Transmission booboo

story time:

I went on some chill trails with my 1st Gen 99Taco PreRunner 2WD (it does not have a rear locking diff) I ended up getting stuck and the only way out was in reverse. I managed to get out after about an hr of trying.

Once I left the mountain I noticed a lovely smell of burnt transmission. I pulled over Added some fluid and put it in reverse, the sounds my lovely truck made sent a chill down my spine, made a lump in the throat and dread that made me nauseous. I got to a parts store. Bought more fluid added it and put it in reverse and it worked fine (on flat ground without me pushing the gas)

I got home no issues. The truck felt fine. Once I got home I tried to back it into my garage (a small hill) and it made the same terrible sounds that nightmares are made of.

As I wiped the puke from my mouth I noticed that same smell.

It was at this moment I realized I f**ked up.

I found a Japanese transmission with low miles for $700 or should I get it rebuilt. I need answers!!!!

Thanks people

 

I don't really know much about auto transmissions but are you sure you don't want to have a shop diagnose it first before you commit to a new trans (or a rebuild)?

If yours is indeed toast, I would think a $700 used transmission would be a lot cheaper than getting yours rebuilt. Something tells me a rebuild is going to cost a lot more than that.

 

why are you adding fluid?

 

At the very least I would drain yours and see what it looks like when it comes out...but yeah you shouldn't be adding fluid if it isn't low. Overfilling it isn't going to help any

 

It was low already, and like an idiot I didn’t add more before I left.

 

I know there is a particular way to check transmission fluid level.. are you checking it the way the manual states?

 

If you pull the dipstick, how does it smell?

 

Pretty sure a new/rebuilt trans for a 99 should be less than $700. There are people who have done entire pre-runner 4x4 swaps for just over a grand.

But I would definitely take it to a specialist before committing to a new trans. Even if you pay them $100 for a diagnostic, that'll easily pay for itself if it turns out to be a simple(ish) fix.

 

I suggest either draining the fluid and removing the transmission pan, or simply draining the fluid.

Super easy to do and the stuff from Toyota is just over $4/qt.

 

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