Notices
86-95 Trucks & 4Runners 2nd/3rd gen pickups, and 1st/2nd gen 4Runners with IFS

Replacing the tranny questions

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 24, 2010 | 09:10 PM
  #1  
tumor21's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 190
Likes: 0
From: Fremont, CA
Replacing the tranny questions

...in my '87 pickup 22re 4x4 x-cab auto, and every went well headed back from about 1hr away. I go to take it to grab some food about 2hrs later and now it slips bad going into 1st and has a rough idle when my foot's on the break and just sitting at a red light. I can put it into nuetral and it runs normally.

So, I'm not a mechanic but I'm guessing the tranny's screwed. Once I'm driving it shifts fine up and down through the gears but revs to almost 3k to 5-10mph and then starts driving normally. I thinking this means time to put some time into looking for a replacement trans and having another one thrown in.

3 questions...

Anyone know the cost in replacing the trans? (The trucks worth maybe $1500 total)

Where is the part number on the trans? (A340H or A340F or whatever)

and finally, should I even bother? (Maybe just get rid of it and start again with a taco, if I could find a 4x4 that is)
Reply
Old Jul 24, 2010 | 09:19 PM
  #2  
thook's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 8,656
Likes: 16
From: NW Ark on wooded ten acres...Ozarks at large!
Edit: Correction....yours is A340H. Yeah, troubleshoot it first before you condemn it. It may not be the transmission. Unless, you're just itching to replace it, anyway.

Last edited by thook; Jul 24, 2010 at 09:29 PM.
Reply
Old Jul 24, 2010 | 09:23 PM
  #3  
tumor21's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 190
Likes: 0
From: Fremont, CA
Originally Posted by thook
Those numbers are for 3vze trannys.

I'm no transmission guy, but you might be having a problem with something else. It's worth doing a little more research before you condemn the transmission.
Gotcha. What else should I look for and where is the part number located for the trans I have?
Reply
Old Jul 24, 2010 | 09:33 PM
  #4  
thook's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 8,656
Likes: 16
From: NW Ark on wooded ten acres...Ozarks at large!
Hey......sorry about that. Had my models and years confused. I made the correction. Look here........

http://www.usatransdoctor.com/foreigntoyota.htm

Like I said, I'm no tranny guy, but the transmission operation is in part controlled by various engine components.....eg. throttle sensor. The fact that you have problems idling when the brake is on is what leads me to believe it may be a problem other than the tranny. I just don't know enough to give you any real clues at the moment.
Reply
Old Jul 24, 2010 | 09:59 PM
  #5  
ChefYota4x4's Avatar
Registered User
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 19,281
Likes: 20
From: Lake Havasu, AZ
EDIT; It was was several years ago when my friends 86 Auto 4Runner did this, so I couldn't remember what the issue was.

IT WAS the torque converter.

Last edited by ChefYota4x4; Jul 25, 2010 at 08:50 AM.
Reply
Old Jul 24, 2010 | 10:02 PM
  #6  
strykersd's Avatar
Registered User
15 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 569
Likes: 1
This might be a stupid question, but did you check the fluid level? Maybe it's low or something? Another possibility is the torque converter.
Reply
Old Jul 25, 2010 | 08:07 AM
  #7  
helidriver's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 382
Likes: 7
From: Always movin
definatley test for the torque-converter..... I've always been a $100 clutch manual guy..... but i'd check that first....
Reply
Old Jul 25, 2010 | 08:26 AM
  #8  
Dale813's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
[quote=tumor21;51507900]...
Anyone know the cost in replacing the trans? (The trucks worth maybe $1500 total)

quote]

Your Truck is worth a lot more than $1,500. At least in Florida it is. Taco 4x4's are like Gold around here.
Reply
Old Jul 25, 2010 | 08:29 AM
  #9  
tc's Avatar
tc
Contributing Member
 
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 8,875
Likes: 3
From: Longmont, CO
Originally Posted by strykersd
This might be a stupid question, but did you check the fluid level? Maybe it's low or something? Another possibility is the torque converter.
x2 - also, when was the fluid changed last? Seems A LOT of people ignore this basic maintenance.

Before going through all the effort and cost of replacing the tranny, I'd for damn sure change the fluid and try one of the "slip fix" additives (either Lucas or Greased Lightning would be my choices)

Last edited by tc; Jul 25, 2010 at 08:30 AM.
Reply
Old Jul 25, 2010 | 08:51 AM
  #10  
ChefYota4x4's Avatar
Registered User
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 19,281
Likes: 20
From: Lake Havasu, AZ
Originally Posted by tc
x2 - also, when was the fluid changed last? Seems A LOT of people ignore this basic maintenance.

Before going through all the effort and cost of replacing the tranny, I'd for damn sure change the fluid and try one of the "slip fix" additives (either Lucas or Greased Lightning would be my choices)
Lucas worked well in my buddies 86 Auto .... AFTER he replaced the Torque Converter.
Reply
Old Jul 25, 2010 | 08:54 AM
  #11  
ChefYota4x4's Avatar
Registered User
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 19,281
Likes: 20
From: Lake Havasu, AZ
If you DO end up needing a Tranny, why not buy a salvage with lower miles, w/30-90 day guarantee?

PS> Tumor.... Why is it that you feel your 87 is only worth 1500$, max? Is it a beater?
Reply
Old Jul 25, 2010 | 10:17 AM
  #12  
tumor21's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 190
Likes: 0
From: Fremont, CA
Ran into a buddy down the street who says I can take all the swap parts I want off his 5spd '86 4x4 for $300. Anyone know of any good swap guides? a340F to W56
Reply
Old Jul 25, 2010 | 10:26 AM
  #13  
ChefYota4x4's Avatar
Registered User
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 19,281
Likes: 20
From: Lake Havasu, AZ
Not sure if anyone can confirm this... But I think you'll need that ECU as well, IF it's interchangeable with the 87. I SAID I THINK, GUYS, ...don't pummel me! lol.

I think you have an issue of Trans mounting and Shifting Plate? Seems like I found more guys switching to auto than the other way around, lol. Why?...No idea. Possibly for mini-trucks, lowered type rigs.

Anyhow, BEST WISHES, .... Make sure you find out if you need the mounts off that rig, also, ok? Maybe a driveshaft issue as well, guys?
Reply
Old Jul 25, 2010 | 10:27 AM
  #14  
ChefYota4x4's Avatar
Registered User
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 19,281
Likes: 20
From: Lake Havasu, AZ
PS> 300$? GOOD DEAL if you can take everything, including the ECU(if you need it, ...someone will clarify/expound/denounce that later, I'm sure, lol).
Reply
Old Jul 25, 2010 | 10:37 AM
  #15  
thook's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 8,656
Likes: 16
From: NW Ark on wooded ten acres...Ozarks at large!
Originally Posted by ChefYota4x4
Not sure if anyone can confirm this... But I think you'll need that ECU as well, IF it's interchangeable with the 87. I SAID I THINK, GUYS, ...don't pummel me! lol.

I think you have an issue of Trans mounting and Shifting Plate? Seems like I found more guys switching to auto than the other way around, lol. Why?...No idea. Possibly for mini-trucks, lowered type rigs.

Anyhow, BEST WISHES, .... Make sure you find out if you need the mounts off that rig, also, ok? Maybe a driveshaft issue as well, guys?
If he's just swapping trannys, he doesn't need the other ECU. The only thing he'd need to do is make a jumper for the P/N safety switch on his present ECU. And, of course, whatever necessary to keep the CEL from coming on.....like the O/D, AT temp light, and whatever else. Details I'm not all that familiar with. But, the W56 will be a direct fit on the engine.

However, last time I talked to someone when I'd contemplate swapping my 5spd over to an auto chassis, I was told the body is a bit different. Namely the shifter console was a different height, and it would require cutting a bit or lifting the body. Not sure how true it is, though. Driveshafts may be an issue too, as Chef pointed out. Again, not sure.

Edit: Although!, I had to do a temporary driveshaft swap from my wife's '92 3vze to my '86 22re (both 4wd) and driveshaft length was not an issue.

Last edited by thook; Jul 25, 2010 at 10:40 AM.
Reply
Old Jul 25, 2010 | 10:39 AM
  #16  
ChefYota4x4's Avatar
Registered User
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 19,281
Likes: 20
From: Lake Havasu, AZ
Doesn't he need new/different mounts for the Manual? Not sure, just from reading up a lil it seems that many have had to mod that, ...nothing major, just requires moving and different mounts???
Reply
Old Jul 25, 2010 | 10:52 AM
  #17  
thook's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 8,656
Likes: 16
From: NW Ark on wooded ten acres...Ozarks at large!
Oh, you mean the crossmember? I may be remembering incorrectly, but from what I do remember I recall the measurements for the bolt hole for the crossmember being in the same spot. But, that's been a while ago. Crossmember itself is definitely different.
Reply
Old Jul 25, 2010 | 06:29 PM
  #18  
tc's Avatar
tc
Contributing Member
 
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 8,875
Likes: 3
From: Longmont, CO
There are several manual tranny swap threads on here
Reply
Old Jul 26, 2010 | 11:27 AM
  #19  
tumor21's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 190
Likes: 0
From: Fremont, CA
I think I'm going to attempt a 5spd swap to get away from the "I hope my transmission knows what it's doing" approach of wheeling an auto. After that I would think that a 5spd xcab 4x4 22re would be more sought after than an auto, so I might be in a slightly better position to sell if I have to. After the new head gasket and head, and now the tranny I'm starting to lose faith in my lil 2nd gen pickup. I'd want to have a good trail truck to take long distances and it just seems to develop an issue with something when I decide to drive more than an hour away from home. It was defeated by a hill on the freeway twice now. once from the motor overheating struggling to get to 45mph going up the L.A. grade, and now the tranny going out probably trying to hit 45mph up the 154 overpass in Santa Barbara, and while getting closer to red in the temp gauge. It might just be that my tranny isn't transferring jack to the wheels any more and the motor is taking the abuse going up hill, but I'm starting to seriously consider a 3.4 taco or 4runner to try to alleviate these issues better.

Don't want a heavy-ass full size american monster at 2mpg. Just want a reliable lil trail rig that I don't have to swap an LS1 and T-56 gearbox into to get up a hill to go camping...

Forgive the rant, I love my '87 and I'm the first one to defend 'Yota reliability in a discussion, but it's falling short to do simple things that a camry can do fine on the road.
Reply
Old Jul 26, 2010 | 11:39 AM
  #20  
ChefYota4x4's Avatar
Registered User
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 19,281
Likes: 20
From: Lake Havasu, AZ
I think with the 5spd and a Ted-Head and some exhaust work, ...you should be able to have your rig TOTALLY capable for around a grand? You might just find you don't need anything but the 5spd... way more control of the gearing, obviously, and on hills, I sometimes have to ride in 3rd at 55 or so to get over the 15... I know what you mean. Time for gears for me, I guess. Not sure but I've been told that the Taco's are not as capable as the 2nd gen pick ups, factory-4x4 wheeling i mean. However, that 3.4? YEAH, nice! Not a cheap swap, however, from what I've read.
Reply



All times are GMT -8. The time now is 06:28 PM.