Rebuilt Trans - Which Way Would You Go?

[mtbtim]

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.

No, it shouldn't be that hard, but like anything you haven't done at all or many times, it's going to take more time than someone who's done it a bunch of times. I have some experience pulling manual transmissions but no experience with an automatic. There's the fluid lines you'll have to disconnect and the extra step of unbolting the flex plate via the bell housing access plate but it shouldn't be that much harder than a manual. Plus, we're doing this on our backs and not with a lift and that's always harder.

I'm guessing it would be advisable to disconnect the transfer case first since it's got to come apart from the old transmission anyway, and then you'll have an overall lighter unit to manipulate and separate from the engine. I haven't looked at what the FSM suggests but this will probably be the route we'll choose.

Supposedly, just like it is on other transmissions, the upper bell housing bolts are the hardest to remove because of the clearance problems. I've read that somebody used a very long extension with a swivel so he could use his impact gun to get them off. This is what I plan on trying as well.

Somebody said they could have this job done in 4 hours. I know my capabilities as a DIY mechanic and I know there's no way we'll come anywhere close to this. I'm a competent mechanic but I'm not quick by any standard. So, I'm assuming this will be an all-day affair for us. Sean and I also take longer because we're always video documenting the repair or mod and it adds quite a bit of time messing around with lighting, reshooting clips, etc.

 

[mtbtim]

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?

It will come with a one year warranty and I reckon it will be smart to read the fine print to see if the warranty is void if a non-certified mechanic does the install.

 

[thegipper]

Sounds like you guys got it all planned out.

Can't wait for the video. I cannot find any detailed information (video/write up ect) on how to remove these trannys other than the FSM.

 

[mtbtim]

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...

Like I posted already, the unknowns are just too many, at least for me, to go with a used transmission. Way too many variables. I look at it this way. I regularly do long distance mountain bike trips. Would I have the same confidence in a used transmission that is known to fail early compared to a remanufactured one? The answer is no. I'd rather put down the extra money on a remanufactured one knowing what I'm getting as opposed to not knowing very much about the used one except somebody is claiming it has a certain mileage on it.

Regardless how talented of a mechanic you are, do you really want to do all that heavy labor just to find out your used transmission is a total piece of crap and then have to run the same risk with the next used one you roll the dice on?

If this were a vehicle you plan on fixing and unloading, I'd say the used route is the way to go. For a vehicle you plan on keeping and have confidence to not leave you stranded in BFE, I'd choose the remanufactured route. This is the advice I've given Sean and it's up to him which way he'll choose.

 

[thegipper]

I understand your logic based on him planning on keeping it for many years.

There is no doubt there is a certain amount of risk when going with a used tranny, for some, those risks don't out way the cost saving especially if your rig is not a primary vehicle like myself. I could never justify spending that kind of money on a 20 year old rig with 209k miles and a few quirks.

I will put money into it, keep it running top notch as it currently is, but $3,000 would be too much for me on my particular rig. Now if I had a 99 limited with 100k miles on it, E locker and it was mint, 3k would make plenty of sense to me.

Whatever he feels comfortable with in the end is the best choice. Spending a little extra for a tranny from a Toyota dealership also makes sense to me versus saving a few hundred on a rando rebuilt if you are going that route.

Keep us posted!

 

[Scramble]

....... do you have a manual 4wd transmission you can hand over?......


I would be totally down... but replacing an auto to a manual is something I have no knowledge of whatsoever...

Is it easy?....

[MENTION=25058]ChildrenOfBodom[/MENTION] has everything you need for a swap for sale. Probably cheaper than a rebuilt A/T.

 

[Scramble]

....... do you have a manual 4wd transmission you can hand over?......


I would be totally down... but replacing an auto to a manual is something I have no knowledge of whatsoever...

Is it easy?....

$1200 is a steal for all of this. IMHO you'll have the ultimate 4Runner - A Cali owned, rust free, Thunder Cloud - 5 Speed w/ a S/C & E-Locker. The only one on the forum & I'll buy it off you when you're ready to sell. :lever: [MENTION=25058]ChildrenOfBodom[/MENTION], I want commission! LOL J/K

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/sale-...n-parts-part-out-00-sr5-orange-county-ca.html

Manual Transmission:
R150F 5 speed manual transmission/J-shift T-case with all manual swap parts included $1,200 firm
Includes:
Frame crossmember with M/T transmission mount
Clutch fork
Clutch slave cylinder
Clutch lines
Clutch master cylinder
Manual brake and clutch pedal set
OEM Flywheel for 5VZ-FE
clutch disk and pressure plate
throwout bearing
Front driveshaft
Rear driveshaft
Trans and T case shifters
Metal/rubber shift boot (under the leather one)
Interior trim with near perfect leather shift boot
Reverse and 4wd sensors
Clutch start cancel button

 

[erikw9]

I understand your logic based on him planning on keeping it for many years.

There is no doubt there is a certain amount of risk when going with a used tranny, for some, those risks don't out way the cost saving especially if your rig is not a primary vehicle like myself. I could never justify spending that kind of money on a 20 year old rig with 209k miles and a few quirks.

I will put money into it, keep it running top notch as it currently is, but $3,000 would be too much for me on my particular rig. Now if I had a 99 limited with 100k miles on it, E locker and it was mint, 3k would make plenty of sense to me.

Whatever he feels comfortable with in the end is the best choice. Spending a little extra for a tranny from a Toyota dealership also makes sense to me versus saving a few hundred on a rando rebuilt if you are going that route.

Keep us posted!

I'm in the same boat, deciding if i should spend 3K on a reman transmission or put a used one in with 175k miles on it and knock off a couple thousand off the price. I'm a little hesitant to put a used one in with so many more miles than I have on the rest of my truck when I could get a reman one from a very highly rated source. I do have a 99 limited with 100k miles on it with a e-locker though.....

 

[T4R2014]

Honda autos are no comparison - they are just crap, especially behind a V6. My opinion, but unless you can get multi-mode to work with the manual transmission then I wouldn't bother. I know it's possible because there are Hilix Surfs that came from the factory like that, but even if you get that ECU there's still some big work.

 

[anniesball72]

Auto trans rebuild

[MENTION=25058]ChildrenOfBodom[/MENTION] has everything you need for a swap for sale. Probably cheaper than a rebuilt A/T.

I have an '02 that I've owned since new. The torque converter went out. The truck had 140k miles on it. To replace the transmission with a rebuilt or junkyard oem wasn't an option for me. I plan on keeping the truck till it dies so for almost even money I put in a manual transmission which I always wanted. I now have to never worry that my transmission is going to fail again.

I want to add my multi mode is fully functional, the wiring conversion was very minimal, and the fabrication was limited to drilling the firewall for the clutch master cylinder, shortening my front driveshaft a hair and cutting the pan to allow the 5speed stick to stick through. I have no CEL's with a 2004 Tacoma ECM. I have been refereed in CA so I'm 100% refit with a 4Runner that smogs as an 04 Tacoma.

 

[jmferg]

Marlin Crawler sell one for $1200, why is this not a more popular option?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[1997AWD]

New to this forum please help

I am looking in to purchasing a 1997 4runner lmited v6 4x4 and the seller says the transmission is slipping, and that it needs to be replaced. Truck currently has 271k miles on it. I'm trying to find out if the tranny is compatible between 2wd and 4wd. What specs and drive terrain should I be looking for. Thanks for your help in advance. Btw he wants $1200 for the truck.

 

[thegipper]

The trannys are different between the 2wd / 4wd models. There are some differences between the years but if I remember correctly, 96-99 should all be compatible.

Do some searching on here, there is more detailed information out there...

 

[SFsquared]

5-Speed manual swap!!!!!! (just :cheer2::cheer2:my $0.02)

 

[mtbtim]

Dudes, [MENTION=102606]infamousRNR[/MENTION] is back on the road. We finished up the trans swap last night and everything is working like it should. We went back and forth on what trans we should go with and ended up buying a remanned from a Toyota dealer in the Bay Area. Sean called around and found a dealer willing to sell one for $2200. We were almost going to ship his transmission off to IPT Performance in New Jersey but decided at the last minute that any warranty issues would be a serious hassle so we decided a local purchase would be better.

And of course, we videoed the whole damn thing so it's going to have to be a video series because one video would be wayyyyy too long to watch.

Stay tuned 3rd Gen Brothers!

 

[Bijan]

Dudes, [MENTION=102606]infamousRNR[/MENTION] is back on the road. We finished up the trans swap last night and everything is working like it should. We went back and forth on what trans we should go with and ended up buying a remanned from a Toyota dealer in the Bay Area. Sean called around and found a dealer willing to sell one for $2200. We were almost going to ship his transmission off to IPT Performance in New Jersey but decided at the last minute that any warranty issues would be a serious hassle so we decided a local purchase would be better.

And of course, we videoed the whole damn thing so it's going to have to be a video series because one video would be wayyyyy too long to watch.

Stay tuned 3rd Gen Brothers!

Im in the same boat now.
Do I drop my tranny and send it NJ or buy a remanned from Toytoa for 1900.
I am supercharged with 7th injector and 2.1" pulley coming soon.... so I'm really leaning toward IPT.

I hate this..

 

[Chim]

Im in the same boat now.
Do I drop my tranny and send it NJ or buy a remanned from Toytoa for 1900.
I am supercharged with 7th injector and 2.1" pulley coming soon.... so I'm really leaning toward IPT.

I hate this..

1900 is a really good deal! I literally just ordered mine yesterday afternoon from my local dealership for $2333 after calling around and checking some places online.

 

[Bijan]

1900 is a really good deal! I literally just ordered mine yesterday afternoon from my local dealership for $2333 after calling around and checking some places online.

My wall I'm facing now is....since I'm supercharged, and wheel the p*ss out of my truck.... is it in my best interest to go ahead and let Import Performance Trans rebuild mine.... OR go for a re-manned...(which may have the same symptoms in 2-4 years)

 

[Wrencher93]

Dudes, [MENTION=102606]infamousRNR[/MENTION] is back on the road. We finished up the trans swap last night and everything is working like it should. We went back and forth on what trans we should go with and ended up buying a remanned from a Toyota dealer in the Bay Area. Sean called around and found a dealer willing to sell one for $2200. We were almost going to ship his transmission off to IPT Performance in New Jersey but decided at the last minute that any warranty issues would be a serious hassle so we decided a local purchase would be better.

And of course, we videoed the whole damn thing so it's going to have to be a video series because one video would be wayyyyy too long to watch.

Stay tuned 3rd Gen Brothers!

So how's that trans doing now, a year later?

 

[mtbtim]

So how's that trans doing now, a year later?

He's happily driving it around. No issues.