Removing the Transmission

Hello,
I was wondering if anyone here has pulled out the transmission (manual transmission) from their 2wd 2.4L Tacoma in their driveway or home garage? If so, how was it? What advice would you give? How long did it take? Any regrets? I plan on pulling it out in the next month or 2 to replace the clutch and fly wheel. Also, which flywheel have you guys purchased and installed that you recommend? Thank you!

 

How to put this are you mechanically inclined or challenged??

Time depends being your first time maybe one day out one day back in.

You have all the little things Clutch Hydraulics good time to replace.

Starter and electrical harness other harnesses attached to the transmission

Drive shaft and cross member transmission mount

2wd no transfer case to most would be simple.

Two floor jacks one to raise and lower the engine one for the transmission unless your young and strong you can muscle the transmission. set to move front to back on the vehicle amazing how many try it side to side

Helper or alone ?? If your alone a ratchet strap supporting things from the cab

Do we have air tools or just hand tools ??

Long extensions to reach the Top bell housing bolts

You don`t say but if your in the rust belt rusted and rounded hardware .

Anymore if I don`t use Toyota Parts I use Napa

That is a start

 

Thank you for your response. I've been looking at videos and reading the service manual and it seems doable; it doesn't seem intimidating or terrifying. The only difference is that many of the videos I watched were located in a shop where they had a lift. I plan on buying a transmission jack from someone or buy a cheap one from Harbor Freight. Also, I might have someone helping me depending on the day I do it. I only have hand tools. I live in California and I got the under carriage steamed cleaned 3 months ago and there's not much rust or dirt. I'm going to buy Aisin parts and I looked into buying a LUK flywheel because I wouldn't want to redo the process because of faulty parts.

 

Most times it is something small that causes problems

 

Also, I want to make sure that I properly jack up the truck and properly put the truck on jack stands since I'll be moving the truck alot under there and we've been getting earthquakes too and I dont want the truck collapsing on me.

 

I've done a few transmission removals on 4x4 versions of this truck ... coming from the underside to do the top 2 bellhousing bolts you'll need almost 6ft of extensions and a wobble drive

 

Thank you for your response. So would I need a wobble socket for those bolts??

 

Yes either a wobble socket or better yet one of the universal joints. I used only hand tools on my first one so it's doable however be patient because doing the job will feel like your a monkey humping a football

You don't have to remove the exhaust completely but if I recall there are 2 bolts that secure the downpipe to the side of the trans and the exhaust will get in your way. Just make sure you wiggle the unit back and forth instead of side to side and you shouldn't bend anything

 

Thank you for your advice. Luckily I have a universal joint because I didnt want to spend more money on tools since I'm on budget and my main priority is buying good parts. And yes it's a bracket from the front pipe that is connected to the transmission. I think they it just has to be unbolted, but I'm not entirely sure since I haven't done it yet. Also, do I have to completely unbolt the driveshaft? I saw a video on the transmission removal and the guy removed the driveshaft.

 

Yes that's how I remember it, just unbolt that bracket (i also remember now the last one I took out, I had already removed the engine so when I undid that bracket the exhaust pipe was really in my way)

Your profile doesn't say... is your truck single cab or access cab? If you have the access cab It's a poop ton easier if you take the drive shaft out however it's not necessary. You can just remove it from the back of the trans and let it hang from the middle joint. However if you have the single cab and you've got a one piece driveshaft i don't know what's easier because I've never messed with that set up

 

I have a single cab 2wd 2.4l. I think I just have to remove the whole thing to be able to remove the transmission, but I dont know how much of a hassle it is to remove. Thank you though. Your advice has been really helpful.

 

Super easy to take a solid driveshaft out, 2 wrenches (one is a 14mm for sure... the other one on my truck was a 13mm but I think the previous owner changed the bolts cause they didn't look OEM)

just mark the current driveshaft position with a paint pen and dont pull the 2 halves apart when you take it all the way out

 

I don't know if this a dumb question but why do I have to mark the driveshaft position with a paint pen? And what do you mean by the "2 halves"?

 

I don't have enough time to type it all out right now, but do a google search (or forum search) for "driveshaft phasing" and you'll get more information on the subject then you need

 

Okay thank you I'll definitely look that up!

Okay thank you I'll definitely look it up!

 

I finally looked it up and it makes sense now. I have to mark it because if I dont then there's a chance that I'll install the driveshaft in the incorrect position and then the truck will begin to shake when I drive it and then I'll have to remove it again and install it in the correct position when I can save myself time and do it correctly by painting a mark on it.

 

the mistake that all first timers make is that they don't get the trucks front end high enough off the ground to drag the trans out from under the truck. the second mistake is that they dont verify if the fill plug can be removed before they drain the trans oil. the third is they over tighten the plugs and split the case.

 

Hello, I apologize for the late reply. Life got in the way. I still haven't removed the trans yet I plan on doing it in September when I have enough money for parts. How can I verify if the fill plug can be removed before I drain the trans? How high should the front end be? Should I lift the entire truck or just the front? How tight should the plugs be? Thank you.