Ugly4Runner

Just bought a 1990 4runner, 22re, auto, 4x4. I knew when I bought it that reverse didn't work but the forward gears all work great. The transmission fluid is pretty dark and smells like holy hell. I'm going to see what changing the fluid and filter will do, but I don't have much faith in that to work. Rebuilding it is my next option. I've never been inside an auto trans but have some decent mechanic skills having built a couple street/strip cars and a rock crawler early bronco.

So, here's the question(s). Any of you guys or gals have any experience rebuilding an a340? Is this doable without a bunch of crazy specialized tools? Or, should I spend the tax return money on a rebuilt one? (I'd rather spend it on other upgrades!)

rustypigeon

Rebuilding is within the relm of possibility if you have attention to detail and can keep the many parts organised.

You will need a rebuild manual, a clean place to work, and few specialty tools, or the ability to make them. If you can weld, that would help a lot. I made a clutch spring compressor tool and an adapter to mount my transmission on an engine stand. You will need a LARGE set of snapring pliers to remove and install the rear planetary gear. You also need the time to rebuild one. If you are rushing to get it on the road, you probably will not be satisfied with the results.

Factor in your time and the price of tools and equipment when deciding if you want to tackle it yourself.

Before you touch anything, shift it into "L" and see if it slips when going forward.

Ugly4Runner

No slip in L. And, I've got plenty of time and can borrow a BIG set of snap ring pliers. Need to take a look at the manual.....

scope103

In my manual, the disassemble/assemble sections refer to "SST" (special service tool) 45 times. Some of these might just be big snap ring pliers, but others are much more subtle. And I can't figure out how to fabricate them from the grainy drawings in the manual.

In other places, as you reassemble the transmission, you need to check for clearances (just a feeler gauge), and then SELECT the correct flange (from 6 different sizes) to get the clearance correct. So you're also going to need a source for all those flanges.

I'd love to do it someday, but I just don't see how I could do a passable job of rebuilding an A340H armed only with the complete Service Manual.

Incidentally, changing the transmission fluid gets less than 1/2 of the fluid; the rest stays in the torque converter. Short of removing the torque converter and using a special device to empty it, you may have to replace the fluid 3-4 times to sufficiently dilute the dirt that is in there now. (That's why it's important to replace the fluid and the filter on the schedule.)

Good luck!

HighLux

Personally...and this is just me...you may be a mechanical genius for all I know. But an automiatic transmission is a mystery box of wonder. You know why tranny shops are usually seperate from other shops? Cause auto's are tricky. I wouldn't suggest building an auto trans alone without a guide that knows what they are doing. I got boxes of tools specific to Ford 4r70 4r75w tools from my adventures.

It blows to have to take a rebuilt trans back out for one tiny mistake.
Been there done that. I secretly dont trust any automatic ever now and
am instantly aware whe trouble arises. It's called oversenstive shifting disorder

Just being Devil's advocate.

BLKNBLU

iTrader: (1)

If you're going to go to all that trouble, you might want to consider finding an A340F to install. That would give you the option of installing a gear drive t case which I think is the best mod any of us can do to these trucks.

Read all about it.

http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/tech/autocrawler/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_...smission#A340F

Ugly4Runner

Thanks for the advice guys.... While it would be rewarding and cheaper to do it myself, I'm beginning to think professional assembly and a warranty outweigh the cost savings.

Ugly4Runner

Hmmm or I might look harder for a donor truck for a manual swap!