‘94 JDM Land Cruiser has bad transmission, just purchased, I do not know what to do. Please help

[Broski]

It's not miss stating anything. If the centre diff is locked, either by the CDL button (JDM) or putting it in 4lo for trucks without a CDL button, and either a drive flange, CV or something in the front diff is broken then power will be sent to the rear wheels and you can drive the truck for diagnostic purposes.

Source: I drove 300km to get home like this with a broken cv. HDJ81.

No matter What, when you lock the center diff power will be sent to the F&R axle equally. Just the facts
Of course this assumes the the transfer case is working as intended and both drive shaft are installed.


I hope you pulled the front drive shaft on you 300km drive home with a broken CV

 

[Angeltech]

I havent read the whe thread yet. But propper diagnosis will be key. It could very likely be just a few hundred dollars worth of parts. The key is diagnoses and i would not trust a dealership to figure it out. If you have 25,000 incested in it i would spend another 800 and have it shipped somewhere like Slee or whoever is at the top now. You wont save any money trying to uae someone local. Just send it to one of the "real" cruiser shops. I know in Atlanta i like ACC but there are few others sprinkled around like Slee and i think Torfab? I think Powderpig had a shop north of Denver but i might have that wrong. Just bite the bullet and get it to the right people unless you are capable to do it yourself. Replacing a transmission is will be so expensive. People that know they are doing might be able to aviod that.

Thank you. I couldn’t agree more. I was just hoping to find someone close/somewhat close if possible.

 

[desmocruiser]

Both of my used ones were in the 150k mile range, first one just under, second just over, I think the 80 had 120k at failure 4 or so years ago.

I suspect the reason for the failure was a solenoid went bad at 90k miles and released metal throughout the transmission. It bounced around for 6 or 7 years until it found a spot that was catastrophic despite at least a dozen drain and refills and one self power flush.

 

[Angeltech]

Both of my used ones were in the 150k mile range, first one just under, second just over, I think the 80 had 120k at failure 4 or so years ago.

I suspect the reason for the failure was a solenoid went bad at 90k miles and released metal throughout the transmission. It bounced around for 6 or 7 years until it found a spot that was catastrophic despite at least a dozen drain and refills and one self power flush.

It is funny you mentioned a solenoid. I haven’t heard anyone mention that here but when I was searching the internet after I first noticed the problems I was having, solenoids were something that came up multiple times.

 

[Angeltech]

One last stupid question, when I engage the central locking diff. button, do I put it in drive or in low? I went out to test the L.C. but I came back just to clarify this first.

 

[Broski]

Leave it in high range

 

[Angeltech]

Leave it in high

Thank you!

 

[nickolai]

No matter What, when you lock the center diff power will be sent to the F&R axle equally. Just the facts
Of course this assumes the the transfer case is working as intended and both drive shaft are installed.


I hope you pulled the front drive shaft on you 300km drive home with a broken CV

We're saying the same thing - im just leaving off the equal split bit for simplicty.

Yes i did pull the drive shaft.

 

[Broski]

I have the same truck 1994, 1FZ-FE - A442F with 280k on the clock Trans is still strong,

No one has mentioned solenoids because what you describe does not sound like a solenoid issue.

Let us know how the drive went !!

 

[BILT4ME]

Which transmission is the all- hydraulic version?

Is that 91-92 A442 (not -F version)?

 

[veiloctane]

Which transmission is the all- hydraulic version?

Is that 91-92 A442 (not -F version)?

1991-1992 there all A442F

But 2 variants.

A442F hydro valve body with cruise control. (Really similar to A440)
A442F electronic controlled valve body

 

[BILT4ME]

Sorry I missed this post. It is gas-L2D on shift.

So, @mjosoba , which transmission does have? Hydraulic or electronic?

You did not state which was which.

 

[mjosoba]

So, @mjosoba , which transmission does have? Hydraulic or electronic?

You did not state which was which.

Sorry, I saw JDM and assumed it would be Diesel. He will have the electronic. I do not believe the gas came with hydraulic at all except the A440.

Edit: didn’t see @veiloctane post. The 3fe got the A440, so 90-92 in the USDM. Some diesel got the hydraulic A442, not sure when the year switchover was. Not sure about 1HDT, but some 1HZ’s had the A440. The USDM only got A440, electric A442, and A343.

 

[BILT4ME]

Thank you!

Crawl under the truck and take pics of the S/N plate on the transmission as well as a few overall shots of the line routing.

Is this truck RHD or LHD?

It's possible that the transmission is the same for US spec vs Japan spec if everything line up P/N wise and where things attach, but you may be at full risk to try something.

 

[OffRoadScott]

Page 3 Post 53 the OP posted a picture that should answer everyone's questions in regards to which transmission.

 

[mjosoba]

Crawl under the truck and take pics of the S/N plate on the transmission as well as a few overall shots of the line routing.

Is this truck RHD or LHD?

It's possible that the transmission is the same for US spec vs Japan spec if everything line up P/N wise and where things attach, but you may be at full risk to try something.

Had the same thought. I’m guessing they’re the same. Can’t see Toyota changing that much. Only things I’d think might be the pan/dipstick, and potentially the brackets for shifting and such.

Another problem might be the TCM plugs and such, but I am only basing that off of some guys I’ve talked to getting JDM Subarus and the plugs were different.

 

[BILT4ME]

Page 3 Post 53 the OP posted a picture that should answer everyone's questions in regards to which transmission.

Agreed.

So, does that mean that the JDM version transmission is the same as the US version of the A442F? If so, then some local suppliers may have one.

There is some question of hydraulic line routing and possibly sensors.

 

[mudgudgeon]

There is some question of hydraulic line routing and possibly sensors.

I'd be surprised if this was different.

The main things that would 'need' to be different mechanically would be steering, braking systems etc. And dash and engine bay wiring

Auto trans, apart from a shifter linkage, I can't see any need for LHD/RHD specific.

 

[mjosoba]

I'd be surprised if this was different.

The main things that would 'need' to be different mechanically would be steering, braking systems etc. And dash and engine bay wiring

Auto trans, apart from a shifter linkage, I can't see any need for LHD/RHD specific.

Agreed. However, have we real ruled out the drive flanges? I feel like this is going to be much more simple than a roached transmission. Those A442’s last for a long time.

 

[manofthewoods]

I'd be surprised if this was different.

The main things that would 'need' to be different mechanically would be steering, braking systems etc. And dash and engine bay wiring

Auto trans, apart from a shifter linkage, I can't see any need for LHD/RHD specific.

That makes sense.
But...
The upper Dingell arm Bushings ARE LHD/RHD specific. Unless, they're not.