Shimmed Auto Trans Accumulators

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It doesn't seem to me that you would want to do that on a truck, especially one that you drive regularly, or haul any kind of load with. If you are having shifting problem, you should fix what's wrong, not change the characteristics of the tranny.

Plus, you link to this being done with supras. There is a big weight difference between a supra and a 4runner.

I'm not a transmission expert, but this sounds like a bad idea if you want this thing last at all.
 
Its called a "shift kit" in muscle car speak. I haven't done this, but I don't see a problem with it. It will make your transmission friction plates last longer because they don't slip as much between gears. It will make your driveshaft CV joints wear out faster because they will get jerked more between gears.
Also, you have to be extremely careful when taking apart an auto trans, any little piece of lint or foreign debris that gets in the trans doing this procedure can cause major problems.
 
From reading more on this, it appears that less heat will be created by the friction plates by shimming, but is it a big deal for the jerkiness to be transmitted through all the other components, not just the DS's and CV's?

Is it possible to replace the spring with a higher spring rate one? That way you don't lose capacity for shock absorption, or is that just a non-issue?
 
@Nelson - I don't have any problems with my transmission, I would just like a slightly firmer shift. And because our trucks do weigh more, wouldn't it be a good idea to make the shifts a little firmer (keep the clutch packs from engaging slowly and overheating)?

@Tomsriv - I was thinking the same, that the post trans drive train would take more stress with firmer shifts. Also, I've looked for "shift kits" for our truck and they don't really exist. Level 10 sells modified valve bodies and other auto trans goodies, but they're all pretty expensive.

So, no one out there has tried this on their rig?
 
Everything else is pretty cheap compared to rebuilding a trans, so if you want to try it I say go for it. I'll leave mine alone since its my one car I don't have to worry about. As far as needing a firmer shift and it being a good idea, I would say that is personal preference. Toyota engineered this vehicle pretty good, the only major oversight I've found is undersized brakes.
 
I forget who it is, but there's a company out there that does tranny valve body upgrades that'll give you quicker, firmer shifts. You send them your VB and they do the work and send it back to you. Driffter33 knows the name so you could try to PM him for the info if you're interested.
 
I think you're talking about Level 10... I think I had mentioned them earlier, but their modified valve body goes for something like $600. So much other stuff that needs attention for that kind of coin, especially to get firmer shifts on a 240K rig.

I guess what I was looking for was someone who had done the super cheap modification on their third gen, it's only a few washers after all. It sounds like no one here has done it though...
 
I have the Level 10 VB upgrade on my 4runner. Firmer shifts, but not for everyone. The PO did it, to help the tranny since the SC and URD 7th and 2.2 pulley place extra strain on it. If you want it to shift smoother judicious use of throttle is needed.
Josh
 
RHeld24 said:
I think you're talking about Level 10... I think I had mentioned them earlier, but their modified valve body goes for something like $600. So much other stuff that needs attention for that kind of coin, especially to get firmer shifts on a 240K rig.

I guess what I was looking for was someone who had done the super cheap modification on their third gen, it's only a few washers after all. It sounds like no one here has done it though...
Click to expand...

Yeah, Level 10 is who I was thinking about. I just noticed that you mentioned them earlier in the thread.
 
I still need to shim the valvebody in my trans. If you are supercharged on a automatic it is basically a must to have the valvebody modified by either using this washer shim mod or by sending the valvebody off to IPT or Level 10 to have them put stiffer springs and what not in it. The shimming is a good mod and lots of people have done it to their A340s. If it's good enough for 600hp Supras, it's good enough for a supercharged 4Runner. Here are some good detailed directions on how to perform the mod:
http://www.lexusclub.co.uk/lsocautoboxmod.pdf
 
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