Seeking advice: 2001 4Runner SR5 4x4, 290K miles with bad tranny

[JimPA]

2001 4Runner SR5 4x4, Thunder Cloud Metallic/Gray (everyday driver)
290K miles. I bought the SUV with 75K in TX. I am the 3rd owner, first owner was in CO. I am in MO. Under carriage is pretty clean but some surface rust.
Timing chain/water pump changed at 150K.
Replaced O2 sensor (Denso)
I had to replace the catalytic converters. with NOT OEMs which were welded in place.
Replace transmission fluid at 150K.
Replace struts and shocks (Monroe) at 220K
Ran Mobile 1 synthetic since 75K and changed every 5K.
Plugs changed a few times with Denso plugs. Factory wires.
Changed the radiator at 250K

November: 4Runner was hit while stopped at a red light by someone texting. Slightly bent rear bumper but little damage. Transmission problems started after this. Mostly not crisp shifts.

November had transmission fluid changed and inspected (AAMCO). Told transmission seems OK.

December 2014 I had the Toyota 5 stars powder coated black satin and mounted GoodYear Triple Tread, 265/70R16.
January 2015: I did the Tundra 199mm caporal upgrade, new rotors (Brembo) replace rear drums (AC Delco Professional). All new pads are Toyota. All new brake hardware pings, springs clips (Toyota)
Replace front sway bar rubber (Toyota) and end links (AC Delco Professional grade).
Need to replace rear springs due to slight sag

Options:
Moon roof
Toyota 5 start rims
Fog lights
Plastic wheel molding with all black running boards.
Toyota receiver.
No lift kit

Kelly Blue Book: about $5K
Genuine Toyota Parts, OEM Car, Truck and Auto Accessories
Car Brakes | Auto Brakes | Car Brake Parts | ACDelco

QUESTION: Do I replace the transmission or sell the SUV as is. A rebuilt Toyota transmission is $3.3K installed with 1 year/12K miles warranty. I keep going back and for on this. Engine burns a little oil but overall seems healthy. Check engine light P0420 comes on every once in a while but I attribute that to NOT OEM catalytic converters and just reset the reset check engine.
I don't have the time to change the transmission.

 

[T4R2014]

You have had it for a long time. I would say that it would be worth it for you to install a used transmission.

 

[Jagerzel]

How mechanically inclined are you? A rebuild kit is 350$, plus fluid price, plus minimum tools if you don't have them and at worst case a weekend down the drain. If you find an actual part broke it can be bought individually online. On the flips idea 5k is a good starting point for a low milage newer 4runner.

 

[JimPA]

You have had it for a long time. I would say that it would be worth it for you to install a used transmission.

T4R2014 - Thanks for the input. Just creating the post was good to walk thru the problem.

 

[JimPA]

How mechanically inclined are you? A rebuild kit is 350$, plus fluid price, plus minimum tools if you don't have them and at worst case a weekend down the drain. If you find an actual part broke it can be bought individually online. On the flips idea 5k is a good starting point for a low milage newer 4runner.

Jagerzel - I've replaced timing chains and water pumps before. I have the tools. I'm behind at work on many projects so I hate to start a big job. I just added so many new parts to the T4R, I hate to give up on her. I think I could extend the life of the T4R for 18 months and I would start looking for a 4th or 5th generation after a year or so.

 

[Jagerzel]

Yeah I was in the same predicament and decided to sell due to a move.

 

[Ape Runner]

I just replaced mine with a Toyota Factory Remanufactured unit at 200k miles. Was in the same boat as you and decided to fix it. Figured if it lasted me another year it was the better financial decision vs. purchasing a replacement vehicle. I've now had to replace inner and outer TRE, Sway bar end links, and CV's so no I need to make it last 2 years, and I think it will. Good luck with the decision. I can vouch for fixing it.

 

[MrRoo]

Fix it. Mileage is just a number. My 98 has 240,000 on it and I just bought a very nice used tranny with 70,000 on it. 1 year warranty also. Mine had the radiator fail 2.5 years ago and made it that long after the radiator was replaced and tranny flushed several times with new filters each time. Unless the body was trashed and inside nasty I would fix it. 300,000 miles on these things doesn't bother me one bit. Id drive them anywhere with confidence.

 

[slides]

new car payment or a tranny fix, i would fix the trany and if you make it a year your ahead.

 

[a216vcti]

$300 car payment x 12 is $3600. You may be able to get some money out of the 4r too. If I were you, I would buy another vehicle unless you can fix it yourself. I was in the same predicament last year, and bought a $400 tranny, installed it myself. After fluid, tools cost of picking up the trans, it cost me around $650 to install. Also, it wasn't that difficult to install either. Never had to jack the vehicle up. I'm pretty sure you can find someone around here that would be willing to help you.

 

[a216vcti]

How mechanically inclined are you? A rebuild kit is 350$, plus fluid price, plus minimum tools if you don't have them and at worst case a weekend down the drain. If you find an actual part broke it can be bought individually online. On the flips idea 5k is a good starting point for a low milage newer 4runner.

Would you mind sending me a link to the $350 rebuild kit? Everything that I saw was close to $900.

 

[slides]

Craigslist could be a good option to find a mechanic who does side work. I see posts all the time for people looking for work.

 

[JimPA]

Big thanks to all for taking the time to offer assistance. I'll update the thread with the outcome. Still running out my options.

T4R2014 - Funny, as long as I've had the 4Runner, I never get tired of it. In fact I really enjoyed doing the 199mm Tundra brake upgrade even in a cold garage. The more miles I put on the 4Runner, the more I like it.

Jagerzel - I read your thread http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/132259-a340e-a340f-transmission-swap.html Very impressed.

Ape Runner - I was looking at a Toyota Factory Remanufactured too. The cost was less than a rebuilt sourced by AAMCO and certifiedtransmission.com. The warranties are the same.

MrRoo - I wish I saved the link but someone on T4R.org answered the question "How long can I expect the my 4Runner to last?" with "until you stop fixing it". I wish I could give the author credit for (IMO) a great reply.

a216vcti - I wish I could do the job myself, even just swapping the transmissions. I had so much confidence in my 4Runner that driving it to PA and NE quite often even in very bad weather, without a worry. I love driving and working on my 4Runner.

slides - I'm going to take a look on craigslist. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[BrianSD_42]

A rebuilt Toyota transmission is $3.3K installed with 1 year/12K miles warranty.

Did you "Camelback Toyota Online Parts" (Google that)

I believe they sell the new Toyota automatic transmission for a bit over $2k after the core fee.

I would never pay $1800 for a rebuilt one with 12 months warranty when you can buy a new Toyota one for $2000 - $2500.

Call them and be sure to ask for the internet price!

 

[JimPA]

Brian - Wow. Thanks for that information. I should have thought to look online but I thought the cost for new and shipping would be double that. That changes everything.

 

[JimPA]

Just to add to the thread for anyone who may reference this in the future:

The transmission pricing below is from Camelback Toyota Online Parts. This is the Toyota Factory Remanufactured unit.

350103G17084 - TRANSMISSION
4-Runner; 6 Cylinder; 4WD; All

MSRP Core ? Online Price
$2,172.88 $1,000.00 $1,930.72

 

[JimPA]

Epilogue

I had the transmission replaced with a Toyota Factory Remanufactured unit. I couldn't find a good used 3rd generation 4Runner and needed to do more research before buying a 4th and 5th generation 4Runners. Since the 4Runner was my everyday driver, I had to act fast. I would have loved to replace the transmission myself for the T4R.org street cred but I'm too busy.

As I detailed, before someone texting hit me while I was a red light, I described the shifts as crisp. With the remanufactured transmission, the shifts are subtle. I barely notice the shifts.

When I preemptively replace my radiator, I did not install an external transmission cooler because, on my 4Runner, engine coolant temperature had to be about 1/4 warm on the gauge before I could shift into OD. This was always like this since I bought the 4Runner with 75K miles on it. I thought this was normal and was concerned (incorrectly) that the external cooler would affect my OD. With the Toyota Factory Remanufactured transmission, OD works at any engine coolant temperature. I plan on installing the external transmission cooler.

 

[gamefreakgc]

The good coolers will have a bypass valve that keeps the fluid in the transmission until it reaches a certain temperature. After it gets hot is when it'll enter the cooler unit. So it won't affect how long it takes to warm up.