Comment here if you're an A hole

Hello fellow Taco heads. I’ve been running though this through my head over and over and over and I can’t make a decision.

Long and short, I have a 2014 Tacoma SR5 double cab long bed(my dream truck) and she’s got a torque converter issue that needs fixing at 203k miles. Mechanic said he suggests a new tranny since we’re gonna have to drop it anyways. Truck has CV axel issues and a mean shake at 70mph. (I jumped it once on accident, frames probably bent, long story there. No not on purpose.)

I called Toyota, the wait list is 8 people in line for my local dealer for transmissions, and going to cost over $6k to put a new tranny in.

Trade it in for a newer/used gen 3? Sell it as is? Fix it and keep rocking it? She’s been a money suck for years but it’s mostly been standard maintenance. Engine runs real strong but she does get properly used as I drive fire roads and rocky roads for my job all of the time. (Fishing guide)

thanks for your feedback and would be bummed if I get blown apart for asking fellow Taco heads help on my next chapter in Taco life.

 

First off, I would avoid the dealer for a transmission replacement. They would be the most expensive option.
Find a good transmission shop in the area and get a requote. They may even offer a salvage yard, low mileage transmission option for a lot less $.
CV axles are easy to replace.
The mean shake at 70, could use some diagnosis.

If the frame isn't rusted to crap, I'd probably fix it. My opinion will be biased though. My 2014 is still in pretty damned good shape because for the most part, it's a pavement princess and I'm borderline neurotic about preventive maintenance.

 

Maybe check an independent shop for the trans work?

I wouldn’t put that much in a truck if I was pretty sure the frame had issues, but that’s just me.

Did the high speed shake start immediately after jumping the truck?

 

Yes it has been shaking since the jump. It was a huge repair after it occurred. And yes, frame is rusted....not too shit but rusted for sure. I live in the Sierras and we have a lot of snow to drive through.

 

Sounds like more work and money than I’d be willing to invest.

 

Thank you! This truck has definitely cost me a lot over the past 5 years...and it's been because I really do use it though. Live in the mountains and have access to fire roads and back country fishing...well thanks y'all. There is a good deal on a 2017 TRD Sport Double Cab long bed in town I might check before i head to the mountains. Low mileage and in my price range.

 

Trading it in would be the most foolish thing to do.

Assess the frame issue, disclose what you find, and sell as is.

Plenty of people buy these trucks in even worse condition and still pay a pretty penny cause they're not that hard to fix or modify.

 

The dealer is the worst place to take older vehicles.

A lower mile used transmission will get you back on the road, a good independent shop can put it in.
It couldn't hurt to get a quote from a dedicated transmission shop too.

The shake could be simple as a bent or out of balance wheel.

 

Def not trading that baby in. Headed to the dealer today to buy a used one.

appreciate all the friendly replies and good advice yall.

Now when I sell the 2014, I will disclose the issues and sell it for blue book value minus cost to fix tranny?

 

I mean,what do you expect you'll get for this? Frame "may" be bent? Are you disclosing that info? If I came across an ad for a Tacoma for sale and it said "bent frame", wouldn't give it a second look.

 

Prob at least hope for $5.00.

 

I'll pay 10% over. Will you accept a Starbucks gift card with $5.50 on it for the possibly bent frame and definitely tired transmission beater?

 

DEAL!

 

Unless the transmission has been badly mistreated, replacing it “just because” is a costly, unnecessary step.

I agree with others, get the known problems assessed, and get a good read on frame condition before deciding which way to jump. In order to get top dollar for the vehicle if you decide to sell it, you’re going to need to know what the actual problems are. Telling a buyer that it may have this problem, and some other problem, is going to get you the worst possible price.

The vibe issue is the biggest deal IMO. If your truck is a lifetime CA truck the frame probably isn’t that rusty, but some pics would be good so we can help you assess that. Everything else sounds very fixable for not crazy $$$.

I would certainly not be telling a prospective buyer that the truck needs a new transmission if all that’s wrong there is the torque converter.

 

Confirm with a body shop if there’s frame damage. They can measure it for you and tell you if there are any tweaks to it. They can also tell you if it’s fixable for a reasonable cost or not.

If there is significant frame damage, then don’t put money into it. You’re better off with a different truck. Learned this the hard way myself.

 

The Toyota-Aisin transmissions of that era are tough as nails! The simplest, fastest way back on the road is a lower-mile replacement transmission---a shop can swap them in less than a day.

If you keep the truck, can always have a sandblast shop do the frame, they are usually skilled at welding-in frame reinforcements, and epoxy coating as well. Lots of knowledge out there on Toyota pickup truck and SUV frames....

A slight warp in the frame of a pickup truck is no big deal really, can shim/tweak alignments back to spec.

You would have a nice, paid-for truck for a lot more years!

ToolCat