Transmission Dipstick Replacement

[GenIIIPauly]

So what part number did ya end up with? I can certainly go to Camelback, since I live in Florence.....

 

[cdg11343]

what's the final P/N?

I'm in the same boat here. My '98 t4r came with a broken transmission dipstick. I know why now, thanks to this thread!

So what's the final answer on the P/N to get? Or should I try to pull one from a junkyard?

 

[brillo_76]

How many different types of AT lipsticks are there? I know 2wd and 4wd are different lengths but I thinking we have more then that. We need to consolidate all the different types and with their part numbers into 1 thread to simplify this topic so when somebody snaps one they can get the correct replacement.

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[cdg11343]

My local dealer said it's p/n 35103-35350, which is also what was listed earlier in this thread.

It looks like it's the right one even though it has a description of "Gage Sub-Assembly Trans". So I ordered it ... will post the results here.

Hopefully the bottom part of my old stick fell into the pan and isn't stuck. I'll find out soon enough!


EDIT: It appears this is the entire assembly with the dip stick ... which gives options I guess if part of the old stick is stuck in there.

 

[AgeOfOctane]

Now that I own a 98 and 00 4runner, I apologize for my previous post. There is a definite difference between the years. My 2000 AT dipstick inserts relatively easy. My 98 on the other hand is a nightmare and requires a lot of force. I even bought a new one thinking the one on the vehicle when I bought it was the wrong one. The new one is just as hard to insert. I have since figured out the optimum insertion position of the dipstick so it will go in without bending, but the dipsticks on the earlier years have been the hardest AT dipstick to insert that I've ever experienced. There's no doubt you need two hands and the right angle to get this dipstick in without bending it or breaking it. Toyota obviously made an improvement for the later years.

Reviving this thread as I'm pretty fed up with the dipstick on my 96. I'm assuming that since the markings are at different levels between the years that the tubes are different lengths. I'm wondering if I can pull a dipstick and tube from a 99+ the next time I'm at the junkyard or off ebay. I'm also thinking of just cutting the last 6" or so off my 96 stick since I don't really need the cold markings anyway and it's those last 6" that are the most difficult. Anyone with both versions have thoughts on their interchangeability? I'm really envious of those steel cable dipsticks on a lot of European transmissions.

 

[cdg11343]

I received the new dipstick today

I received the new dipstick today. It looks exactly like the old one. Except it's about 6" longer.

It looks like the old one broke off at the upper "hot high" mark and is still stuck in the tube.

Despite the name of the item, it's just the dipstick.

3510335350 - Gage sub-assembly, transmission oil level. Atm, driveline - Genuine Toyota Part

Guess I'll be dropping the pan and seeing if I can extract the broken part from the bottom. At least I'll be able to see the fluid at that point!

 

[APhelps]

I could dig through and find the part number I used but I didn't verify that it was the right one (just assumed so). Seems to read the right amount of fluid anyways.

It's a good idea to make some sort of mark on the dipstick so you know how to pull it in and gently push it in every time.

 

[jasonsaxton95]

I did the same thing with my new dipstick. The old one was broke when I bought my 4 runner. i lined up the bottom and etched it in. Getting the stick back in is sure a trick.

 

[BigSkeezle]

Ok, so I stumbled across this thread after doing some transmission research, and I have a question. How twisted/bent/curved are your dipsticks? I ask because, like all of you, it's a PITA to get in. All my previous vehicles have had a relative flat dipstick, save for a twist here or there, but my 3rd gen is all over the place. Being my first 3rd gen, I dont know if it's normal, or the previous owner ran it over before replacing it.

 

[brillo_76]

Ok, so I stumbled across this thread after doing some transmission research, and I have a question. How twisted/bent/curved are your dipsticks? I ask because, like all of you, it's a PITA to get in. All my previous vehicles have had a relative flat dipstick, save for a twist here or there, but my 3rd gen is all over the place. Being my first 3rd gen, I dont know if it's normal, or the previous owner ran it over before replacing it.

I pull one to show you. Basically no bends until the bottom section. Hopefully I remember to pull one a take a photo for you. If some bends in the top that's just PO trying to get the darn thing in.


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[brillo_76]

Mine looks like it went to war. The bends should only be down by the lines area.

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[Xx4runnergirlxx]

Please Help!

I've got 2000 sr5 and it sadly came with a broken dipstick
Thought it'd be an easy fix but apparently not.... Either way I've got one thats close and can jerry rig it to fit right but I need measurements. Cool and hot as well as the full length of the dipstick. Any help would be great

 

[Thebeastlives]

Dudes, Dudes, Dudes, Let me give you a class in Transmission Dipstick Insertion 101. Some dipsticks like our engine oil pan dipsticks can be inserted with one hand because it goes in fairly straight. If the dipstick is hard to insert into the dipstick tube due to the bends in the tube, this is when you get your other hand into the procedure. I'm right handed so I hold the trans dipstick handle in my right hand while I feed the dipstick in with my left hand right above the dipstick tube opening. When you try to shove the dipstick in just from the handle, the dipstick wants to bend on you because you have a lot of flexible dipstick between the handle and where that first bend in the dipstick tube is. When you feed the dipstick in by grabbing the actual dipstick a little above the opening, you now are working with a shorter section of dipstick that you're trying to push past the bend in the dipstick tube. The shorter section has more rigidity and thus won't bend or break on you.

There is no reason why you should break the trans dipstick. This is operator error.

you are 100% correct and I'm surprised that this thread has 3 pages for something my ten year old figured out on his own when I asked him to put back the dipstick

 

[Hatteras-surfer2]

Another revive.
96 limited was due for new dipstick so made purchase @ dealership with Vin# & received 35103-34060.
Pretty much like everyone else , 34060 dipstick was shorter then original hot/cold marks didn't line up.

Contacted dealer & they found 2nd part number attached to my vin# - 35103-35290.
I was thinking it might be sub assembly-tub , parts department confirmed it's dipstick only so part has been ordered should receive in couple days will report findings.


Phil-

 

[PrinceValorum]

The dipstick on my '97 was getting bent over time because it required so much force to insert it that I didn't trust the readings on it. When I replaced my trans pan last year due to the threads on the drain being stripped, I decided to go all out and get a new pan, upper tube, and dipstick.

What a mistake. I needed the new pan, but it went from 'difficult to insert and requiring a lot of force' to 'it just won't go in at all after a certain point.' And yes, I tried rotating it 90*, etc, etc. Really buttered my beans to have gotten all new OEM parts and made the situation worse.

I was at my buddy's shop when I put the parts on and he was getting a chuckle out of it, "how hard could it be, let me show you how to do that" and he quickly changed his tune once he tried it. This is a lifetime mechanic who I've never seen get stumped by anything before. Ultimately he just handed me a full length piece of tig filler wire and said to put some little marks on it that line up with the marks on the dipstick.

That's what I do now, I snipped off the bent portion of the original dipstick and just use that as a plug for the dipstick tube. I use the new dipstick as a reference, and the tig wire as the dipstick. It's really not optimal, but it works. I'm glad to hear they revised the design on later years.

 

[TravThePro]

The dipstick on my '97 was getting bent over time because it required so much force to insert it that I didn't trust the readings on it. When I replaced my trans pan last year due to the threads on the drain being stripped, I decided to go all out and get a new pan, upper tube, and dipstick.

What a mistake. I needed the new pan, but it went from 'difficult to insert and requiring a lot of force' to 'it just won't go in at all after a certain point.' And yes, I tried rotating it 90*, etc, etc. Really buttered my beans to have gotten all new OEM parts and made the situation worse.

I was at my buddy's shop when I put the parts on and he was getting a chuckle out of it, "how hard could it be, let me show you how to do that" and he quickly changed his tune once he tried it. This is a lifetime mechanic who I've never seen get stumped by anything before. Ultimately he just handed me a full length piece of tig filler wire and said to put some little marks on it that line up with the marks on the dipstick.

That's what I do now, I snipped off the bent portion of the original dipstick and just use that as a plug for the dipstick tube. I use the new dipstick as a reference, and the tig wire as the dipstick. It's really not optimal, but it works. I'm glad to hear they revised the design on later years.

One of my buddies with who I do vehicle projects pulled the dipstick out trying to be funny. It stopped being funny when he tried jamming it in and bending it to the point it would never go back in again.

I ended up getting a 97 or 98 dipstick from the junk yard, but it would really fight me trying to go in with the 90-degree turn. I put some extra bends in it and it goes in significantly easier now.

I still hate just how stiff it is to put the stupid thing in, it is actually so bad that I refrain from checking it unless I am at home. I just had an idea after hearing about you using tig wire to check the height. Would it slide in easier if we narrowed down one of the sides on the bottom 8-10 inches of the dipstick? I will take one from a 4Runner the next time I go to the junkyard and try this out.

 

[PrinceValorum]

I still hate just how stiff it is to put the stupid thing in, it is actually so bad that I refrain from checking it unless I am at home. I just had an idea after hearing about you using tig wire to check the height. Would it slide in easier if we narrowed down one of the sides on the bottom 8-10 inches of the dipstick? I will take one from a 4Runner the next time I go to the junkyard and try this out.

That's a good question. If you try it I'd be interested to hear the results for sure. I'd probably check my fluid more often if I knew it wasn't going to be a project just to check it.

It was my impression that the tip was getting hung up on a lip inside the tube with how suddenly and firmly it stopped moving. That also didn't make sense to me, since the upper neck inserts into the tube from the pan, so there shouldn't be a lip to hang up on there. I'd love to see a cutaway of wtf is actually happening. My buddy straightened the little factory bend on the very tip of the dipstick, thinking that was the issue, but it still did the exact same thing.

 

[spurlockda]

Stupid Transmission Dipstick & Tube Design

Reviving this thread as I'm pretty fed up with the dipstick on my 96. I'm assuming that since the markings are at different levels between the years that the tubes are different lengths. I'm wondering if I can pull a dipstick and tube from a 99+ the next time I'm at the junkyard or off ebay. I'm also thinking of just cutting the last 6" or so off my 96 stick since I don't really need the cold markings anyway and it's those last 6" that are the most difficult. Anyone with both versions have thoughts on their interchangeability? I'm really envious of those steel cable dipsticks on a lot of European transmissions.

I realize this is an old thread but my transmission dipstick broke today on a trip an hour&half from home. It snapped at the hot mark notch like others have noted. Mine’s a ‘99 4wd SR5 3.4 SR5 auto transmission.

Has anyone tried using one of those spiral wound/braided stainless cable dipsticks? Summit Racing and Jegs sell generic ones. Then (I’m guessing) all you’d have to do is check overall length and hot/cold measurements?

 

[John624]

Would anybody with an 01 or 02 be able to measure their transmission dipstick? Or maybe send a picture showing the location of the hot/cold markings relative to the tip?

Also do we know if the tube housing that fits inside the lower transmission pan is the same for all years or no?