2003 V8 chain skipping

[archie73]

I’m looking at a 2003 V8 SR5. It’s in pretty good shape and would make a good car for my kid. It’s a bit worn. It needs new shocks/struts. Engine feels good. BUT the transfer case is skipping under moderate power input. This I assume is the chain is shot. How bad is changing the chain? Oem chain looks to be $950 after a quick search. I found some much cheaper non-T chains- any of them any good?

 

[Rednexus]

I've never heard of a T-case on a V8 4Runner/GX470 with chain issues. They are usually very reliable even on heavy rigs with big tires. Are you sure the T-case is actually the problem?

Whole used T-cases are pretty easy to find. I did a quick search and found a number for sale for around $1K. I'd personally replace the T-case with a good used one rather than attempt to swap the chain.

 

[aztoytec]

Never heard of this… are you sure it’s not the transmission?

 

[vipergrhd]

Did you check the oil level? The V8 came with electronic actuator which leaks and could cause low fluid and eventually kill it.

 

[archie73]

Never heard of this… are you sure it’s not the transmission?

It was the most likely thing I could think of, but all I had was a test drive to diagnose it. It drove fine, until I put my foot halfway into it. Then it made a racket and lightly lurched forward. My initial thought was a bad r&p. If I feathered it, it drove well with no howling like I’d expect with a bad r&p. Feeling confident I decided to take it on myself the interstate. On a downhill on ramp, it stuttered and completely lost forward momentum. I was able merge onto the interstate and get it up to speed, but this seemed to confirm tcase.

If you read this far, the had news is we’ll never know- I heard from marketplace today the ad has been taken down and I’ll be on the look out for another vehicle for my kid. For the sake of this issue, I’m still curious with what the hive mind has come up with.

 

[archie73]

Did you check the oil level? The V8 came with electronic actuator which leaks and could cause low fluid and eventually kill it.

The transmission level looked good. It was pretty fresh as well- this may have been a sign of something untold…

 

[TheBussman]

if the chain is really skipping i bet the sprockets are also toast and there has been a bunch of metal ran though the rest of it. Good opportunity to swap to a part time manual shift case.

 

[archie73]

if the chain is really skipping i bet the sprockets are also toast and there has been a bunch of metal ran though the rest of it. Good opportunity to swap to a part time manual shift case.

Yeah, if I had picked it up, I would’ve been putting a new case in. I would’ve stayed with awd for my kids safety, but I agree with the chain of skipping that bad case is toast.

Not being familiar with these transmission/cases – would this ever ruin the transmission as well? I know my transfer case isn’t supposed to drain into the transmission on my 40 but it does…

 

[Rednexus]

They are totally separate and use different fluid. To be honest, the AWD T-case is a huge selling point for the V8 4Runner and GX. Awesome traction on the street and they drive like a big, V8 powered rally car on gravel and in the snow. Much better driving experience than a part-time 4x4 setup. Then, hit the CDL button and you have a real 4x4 with low range.

 

[archie73]

They are totally separate and use different fluid. To be honest, the AWD T-case is a huge selling point for the V8 4Runner and GX. Awesome traction on the street and they drive like a big, V8 powered rally car on gravel and in the snow. Much better driving experience than a part-time 4x4 setup. Then, hit the CDL button and you have a real 4x4 with low range.

Yeah I would have paid the asking price had the “skipping” not happened. Someone else has reposted already for an additional $1750. Maybe I should have just paid it, but I felt like the seller was lying to me in the Tcase and a likely heater core leak (base of the windshield was filthy). I’m not a pro wrench and maybe I misdiagnosed both things, but his lack of explanation kinda pushed me away from his asking price.

So am I off my base in this pricing? For background-

• $3250 asking price
• 222k
• well worn; it showed here and there, but serviceable for a first time driver
• Probable heater core leak as mentioned; seller claimed it was window cleaner…
• Not surprising the suspension was shot, but this was acceptable to me
• Two sets of tires- fair condition
• Engine was strong from what little I drove it
• Transmission felt good
• Brakes felt good
• Body/interior were about what you would expect for the mileage

When the seller said he’d never seen the “skipping” and the grime on the windshield was “cleaner”, my spidey sense told me I was being lied to. I gave an offer of $2k based on the Tcase replacement-they balked and I walked.

I’m in no rush, so I’m content to let this one slip away. I’m wondering where people feel this one would be valued, assuming my suspicions are true. Tcase $1k and a couple hours in the garage. Heater core- total guess, but $100 and a couple more hours. Suspension $500/3hrs. So I’m gonna call it $2k in parts I know and fluids/filters. Labor would be time spent with the boy, so I’ll let that be free.

 

[aztoytec]

Smart move. Even at that price. There’s a bunch out there. Be patient! You’ll find a good one!!

 

[Rednexus]

Agreed, V8 4Runners and GX470s are not hard to find. Keep looking.

 

[archie73]

They are totally separate and use different fluid.

I assumed so, just wanted to be sure.

To be honest, the AWD T-case is a huge selling point for the V8 4Runner and GX. Awesome traction on the street…

This is why I’m looking at it for my kids first car. AWD is a must on the list given where we live. I don’t want him learning to drive with a part time 4wd truck. I’d like keep him around for a bit…

and they drive like a big, V8 powered rally car on gravel and in the snow.

This is a bit worrisome- see the comment above. My boy is an adrenaline/gravity junky already. Perhaps this V8 is a bad idea for a kid that already talks about drifting.

My first thought was a CRV for him, preferably a 4 cylinder. Honestly, this one popped up on my radar pretty cheap and I figured it’d motivate him to get in the garage with me.

Much better driving experience than a part-time 4x4 setup. Then, hit the CDL button and you have a real 4x4 with low range.

I still agree with everything here.

 

[Rednexus]

It's a V8 with only 235 HP. But, it still has a great torque curve and V8 sound, meaning he's more likely to drive it like an AWD rally car and hot rod it to hear that noise. If he's like me at 16, he'll want to hack the muffler off as well. 16-year-old-me would have taken a V8 4Runner on a lot of trails (as I grew up near a lot of national forest) and probably beat it up some as well.

Another good option that he'd enjoy more than a CRV would be a 2010 or older Subaru Forester with a manual transmission. They are legitimately fun to drive on gravel/snow, especially with the AWD/manual transmission/50-50 torque split (same chassis as the Impreza/WRX), but just don't have enough power to really get in trouble with. Good enough ground clearance for "soft roading" but a low enough center of gravity that it would be pretty darn hard to roll one over. Any one you buy may need a set of head gaskets, but they are totally DIYable as the cars are very easy to work on.

 

[archie73]

THE PLOT THICKENS

The new owner has relisted it and I’ve talked to him. He tried to flip it, but but now realizes it’s worth less than he paid and he wants out. He offered it for a reasonable price and I’ll try and pick it up next week if he doesn’t sell it before then.

As mentioned, I believe the transfer case is done. I have a friend of a friend that is selling a 06 sequoia 4x4 with 260k that was totaled in a light/medium frontend. Everything forward of the fan is smoked. Engine runs well, but I couldn’t drive it do to the radiator has the trans cooler in it- so no fluid in the transmission.

What’s cross compatible between the two? Transfer case?

 

[archie73]

Another good option that he'd enjoy more than a CRV would be a 2010 or older Subaru Forester with a manual transmission. They are legitimately fun to drive on gravel/snow, especially with the AWD/manual transmission/50-50 torque split (same chassis as the Impreza/WRX), but just don't have enough power to really get in trouble with. Good enough ground clearance for "soft roading" but a low enough center of gravity that it would be pretty darn hard to roll one over. Any one you buy may need a set of head gaskets, but they are totally DIYable as the cars are very easy to work on.

Mama Bear out ruled subies after seeing a f250 parked on top of one. To be fair the subie driver did not make it. Regardless, it left her with a strong dislike on low cars.

Shame too, they are a dime a dozen around here. They are great icy/snowy road cars, but I’d rather have my awd sienna. Same great traction, Toyota and space haul a lot of stuff. Mileage is where the subies win tho.

 

[Rednexus]

THE PLOT THICKENS

The new owner has relisted it and I’ve talked to him. He tried to flip it, but but now realizes it’s worth less than he paid and he wants out. He offered it for a reasonable price and I’ll try and pick it up next week if he doesn’t sell it before then.

As mentioned, I believe the transfer case is done. I have a friend of a friend that is selling a 06 sequoia 4x4 with 260k that was totaled in a light/medium frontend. Everything forward of the fan is smoked. Engine runs well, but I couldn’t drive it do to the radiator has the trans cooler in it- so no fluid in the transmission.

What’s cross compatible between the two? Transfer case?

I think the 4th gen 4Runner has an dial-actuated T-case. If so, you would need an AWD, electronically actuated T-case. If the Sequoia has a part-time T-case or a lever-actuated T-case, it probably won't work. That also rules out a GX470 T-case which is lever-actuated. It's possible a GX460 T-case could work, but you'd need to do some research to confirm.

 

[archie73]

I think the 4th gen 4Runner has a dial-actuated T-case. If so, you would need an AWD, electronically actuated T-case. If the Sequoia has a part-time T-case or a lever-actuated T-case, it probably won't work. That also rules out a GX470 T-case which is lever-actuated. It's possible a GX460 T-case could work, but you'd need to do some research to confirm.

Bummer, I thought they were simply awd. I think I’m still looking at the 4r this coming weekend, so I’ll be on the hunt for a tcase if I get it.

 

[Toyoland66]

The V8 4Runners and GX both have AWD transfer cases, but the GX is lever shift for H-L and electronic shift for the center diff lock, 4R is electronic shift for both. The FJ cruiser also had an AWD case but only behind the 6sp manual and it has a different input shaft, but those are fully lever shift. No idea on what’s cross compatible if you wanted to rebuild one from multiple cases but I believe the rear half of the case housing has holes for the shift lever for the electronic shift versions, the lever shift versions have shift rails that go forward toward the transmission.

I don’t think it would be that hard to find a replacement GX case, check eBay, car-part, or Hollander parts and there’s probably something either local or that you could get shipped. However I wouldn’t be surprised if the actual issue is mis-diagnosed and is actually something else, akin to 80 series that get parked thinking they have a major issue that ends up being a stripped drive flange.

 

[TahoeZ]

My first thought is a failing torque converter or transmission-related. Pretty unlikely it's the T-case unless it was run dry; did you check fluid level in it? You can pull the fill plug and stick your finger in.