View Full Version : Transmission blows AGAIN
NakSuKow
08-04-2009, 01:28 PM
Guess what happened to my IPT built tranny?
Good Times
08-04-2009, 01:45 PM
how?
hate to be evil but got pix of the carnage?
when?
YotaFun
08-04-2009, 01:53 PM
Yeah what Lance asked!
I forget was it just a regular rebuild or a performance rebuild?
More info needed.. type of rebuild, conditions you drove in/around, etc.
Since ITP is near me and I have expierance having work done with them and no issues im wondering.
NakSuKow
08-04-2009, 02:34 PM
Sorry no pics. At 102,000 miles my original transmission blew. Planetary gear completely grenaded completely destroying the tranny. Pulled it and sent it to IPT for a complete rebuild. Got tranny back very happy for 4 years.
65,000 miles later.....start hearing grinding noises. Pull truck over truck stalls out. Start truck, put in drive truck dies. Start truck again put in L truck drives. Stop truck call AAA.
Drop pan full of metal. Fluid looks dark and metallic. Can't be good. Tranny shop says planetary gear striped out.
Called IPT yet?
I had MAJOR work done on an 84 vette where they had to have ALOT of parts made between them and Level 10 trans b/c it took both of them to get it working. No issues and 20k later.
NakSuKow
08-04-2009, 02:43 PM
More info needed.. type of rebuild, conditions you drove in/around, etc.
Since ITP is near me and I have expierance having work done with them and no issues im wondering.
I got the performance rebuild from IPT. Tranny has been run with amsoil atf its entire life. Never flushed but drained and refilled twice.
I drive the truck hard. It goes offroad. It drives in the mountains with heavy loads. I drive fast and hard.
I don't blame IPT or the rebuild I think that the planetary gear in the 01-02 4runners are just weak. Its just that the performance rebuild didn't really address the problem.
NakSuKow
08-04-2009, 02:45 PM
Yes i did. I wanted their opinion before I made my decision. Its kinda hard to diagnose a transmission over the phone.
MTL_4runner
08-04-2009, 03:48 PM
I don't blame IPT or the rebuild I think that the planetary gear in the 01-02 4runners are just weak. Its just that the performance rebuild didn't really address the problem.
X2
Sadly I've seen many 01-02 4runners with grenaded planetaries.
What about swapping in an 99-00 year tranny this time?
ecchamberlin
08-04-2009, 04:34 PM
Jamie is this a direct swap? Does anyone know if this swap effect the multimode feature on the 01-02?
NakSuKow
08-04-2009, 04:40 PM
I am getting a rebuilt one that has "the fix" but it has a 100,000 mile warranty. I guess Toyota figured out the problem and fixed it the Tundra in late 03-04.
But that is exacly what I was thinking about doing. I believe one from a 99-00 limited would be the best used replacement.
Later on down the road when I have some more free time I want to build up another tranny from a 04-05 tundra using the IPT rebuild kit. It really drove great.
NakSuKow
08-04-2009, 04:41 PM
99-00 limited also had multimode. From my online research and talking to tranny shops I bet it would be fine. Really the only difference I found was in the transfer case.
FWIW: if you get the car new or with a rebuilt trans or the prev owner took care and flushed it.
You should flush it every 30k or so, this way you keep it tip top. However since you drained and refilled twice sounds to me like its just a bunk trans.
Also for those of you thinking about drain and refill or flushing: it is not a good idea to do this unless the maintenance was kept up. Whatever is holding the trans together before the flush will be gone and thus it can grenade itself.
YotaFun
08-04-2009, 07:38 PM
This is very interesting.
At around 110K stepdads Trans went in his 02 Sport.
He has 190K on it now and no issues.
We had ours rebuilt at a trans shop in the next town to us and they seemed to know what they were doing considering they had a 900+ hp Cutlass being loaded onto the trailer when we went to pick his truck up.
I do agree though that the 01-02 trans were the weakest and Toyota should have done some kind of recall on them, but oh well.
I personally want to get a trans out of a junked 4Runner and have IPT do a performance build on it, but that will be a while down the road.
And the FYI the multimode on the 99-00 is slightly different then the one on the 01-02.
While the basic function is the same, they operate differently with the 99-00 requiring a pull back of the stick to lock the center diff while the 01-02 uses an electronic motor like the e-locker.
This might be an issue cause the computer from the 01-02 might require a signal from the trans to ensure proper engagement.
Just a thought, I could be way off.
Gah this really scares me considering I have an 02. Lees went out, Avy's stepdad's, and yours all on these same forum which means its a prevalient problem... And there's like nothing you can do to neceassarily prevent it.
I just hope I'm not in the middle of no where if and when mine decides to go... Knock on wood!
Wonder if you could put a T100 trans behind them? Same trans somewhat, different gearing and trust me it makes a world of difference.
Avy and I have discussed it a few times if we put a 3.4L into a older 4Runner or Pick up that the T100 trans would be the best.
NakSuKow
08-04-2009, 08:40 PM
This is very interesting.
At around 110K stepdads Trans went in his 02 Sport.
He has 190K on it now and no issues.
We had ours rebuilt at a trans shop in the next town to us and they seemed to know what they were doing considering they had a 900+ hp Cutlass being loaded onto the trailer when we went to pick his truck up.
I do agree though that the 01-02 trans were the weakest and Toyota should have done some kind of recall on them, but oh well.
I personally want to get a trans out of a junked 4Runner and have IPT do a performance build on it, but that will be a while down the road.
And the FYI the multimode on the 99-00 is slightly different then the one on the 01-02.
While the basic function is the same, they operate differently with the 99-00 requiring a pull back of the stick to lock the center diff while the 01-02 uses an electronic motor like the e-locker.
This might be an issue cause the computer from the 01-02 might require a signal from the trans to ensure proper engagement.
Just a thought, I could be way off.
Yea I am aware of this. I think worse case if you can't get that to work you could use the original T-case from the 01-02.
There is a guy on pirate trying to use a A343 from a FJZ80 on a third gen. If he gets that to work that may be the ticket.
It would seem to me that the late model 04+ tundras A340F would be the best bet to swap in.
YotaFun
08-05-2009, 01:23 PM
I would say to that the Tundra Trans would be nice.
However you will be playing with a lot of wiring changes and such.
I decided to take a quick look at the diagrams of the transmissions ECU's
of the following
2001 Toyota 4Runner A340F
2001 Toyota Tundra A340F
2004 Toyota Tundra A340F
They are very different even among years.
I don't know if they would be an easy way around it.
And I hate that I am shooting your thoughts down, but after experiencing the wiring nightmare with my mothers Lexus and it being a simple door... just my .02
NakSuKow
08-05-2009, 01:59 PM
I know it won't be easy, but I need a solution that is bullet proof as possible and I want it before I put a crawler in there.
fyi i got an 00 limited's trans put in after mine went, and it was fine, fit perfectly (it had multimode).
YotaFun
08-07-2009, 11:13 AM
fyi i got an 00 limited's trans put in after mine went, and it was fine, fit perfectly (it had multimode).
I will check maybe the you can at least go from 4Runner to 4Runner
NakSuKow
08-07-2009, 11:33 AM
fyi i got an 00 limited's trans put in after mine went, and it was fine, fit perfectly (it had multimode).
Nice. I thought the 99-00 limited trannies would work fine.
ecchamberlin
08-07-2009, 01:51 PM
Lee, did you do the install or did you have a shop do it? Also if I may, how much did this run you?
I had a shop do it... I don't remember the exact price, but I'm pretty sure it was in the 1700-2000 range... 6 month/ 30K warranty iirc
ecchamberlin
08-07-2009, 08:26 PM
used or used and rebuilt Lee?
used w/ 60k i think it was :)
YotaFun
08-08-2009, 04:33 AM
Nice deal lee, my stepdad paid roughly 3200 for his.
Toyota wanted the same for a used replacment, not even new, just a used one with an unknown mileage and condition.....
Yeah everyone seems to tell me that getting out of it all just over 2K for everything was a great deal, but it didn't feel that way at the time, I can say that!
Strangest thing for me now is that at the time I was one of very very few who had this problem, and now it's just a matter of WHEN not IF on most of the 01's and 02's...
Gah this really scares me considering I have an 02. Lees went out, Avy's stepdad's, and yours all on these same forum which means its a prevalient problem... And there's like nothing you can do to neceassarily prevent it.
I just hope I'm not in the middle of no where if and when mine decides to go... Knock on wood!
It does seem to occur with a much higher degree of frequency on the 01-02 transmissions. However...I have a neighbor down the road with 190k on his '02 and when I asked him if he had ever flushed the transmission, he gave me a quizzical stare. He got it with 70k and who knows if it was ever even serviced prior. Apparently the truck still runs good.
Unless you do it from new or rebuild, flushing is asking for trouble-as the gunk thats built up holds the trans together.
MTL_4runner
08-15-2009, 08:03 AM
fyi i got an 00 limited's trans put in after mine went, and it was fine, fit perfectly (it had multimode).
X2
I still suggest this would be your best option and I know alot of these imported ones from Japan come up on ebay with relatively low miles (they are usually well under 50k). Most people are after the motors so the trannys often sit on there for months before selling.
You can also use www.car-part.com to locate one from a 99-00 truck at a boneyard near you.
yup, just a reminder to make sure it's a LIMITED. :thumbup:
ecchamberlin
08-16-2009, 02:18 AM
Wow.
Cool site. They have quite a few for under $700 with less than 75,000 miles. Not too bad.
Just hope it doesn't give out on the trail in the middle of death valley.
Is there anyway to verify the miles they state on these parts? I don't imagine there is.
not unless you see it in the truck (check the odo) before they pull it out (and you stand there nervously watching the guy who doesnt give a crap take out a very important part for your truck :laugh:)
some places will have a return policy though...
that is precisely why i opted to pay a bit more and have the shop i always go to be the one to select the transmission for me... this gave me a guarantee. with that guarantee I actually brought it back when the 1st transmission (out of an 02) started making chattering sounds.
they replaced it without a single dime of extra cost for an 00 limited.
MTL_4runner
08-16-2009, 04:21 AM
yup, just a reminder to make sure it's a LIMITED. :thumbup:
Lee, what was the rationale for it being specifically from a Limited?
Multimode. Not sure if the others will work or not but the limiteds are a definite as far as the computer is concerned.
Jeff the marmot
08-16-2009, 12:01 PM
I just noticed this thread. I can contribute a little bit of info.
The valve body on the '01-'02 4Runners is just slightly different from the '99-'00 4Runners. A '00 4Runner has a cable that attaches to the throttle body and extends down into the transmission valve body to affect shift pressures. Starting in '01, Toyota changed that cable to an electrical connection for throttle position. So if you swap transmissions between years, you need to account for that signal. (And there could easily be other differences that I'm not aware of). It's certainly possible to get around that hurdle, but will require a little extra effort.
I know this because 4 or 5 years ago when I installed an IPT-modified valve body on my supercharged '00 4Runner, I needed to minimize down time on my daily driver. So I went to the junk yard and bought a used '01 or '02 valve body for what they thought would fit any 3rd gen with an A340F. I had planned to use that during the 2 week period that's typically required to ship my original valve body to IPT, have them modify it, and ship it back. But the valve bodies were different, so that plan was sunk. I still have that '01-'02 valve body sealed in a plastic bag sitting in my garage if anyone's interested.
Strange. That didn't come up for my swap. Although considering I didn't buy the trans myself it's not like I can guarantee it was out of an 00
MTL_4runner
08-16-2009, 12:07 PM
I just noticed this thread. I can contribute a little bit of info.
The valve body on the '01-'02 4Runners is just slightly different from the '99-'00 4Runners. A '00 4Runner has a cable that attaches to the throttle body and extends down into the transmission valve body to affect shift pressures. Starting in '01, Toyota changed that cable to an electrical connection for throttle position. So if you swap transmissions between years, you need to account for that signal. (And there could easily be other differences that I'm not aware of). It's certainly possible to get around that hurdle, but will require a little extra effort.
Thanks for that info on the tranny kickdown cable Jeff and good to see you on here!
Not sure which would be easier, converting to mechanical cable or retrofitting the electronic kickdown.
I'd be curious to know how they got around this on yours Lee.
I wouldve heard about it from the shop that much i know. It's right by my work so I'll try to stop over this week and see if they remember that.
YotaFun
08-16-2009, 12:31 PM
Not sure which would be easier, converting to mechanical cable or retrofitting the electronic kickdown.
For the sake of simplicity I am sure the conversion to mechanical would be much easier, but then again this is a trans we are talking about so my theory could be in the dust...
calrockx
11-01-2009, 02:52 PM
so..here's a question. when the transmission went out for you 01/02 guys, how did you know? what exactly happened to the truck?
YotaFun
11-01-2009, 04:29 PM
Step-dad starting having slipping issues.
Then he was heading up a hill and it just went.
And when he tried shifting into other gears,
all you could here was grinding and he wasn't going anywhere.
That was his experience......
twitchee2
11-03-2009, 01:21 PM
Does replacing the tranny filter have anything to do with this? Ive heard that if it gets to clogged and starts up with some issues because there is not pressure and flow in there. Just an idea.
YotaFun
11-03-2009, 01:47 PM
Not really, there see to be a factory defect in the 01&02 trans with a weak planetary overdrive gear.
As far as I know it was just weak metal I believe...
I mean he changed his fluid regularly as well as myself (even though I have a 97).
I have not changed my filter since I got the truck and I don't believe it was done by the previous owner so that is 159K on my trans.
Stepdads is close to 100K on the second trans and he hasn't changed his filter since the rebuild when an new one was put in.
So its a toss up there.
Though I thought I remember reading somewhere that there is different part numbers for the same trans or something along the line of there is man filter and there is no way to know your getting the right one, I know I am way off base with what I am trying to say here, but I thought it was in a thread on YT...
twitchee2
11-03-2009, 03:58 PM
Hmm, Im currently at 159 on my 02 tranny and i havent had any issues but i was thinking about changing the filter as just a precaution. it cant hurt right?
If you havent changed the fluids and filter regularly DO NOT do it. Usually it results in you needed a new trans as everything that was holding it all together is now gone and flushed away.
Agree with above. Do not FLUSH the transmission.
I do believe you can, however, safely drain and fill. You won't be able to drain everything out, but, you can fill it up with new fluid, drive around and allow the new fluid to circulate. A few days later, drain and fill again. Repeat once more and you should have cycled the fluid enough that now most of it is new fluid and most of the old will be flushed.
People please feel free to correct me if what I said was wrong/inefficient!
Seanz0rz
11-03-2009, 04:45 PM
most reputable shops wont even do a trans flush anymore, i know mine does not. i say a simple drain, filter replacement, and fill will be just fine.
YotaFun
11-03-2009, 05:26 PM
If it's black or even dark borwn in color don't touch the fluid, just start looking for a new trans.
If it's still red or pink in color your safe to do a flush, however the only flush I would do is where they hook up the machine so that they start the truck and leb the trans do the flush itself, pretty much they have the outlet going into a container and then an inlet connected to a container of new fluid and run the truck, and once they see new fluid coming out they close up the system.
Also smell the fluid and see I it smells burnt to you if it does then just like he black or borwn color, I wouldn't touch it.
Avy is 100% right in this. Brown, black or burnt smelling DO NOT TOUCH ANYTHING unless you have problems. Even if you do have issues draining a tiny amount and putting in some lucas stop slip will help ya (it did for me).
You can do a home flush where you have inlets and outlets and stuff, think gadgets site has the writeup. This works well :)
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