Transmission replacement - options?

[gamefreakgc]

Sorry to necro an old thread, but I can't make my own posts yet.
Got a 3rd gen 02 4Runner that was running and driving, but started throwing a CEL for shift solenoids. Dropped the pan to change solenoids and found an egregious amount of metal bits in it. Cleaned it out and swapped the solenoids knowing it was only a matter of time before it completely grenaded. That time came 2 months later, so now I'm looking for a boneyard trans. Everything around me that's got decently low miles is $1200 or higher plus shipping. My question is would the A340F from the 1st gen Sequoia be an option? They're plentiful and cheap here with low miles. I know the bellhousing pattern is different, and I read somewhere that you can swap it since everything past the bellhousing is the same. I've been trying to find some solid info on if it's possible to do this, and what all I would need. I'm just not having any luck finding a writeup on it. If anyone could give me some solid info or a link to a writeup I'd appreciate it!

I agree with the above poster as my transmission AND torque converter failed at the same time because of particle contamination. You'd be taking a big risk by keeping the old torque converter and just hoping it's good. Removing the torque converter is as much work as removing the whole transmission itself!

Keep looking and be patient if it's possible with a spare/2nd vehicle. I bought mine a year ago for around $1200 with parts & fluids and everything else. It had about 135K miles but be cautious of mileage claims. A lot of places will just list it as '100,000 miles' but you know that isn't true.

 

[Erjar]

I agree with the above poster as my transmission AND torque converter failed at the same time because of particle contamination. You'd be taking a big risk by keeping the old torque converter and just hoping it's good. Removing the torque converter is as much work as removing the whole transmission itself!

Keep looking and be patient if it's possible with a spare/2nd vehicle. I bought mine a year ago for around $1200 with parts & fluids and everything else. It had about 135K miles but be cautious of mileage claims. A lot of places will just list it as '100,000 miles' but you know that isn't true.

Yea I was definitely going to get a new converter, not worth the insignificant savings if it all blows up again quickly. The biggest issue with waiting is the registration is coming due in March, so I'm on a bit of a time crunch. Might just have to pony up the extra cash and get the one I was originally looking at. Side question, I just found a decently low mileage 04 4x4 Tacoma with a blown engine that they're parting out. I know a lot of the parts between the two are interchangeable, would this swap be possible and save me from the planetary gear issues of the 01-02 A340? I'm 99% sure that's what failed in the truck already. I really appreciate your guys's time

 

[clearock]

I replaced the TQ in a resent 4runner rebuild because I was in there and why not, I looked around local parts stores and though they had them listed for sale, no one seemed to be able to get one, ended up going with one off RockAuto. its rebuild by a company in the USA put a few thousand miles on since Dec. and no issues. It's was under 200 after returning the core, fyi if u go through Rock u have to pay for the return shipping, 17 to get ur 50 back.

 

[Erjar]

I replaced the TQ in a resent 4runner rebuild because I was in there and why not, I looked around local parts stores and though they had them listed for sale, no one seemed to be able to get one, ended up going with one off RockAuto. its rebuild by a company in the USA put a few thousand miles on since Dec. and no issues. It's was under 200 after returning the core, fyi if u go through Rock u have to pay for the return shipping, 17 to get ur 50 back.

Thanks for that. I was running into the same issue with nobody local having much of anything for it and was looking at that same converter. Wasn't familiar with the name of the company, but glad to hear it seems to be a quality unit.

 

[gamefreakgc]

Yea I was definitely going to get a new converter, not worth the insignificant savings if it all blows up again quickly. The biggest issue with waiting is the registration is coming due in March, so I'm on a bit of a time crunch. Might just have to pony up the extra cash and get the one I was originally looking at. Side question, I just found a decently low mileage 04 4x4 Tacoma with a blown engine that they're parting out. I know a lot of the parts between the two are interchangeable, would this swap be possible and save me from the planetary gear issues of the 01-02 A340? I'm 99% sure that's what failed in the truck already. I really appreciate your guys's time

Being a 2002, I agree with your assessment about he planetary gear being the problem. With an '04 Tacoma I do not know if it is plug and play. There are some speed sensor differences between Tacomas and 4Runners so there may be some undocumented issues with compatibility.