Repair or sale/trade

[rugger]

First let me say, I love my 4Runner and thanks in advance for your advice.

2001 SR5 Sport Edition
206K
original timing belt
orginal tranny, but OD solenoid was replaced last year*
original axle seals/bearings
NO MAJOR work ever done - maintenance only, so 206K is pretty amazing
Deck plate mod only

Immediate Needs:
My check engine, VSC, TRAC lights are on resulting in:
Transmission needs to be replaced/rebuilt - overdrive solenoid again*
Heated O2 sensor needs replacing

Before you ask - my lights are NOT lit up due to loose gas cap or bad battery or any other nonsense. Very trusted and reputable guy checked it out and I also had another trusted Toyota specialist confirm.

My shop guy says the solenoid when out and now again most likely due to the torque converter failing (metal shavings in the fluid) - when he pointed out the whine it became quite obvious. Considering the age/mileage and solenoid history, whine he suggests a rebuild. He will do a rebuild and take care of the O2 sensor and include a 50K warranty for $2500. 100K warranty option for another $100

I also need my timing belt replaced $700 (includes everything it should, water pump, etc) and rear axle seals AND bearings. I see no point in doing the seals without doing the bearings given the mileage $500.

$3800 is a lot to spend on an 12 year old vehicle, but I love it and if it does get me to 300K is definitely worth it.

Here she is on her 200K day just a few months ago:

What are your thoughts on this? Fix it or trade up and invest in a nicely used 4th Gen?

 

[nissanh]

Original timing belt? It is high time to replace it. My car had the original timing belt at 177 K miles and it was like a nylon thread!

You can get the TOYOTA T-belt kit on ebay for about $300.

I would replace a transmission with a used transmission 4x2 is about $250 and 4x4 about 500? without spending $2500 just for the trans.

If your axles won't leak, don't worry about it now.

I live 5-6 hours away from you and having a long break. If you can bring your truck here, I can help you to replace the T-belt and probably the trans if it 4x2. 4x4 is damn heavy and need more hands.

 

[theizzardking]

spend the 2,600 on the trans get a rebuild motor put in for about the same, 2,600+2,600=$5,200 which='s hell of a lot cheaper than a 4th gen and will last twice as long as buying a 4th gen for 15k with 80k+ on the engine and trans....

 

[danthemanx07]

Original timing belt? It is high time to replace it. My car had the original timing belt at 177 K miles and it was like a nylon thread!

You can get the TOYOTA T-belt kit on ebay for about $300.

I would replace a transmission with a used transmission 4x2 is about $250 and 4x4 about 500? without spending $2500 just for the trans.

If your axles won't leak, don't worry about it now.

I live 5-6 hours away from you and having a long break. If you can bring your truck here, I can help you to replace the T-belt and probably the trans if it 4x2. 4x4 is damn heavy and need more hands.

I second this evaluation. I had the strawberry milk shake eat my tranny up about 50k ago. Purchasing something else was not an option because I was short on cash, so I replaced the transmission myself. Mind you, I am no mechanic, but I know basic tools and simple wiring. I did mine the hard way and switched it over to a manual transmission while I was at it. I bought everything I needed from a guy on a forum like this for $600. The only thing I wish I had done is bought a tranny jack. They can be had for about $100 at Harbor Freight I think. Money well spent I am sure.

That being said, I think I could have had the old one out and a new auto in there in a day or so (if the car wasnt from Boston and eaten up with rust). It really wasnt that bad in hind sight. If I had another set of hands it would have been even faster I am sure.

If you arent up to it, you can still find a low mileage used on for about $400-600. The install will likely run about $300 (depending on the labor rate I guess).

Just some thoughts from someone who has been there.

Link to tranny swap:
3rd Gen Auto to Manual Swap - TTORA Forum

On the timing belt - there are tons of good write ups if you are interested in tackling that. I plan on it next time mine needs it.

 

[rugger]

Thanks for the advice.

I really wasn't interested in finding a used tranny - too many unknowns with that route. I want the peace of mind and warranty on the tranny and labor. Where are you finding a reputable used tranny for $250??? Mine is 2WD. Or are you referring to the labor.

Timing belt - yea way over due.

Axles seals are leaking and I can hear the bearings, so this is a must, also way over due.

As for the labor, mechanically I am no stranger to this. I have swapped motors and trannies (on much older vehicles, 70 Challenger, 65 GTO, 70 LeMans, 60s bugs, 74 Corona, etc). However, I am out of commission physically for too long. I just had shoulder and biceps surgery, no lifting for now, no lifting more than 5lbs until ~2months from now, no more than 10lb 4 months - you get the idea. And to be perfectly honest, I really don't like doing significant projects on my vehicles these days.

What I am hearing though is that the consensus is to keep it, it's worth it.

 

[BlackCat914]

I still think it'd be better to keep it. Hell, even if you spend $3,800 to fix it, you could then sell it as a recently serviced, new trans with warranty, truck. My guess is you'd probably get close to $6g's for it.

 

[rugger]

I still think it'd be better to keep it. Hell, even if you spend $3,800 to fix it, you could then sell it as a recently serviced, new trans with warranty, truck. My guess is you'd probably get close to $6g's for it.

This is also a possibility, as long as the sale value offsets the repair cost significantly.

 

[danthemanx07]

Gotcha. You can check ebay. Most of the ones I looked at came with warranties. I guess it depends on comfort level. Knowing what I know now, I don't think I would be too concerned with a used auto. Most folks are getting 200k out of their autos.

 

[rugger]

FWIW in case you care...

I had the tranny rebuilt.

$2450 - it's a lot of money, but I have gone to this shop for 10 years and trust them. I did get a few items thrown in after the quote.

• Rebuilt tranny with 100K parts AND labor warranty
• State Inspection
• O2/AFR Sensor
• Mobile 1 Oil change with Toyota filter

Next up:

• Grill mod (I started the "hibachi" mod (2001), but will do the Satoshi)
• Rear axles bearings and seals
• Timing belt
• Intake Silencer Mod (deckplate was done years ago)
• Rear shocks