drivetrain swap? (2 Viewers)

[tedzap]

I have a 2001 100 series and a 2003. The 2001 has transmission issues, and the 2003 has some rust issues. The 2003 drives like a dream, but the network that controls climate, navigation, radio, etc has been problematic.

Could the drivetrain from the 2003 be installed in the 2001 without bringing along the nav screen / climate controls? The 2001 has manual controls, which I prefer... I just don't know how all that ties in with the ECU and trans controller.

thanks for your insights!

 

[GTV]

Anything is possible but that would be a nightmare, IMO. The engine can be swapped but the 5 speed, not so much.

 

[Malleus]

Assuming they are both either Toyota or Lexus, if you brought the ECM and associated harnesses with the 2003 drivetrain, yes. The NAV/climate/sound is a separate system (actually, several separate systems). Mixing and matching Toyta/Lexus isn't impossible but there are differences, the suspension being the greatest.

It's not as easy as swapping in a new engine and transmission of the correct year, but far easier than putting a 100 series drivetrain in an 80.

I would suggest you download the 2001 and 2003 service manuals from the Resources section and compare them. I also have the "new model" brochures somewhere. I'll post them up for you when I get the chance so you can compare the 30,000 ft level stuff.

 

[tedzap]

Assuming they are both either Toyota or Lexus, if you brought the ECM and associated harnesses with the 2003 drivetrain, yes. The NAV/climate/sound is a separate system (actually, several separate systems). Mixing and matching Toyta/Lexus isn't impossible but there are differences, the suspension being the greatest.

It's not as easy as swapping in a new engine and transmission of the correct year, but far easier than putting a 100 series drivetrain in an 80.

I would suggest you download the 2001 and 2003 service manuals from the Resources section and compare them. I also have the "new model" brochures somewhere. I'll post them up for you when I get the chance so you can compare the 30,000 ft level stuff.

Thanks for this. Both vehicles are Toyota, so no Lexus differences. This is sorta what I was hoping, that maybe I could bring the wiring harness and ECM to get it working in the older rig. I am guessing there is some sort of computer(s) for the 2003 "network" which I can simply not bring over in the conversion.

Unless I come up with a good used transmission I will start studying this type of swap.

Downloaded the manuals.

 

[Malleus]

The "network" is a CANBus. It was originally developed as a system for use in manufacturing; its primary advantage is the ability it provides to allow a susbsystem to be added or removed without requiring reprogramming the entire network architecture.

There are many (emphasis on the many) computers in the 100 series. This is a requirement of the CANBus architecture. Think of it as a backbone that you hang subsystems onto which provides power and communication capability, but not much (if anything) else. The CANBus isn't an overall controlling ECM, like the 80 series had, it's more like a phone company.

I've never done this, but if you have the NAV/sound system and the transmission, you should be able to swap them into the earlier 100 series. The earlier systems "should" be compatible with the network. I don't think the control requirements for things like the power windows/doors and telescoping\tilt wheel will care what they're connected to, as long as they're connected to something. Each is designed as a standalone system, hanging off the body branch of the network.

 

[delz05]

If you’re only swapping the engine and transmission from the 03 to the 01, why would you need to swap the ECU? I have done numerous engine swaps in other vehicles and never had to swap the ECU. Is there something that is Toyota specific that would require this additional work? If I understand correctly, you are not going to carryover the NAV unit.

 

[Malleus]

If you’re only swapping the engine and transmission from the 03 to the 01, why would you need to swap the ECU? I have done numerous engine swaps in other vehicles and never had to swap the ECU. Is there something that is Toyota specific that would require this additional work? If I understand correctly, you are not going to carryover the NAV unit.

Because the ECM for the 2001 A343F transmission isn't the same as the ECM for the 2003 A750F transmission.

And you have to retain the NAV unit with the harness; the two are made to work together. There were several options for NAV/sound; each is mutually exclusive of the others.

 

[Malleus]

...Oh, and I think (and I may be wrong) you'll need the rear propeller shaft, too. IIRC, the A750F is longer than the A343F. The fronts are the same (don't quote me on any of this, I'm doing this entirely from memory).

 

[tedzap]

And you have to retain the NAV unit with the harness; the two are made to work together. There were several options for NAV/sound; each is mutually exclusive of the others.

Part of my hope/goal would be to get rid of the factory NAV/Sound due to failures that also leave me without climate controls.

Is there a ECU version that would allow me to get rid of the NAV and go with manual climate controls? If so, would I need the related wiring harness as well? Somewhere I read that there were some 2003 that didn't have the NAV stuff.

thanks!

 

[delz05]

Because the ECM for the 2001 A343F transmission isn't the same as the ECM for the 2003 A750F transmission.

And you have to retain the NAV unit with the harness; the two are made to work together. There were several options for NAV/sound; each is mutually exclusive of the others.

Thank you for sharing this knowledge. I was unaware all of that which is involved for swapping just the transmission. As great as these trucks are keeping them running can be a nightmare. Again I appreciate you sharing your knowledge.

 

[Malleus]

Part of my hope/goal would be to get rid of the factory NAV/Sound due to failures that also leave me without climate controls.

Is there a ECU version that would allow me to get rid of the NAV and go with manual climate controls? If so, would I need the related wiring harness as well? Somewhere I read that there were some 2003 that didn't have the NAV stuff.

thanks!

IIRC, there were three options: 1) without NAV and with climate control physical buttons, 2) with NAV and with climate control physical buttons and finally with NAV and with those f***ing useless "logical" buttons. Finding the model without NAV is the holy grail of swappage.

 

[tedzap]

IIRC, there were three options: 1) without NAV and with climate control physical buttons, 2) with NAV and with climate control physical buttons and finally with NAV and with those f***ing useless "logical" buttons. Finding the model without NAV is the holy grail of swappage.

So I would need the ECU and wiring harness from option 1? know of any relevant links or part numbers?

 

[delz05]

Best to search the local salvage yards or car-part.com

 

[hoser]

Expensive option…

Toyota A750 Transmission Control with the COMPUSHIFT

Find out about the history of the Toyota A750 transmission along with specifications, problems, ratios and how it can be controlled using a stand alone transmission controller.

hgmelectronics.com

 

[jaewastooshort]

I thought I'd read on here about people "downgrading" the nav system to the physical hvac controller and aftermarket audio setup... I may have to search again.

 

[Malleus]

So I would need the ECU and wiring harness from option 1? know of any relevant links or part numbers?

Yes. No. Sorry, that's all I have for help.