Third Gen Transmission Trustability

[damagnan]

Hey all,

I have been burned by a couple of automatic transmissions in my past, and so now I have a deep-seated fear of all autos whose trannys aren't mostly bulletproof (e.g., my '91 FJ80 is just fine by me)...I don't know 3rd gen 4runners very well; how do their trannys hold up?

 

[Haggis]

No issues with mine at 115,000mi. I make sure to change the fluid according to the fsm and I don't have anything to tow.

 

[damagnan]

Clarification

Btw, I should clarify that I am kind of looking for a broad-ish idea...that is, if the 3rd gen trannies are historically touchy or fragile or flawed.

 

[Haggis]

I have never heard of 3rd Gen trannies being fragile or flawed. I would not be surprised if they are similar to an 80 series. 4Runners are built in the same famous Japanese facility that Landcruisers come from.

 

[damagnan]

I have never heard of 3rd Gen trannies being fragile or flawed. I would not be surprised if they are similar to an 80 series. 4Runners are built in the same famous Japanese facility that Landcruisers come from.

Egggsellent...

 

[Jeremy9A]

I wheel mine regularly at 160,000 miles, tow a camper, sometimes daily drive it, etc... No problems whatsoever.

I towed my camper from Chicago area down to missouri, wheeled for a week, towed it right back home.

Once I smashed in the trans pan on some big "rocks" and caused a leak. Drove it 5 hours back home towing the camper, pounded out the dent, it just keeps going.

Nothing bad to say. Anything that has gone wrong with this truck has been my own fault.

 

[damagnan]

I wheel mine regularly at 160,000 miles, tow a camper, sometimes daily drive it, etc... No problems whatsoever.

I towed my camper from Chicago area down to missouri, wheeled for a week, towed it right back home.

Once I smashed in the trans pan on some big "rocks" and caused a leak. Drove it 5 hours back home towing the camper, pounded out the dent, it just keeps going.

Nothing bad to say. Anything that has gone wrong with this truck has been my own fault.

Sheesh! nice

 

[chill will]

I have about 235,000 miles on mine it's only a 4cyl but I treat it like a 6cyl or an 8. I Haul firewood with it all the time. Always overloaded, the thing won't die.

 

[haddix]

You have nothing t

 

[Jetboy]

I'm at 193k on mine. I did a transmission fluid change via the cooler method (let it's own internal pump squirt out the fluid and pour new in). I used 15 quarts. Did that at 180k when I did the 2nd timing belt just as a maintenance issue. Never any issues. I push it pretty hard and never have had any issues. I'm not sure I've ever heard of one failing, although I'm sure they have.

Anyway, it's not like a TH350/700r4 where you plan a rebuild every so often. It's a transmission you expect for the life of the vehicle to never need repair.

 

[IanB]

The only common tranny related issue I've heard of is the factory tranny cooler that's built into the rad failing, mixing coolant and tranny fluid, and destroying the tranny that way. Bypass the factory cooler with an external tranny cooler (B&M or similar), and you're good to go.

 

[MKtaco98]

The only common tranny related issue I've heard of is the factory tranny cooler that's built into the rad failing, mixing coolant and tranny fluid, and destroying the tranny that way. Bypass the factory cooler with an external tranny cooler (B&M or similar), and you're good to go.

X2 tranny cooler and you will be set

 

[2020 Rocks]

220,000 miles and mine is still going and running smooth

 

[phsycle]

There have been a few cases with 01-02 auto transmission grenading. Something to do with the planetary gears. You don't want 01-02, anyway, as no rear lockers available and the crappy VSC system (more dangerous than safe. 4th Gen 4Runners are much better). Stick to 96-00. Or, if you want a 5-sp, they are bulletproof. Just make sure the fluid has been changed on a regular basis, especially if there was heavy towing.

Also, a VERY few 3.4L's have had rod-through-the-block incidents. No idea why, but it's happened. Otherwise, 3.4L's are very stout engines. Just make sure the oil has been changed regularly, as sludge is a killer.

 

[Haggis]

VSC has been a Godsend on icy Wyoming highways. Except for the HP increase, I don't feel the 4th Gens are better. Certainly not in the styling dept. My Dad sold me his 01 and he bought and 05. He misses his Runner!