99 PreRunner Transmission Service

New to the group. And new to the Taco world. Loving my find of a 1999 Pre Runner SR5 (3.4L/V6) -2WD AT with 251K. Have all the service records sort of - but the prior owner jumped around for service, from dealer to Sears to a car wash that does O/F too, and then back and forth from a few local shops sometimes doing major repairs then back to dealer. My biggest concern is transmission fluid was recommended 20K prior to the 251K of when I got it. I have been driving around for about 1K and certainly know it needs several things - brakes, suspension stuff, differential fluid and transmission assessment
I am assuming the worst that the transmission fluid is probably coffee color....but any newbies or seasoned with 1st Gen have any advice? I am in San Diego - wrestling with options - Do I take it to a transmission only place or find an all service place that specializes in Toy trucks like Truck Shop or SD Trux? thanks

 

Take the dip stick out and let some fluid drip on a paper towel and post a pic. Then we can get an idea of the fluid condition.

 

Thanks CS_AR. I am assuming this is the dipstick (see photo) for Transmission Fluid, as I could not find anything labeled in the manual for this part. And I took 3 photos with light variance- and surprisingly it was not that tinged...it still has a slight pink tone. (Which I have read about). The smudge dirt in one part of the test is I wiped off the top of the outside of stick before placing back - but now having trouble getting the stick back in place.

 

Reinserting the stick usually just takes a wiggle to make the bend to insert. It doesn't look that bad. I've had to clean up a lot worse. Are you planning to change your own or get someone to do it? Our trucks use Dexron III fluid. There are many Dex III compatible fluids on the market. Personally I only like to drain and refill instead of a flush. I've been able to clean up old and abused transmissions by gradually swapping fluid over a few weeks. It avoids shocking an older transmission.

 

That's a good tip - to drain/replace. Especially since a flush has never been done. Background truck sat for 4 years and it was 5 years ago that it had it's last 'big' sort of service. Just took me a bit to learn what's what on the Tacoma - so much more fun than my Audi.
I started my thread outreach asking about where to start as I thought perhaps going to a transmission only place to diagnose or to a full service Toyota specialty (non-dealer). It has been making some clunk noises when I brake, after a stop it seems to have a clunk and in backing up. I wanted to pre-determine priorities - and got concerned if transmission was an issue. While I was checking TF I noticed that my coolant level was below the "L" line, and not knowing what type of coolant they used - what is the typical coolant color? is it blue for Toyota? Audi was pink.

I am taking it in tomorrow to a place that specializes in Toyota truck maintenance - San Diego Trux. I am feeling a bit better that it might not be a total overhaul of transmi$$ion, but am sure there will be something else. I do know it needs some work.

As for the DIY stuff I will do the basic cosmetic, fix upholstery, buff/wax and replace little things here and there. I did replace both tail light housing myself, mainly cause the bulbs were out, and went to change and they were rusted in housing and couldn't remove even using that buster stuff. It was easy peasy. And now I have back up replacement covers should an unfortunate cover crack. I also replaced windshield wipers with a decent Bosch set.

I appreciate your help -

 

I don't know much about the auto trans but I reckon that fluid still looks decent, you can tell that's it red still which is a good sign. Usually when someone has a trans with really old/burned fluid in it, it looks black

 

Toyota uses a red coolant. The clunk noise is from "axle wrap". Greasing the drive shaft "slip yoke" can help and sometimes remedy it. There is a series of videos on YouTube from Timmy the Toolman. He covers many Tacoma/4Runner maintenance topics. Definitely worth a watch.

 

I had a '99 Prerunner as well (white, too...wonder if you picked it up lol) that had gnarly axle wrap...it would feel like I got rear ended whenever I came to a stop at a light. I don't remember if I ever got rid of it completely but I do recall that greasing the u-joints like @CS_AR mentioned helped a lot

 

My 2002 is at 220k miles. Still has the clunk on stop, have greased as everyone has recommended. Axle wrap/truck leans forward on braking, lifting the back end, extending the slip area. Slides back to neutral position when you let off the brake or stop, when there is no more "pressure/torque" on the drive shaft. Test as you roll up to a stop, slip the gear shift into neutral and coast/brake to a stop. Shouldn't notice any of the clunk thump.

I have drained and filled the transmission a number of times over the life (on-going) of my truck. Drain it into a measuring pitcher, (should be around 4 qts) refill that amount, then warm and check the dipstick. I've used Valvoline Max Life ATF from Walmart, but again, use any you're comfortable with. There are some good video/descriptions here on how to do it and what to expect.

 

Are you still on the stock leaf springs? Better leaf springs should get rid of the axle wrap cause they don't want to twist and release tension like the stock ones do

 

I am. It's really a bone stock truck that happens to be my favorite. Bought it new way back, it's hauled around my family, backseat been barfed in by my oldest daughter and cleaned up along CO Hwy 7 using water from S St. Vrain Creek and a towel I had tossed in back. Romped around Utahlorado on all kinds of adventures.

I have read about leaf spring AAL's and the sag, just haven't looked much into it. I'm not looking to lift, any recommendations? (sorry Dogsled2 for the derail)

 

It might help the OP too since she said she was getting axle wrap as well...you can get new leaf springs and still retain stock height, maybe something slightly heavier duty. General Spring makes some stock height options for our trucks, those original leafs are probably pretty worn and tired by now which could explain the axle wrap not going away

 

Lots of good details. @eon_blue got my pre-runner from a neighbor here in San Diego and she was the original owner. And from the records - looks like they are the original springs - only thing replaced were shocks and struts. And not a good job, as she had to bring vehicle back for warranty repair less than a year later.

And @cookiedough good to also to hear your similar concern.

Then more related from today's TW research I am now wondering if that the differential was ignored. One service record it stated 'differential fluid frozen plug' but was never stated that if it was repaired or if 'declined' repair that was at 230K.

And then when I read the thread @dankgus about their recent '02 thrown rod incident - even after having some work done, I got nervous what if my rod bearings are shot - I was driving a day ago when the CEL went on, first it went on for a short flash then off - but then came back and is now a steady flash. So I am not driving it now- hence the start of the post - to understand more, as I am taking it into a new service place tomorrow. First place I had do a check out, I did not have much confidence in the shop had them perform only the oil change.

Thanks for all the input, am glad to have baseline information from this group - will post an update.

 

Forgot to mention @CS_AR - thanks for clarifying coolant - I was concerned because the coolant color in my truck now is blue. I read in the manual about ensuring to use a specific ethylene/glycol and not an alcohol mix Antifreeze....and perhaps this is just one more hiccup is that the service place put in the wrong type of coolant but the car was not driven much after that - about 5K. On that last service record it just has a generic - maintenance line Radiator replace and Antifreeze.
So hoping no damage done there... guess it is wait to see what the new shop find$.
Will definitely check out the Timmy's YT maintenance channel.

 

Here's another Valvoline Max Life ATF from Walmart user. I did an initial drain/refill when I first bought the truck with Walmart house brand Dexron III to clean up the fluid. Then a few hundred miles afterward when I did the engine swap, switched to Max Life ATF. I've seen a number of members reference Max Life so I went with it as the permanent solution. My transmission shifts perfectly.

If greasing the "slip yoke" doesn't cure "axle wrap" it can indicate it may be time for rear spring replacement as @eon_blue noted above. I haven't pulled my "slip yoke" off yet to properly grease it yet.

Here's a video from Timmy the Toolman about greasing the "slip yoke".

I replaced my engine at 227,000 miles due to a knocking noise deep within the engine. During that process, I pulled the rod bearings and inspected them. They were in good shape. The previous owner had let the engine run hot from some type of coolant system neglect. We have many members with way over my mileage on their original engine. I don't fault the engine but the previous owner.



https://youtu.be/Jyltxe2nPEg