sealed tranny on 1996 4cyl

[DRasor]

Hello All,

I am new to the 4runner world, but love it so far. I just bought a 1996 4runner, and been going through all steps to keep it on the road. I have come across a problem that I am unfamiliar with...the sealed transmission. I am wondering if anyone has any suggestions on how to work on these, or even check the fluid? I look forward to hearing from you all.

 

[nissanh]

5 speed or automatic?
if it is 5 speed you will see a fill bolt and drain bolt
If it is an automatic, you'll see a drain bolt at the bottom and no fill. You fill from the transmission oil dipstick located on to the passenger side near the firewall

 

[3rzrunner]

Manual or Auto? Anyways the transmissions on a 96 are not sealed, regardless of auto or manual.

if its a manual then the drain bolt is at the bottom and the filler bolt is on the drivers side (at least on my 97 w59 5speed)

if its a Auto then the drain bolt is at the bottom and you fill from the dipstick.

how did you come to the conclusion that its sealed?

 

[3rzrunner]

5 speed or automatic?
if it is 5 speed you will see a fill bolt and drain bolt
If it is an automatic, you'll see a drain bolt at the bottom and no fill. You fill from the transmission oil dipstick located on to the passenger side near the firewall

Beat me to it! :biggrin2:

 

[DRasor]

This is a 5 speed, and I can not find a dip stick anywhere. I looked several times...nothing. I talked to aamco and that is what they told me I had, sealed tranny.

 

[3rzrunner]

This is a 5 speed, and I can not find a dip stick anywhere. I looked several times...nothing. I talked to aamco and that is what they told me I had, sealed tranny.

5 speeds will NOT have a dip stick. there is a bolt on the side of the tranny where you fill it. Hold on I will post a pic up in a few, I have the same tranny as you.

It is NOT a sealed tranny.

 

[3rzrunner]

Here are pics that show the filler and drain plug on your transmission.

 

[UnderFire]

Both plugs are visible if you crawl under the driver's side and look at the side of the trans housing on the W59. Should be a 21MM if I remember right.

 

[DRasor]

Got it, thank you all for your help. Do you know if there is a way to add a dip stick for this tranny? or do you just always have to monitor and change frequently?

 

[pluton]

This is a 5 speed, and I can not find a dip stick anywhere. I looked several times...nothing. I talked to aamco and that is what they told me I had, sealed tranny.

There may be some honest/competent AAMCO stores somewhere, but that one isn't one of them.
You can check and fill/refill your own manual trans. Undo the filler bolt first, the level should be right at the level of the bolt hole.
If you drain/refill it, be aware that the gear oil is sticky and very smelly...take spill precautions and wear old/disposable clothes/gloves. Dispose of the old oil at a proper used oil dropoff location.
You can pump the new oil in using one of the cheap pump things they sell at auto parts stores that go into the top of the gear oil bottle. Check the owner's manual to see what kind of oil it takes. Don't have the owner's manual? Get one(free PDFs online).

 

[DRasor]

sealed tranny on 1996 4cyl???

I will take your guys word over a couple guys at aamco any day. would you guys recommend the dealer? or should I just look around for a good mom and pop shop....those are hard to come by in Long beach Ca.

 

[pluton]

Usually Toyota dealers are overpriced, but competent. Price the dealer(for reference), price one or two independents. Look for an independent repair shop where you can talk to the guys that actually work on the cars, and where they don't mind if you watch them work. Check to see what brand/type of oil they'll use for your vehicle. Make sure it's the right (meaning acceptable) kind. Check Yelp.com for your area, but try to filter out the comments by folks who don'y know anything.

 

[jhfleet]

Got it, thank you all for your help. Do you know if there is a way to add a dip stick for this tranny? or do you just always have to monitor and change frequently?

I've never seen or even heard of a manual transmission with a dipstick. They might exist but they're definitely not in wide use. Actually, I can't think of a practical purpose for having a dipstick on a manual transmission any more than having dipsticks for the transfer case and differential. Once they're serviced properly, none of them need frequent checking unless there's a visible leak.