is there any problem doing this flush with the runner on the ground?
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f2/3...ng-post-81347/

 

I've always heard you want the wheels off the ground.

Any reason you can't get it off the ground?

 

well i dont have a floor jack or jack stands becuase ive never needed them i can change the oil without them and havent ever done any work that required it... im just starting to work on the runner myself... should i just throw down for a jack and some stands?

 

Yes, if you are planning on working on your own vehicle a good jack and jackstands are a must.
I'd recommend you get at least a 2-1/2 ton jack and 3 ton jackstands.....that is a minimum, got to be safe if you're getting under a vehicle.

 

alrighty sounds good... but what other tasks can you thinnk of that would require the jack and stands? just to decide if its worth it to get um...? i imagine it is since im only 17 and could use them the rest of my life butt still curious.
also off topic but do you know a good way of telling when the auto tranny fluid should be changed?

 

Jack stands come in handy if you only got one jack, plus you shouldn't get under a vehicle supported by jacks alone. It is unsafe in case it fails but i still do it sometimes
My dad uses them all the time to support the frame on big rigs/trailers/etc when working on them. He uses 12ton jack stands though

 

Tire rotation or simply taking off a tire
Suspension or brake anything
Steering rack bushings
Buy them, they will pay for themselves in a couple years of doing DIY work.

How many miles on your rig? If over 100,000 I'd think about getting the fluid replaced.

What color is the trans fluid and does it smell burnt?

 

I know a guy who's dad died while working under a car and the jack came down on his chest.... don't do it, it's just stupid.
He'd still be alive (probably) had be purchased $20 worth of jackstands.

 

What he said. If I am under there with tires off, the weight is on the jackstands (on the frame) and the jack is still in position and bearing some load on the diff (rear) or cross-member (front). If I am to get crushed, at least two out of three have to fail.

 

i am not even considering going w/o jack stands and ill just go for it then i see them for cheap on craigslist sometimes so maybe ill try that.
regarding the tranny.... from the best i can tell it says it was flushed along with the last 30,000 mile service at the dealer but i didnt own the runner then and it doest show up on the parts charges so i wonder if they did it then? and the fluid is sort of a medium red not brown but not pink either... the runner now has 176xxx miles i think.... what would you recomend? also would it be that hard to drop the pan and flush the fluid myself from the writeup i read it didnt look too hard and it sounds like it would be pricey to have someone do it:/

 

You'll want the jack too, the factory one will barely lift a tire off the ground.

IMO with that many miles, it's time to drop the pan and clean out the filter....probably never been done.
Also, it's way easier to do if you get the front or the rear off the ground.

 

ya i would def get a jack too ... do i need 4 stands or can i use 2 and then the jack on the other end?
and would dropping the pan and flushin the fluid be too tough for me? i think i could do it but i dont wanna get in over my head and be screwed

 

You'll want 4 eventually......

I'd go with 2 three ton and 2 six ton......
Six ton will be taller for positioning under the frame, three ton for under the rear axle.

For your first DIY project, you may want a "helper" that has done some of his/her own work before....not trying to discourage you.....just don't know your mechanical skill level.

 

If it were me, i'd buy some new jackstands. Used ones just don't sound great to me. Granted, they were designed to take a lifetime of abuse, I just like to know the history of my safety-sensitive supplies. That said, finding 3-ton jackstands/jacks at Sears on sale is fairly easy to do. Spring for the extra $30-50 to buy new- then at least you have (or I would) have the peace of mind.

I bought a 2 1/4 ton Jack and completely regret it. it's not big enough for the runner without any lift and 265/75 tires. but, that's also where you start to get into escalating prices. i've always tried to buy what i own once.

it's usually cheaper in the long run (whether they're good tools- not cheaply made, or paying more up front and not having to worry about upgrading later).

lesson learned on the jack...

I would agree with the above- they've certainly paid for themselves after 2 years of owner-initiated repairs/maintenance.

 

The DIY trans flush is pretty easy to do, but if the fluid looks pretty decent, I would just drop the pan and change the filter (or clean yours). The only thing I don't like about cleaning and reusing the filter is the cork gaskets that are glued on to it tend to get smashed and I'm not convinced they seal up so good when you put it back on. I would get a new one, they're only like $20-30 or so.

I don't see anything wrong w/ doing the flush, but all that fluid gets pricey. Unless the fluid is brown or burnt, it's probably not necessary IMO.