Skrillah

Hey guys,

I've been doing some research as my search has gone on for a new 4runner and well I've read some things about the 2001 4runners having tranny problems.

In more than one instance ppl seem to be having trouble with the planetary disc in the tranny of the 2001-02 4runners. I wondered if it has been a proven problem with these years? Maybe the threads I read were just of coincidence....??

If this was a known problem I'd obviously like to avoid it...

What were the differences between the 99-00 and 01-02? Just the electronics of it?

Thanks guys!

INKMAN411

Hey Skrilla, I dont know the differences between the trannies, but my 01' with 54000 mi is acting up. I just bought this thang about 3 months ago and after doing a few services including a tranny flush, I noticed only when cold it wants to stick in 2nd gear. Tranny fluid (color-smell) was not that bad either.

MadCityRich

I've got an '02 I bought with 86k miles in December 2006. Now it has 108k miles. No problems with the tranny. I had it flushed at the dealership soon after I bought it. I'll be flushing it again sometime this year. It was in very good condition when I bought it. My guess is that any tranny failures are mostly due to poor driving technique and poor maintenance.

MadCityRich
'02 4Runner Ltd.

naksukow

Yes they do have a problem. My OD gear grenaded at 102,000 miles.

toytech76

I would suggest not 'flushing' the trans. I have heard of people having more problems after flushing than if you just do a drain and refill. Plus I think the stealer charges well over $100 for that. You could buy alot of trans fluid for that. Plus on the later models, make sure if you are supposed to use dextron or the type T-IV fluid from toyota

naksukow

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f2/c...failure-62725/
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f2/n...nny-out-63237/
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f2/n...-update-64181/

Just some of my threads on my tranny adventures.....BTW the IPT built A340F is holding up great with 43,000 miles.

hotlavaaaa

Holding second gear when cold is normal. It is the engine/tranny trying to get up to temperature faster.

mkgarrison5

X2.. my 02 taco v6 4x4 has the same auto tranny as the 4runner ( i think) and it has 104k miles and shifts like it did on day one. key is drain and fills every 15k miles, if you are hard on your truck i would suggest every 10k miles unless its synthetic then you may be able to stretch it longer..

MadCityRich

One data point does not make a trend. Have some people had problems? Sure. Keep in mind that on an Internet forum, you tend to find people with technical problems, biasing the sample.

Take care of the tranny: use a cooler if you tow (get one anyway for fun), do the valve body upgrade if you supercharge and keep up with basic maintenance. These aren't GM transmissions from the '90s that fall apart at 80k miles.

Holding 2nd gear is normal when it's cold. It's not a problem.

I have a buddy that had to replace his rear axle at about 75k miles on his 4Runner. Does this mean there is a rear axle problem?

MadCityRich
'02 4Runner

Speedy

I've got an 02 with 70K miles on it. Had it since it had 12K on the clock. No tranny issues. I had the fluid flushed at 60K and filled with Mobil 1 synthetic tranny fluid. I recently SC'd my 4Runner and put the cooler on for good measure. Tranny tech drove the truck and said it didn't need a VB upgrade so I left it alone. Shift very firm and no issues to date.

INKMAN411

Granted engines behave a little different when cold, but sticking in second at any rpm for a minute or so is not normal.

Skrillah

Sticking should be defined...

toytech76

Your trans wont shift into high gear until the eng temp reaches a certain point. It should shift past second tho

INKMAN411

On a cold start, once you hit 2nd gear it will hold there for short time (under a minute or so) until it warms up or you manipulate the gas pedal making shift at a much higher rpm than is normal.

mkgarrison5

yes it is.. esp if you do not use a synthetic atf. bc when the atf is cold its like honey and loses alot of flow potential. my truck does this and i have about 3/4's Maxlife dexIII mixed with the rest Amsoil. my truck still hangs in second or third gear just a second or so longer when its cold. after a few stop and goes it goes away bc the atf fluid is thinnning as it gets closer to its operating temp.. its not an issue


now when i change over to all amsoil ill let you guys know if it helps, i doubt it will bc the other stuff that i have not heard nor researched is that its something to do with the tranny trying to get up to operating temperature quicker. but i cannot verify that. why cant someone contact yota and find out?>

pat161

This topic seems to cause a lot of controversy. There does seem to be an issue with the O/D planet on the 01 and 02 4Runner, I believe it is also effecting some of the older V8 Tundras. Am I saying that every 01 and 02 will need a new tranny between 100k and 120k, of course not. But if you look at the trend on these sites quite a few people are having the exact same issue, its almost always the O/D gear and it is pretty much only the 01 and 02 as far as the 4Runners go. I talked to a friend who has been a Toyota tech for years and he agreed that he saw a higher number of tranny failures with the 01 and 02. He is also on the 2nd tranny in his 03 Tundra and says its acting up again. I own an 02, am I worrying about my tranny, not really, but it is the in the back of my mind.

As for the rear end analogy, maybe the rear ends are a bit weak, I went through 2 in my 00 2.7 Runner.

INKMAN411

I say it's not normal because this was not always the case. Prior to servicing the tranny, shifts were fine. After service, the tranny started hanging up in 2nd alittle. There is without a doubt a little glitch.

Also transmission fluid is a very thin, high viscosity fluid, not too much like honey in my opinion.

mkgarrison5

what atf are you running?? also is it dexIII or TIV?

also what kind of servicing have you had done on your tranny?

Skrillah

I agree...

I think it could arguably be a proven problem since the early Tundras have the problem too. They are the same tranny, although the Tundras now or did come with factory tranny coolers. More power = problem? I don't know but I think for now...I'll steer clear of the 01-02's because I just assume not have tranny problems! That and the 99-00 were great years for the 3rd gens!

mkgarrison5

does this apply to tacoma owners too of the same years 01-02?? again i have 105k miles on my truck and it uses OD ALOT, i drive mostly highway about 65 miles a day on it with no issues at all