95 4runner transmission

[crazyz4rider]

I have a 95 4runner 3.0 and was wondering if there is any links out there on how too overhaul the r150f, third gear wants to pop out and i do alot of towing, and would like to do a rebuild or if anyone has any comments. 4runner has 150,000 miles on it.

[Brian R.]

Sorry, don't know too much about it, but have you checked to make sure the linkage is correctly adjusted?

[VTISC007]

You re better off trying to find a good used one, preferably one that's been tested. Overhauls and rebuilds are almost always a pain in the ass. It will probably cost somewhere near $3000 to try to rebuild it, and most people don't know what they are doing even when they say they are master Toyota mechanics. Something almost always fails.
A good used one might cost you around $1100. You could literally go through three trannies and spend around the same. If I had to gamble, I would not try to have the tranny overhauled. Overhauling sounds like the right thing to do, but from my experience, I have learned otherwise (thousands of dollars later).

[Brian R.]

VTISC007 - Did you catch the fact he is talking about a manual transmission, not an automatic?

[VTISC007]

In that case, NEVER MIND.

I think the turbo tranny has a slightly lower and tighter gear ratio. Quicker off the line, more torque, and stronger for towing. A lot of guys do this swap for rock crawling also. I'll call my buddy and get back with exactly which tranny it is.

[crazyz4rider]

thanks for you input!

[Tomsriv]

VTISC007,
Why is it so expensive and difficult to rebuild an auto tranny? I am wondering because I have always found that one of the biggest advantages of RWD vehicles is that they are cheap and easy to work on. I have had a Th-350 and Th-400 GM trannies rebuilt for $500 each. I removed and replaced the trannies in my driveway and had the whole job done in a week. Do the 4runners use any trick parts? Is it an oddball tranny that is only used on that vehicle? I would think the number of toyota trucks on the road would mean that they would be cheap to fix.

[VTISC007]

To tell you the truth, I really don't know. But the same story, I've had some american trannies rebuilt, Dodge, Ford, and Chevy (RWD) all between $250-$550 by my neighbor Julio Martinez. Julio can rebuild just about anything american, engines and trannies.
Another thing, Toyota trannies don't normally go bad. Unless you abuse a Toyota tranny, they last a long time. I really can't explain it, but I think it has to do with a certain factor; On one hand you have a Ford Escort, on the other hand, you have a nice Mercedes S 600. There is a big difference in price for parts and people who know how to work on them. I don't think I would let Julio rebuild my anything on my Mercedes....not that I have one.
Like I said before, it's better to get a good used Toyota tranny than to have one rebuilt (my opinion).

[Brian R.]

I have seen manual transmissions rebuilt and they seem very simple. Unbolt the cover with the forks and replace whatever is bad. Not a tough job. If it is leaking, replace the seals.

[91 funrunner]

I got my 88' tranny rebuilt in pensacola fl. for 600 bucks.
I pulled it out and put it back in. (w/ a skateboard, rope,and some tools)

[VTISC007]

I agree with you Brian. Manual trannies are simple. That's why I like them.

[Brian R.]

I think parts are the major expense.

[dlotts]

This is both an rebuilding experience and a request for advice!

I had my manual transmission rebuilt, at 75,000 miles, at an Aamaco in Arlington (Seven Corners) because it kept poping out of gear while driving. It came to about $2500 which included a new clutch. They told me it was always better to rebuild, and not replace. He said they have had problems fitting/aligning replacements. When I got it back it felt new but it shifted hard, especially when cold at when moving low RPM. I had to pull hard on the shifter to go into gear from neutral. I took it back a few weeks later and they fixed that.

Now 5 months later the hard shifting has come back. I guess it's because the cold weather is here.

Here is the beginning of this story, in case anyone has advice on this problem:
Three years ago, I had the transmission fluid changed as part of a maintance package at my local shop. When I got it back, it was difficult to shift into second gear at low RPM, especially when cold. I took it back. They told me it was fine, of course, by the time I got it to them, it was warmed up and they always shift quickly with the RPM still high. So I lived with it for 8-12 months, forcing it into gear sometimes when I got lazy. Then it began to pop out of gear. It happened with increasing frequency, until it was doing it a couple times a day. That is when I took it to the Aamaco. They rebuilt the transmission and renewed the clutch, as I told at the top of this posting, the shifting was still hard, but they fixed that too.

But now, 5 months after the rebuild, the hard shifting is back. The other day it popped out of third while I was driving. I'm considering therapy.

The Aamco says the transmission is fine. I told them to change the transmission fluid and make sure it is the correct viscousity.

Why can't anybody get it right? Is there confusion about what transmission fluid to use in a 95 4runner? Am I crazy?

david.

[Brian R.]

It is normal for some shops to put in 90W gear oil in manuals. Don't use this viscosity gear oil in your transmission. It is too viscous. Get them to put in 75W90 gear oil in yours and the problem with shifting when cold will dissappear. Hopefully, there is no permanent damage.