transmissions went out within ~40-50k. My wife is currently driving the 04 accord with about 10k on the oem reman. Not saying the transmission issues had anything to do with it being a reman, just a different option I'd probably explore the next time around.

Lots of V6 Honda Accord transmissions failed prematurely because they were absolute junk. Nothing to do with the rebuilds. I thought by 04 they figured it out, but maybe not.:shrug:

 

[JayRolla]

Lots of V6 Honda Accord transmissions failed prematurely because they were absolute junk. Nothing to do with the rebuilds. I thought by 04 they figured it out, but maybe not.:shrug:

I was thinking the same. It's like the early Lexus LX crossover. Trans would fail every 50k miles due to the clutch material. They sid to do a full trans service every oil change and you may get 80k out of it.

 

[LittleCaesar]

My sis had a 2005 Volvo SUV that the dealer put in three times on their dime after the original one failed. Finally Volvo just bought the SUV back and gave her a large credit towards a new car so she bought my mom a sedan.

Many Fords, Chevy 4l60e come to mind as early failures.

The hardest item to replace on a car IMHO is an auto transmission.

 

[mtbtim]

Tim, I know you guys don't want to go used but "you don't know what you're getting" with a rebuild either really.

I think the reason why so many people on here say to stay away from rebuilds is because so many have had trouble with them.

If you guys are set on getting a rebuild, I would find one locally for a good price and good warranty. Do your homework and make sure they are a reputable shop that has been around for awhile. If they go belly up in a year, no amount of warranty will help you.

Good luck and make that video we are all waiting to watch!

We are leaning heavily towards an OEM rebuilt one from our local dealer. No shipping, no long road trip, and a decent price. Unless Sean plans on doing brake stands and smoking the tires with his new cool supercharger, I don't see why you need to go with a performance transmission. It's a freaking truck, not a sports car.

I spoke with one of the knowledgeable parts guys I know pretty well at the local dealership and he told me a "Remanufactured" transmission from Toyota means ALL moving parts are replaced. When they get in a core transmission, all they really care about is if the case is intact, because that's the main part they are going to reuse. "Rebuilt" means they only replace the parts they feel necessary to get the transmission running again.

With this knowledge, I think we can hopefully assume this remanufactured trans will at least last him as long as the last one. There does appear to be a defect with the 01-02 transmissions though. The planetary gear failure is what I suspect happened to Sean's truck since many others have experienced the same failure.

 

[thegipper]

Definitely the early 2000's V6 Honda/Acura tranny's are prone to premature failure.

In fact, I would say auto transmissions are Honda/Acura's biggest weak point.

Look at the new Acura TLX, tons of people having tranny issues on a $45,000 brand new vehicle.

I know Tim said they don't want to go used and its killing us not to keep posting "go used".

For the price of a rebuild, you could buy 3 low mileage used tranny's. I cannot imagine pulling these transmissions is that hard...

 

[thegipper]

We are leaning heavily towards an OEM rebuilt one from our local dealer. No shipping, no long road trip, and a decent price. Unless Sean plans on doing brake stands and smoking the tires with his new cool supercharger, I don't see why you need to go with a performance transmission. It's a freaking truck, not a sports car.

I spoke with one of the knowledgeable parts guys I know pretty well at the local dealership and he told me a "Remanufactured" transmission from Toyota means ALL moving parts are replaced. When they get in a core transmission, all they really care about is if the case is intact, because that's the main part they are going to reuse. "Rebuilt" means they only replace the parts they feel necessary to get the transmission running again.

With this knowledge, I think we can hopefully assume this remanufactured trans will at least last him as long as the last one. There does appear to be a defect with the 01-02 transmissions though. The planetary gear failure is what I suspect happened to Sean's truck since many others have experienced the same failure.

If Sean is dead set on not going used, then a "re-manufactured" from a Toyota dealership is probably the way to go.

Does it come with any kind of warranty? Will they honor the warranty if you guys do the install?

 

[thegipper]

My sis had a 2005 Volvo SUV that the dealer put in three times on their dime after the original one failed. Finally Volvo just bought the SUV back and gave her a large credit towards a new car so she bought my mom a sedan.

Many Fords, Chevy 4l60e come to mind as early failures.

The hardest item to replace on a car IMHO is an auto transmission.

Is there something specifically hard about removing an auto tranny, especially on these trucks? I could see removing a FWD auto tranny being a PITA.

I haven't pulled many transmissions but the one I helped pull on a vette, took us maybe an hour.

Disconnect the drive shaft, un plug all connectors/sensors, disconnect all the linkage, remove all transmission lines, un bolt the all fasteners holding the tranny and remove.

Or are there clearance issues? Does the TC have to be removed from the tranny first?

Like I said, haven't done it on a 4R before but on face value, it doesn't seem like rocket science.