Mine gave absolutely no warning. Just stalled out on me at a traffic light. To get moving, I had to rev it in neutral, pop it in gear and don't stop. The torque converter failed, but the lock-up clutch worked fine. In its favor, I will say that I was able to get home, over 120 miles.
2000 Land Cruiser Transmission Failure
- Thread starter mikesurfs
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Mine gave absolutely no warning. Just stalled out on me at a traffic light. To get moving, I had to rev it in neutral, pop it in gear and don't stop. The torque converter failed, but the lock-up clutch worked fine. In its favor, I will say that I was able to get home, over 120 miles.
Unfortunately it's a silent killer, right up until 50 or so miles before she dies. Another reason why I'd like to get some data points on the fluid analysis to see if that could be an early indicator.
OTOH, there's still a 96.3% chance that nothing will go wrong. Odds are hugely in your favor, although the unfortunate 3.7% get headline news.
THIS is the most important thing to remember. Just because we hear alot about these issues on the forum, does not mean that all of us w/ 2000 model year trucks are driving ticking bombs.
And if you figure the background failure rate is around 1% then we're just talking about a 2.7% risk premium. Granted you could also view that as 4x the background failure rate, but it's still a very small group.
Here's an interesting question: if there was some test or indicator that your vehicle was trending toward the 3.7 percent group (likely to fail), would you proactively repair it?
Here's an interesting question: if there was some test or indicator that your vehicle was trending toward the 3.7 percent group (likely to fail), would you proactively repair it?
It would have to be pretty compelling for me to do a proactive R&R, as it's not cheap. But I would certainly sleep better knowing that a fresh gearbox was under my rig, for more reasons than one.
I bet there is more than a 3% rate for install problems on a new transmission.
I'm in the "if not broke then don't fix it" camp.
It would be nice if we knew the life expectancy of the clutches and wear materials in the transmission.
Agreed. This is why I refuse to worry about my truck just because it was built in 00. I'll deal with it when I have to, or when there is substantial data to support an imminent failure or specific date range.
Hi first post/ whatcha guys think?
Hello, been lurking on here for awhile. Finally signed up. Love the LC and want to pull the trigger on one soon. Ive been looking at 100 series 2001 - 2002 mileage for my price range seems to be around 100k. But i saw this on CL near me...
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/scz/cto/3776649770.html
Would you guys grab it? Good mileage for year... but the trans. issue? Worth the risk?
Thanks in advance.
Hello, been lurking on here for awhile. Finally signed up. Love the LC and want to pull the trigger on one soon. Ive been looking at 100 series 2001 - 2002 mileage for my price range seems to be around 100k. But i saw this on CL near me...
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/scz/cto/3776649770.html
Would you guys grab it? Good mileage for year... but the trans. issue? Worth the risk?
Thanks in advance.
Hello, been lurking on here for awhile. Finally signed up. Love the LC and want to pull the trigger on one soon. Ive been looking at 100 series 2001 - 2002 mileage for my price range seems to be around 100k. But i saw this on CL near me...
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/scz/cto/3776649770.html
Would you guys grab it? Good mileage for year... but the trans. issue? Worth the risk?
Thanks in advance.
There is no "trans issue." It's something that's blown out of proportion by a few Internet geeks suffering from anxiety attacks. Looks like a good buy. I'd have a mechanic take a look. Hopefully there isn't a good reason why the price is so low.
Jackel,
Others can give you better advice on how to evaluate the vehicle, but that cruiser looks to be a good value for the money.
The main thing is I like to ask the owners how they drove it. How long, where, maintenance that sort of thing. And of course, I'd look at the rust. Visual inspection and talking to the owners is really about all you can do.
Good luck with it!
Others can give you better advice on how to evaluate the vehicle, but that cruiser looks to be a good value for the money.
The main thing is I like to ask the owners how they drove it. How long, where, maintenance that sort of thing. And of course, I'd look at the rust. Visual inspection and talking to the owners is really about all you can do.
Good luck with it!
Hello, been lurking on here for awhile. Finally signed up. Love the LC and want to pull the trigger on one soon. Ive been looking at 100 series 2001 - 2002 mileage for my price range seems to be around 100k. But i saw this on CL near me...
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/scz/cto/3776649770.html
Would you guys grab it? Good mileage for year... but the trans. issue? Worth the risk?
Thanks in advance.
Santa Cruz is right on the ocean, if that is rust free, then I think that is a very good buy in this market... I wouldnt worry about the trans at all, unless you drive it and feel like the reason he is selling it is because there is currently a probelm.
I'm getting a little concerned with my 2000 transmission. It does not have any slipping or vibration. However when I am getting on the highway and it shifts from 1st - 2nd gear, I will occasionally hear a grinding sound. I have to lift (like a stick shift) in order for it not to grind. I generally shift the transmission myself now so I know when it will shift. I checked the fluid and it looks good. I don't want to check the drain plug for shavings...I have a feeling it will only make my fears worse. I have thought about having the trans flushed and completely serviced. Every shop says not to...it will kick up particles and do more damage. Is there a way to completely flush out the transmission (100% of the old fluid + any particles) that may be inside?
I also have a 2000 model cruiser. The only issue I have is a clunk when downshifting out of overdrive, this is cured for a very short time by greasing the driveshafts. But it comes back pretty quickly. The shafts were pretty dry when I got it. They hadn't been greased in a while.
That said, my wife drives a 2001 sequoia and they have a noted and acknowledged transmission issue. The planetary gearsets experience early failure in the 2001-2002 model years. This was fixed by toyota in 2003. We were on a trip and I felt 3 hard shifts between the morning and early afternoon. (Just city driving that day as we were already at our destination) and then the torque converter locked up that evening. We limped her home over 500 miles by shifting into neutral when we came to a stop and I got a dealer reman the next day.
The PO was crazy about maintenance and when we purchased it we received complete maintenance records. Regular trans service and all. She gave out at 158k.
In my opinion, from reading around, it appears that the transmissions that the sequoia and LC have, might have shared some of those bad gearsets.
Just my opinion, and I have a transmission jack sitting in the garage should the LC trans give out. I have already warned the wife, if it goes, I'm just going to the dealer and buying another reman to install.
*EDIT*
From what I saw looking around, the 1998-2001 LC had the A340E transmission.
The 2001-2004 Sequoia had the A343F
That said, my wife drives a 2001 sequoia and they have a noted and acknowledged transmission issue. The planetary gearsets experience early failure in the 2001-2002 model years. This was fixed by toyota in 2003. We were on a trip and I felt 3 hard shifts between the morning and early afternoon. (Just city driving that day as we were already at our destination) and then the torque converter locked up that evening. We limped her home over 500 miles by shifting into neutral when we came to a stop and I got a dealer reman the next day.
The PO was crazy about maintenance and when we purchased it we received complete maintenance records. Regular trans service and all. She gave out at 158k.
In my opinion, from reading around, it appears that the transmissions that the sequoia and LC have, might have shared some of those bad gearsets.
Just my opinion, and I have a transmission jack sitting in the garage should the LC trans give out. I have already warned the wife, if it goes, I'm just going to the dealer and buying another reman to install.
*EDIT*
From what I saw looking around, the 1998-2001 LC had the A340E transmission.
The 2001-2004 Sequoia had the A343F
Last edited:
re_guderian
SILVER Star
LC had A343 as well.
Thanks for clearing up the fog in this thread. I read its like <5% failure, but this thread makes all 2000s sound like a ticking bomb. That makes me feel better about this vehicle.
I saw a good write up from Slee about checking over the vehicle. I didnt think to ask where it was driven, though i should, as it looks like a mall cruiser to me.
Didnt think about santa cruz and the rust. Im in the SF bay area, its not really humid here, more temperate, but alas i will look her over well for rust. Good call.
Thanks for the advice guys, and sorry for thread high jacking.
Makes even more sense then.
Some of the sequoia/tundra guys were trying to drop the pan and clean out stuff, or piecemeal the trans repair with just planetary gearsets ( which would still cost hundreds and there could be more issues with the torque converter or other parts). My issue was my wife was going to be driving it with my 20 month old and my 3 month old in it. The dealer cut me a deal, I got a dealer reman (all they could offer) for $1,9xx. Trans jack cost me $170 or so. Took about 6 hours to replace in the garage.
LC will be a bit longer to replace due to the transfer case & all that but I am just going to enjoy it and go about my business. If it takes a dump... It will get a new (reman) unit.
Please take lots of pics and post the DIY. I've been wondering how involved the job is. I've also read that it requires a trip to the dealer for programming. True?
If have to dig up the pics from the Sequoia replacement. If the LC trans craps out I'll write a DIY.
My point was that I would just take it in stride if it did. I'm not hoping it goes bad.
The Sequoia actually wasn't bad at all. But you NEED a good adjustable trans jack. It was Just plug & play, no trip to the dealer, other than to pick up the new trans & drop off the core.
Hello, been lurking on here for awhile. Finally signed up. Love the LC and want to pull the trigger on one soon. Ive been looking at 100 series 2001 - 2002 mileage for my price range seems to be around 100k. But i saw this on CL near me...
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/scz/cto/3776649770.html
Would you guys grab it? Good mileage for year... but the trans. issue? Worth the risk?
Thanks in advance.
So i talked to the owner via email. They said " The vehicle was used on pavement only.
There is some rust around the front windshield, the
windshield has a crack, so the rust should be fixed
when the windshield is replaced. This is why I am
asking a low price for the vehicle.
The vehicle is mechanically very sound, I have some
receipts, but no major repairs have been required."
Anyone estimate a repair cost? I wonder roundabouts how much itd knock off the TMV of the vehicle?
Without seeing pics i know its hard to imagine how bad the rust could be.... but sound scary to you guys?
Hello,
Especially considering the rust, I would have it thoroughly inspected. While by mileage the most expensive repairs have not occurred, Toyota/Lexus includes the proviso of (usually) 7 Years or xx Miles.
Should you take it to a Toyota dealership they will be able to give you an accounting of what repairs were done at one. Be prepared for them to recommend to have the Timing Belt, Serpentine Belt, and many items replaced.
The price is outstanding and provided the rust is truly confined to the A Pillars really could be a fantastic starting point. It is priced far below average so I would just exercise caution.
Best,
Jack
