2001 LandCruiser Transmission Problems (1 Viewer)

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Hi Everyone,

I have been learning from these forums for a year or so now, however, unfortunate news has led me to my first post.

I have a 2001 Toyota Landcruiser, 88k on the odometer, all scheduled maintenance has been done accordingly.

A few days ago, driving along at about 55mph, the big girl just stopped. No power, no nothing, no big banging noise or anything.

After having it towed back to the local gas station, it was concluded that the transmission was bust. So I had it towed to our Toyota dealer, and without fully tearing the truck to pieces, they gave me a general estimate of $3600+tax to get her back up and running.

A neighbor, who happens to own a mechanic shop, has offered me $7500 for the cruiser and it's busted transmission.

Considering the car is in good shape, minor scratches and dents, and aside from all but one speaker needing to be replaced, I assumed the car was worth a little bit more even without a transmission.

So, what do you guys think? Is it worth sinking another $3500-$4000 and keep her in the family? Maybe fix it then sell it? I am just trying to get an opinion, I would really hate to see her go.

Thanks in advance.
 
Sorry to hear it, but get a second opinion. In fact, get several opinions in terms of what's wrong and the cost of fixing it. In my experience, dealerships are way over priced and their mechanics aren't the best.
 
definitely get a second opinion, the repair could be a lot less. i'd like to know exactly what "bust" means...

you have low miles on the best year LC with service records. i would think your truck is worth more than 7500+3600. so as long as you plan to continue using it, its probably worth fixing, at least not selling at that price anyway.

please post back with details about the busted tranny!
 
I would say something doesn't add up: Who decided it was a tranny issue ? I would have someone look it over before having any work estimates completed. Might be an apps issue and not a tranny. This could cause the truck to cut out with no noise .......
 
Buy a used transmission and have it installed (cheapest)... or pay to have yours rebuilt (next cheapest option)... or buy a brand new one from Toyota (most expensive)...
 
when you say 'no power, no nothing'... was the engine still running? when turned off would park hold it in place or would it still roll?
 
A 2001 in great condition with 88k miles is worth a minimum $15k.

If you sell it for $7500 and he puts $3600 in it then he now has $11,100 in it so he has about $4000 in equity that should belong to you.

If you sell it, what can you buy for $11,100 that would be more dependable than a 88,000 mile LC?

Where are you located? You need to take that thing to a reputable Land Cruser specialist. Or find someone on this board who knows LC's and have them go check the truck out.

IF, and that is a big IF, the trans is toast then it would be a very rare instance. Have it checked by somebody else. Good Luck and let us know how it turns out.

edit: here is a thread about failed transmissions... https://forum.ih8mud.com/100-series...smission-original-replaced-8.html#post6489010 .... and at about post #159 it is summarized how many have actually failed prematurely. There are 180 posts on that thread and only about 5 failed transmissions. Most of them seem to be 2000 models.
 
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Thanks for all the responses.

I am away from home for a little, so I am still trying to gather information. And it's also very expensive to have the car towed from place to place.


When the car went, it just started to putter out then wouldn't go.

The engine starts fine, it just won't go into Drive or Reverse.

I am located in Westchester, NY. Finding honest mechanics is a rare occasion, and I have become familiar with some employees at Toyota to the point where I would expect to be only slightly ripped off.
 
*EDIT*

Sorry everyone,

The car does go into Drive and Reverse, but it just won't go anywhere.

Pressing the gas pedal will cause the engine to rev, but it doesn't move.

Getting more details ASAP.
 
Does it make any indication that the transmission is doing anything when you shift into drive or reverse? Like can you feel any bumps or hear anything when you shift? I think my friend had similar problem on his Tacoma... I'll see if I can get a hold of him and ask him what happened with his.
 
when you say 'no power, no nothing'... was the engine still running? when turned off would park hold it in place or would it still roll?

This was an important question, does putting it in park hold it in place? If not, it's almost certainly something after the transmission. If so, it's probably in the transmission. Did you verify the transfer case lever (next to the shifter) is fully in high range? Your symptom would be normal if the lever slipped into neutral, try moving it into neutral and back to high range, you should feel a clunk when shifting it. Try locking your center differential, if the truck drives your problem is not in the transmission or center differential, but in an axle or hub.
 
Does it make any indication that the transmission is doing anything when you shift into drive or reverse? Like can you feel any bumps or hear anything when you shift? I think my friend had similar problem on his Tacoma... I'll see if I can get a hold of him and ask him what happened with his.

Thank you, that's great. But to answer the question....nothing out of the ordinary really happens when changing gears.


This was an important question, does putting it in park hold it in place? If not, it's almost certainly something after the transmission. If so, it's probably in the transmission. Did you verify the transfer case lever (next to the shifter) is fully in high range? Your symptom would be normal if the lever slipped into neutral, try moving it into neutral and back to high range, you should feel a clunk when shifting it. Try locking your center differential, if the truck drives your problem is not in the transmission or center differential, but in an axle or hub.

Putting the car in park does hold it in place. But when it's in drive or reverse, it's essentially like the car is in neutral.

Still trying to get in contact with the mechanic at Toyota, I will try and get some more information and conduct some troubleshooting as soon as I can.
 
Sounds more like a torque converter issue if it is an issue with the tranny;

Or, you are not getting power to the drive shafts, i.e., a transfer case issue.

Good luck.
 
If the transfer case is free-spinning, the parking pawls wouldn't hold the truck in place. The torque converter sounds more likely. Wonder what the transmission fluid looks and smells like? (or is there any?)
 
Thank you, that's great. But to answer the question....nothing out of the ordinary really happens when changing gears.




Putting the car in park does hold it in place. But when it's in drive or reverse, it's essentially like the car is in neutral.

Still trying to get in contact with the mechanic at Toyota, I will try and get some more information and conduct some troubleshooting as soon as I can.

What about the transfer case lever? Did you shift to low range and get the same results? Did you make sure the transfer case isn't in Neutral?
 
Same here!

The same thing happened to me on my LC2001. I had about 120K miles on it. I have heard the that this model year had "weaker" transmissions then other years. I shopped around and had mine replaced (rebuilt) for around $2500 if I recall. good luck.
 
Bob..... Any news yet?

Threads like this keep a lot of us on the edge of our seats. I guess I dont speak for everybody but I know I would like to know the rest of the story :popcorn:.
 

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