Hothondaguy

We took the family out for a 4x4 day this weekend, we went to Rowher Flats in So-cal. this was the maiden trip for the 1991 4runner, we had a rebuilt 3.0 put in and changed some of the bushings, replaced front CV axles and changed front and rear diff fluid. also changed Transfer case fluid.

we tried to climb up Lookout trail the first hill went ok, and then there was a bigger and longer hill to climb i was in 4Lo and we were going along and hit a little ledge and started to spin so i stopped and tried to go again but the tranny seemed to slip i even tried to hold one foot on the brake and hit the gas with the other foot to see if it would grab and it did not so i have to roll back down the hill which is never fun.... so we decided to turn around and take a different trail and this one was called rowher trail and i was cruising along in 4hi and then got 3/4 the way up another hill and started to spin so i tried to stop and put in 4lo and it shifted but when i hit the gas the engine just revved so i had to back down this hill and start from the bottom in 4lo and i was able to get it.

these were the only 2 hiccups, clearance was great, the only upgrade i have done with changed the wheels to 16inch tacoma alloys and 265/75/16 tires.

all in all it was a very fun trip and we all had a blast, any ideas on the transmission issue would be greatly appreciated.

toyminator2000

If it's a 5spd I'd say it needs a clutch. If it's an automatic the transfer case shares ATF with the transmission and if you put gear lube in the t-case when you changed it you screwed it up.

Hothondaguy

It is an Automatic and no i did not put Gear oil in the Transfer case the manual stated to use dexron 2.

94toy22re

Are you sure you didn't put the t-case in neutral instead of 4 low

Hothondaguy

yes i am sure i was in 4 low, the first instance i was crawling up the hill in low and then hit some rocks and stopped and tried to go again and it just revved the engine. and the second instance i backed down the hill after putting it in low and as soon as i got to flat ground i was able to hit the gas and it started to move forward. it just wouldnt do it when i was on the hill

The MAN

how does the ATF look like and does it smell burnt?

Sensei

Did you check the transmission fluid level ? Both instances happened on a hill.....

TNRabbit

DING DING DING; we have a winner here.

Hothondaguy

I need to check it again, the fluid level was full when we started, but then again i checked it before the transfer case was done. also the Trans fluid is probably about 4 years old but maybe only 1000 to 1500 miles, the person we bought it from had the tranny rebuilt and then it blew a head gasket like 25 to 30 miles later so then it sat. we probably should change the fluid huh?

yotarob2005

I wheel my auto trans 4runner regularly and had the same problems on steep inclines. Even when the fluid level is good, when all the ATF runs to the back of the trans it stops pulling. I over fill mine by about 1/2 quart and it helps. Also when it does happen and rolling backwards is not a good option I have found that if I rev the motor a few times it will eventually catch and pull.

Hothondaguy

Do you just leave your foot on the brake and rev it? i tried that like once or twice.

yotarob2005

Yes, foot on break and rev it to 1500-2K a few times. Sometimes it will grab after just a few revs, other times I have to rev it 20-30 times but it will always eventually catch. How many revs it takes seems to depend on how steep the incline is. Once it grabs then it will pull untill I have to stop on another incline.

Hothondaguy

thanks man, that was the info i was looking for, but i do still need to check the Tranny fliud level