Transmission replacement

[mmendelscfi]

No sooner did I tow a 2001 SR5 home as a parts car the transmission in my 4Runner died. It's a 2001 auto 4wd.

I have to get that one home via transport but I thought I would ask how big a job is it to swap the transmission? The one in the donor car is good.

Can it be done with ramps and a couple of jacks? Any special tools required?

Is there by chance a write-up available?

Thanks in advance

 

[jgue467]

So the donor is also 4wd and same MY?

 

[mmendelscfi]

Yes.

The donor is essentially the same truck. 2001 4WD automatic.

We picked it up to harvest some emissions related items over the holidays then the transmission failed in the currently driven truck.

Failed at highway speed and coasted to stop. While motor was running checked fluid and it was fine but would not deliver power to the wheels moving forward. Seemed to move a little in reverse.

Turned off engine to restart and starter just spun without turning engine over.

Then had it towed to a local mechanic where I intend to pick it up with a uhaul car tranpoerter trailer this week.

 

[Troybylt]

When I pulled my tranny, granted it is a manual, I needed various deep well sockets, gear wrenches, breaker bars, like 3 feet in 1/2 extensions, a couple of wobbles and a universal joint, torque wrench, 12t jack stands and I rented a trans jack from some equipment rental place. It was harder than I had hoped but easier than I had feared. If you can bench at least 75lbs aand change your own oil I say go for it.

A few tips, make a paint line down all drive line joints etc before separating them, remove the rear end plate as soon as you can, and the transfer case is heavier than you think. The pivot point or center off mass on the transfer. Ase tranny together is almost at the transfer case seam. Granted an auto trans is probably a bit more heavy than a manual.

Also drain your trans first, like remove the pan to drain your oldie.

Any auto guys have better slush specific advice?

 

[Troybylt]

Yes.

The donor is essentially the same truck. 2001 4WD automatic.

We picked it up to harvest some emissions related items over the holidays then the transmission failed in the currently driven truck.

Failed at highway speed and coasted to stop. While motor was running checked fluid and it was fine but would not deliver power to the wheels moving forward. Seemed to move a little in reverse.

Turned off engine to restart and starter just spun without turning engine over.

Then had it towed to a local mechanic where I intend to pick it up with a uhaul car tranpoerter trailer this week.

Sounds like you broke your flex plate.

 

[mmendelscfi]

That makes sense.

Sounds like it failed completely.

When those go does it typically damage the torque converter and transmission?

Is it a doable job to replace that part as well or does it require special transmission specific tools?

We have a covered space to do the work but no lift.

We also have time to get it done as we have another car to drive until it's repaired.

 

[mmendelscfi]

After thinking through this it looks like I will just have to get it fixed on the road.

The truck is in Richmond and its about 15 hours round trip for me. So if I add the cost of the one way rental truck, trailer and fuel that would run about $400 dollars from U-Haul.

Much as I wish it would have broken down in the driveway it didn't.

And once I got it back it would I would still have to fix it.

If anyone has any reccomendations for a garage / mechanic in the Richmond, VA area let me know.

I could get it towed remotely to the right place.

Thanks to TroyBylt and Jgue467 for their prompt assistance.

 

[Nate_GB]

Failed at highway speed and coasted to stop. While motor was running checked fluid and it was fine but would not deliver power to the wheels moving forward. Seemed to move a little in reverse.

Turned off engine to restart and starter just spun without turning engine over.

Then had it towed to a local mechanic where I intend to pick it up with a uhaul car tranpoerter trailer this week.

Those are odd symptoms for a transmission failure. As someone else mentioned, I'd check the flex plate. But flex plates tend to make a racket when they fail and would probably make a lot of noise when you tried to restart it. Flex plate can be checked by removing the lower bellhousing cover just being the oil pan.

If you do end up swapping the transmission, it's not a very difficult job, Took me about 8-10 hours, in my garage, by myself. You will need a good assortment of extensions and a universal joint to get to some of the bolts. A harbor freight transmission jack will also make the process much easier and is a fair price.

 

[mmendelscfi]

There was quite a racket.

Pretty sure at this point it's the flex plate.

Is that replacement also doable with a reasonable amount of skill and normal tools?

I am going to start a new thread "Flex Plate" in the title.

Thanks all,.