For Stock Rigs Only

Hope so for your sake

 

My Rosie is running like shit right now. I’m hoping that it’s just the needed spark plug replacement, but my gut is thinking it’s worse than that. Idle is rough, mileage has taken a huge hit (been running a route that I used to run pre-COVID-19 that I averaged 17.2mpg...I’m getting 13.5). I took it into a shop I have used for almost a decade to look at the brakes (needs new shoes) and I asked if they noticed any driveline play (like a U joint failing) and they said everything felt and appeared good. They did notice the thunk and shudder upon takeoff. No codes are being reported, but they are thinking something is up with the transmission.

Original trans was blown right before I got the truck. I think the truck was overloaded and my aunt/uncle pushed it way too hard on the drive from Utah to California, over the Donner Pass. The guess is that the trip weakened second or third (probably second) and when by cousin was driving my mom around, truck got stuck a little in a parking lot. When it was put into reverse and given gas to climb over the curb, there was a huge bang and the truck stalled. Got it into neutral and pulled out, and the truck restarted. They got it into first and limped it home. Truck would only go in first, forth, and probably fifth. When it shifted, felt like a sledgehammer was shifting the gears.

Shop got a reconditioned transmission from Toyota. It only came with a one year, 12k warranty (which everyone thought was strange, stating that other Toyota transmissions came with two years). I have taken it in a few times to see if it is thrown codes because it often doesn’t drive “right”. Interestingly enough, it does fine in the winter. However, I am not hopeful about this winter as whatever is going on in the driveline is getting worse, and fast.

At this point, I have put almost 35k on truck. The trans has maybe 400 miles over that. I love the truck 99% of the time, but along with all the rust the frame has (medium according to Toyota), I’m very frustrated and fear for its reliability and longevity. I don’t know what to do anymore. I can’t keep throwing diagnostic money at the truck to come up with “Yeah, we feel it...can’t figure out what it is...”

I would appreciate some advice.

 

Are you thinking about selling or trading her?

 

Are you thinking that I’m looking at big money in repairs, again? Or something else?

I don’t really want to, but if this trans wasn’t reconditioned properly, or something was missed, it’s now out of warranty and the bill for the last trans replacement was over $4000 parts and labor.

 

Mornin Mark....ol' buddy

 

What kind of vehicle would you replace it with?

 

Damn... This is what my gut has been saying...whatever is wrong, it’s deep in there and that’s going to cost me a lot.

As to a replacement, I don’t know. I like the utility of a truck, but really rarely need it.

 

If it's time to move on, move on. My previous T100 was let go because the last 3 years was almost $6000 in parts and maintenance costs. Yes, that's not a lot compared to the cost of a new vehicle but the ROI only applies if you keep driving it. Once you sell it that repair investment is usually null.

 

Something that fits your lifestyle....whatever that may be. And if it's not a truck you can always buy a trailer for when you need to haul stuff

 

Evenin folks

 

Will the engine crank over in any gear (reverse, drive, etc). Is it a manual transmission?

 

Good morning everyone!

 

Good Morning Folks

 

At work today...just now checking in here. Has been kinda quite around here the last couple of days

 

Good morning Big M

 

Afternoon Big John

 

You too buddy. Hopefully you can sneak in a nap here and there