Transmission replacement - options?

T

TurkVU

New member
Hi all - I've had my 4runner for 21 years now, only 140k miles on it. Was driving down the freeway the other day and after some serious metallic grinding it just dropped out of gear and wouldn't go back. Got it towed to a transmission shop and they're saying the transmission is definitely done, but there's also metal in the transfer case, so that may or may not need to be replaced.

Wondering what my best options are & if it's even worth getting her running again. Not going to be able to do this job myself. I'm in Austin, TX if that makes a difference.

<edit> Dealerships in the area are quoting $3500+tax for a toyota remanufactured transmission (+$1k core charge). Transmission shop is saying they can drop and replace for $900. I found a salvage yard that is selling a used one w/ approx 140k miles on it for $600 w/ a 3 month warranty.

Currently leaning towards the used one and having the shop do the install...and then hoping the transfer case isn't the next domino. </edit>

Thanks!
 
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TurkVU said:
Hi all - I've had my 4runner for 21 years now, only 140k miles on it. Was driving down the freeway the other day and after some serious metallic grinding it just dropped out of gear and wouldn't go back. Got it towed to a transmission shop and they're saying the transmission is definitely done, but there's also metal in the transfer case, so that may or may not need to be replaced.

Wondering what my best options are & if it's even worth getting her running again. Not going to be able to do this job myself. I'm in Austin, TX if that makes a difference.

<edit> Dealerships in the area are quoting $3500+tax for a toyota remanufactured transmission (+$1k core charge). Transmission shop is saying they can drop and replace for $900. I found a salvage yard that is selling a used one w/ approx 140k miles on it for $600 w/ a 3 month warranty.

Currently leaning towards the used one and having the shop do the install...and then hoping the transfer case isn't the next domino. </edit>

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Salvage yard Transmission should work fine. Drain and fill the transfer case also.
 
wait....i thought the transfer case and the tranny were basically 2 different units..they dont share fluids...then why if a tranny is bad and throwing metal shavings is it showing up in the transfer case.
scam ????
are you throwing any codes ?
super fine metal dust is common on the magnets.....maybe you just need shift solenoids , well forget that , you said you had grinding noise right?
A transmission shop you knew or one the towing company is friends with ?
2nd opinion ?
 
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TurkVU said:
Hi all - I've had my 4runner for 21 years now, only 140k miles on it. Was driving down the freeway the other day and after some serious metallic grinding it just dropped out of gear and wouldn't go back. Got it towed to a transmission shop and they're saying the transmission is definitely done, but there's also metal in the transfer case, so that may or may not need to be replaced.

Wondering what my best options are & if it's even worth getting her running again. Not going to be able to do this job myself. I'm in Austin, TX if that makes a difference.

<edit> Dealerships in the area are quoting $3500+tax for a toyota remanufactured transmission (+$1k core charge). Transmission shop is saying they can drop and replace for $900. I found a salvage yard that is selling a used one w/ approx 140k miles on it for $600 w/ a 3 month warranty.

Currently leaning towards the used one and having the shop do the install...and then hoping the transfer case isn't the next domino. </edit>

Thanks!
Click to expand...

I had a pretty similar situation a couple years ago with my 4Runner. I had a complication in that my rig is supercharged so none of the aftermarket shops would warranty a reman transmission. I ended up going with a Toyota transmission from Ft Worth Toyota. Looking back it was expensive but the 1 year/ unlimited mileage warranty was worth it since the supercharger complicated it. The peace of mind now is still worth it.

Root question is how much longer to do you plan to keep the rig? Do you want confidence the problem is resolved the whole time?
 
I think you have a problem with the transfer case and not with the transmission. Even if it is manual, transmission and transfer case are TWO things and are NOT related. Nothing can get exchanged between the two, not even fluid.
 
I've actually brought it to 2 shops - the first is one I've been to many times and I trust. They said transmission - I then had it towed over to a transmission shop that the first shop works with often and they are the ones that said definitely transmission but also maybe transfer case. They didn't claim that one corrupted the other, just that there was metal in both.

I actually have a new vehicle ordered, but not likely to take delivery until sometime late this year...so basically I'm looking for fix that will get me through the next 6+ months. After that, I was hoping to keep my runner around, but she'll no longer be my daily driver.
 
Salvage yards will often mark transmission as '2WD' or '4WD' versions. The '4WD' versions often will come with the transfer case attached so you're actually getting both.
 
gamefreakgc said:
Salvage yards will often mark transmission as '2WD' or '4WD' versions. The '4WD' versions often will come with the transfer case attached so you're actually getting both.
Click to expand...

Really wishing I'd read this before I drove out there! The transmission did indeed have the transfer case attached, they said they'd remove the transfer case...but instead of saying 'no, it should come with it', I said 'no, how much more for the case'. Cost me an extra $200.
 
TurkVU said:
Really wishing I'd read this before I drove out there! The transmission did indeed have the transfer case attached, they said they'd remove the transfer case...but instead of saying 'no, it should come with it', I said 'no, how much more for the case'. Cost me an extra $200.
Click to expand...

Well, you're still way ahead than if your went with a Toyota reman'd transmission anyway.
 
Got a call from the shop yesterday and apparently the transmission from the salvage yard isn't the right one...so back to the drawing board.
 
I would get a rebuilt from the dealership if it were me and I think you need to shop around a bit more. When we shot our transmission replacement video, [MENTION=102606]infamousRNR[/MENTION] was able to find a dealer in the California Bay Area willing to sell one for $2500. I can't imagine prices have gone up that much over the last few years.

I'm guessing you have an 01 or 02 model. The transmissions in these rigs are known to have an Overdrive Planetary Gear Bearing failure. When you drop the pan, you're going to see a whole lot of metal debris.

Whatever way you go, the video series we made will help you out with the swap. If you can do the work yourself, it's worth the risk to put a used one in. If you're going to have to pay someone to do the work for you, I recommend you drop the coin on a quality rebuild. Paying a shop twice for this job would be very expensive because your used one might be junk or not last you as long as you would have hoped. If you have the time, tools and space to the do the job yourself, I highly recommend you go that route. If you don't have a good set of tools, invest in some. They will pay for themselves very quickly. Shop labor rates are expensive. My local dealer now charges $200/hour. I don't know about you, but I don't make anywhere close to $200/hour. It's worth it to me to do my own work to save money and make sure the job was done right.

Here's Part 1 or our 3 Part Series:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oZDSjlxl2Q4" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
 
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mtbtim said:
I would get a rebuilt from the dealership...

I'm guessing you have an 01 or 02 model. The transmissions in these rigs are known to have an Overdrive Planetary Gear Bearing failure. When you drop the pan, you're going to see a whole lot of metal debris. ...
Click to expand...

Mine, at 330k now, use to whine (only loud enough i would notice it with no radio on), so i dropped pan, found lots and lots of metal debris as you said above, replaced filter and added back valvoline full synth import atf.

No real reduction of whine noise for quite a while, maybe 5000 miles, then it slowly began to quite down, not gone but down about 80-90%. It otherwise function perfectly, smooth yet firm shifts up (only the 1-2 is firm) and smooth down, downshifts appropriately at highway speeds if throttle is dropped and OD works smoothly too. Mechanics say to just keep driving it, they think its OK, it worries me on a longer 1-2 hour trip to deer camp.

I'm sure its still gonna blow, some day. Yet after reading this thread, I've decided to go the dealer rebuilt route, have a buddy in parts so I'll at least get the 20% mechanic discount and take it to a trusted mechanic to swap out.

There I can sleep better now....
 
If I wasn't planning on keeping my 4runner I wouldn't have a problem getting a used transmission but if I'm keeping it then the factory rebuilt trans sounds like a safer option. I don't like the idea of putting a used transmission with an unknown history into a vehicle I plan on keeping. It wasn't a hard job to do but not something I would want to risk repeating multiple times.

If I had access to a used transmission with a known history that was taken care of and the price was right then I wouldn't have a problem going the used route.
 
Thanks all for the comments, each very helpful.

I called the salvage yard today and told them the issue - they asked for side by side pics, which I sent over. They then actually called the transmission shop and discussed what they think might be a workable solution. They're going to send a new transfer case to the shop and hope they can get it all put back together...didn't quite make sense to me, but both of them thought it should work and didn't ask me for any more money, sooooo fingers crossed.
 
mtbtim said:
I
I'm guessing you have an 01 or 02 model. The transmissions in these rigs are known to have an Overdrive Planetary Gear Bearing failure. When you drop the pan, you're going to see a whole lot of metal debris.
Click to expand...

great, just another reason im back in the hunt for another 99 or 2000. No tranny issues now, but its got other issues. 97 5 speed with locker just came up for sale.....but rusted and 200 miles away.....( update..sold in 3 hours)


sorry TurkVU not trying to hijack your problem, reading along to learn. Good luck with your fix
 
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