Guys, my transmission went out last night (or so the Toyota dealership is telling me) and I would love to get your input.
I have had my 2001 LC for roughly 1.5 years and started baselining it when I got it (previously rebuilt a 1997 LC). It currently has 315k on the clock and I bought it from a dealership with 275k on the clock (supposedly new fluids).
Yesterday I had driven roughly 250 miles in a lot of rain with no real issues. After work yesterday was taking a backroad to my hotel and had to cross a low point in the road with roughly 6” of a stream crossing the road (low point had a yellow measuring stick off to the side). I though, “6 inches? No worries”. Crossed with no issues.
Shortly after (I mean, maybe a mile...maybe), I hear a slight clunk, but I keep driving. Then, IIRC a few seconds after, another light clunk....then I lost all power, pulled off the back road and....off into the ditch (literally). Fortunately, AAA loves me (surely it’s cause I seem to call them all the time).
I punched CDL to see if that engaged anything and put into D - nothing
Put into low 4WD - nothing
Put into low transmission - nothing
However, the whole time, I did hear something spinning underneath. Against my better judgement, while all spinning and in gear, I got out and looked underneath to see what was spinning - nothing
At that point, I do what I typically do before “panic” sets in - I started searching through Mud to see if I can figure it out before I have to call AAA. Read all I could on diff failure (obviously common weak feature), which I initially thought it might be. All C-clips were firmly in place on both axles (neither busted) and no free movement of the front drive shaf. Yes, the diff could possibly still be shot, but on to moving down the checklist.
Later last night we finally get my LC towed to the local Toyota dealership. I tend to do all my own maintenance/rebuilding (thanks to all of you for that - wouldn’t even try it without you), and normally don’t prefer the dealership service as an option. However, after sitting in a corn field for a few hours waiting, thought the dealership might be the best option while on the road.
Side note here - seems the only thing I have not yet replaced/rebuilt is a tranny and gear box. Haven’t even tried to drop them. Seen how that stuff comes together in my FSM, but practically speaking it’s a black box.
[Flash forward to today]
Dealership calls and says they’ve got the car, hear my version of the story and try to determine what’s up. Called back in a few hours with diagnosis late in the morning saying its a transmission failure...so of course I go into Mud research mode. After reading all the articles on transmission. Seems that may actually be the case. I’ve read about others stranded in the same way, with no power, given multiple gear shifts and CDL engagement.
I’ll talk to the guy in the morning, but it seems my best option is to put an OEM Toyota remanufactured Transmission back in and keep up the maintenance so I don’t have to worry.
Any other valid options I might be missing? Possible diagnosis steps I am missing? Thoughts?
Thanks again for all of your help - it wouldn’t be possible without you.
I have had my 2001 LC for roughly 1.5 years and started baselining it when I got it (previously rebuilt a 1997 LC). It currently has 315k on the clock and I bought it from a dealership with 275k on the clock (supposedly new fluids).
Yesterday I had driven roughly 250 miles in a lot of rain with no real issues. After work yesterday was taking a backroad to my hotel and had to cross a low point in the road with roughly 6” of a stream crossing the road (low point had a yellow measuring stick off to the side). I though, “6 inches? No worries”. Crossed with no issues.
Shortly after (I mean, maybe a mile...maybe), I hear a slight clunk, but I keep driving. Then, IIRC a few seconds after, another light clunk....then I lost all power, pulled off the back road and....off into the ditch (literally). Fortunately, AAA loves me (surely it’s cause I seem to call them all the time).
I punched CDL to see if that engaged anything and put into D - nothing
Put into low 4WD - nothing
Put into low transmission - nothing
However, the whole time, I did hear something spinning underneath. Against my better judgement, while all spinning and in gear, I got out and looked underneath to see what was spinning - nothing
At that point, I do what I typically do before “panic” sets in - I started searching through Mud to see if I can figure it out before I have to call AAA. Read all I could on diff failure (obviously common weak feature), which I initially thought it might be. All C-clips were firmly in place on both axles (neither busted) and no free movement of the front drive shaf. Yes, the diff could possibly still be shot, but on to moving down the checklist.
Later last night we finally get my LC towed to the local Toyota dealership. I tend to do all my own maintenance/rebuilding (thanks to all of you for that - wouldn’t even try it without you), and normally don’t prefer the dealership service as an option. However, after sitting in a corn field for a few hours waiting, thought the dealership might be the best option while on the road.
Side note here - seems the only thing I have not yet replaced/rebuilt is a tranny and gear box. Haven’t even tried to drop them. Seen how that stuff comes together in my FSM, but practically speaking it’s a black box.
[Flash forward to today]
Dealership calls and says they’ve got the car, hear my version of the story and try to determine what’s up. Called back in a few hours with diagnosis late in the morning saying its a transmission failure...so of course I go into Mud research mode. After reading all the articles on transmission. Seems that may actually be the case. I’ve read about others stranded in the same way, with no power, given multiple gear shifts and CDL engagement.
I’ll talk to the guy in the morning, but it seems my best option is to put an OEM Toyota remanufactured Transmission back in and keep up the maintenance so I don’t have to worry.
Any other valid options I might be missing? Possible diagnosis steps I am missing? Thoughts?
Thanks again for all of your help - it wouldn’t be possible without you.