HIGH MILAGE TRANSMISSION AND T-CASE CONCERNS....

[silverhorse]

So my 94 has 290k on the transmission and t-case. everything else has been rebuilt. I'm not having issues but I'm a PM guy.. and i dont want to be worried about going on long trips... Is their a t-case rebuild kit ? who would "we" trust to service the tranny? ALL ADVISE APPRECIATED AS USUAL....

 

[bloc]

Transmission and transfer case fluids can both be sent off for used oil analysis if you are concerned. They probably won't have much data on these particular units but can make much more educated guesses as to the condition of bearings/clutches/gears/etc than simply rebuilding them "just because"

 

[Cruiserdrew]

Just drive it. Eventually they will need to be replaced.

Toyota used to sell the transmission, and may still, rebuilt as a unit for about $3000. That's a deal. The transfer can be rebuilt, but other than seals and output bearings likely will not need much. I know that Georg has rebuilt them.

 

[baldilocks]

Mine has 272k and both operate very well. I can't tell they are not new. I recently spoke with the owner of a well respected Cruiser shop in Sonoma, CA about installing my low range gears and part time kit. In doing so, I asked about doing a complete rebuild on the transfer case while it was apart and he ask me why. "I've seen them with 500k on them and they are fine", he said. You rarely read about transmission problems involving hard parts either. The transmission and especially the transfercase is so over built that you may never wear it out with proper maintenance. This, assuming that you are not pumping 500hp to the ground through 40" tires.

I would be more concerned with the transmission myself. Have you dropped the trans oil pan to see what's in it or how clean the guts of your transmission is? I'm betting that there isn't much sign of wear in the form of black/metallic crud in the pan, based on my experience (2 A442f's both over 250k).

 

[thatcabledude]

The T-case is one thing I wouldn't worry about in an 80 series. If the seals aren't leaking don't bother it.

 

[silverhorse]

thanks gents, the rear output seal is leaking ...slowly

 

[baldilocks]

Is it the rear seal leaking or the speed sensor O-ring? Neither of my output shaft seals leak but that 99 cent speed sensor O-ring does.

VSS Oring p/n=96711-24030

 

[cjmoon]

assuming you have fluid in both Catastrophic failures are not common and you will get home slow leaks can be monitored. trans solenoids (the only electronic part of these systems) can manually be shifted through 2-3 of the gears your 442 i think is 3? i don't have one of the "bus trans" my A343F will have 2 gears without electronics and will get you home or to safety. i've disconnected the computer just to feel what happens in electrical failure mode. only 246k on mine but abuse it behind my 4bt cummins diesel low RPM torque 4cyl. torque pulse abusedand low locked converter and have been impressed. i though it would have failed in the last 25k of mainly city driving 5-10 shift per mile. in theory your trans is bigger and stronger according to most.

 

[flintknapper]

I've got 298K on my Tranny and T-Case, both still seem to be running fine.

I am soon going to install a Temperature Gauge W/sending unit in the Transmission pan. I've never had the pan off the transmission, so I will take pics. I'm not really expecting to find much. I will clean the filter, maybe bump up the main line pressure while I'm in there.

I do want to monitor the trans temp since my vehicle is high mileage, but its more out of curiosity than anything else.

The transmission and transfer case both feel about they did when they only had 50K on them. The transmission 'shifts' are maybe a little softer, but still very good.

 

[baldilocks]

I've got 298K on my Tranny and T-Case, both still seem to be running fine.

I am soon going to install a Temperature Gauge W/sending unit in the Transmission pan. I've never had the pan off the transmission, so I will take pics. I'm not really expecting to find much. I will clean the filter, maybe bump up the main line pressure while I'm in there.

I do want to monitor the trans temp since my vehicle is high mileage, but its more out of curiosity than anything else.

The transmission and transfer case both feel about they did when they only had 50K on them. The transmission 'shifts' are maybe a little softer, but still very good.

View attachment 1430360

View attachment 1430361

Unless you have a clogged cooler or plumbing l, you will be board with that tranny temp gauge because they run cool. At least mine does in comparison to my 2005 dodge Cummins/48re. And that's a big reason why the landcruiser trans last so long.

 

[flintknapper]

Unless you have a clogged cooler or plumbing l, you will be board with that tranny temp gauge because they run cool. At least mine does in comparison to my 2005 dodge Cummins/48re. And that's a big reason why the landcruiser trans last so long.

Looking forward to being bored and having visual confirmation....all is good.

 

[Hornd]

I recently replaced fluid with Full Synthetic (should be clear and red) and plan to run it till failure.
If the transmission cooler ever rots out I will replace it with a panel one.
These are not Chevys or Jeeps and if cared for will last a long time.
This is why you bought a Toyota in the 1st place.

 

[slow95z]

well if this helps at all here is my story... my kick down cable broke and the trans still works fine. yeah, thats right... the metal cable wore out and the transmission is still 100% fine. these things are known to go 500K+ miles as long as you keep fluid in them.

i had the common solenoid problems too but it was an easy fix. just keep on driving it and replace things as needed. its a 20 year old truck, i dont expect it to perform as good as new. my dad told me years ago when working on cars that they are only new once. no matter how many parts you toss at them they will never be new again.

 

[Joshwho44]

Unless you have a clogged cooler or plumbing l, you will be board with that tranny temp gauge because they run cool. At least mine does in comparison to my 2005 dodge Cummins/48re. And that's a big reason why the landcruiser trans last so long.

+1 on trans temp gauge boredom. I added one last summer and the needle hardly moves haha. Does this trans heat up much during wheeling?

 

[DirtScaresMe]

+1 on trans temp gauge boredom. I added one last summer and the needle hardly moves haha. Does this trans heat up much during wheeling?

I towed a big ass double axle uhaul from San Diego to the Eastern Sierra (8'000 gain and 400 miles), kept waiting for the transmission fluid temp warning but it never happened.

 

[baldilocks]

+1 on trans temp gauge boredom. I added one last summer and the needle hardly moves haha. Does this trans heat up much during wheeling?

I once saw my temp gauge rise from the normal 140 up to 170 while creeping the Rubicon on an abnormally hot day of maybe 90* with the A/C running. Once I shut the A/C off the trans temp dropped back to the 140-150 range.

 

[baldilocks]

Looking forward to being bored and having visual confirmation....all is good.

Yes, I like having that peace of mind too. That's why I put a gauge in as well.

 

[DirtScaresMe]

I once saw my temp gauge rise from the normal 140 up to 170 while creeping the Rubicon on an abnormally hot day of maybe 90* with the A/C running. Once I shut the A/C off the trans temp dropped back to the 140-150 range.

Call me stupid, but why would the AC impact anything in the transmission?

 

[ZackR]

My guess would be the proximity of the AC condenser to the trans cooler in a situation with less airflow (low speed off road).

 

[baldilocks]

Call me stupid, but why would the AC impact anything in the transmission?

Running the AC increases total load on the engine which then puts more heat into the radiator. At the same time the AC condensor is releasing heat which also flows across the radiator making it more difficult to cool the the water inside. And since your transmission fluid flows through the radiator first it becomes hotter and since the ATF will spend the same amount of time in the air/oil cooler as it always has, the fluid goes back to the trans hotter.

170* ATF is nothing to get excited about. I shut the AC off that day on the Rubicon because I took the rising trans temp as an indication of rising water temp and at that time I did not have a water temp gauge installed yet.

A quick check with my infrared thermometer confirmed that my engine head was 216*. The AC will shut off automatically at 226*.