Next Step Sell Or Keep

My 05 Tacoma 5 speed has been exhibiting some funky sounds off and on now for some time. I have taken it to my my mechanic and even the dealer to help me figure out where this noise has been coming from and haven't been able to diagnose until now. My mechanic says need new manual transmission from Toyota and new clutch for a grand total of 3100. My truck has 211000 miles currently. New frame, leafs, u-joints, and always on time with regular maintenance. Is my truck worth keeping and putting 3100 back into it? Ihave thought about selling it as is and finding a small car for now. My father passed on Easter and between a headstone and cremation I cant do this anytime real soon but I'm hoping I can get the time I need to come up with the money without my truck quitting me.

 

Getting a rebuilt might be a better option, ide get some quotes from dedicated trans shops, if you have the 4cyl ide keep it cause its pretty much bullet proof and with a new/rebuilt trans you could get a lot more miles out of it.

 

I wonder what a salvage trans costs.

 

More deets on the sound(s).

Do you have a 4.0?

 

There comes a time in vehicle ownership where you here this sucking sound, first it’s not to bad, and then it starts to get louder and louder. That’s the sound of money being sucked out of your wallet.
When you start asking questions about to sell or not. That’s your clue to move on and quit draining the wallet. I say sell.

 

I have the 2.7 4cyl. I have had a intermittent rattling/knocking sound. My mechanic had my truck yesterday and I asked him to take it out and drive it and he said it did it on the drive. He has always taken care of my truck except what the dealer has done. Still kinda hard for me to believe my truck is in this condition but I guess even Toyotas die sooner or later.

 

Hummm,
Internal to engine or transmission, heat shield, loose bolts, loose nuts..

Does it ever happen in Park w the engine running?

There are systems where you can place remote microphones on your vehicle to trace them down. Maybe your guy would want to invest in one (should be a write off for him and then he’d could offer another service from his shop).

I wouldn’t give up just yet..

 

Doesn't happen in park w engine running usually in the lower gears between first and third. IIRC he said lower end of the transmission. Thanks for the input.

 

If it’s the transmission, go with the used one like @ImBillT and @coopcooper suggested. This should be well under the initial estimate..

 

If you truly do need a replacement trans, check out car-part.com

Is your truck 4wd or 2wd?

I have a 2wd 5spd and found a used trans with 77k on it for $375 shipped. Dont let others take advantage of you at a shop. Buy the trans yourself and take it somewhere to get swapped or talk to the locals on here in your area and see if someone is willing to help. Are you in central texas by chance? Id be happy to help you drop the trans

 

When is the knocking/rattling present? Rpm range, acceleration, deceleration etc


please try to provide as much description as possible. I had hub on a clutch come loose on me and it made all kinds of nasty vibes/rattles under certain driving conditions

 

Its 4wd 5 speed.

Its present on takeoff from a complete stop between first and third and not just driving down the road it doesn't make any sound then. My shifting range is usually around 2500 rpm and no noise on deceleration. My first thought was to do the clutch and just drive it for now that's my short term plan.

 

How does your transmission mount look? I doubt this is the issue, but something to check and make sure its in decent shape. My stock one lasted 250k before i replaced it, couldve gone longer though

Does it make any noise if you rev the truck in neutral? Trying to isolate the problem to the trans, which it sounds like it is..

Is this the original clutch, or has it ever been changed before?

When this rattle/knocking occurs, is it in a certain rpm range only, or does it consistently happen in only 1st-3rd gears at any rpm?

Have there been any drivability issues with shifting? Hard shift, not wanting to shift at all, hard clutch pedal, clunky when releasing the clutch, etc?

 

http://www.car-part.com/cgi-bin/search.cgi

Here is a search of some 4wd 5spd (R155F) trannys near me. Looks like theyre in the 500-700 range used.

 

Original clutch and hasn't been changed yet. Shifting between gears feels like bumping up against a wall before it goes in. He said bearing in clutch was going out. Replacing the clutch is the cheapest option I have now. Its still driveable some days it drives better than others.

 

Thank you

 

Yeah it is probably the throwout bearing hes referring to. I would start by putting a clutch, throwout bearing, and pilot bearing in it. I think this will fix your issues

I feel your pain brother, i just fought my 5spd for 6months chasing a nasty vibration while accelerating and decelerating. Ended up i got a defective clutch right out of the box and the hub came loose. I replaced the trans and it the problem continued.. so id start with a clutch kit since itll be cheaper.

I just put a Luk 16088 clutch kit in mine and it solved my issues. Its been great for about 7500 miles now. I got it off rockauto, it was about 85 bucks for the whole kit that came with the TOB, pilot bearing and pressure plate

 

https://www.rockauto.com/en/parts/luk,16088,clutch+kit,1993

Here's the one im running

 

Good stuff there @BassAckwards

 

Robert to the rescue!


OP I'd jack up the rear end and run it through gears while listening with a stethoscope. Bad trans bearings should howl like a mf.

Sounds like a new clutch kit would be a good first step. Then a low mileage used trans if needed