Filling transmission fluid through the shifter?

Hey guys,

Getting ready to change transmission fluid on my 96 4x4 2.7L 5spd. I took a peek under the truck and IDed the filler and drain bolts. However, know on my old mustang, it was possible to re-fill the transmission by removing the shifter from inside the car and pouring transmission fluid in from the top.

My question is, can this also be done with the transmissions in our Tacomas or is the only way to fill it through the fill hole?

 

I'd like to know as well.

 

Why not just fill it through the sides? Going to need to check the level of fluid by removing the filler plug anyway.

 

Going to have the truck on jackstands. Draining will be no problem - but looks like it might be a tight squeeze / require a filler tube to fill the tranny. Would be no problem if it was on a lift, but if I'm crouched and contorted under the truck, trying to squeeze fluid into the tranny, I'd rather do it from up top if its possible.

 

Check out those fluid pumps from the auto part store. They're like 5-10 bucks, and they are awesome. I used one when I did my trans, tcase, and diffs. Really makes the job easy.

 

it is possible to fill from the shifter you will have no problem with it

 

Yup, done it on Kolt's truck, his fill plug is blocked by a t-case mount, mostly.

I'd rather use a pump and the fill plug though.

 

Cool. Thanks. This will be on my weekend to-do list.

 

Got it. Thanks.

Max, your truck is rolling sex dude!

 

Thanks man.

 

I would highly recommend NOT filling the transmission thru the shifter.

You can possibly OVERFILL it....and that's just as bad as underfilling it.

The FILL plug is on the side for a reason - designed so you can't overfill it.

 

i'M GUESSING THE op WILL CHECK FOR THE PROSCRIBED PORTION BY CHECKING AT THE FILL PLUG WHEN HE'S FINISHED POURING.

 

Good advice, thanks. Im still going to go through the shifter, but I will start checking at about 75% of capacity.

I will have the fill plug off since I am replacing both the drain and fill plug with new bolts (just for cosmetic reasons and to ensure new fresh headed bolts are in place).

 

That is a reasonable assumption.

 

Just an update for anyone that's interested:

I changed my tranny fluid yesterday. Like I said, draining it was no sweat - I took both the filler and drain plug out and let the fluid drain. I tried using the filler hole, but it was just too much pain in the butt. Instead, I just went into the cab, took the boot and shifter off, and poured tranny fluid through the shifter hole. Easy as pie and no squeezing the shit out of the bottle to get it through hose to get it to the fill hole.

I don't know why everybody doesn't do it this way.

 

B/c I have a fluid pump. As simple as unscrewing fluid bottle, and screwing the pump onto it, then just pump away. Clean and easy