Auto trans and softer ride for my mini.

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tonyota

tonyota

10 Year 15 Year
Joined
Jan 13, 2007
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158
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5,471
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In the garage.
Okay, here's the deal. I'm old and my body is broken.
No way I'm even close to done wheeling so I need to make some mods to my truck.
My clutch knee can't take it any longer and I need an auto trans. I have the 22re and I wanna keep it Toyota if at all possible. I also wanna keep my dual cases or retain a way to run dual cases or a very low t/case gear.

My back needs a softer ride. I need to make suspension changes.
Maybe suspension seats are a good idea, but I read bad things about them.
I'm leaf springs all around.

I don't have a s*** ton of $$$$ and may need help doing the work.

Please, oh mechanical gods of wheeling, (that's yous guys) help me with suggestions, parts and wrenching hands.

I can't continue the struggles with my back and left knee after every wheeling trip.
Since longer trips are fast becoming my favorite ways to go wheeling I need a rig that is more user friendly to my situation.
 
I wish I could give you trany advice, I can't, I'm just glad your not throwing in the towel.
 
No advice on what auto trans, however i would also get some 4.7s. Not having to bump and use momentum will help alot, i know the TC has extra gear reduction, however i dont think you can be too low IMO. I would also get some air bumps and see how they help. You would also have them when you eventually link it.
 
After riding in your truck, I hear ya! That thing rides hard!

Are you running three or four leafs in your 63's?

What springs are you running up front?

I have a set of marlin leafs waiting for a home.

Also, what shocks are you running?

I have a set of 10" or 11" fox 2.0 emulsions looking for a home.

True, an auto and lower gears will help. But I bet much of your pain is from bouncing from the access roads.
 
As for a trans. I assume an a340f is your best bet. I assume find one from a 22re truck with the ecu... I assume.

Otherwise maybe a gm non ecu trans? But they can be pricey plus adapters.

The a340f will need a different t case adapter than what you have. Jeremy mentioned maybe making a change and he has your adapter.
 
Tony, I would try the suspension seats for starters. Auto is a good idea. I have fun in both but I could see that as a benefit for what you are looking for.
 
My suspension seats have helped my a lot. Even after a week of wheeling on PYS my back was fine.
 
John, I have 3 leaves in my 63s.
Front are 3 very thick leaves and they are a rancho 4" lift spring circa 1990s
My shocks are hand-me-down Bilsteins from you & Joe.

I think suspension seats may be an option but I did just get those super cool sr5 seats installed.

I agree that the access roads at Harlan are a killer, and the rock crawlin isn't as bad. But access roads are a part of wheelin that I cannot avoid.

I agree with Todd and the rest who say that an auto trans will help with the roughness when crawlin and the knee issues. I just gotta get one.

I don't know if removing the bottom leaf from each spring pack will soften the ride or just make the truck too springy?

Shocks could be part of the problem, and the truck is super light.

Also mayhaps now is the time to get the plans for the "ginger bumps"
 
I bet for one, your springs are probably stiff as s***. I hated my old lift springs, i swapped out for a set of all pro buggy springs, and holy s*** were those soft. I bet if you built a set of rear hybrids for the front, it would be a drastic improvement.

My TH350 will be sitting here if you think that's an option, just let me know.
 
Thanks Joe and everyone else.

John, tell me more about those marlin springs & those shocks.

Been searching for transmission options. I think the one Dylan has is the a340h and that won't work.
 
4" fronts and 5" rears. I ran them for about 7 years until I broke a middle leaf on a front spring in black hills in 2012. I swapped out the whole set with another I had. They are just sitting, waiting. They are basically the standard spring sold by marlin, all pro, tg, etc (if you want to research). These were made by betts, in the US. Most are made in China now. The rears have like 8 leafs and the fronts about 5 so lots of opportunity for tuning.

The shocks are fox 2.0 emulsions. They may be too short for you. Plus I switched to them because they were valved firmer than the bilsteins you have, so I doubt they would work.

I think suspension seats will be expensive and only help a little. When I was in your truck on the access road, the seat belt was the only thing keeping me in the seat, literally. Plus I think they will make that already cramped regular cab seem even smaller and be harder to get in and out of.

I say mess with springs. I sounds like you have rancho 44044's up front? And 63's out back. See if other springs are softer than the 44044's.

Bead locks will make a big difference too. I'm not sure what psi you run, but getting well into the single digits makes a huge difference on access roads!
 
You could always go ultra bling and get some deavers. Had them in the rear of the tacoma and loved them until i bent them into an "s" not running a traction bar. Nice and soft.
 
Am interested in your springs John.

If I go bread locks, I'm gonna go larger tires also for even more soft.

I gotta figure out the auto trans situation before the next outing, as well as the suspension.

The bread locks and tire combo may have to wait cause that'll cost more for sure.
 
Well if you come to the dunes you won't get beat up there. In fact you are set up well for that.

And flat nasty shouldn't be too bad, no?

Harlan was a bad combination of access roads with miles of rocks to small to crawl and to big to bomb.

But if you make it to Moab you will want something softer. We will be hitting many miles of off pavement every day.

How can I unite you with these springs? I don't recommend shipping!!!! The rears have to weigh 60lbs a piece.
 
I can come get them when I have a 2 days off .
I'll make a plan when I have a chance.
Nice of you to offer tho D-rail.

Lemme know when the events are going to happen.
I gotta get the new trans in before I go doin too much more driving. The new seats put me in a different clutch operating position that is not knee friendly.
 
Tony, Like john mentioned I am considering the 4runner going back to single case status. Once that is done I will have the adapter for a340f to mini box available for you.
 
I cannot find an a340f trans for less than 800$ used.
Doing some "math" so to speak. I have found I can lower my clutch pedal to get it closer to the floor and that may ease my knee issues for the time being...we'll see.
If that's the case I can focus my $$$$ on beadlocks & tires and suspension modifications for next season and mayhaps stay manual for a while.
Also, if that's the case, I would be wanting to do the 4.7:1 crawler gears. (That's what I asked for as a Christmas present from the wife).
In the process of doing the front suspension mods, I will be moving the front axle & steering forward to clear the larger tires.

All that to say.....I would be interested in that adapter, Rome, cause I know an automatic will be in my future eventually.

Lower tcase gears will lessen clutch action when crawling.
 
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