3.4l Transmission Rebuild - I got questions!

I am looking to get my taco’s transmission rebuilt. I’m calling around different shops and the quotes are all around $2k (with parts).


Curious what other people’s experiences have been with having shops re-build their transmissions. Should I be providing my own parts? Is this a fair and normal price? I’d prefer to go with a Marlin re-build with top tier parts, just have a shop pull it and install it but I can’t do the Marlin wait time. This happened over the weekend and I need my truck operable for summer. Curious what other people’s experiences have been getting a 3.4l transmission rebuild from a shop !


I am mechanically inclined to an extent, but this one I’d prefer to not have my hands on !!


98 Tacoma 3.4l manual with 260k original miles

 

The last 2 trans rebuilds I had were 2k and 2.5k, just for soft parts, no hard parts required.

And that was over 20 years ago. One Acura, one S10.

Based on that, your quote doesn't seem shocking. But the real question is, is it just worn out (soft parts) or did something break?

 

Oh wow! Ok. Yeah I’m not entirely sure what it’ll need. I understand that with the 3.4 they’re prone to have excessive wear on their retainer plate after so many miles ? My issue is my 1st gear is just gone all of a sudden. It pops out violently during acceleration. I’ve resorted to starting in 2nd. Initially assumed it was a synchro problem. Won’t know until they crack it open I suppose ?

 

Sorry, missed your last line that it was a manual. My examples were automatics.

I have no clue what will be needed or any pricing comparisons to offer. However, I would recommend at that mileage a new clutch and pressure plate, and a rear main engine seal, as well as any other wear items that are much easier to reach with the trans out.

Best of luck.

 

No worries! Thank you for that, that’s a very good point. Was already planning clutch; didn’t even think about the rear main seal !

 

OP I've read other cases on here where others have resolved their manual trans popping out of gears by replacing the shifter seat bushings. Might be worth trying that before spending bug $$$ on a rebuild. I'd venture to say that 260k miles would be considered a premature failure for an R150F. These transmissions are bulletproof

 

@Red_03Taco thanks for the reply! Yeah I read that could be a possibility too. As well as shifting forks? I’m actually gonna take it to a transmission shop after work today to have them look at it for free quote and go from there. I thought it was premature as well. It is worth mentioning thet I did do a transmission fluid flush two weeks ago, did Valvoline 75-90 full synthetic (what my service manual suggested). Gear ratio is 3.90 and I got 31” tires… Like to haul alot of camp gear so I know it takes a beating. But I still feel like it is premature.

 

Ok sounds like you're doing your due diligence. My truck has 293k miles, and I have 3 friends with V6/5 Speed trucks with 280k, 385k, and 630k miles, all with no transmission problems (all original R150Fs). So I'd bet its something simple.

That being said, is that Valvoline 75-90 a GL-5 oil? Im pretty sure these transmissions prefer GL-4, as additives in the GL-5 can corrode the brass synchros. I could be mixing that up with the transfer case though, not positive. I've always gone with Redline MT-LV or MT-90 (both GL-4 oils) for both the trans and tcase and never had any issues.

 

@Red_03Taco Fingers crossed it’s something simple!! Should have a better idea by tonight.

Man I did not know that about GL5 corroding the synchros? That’s fucked up if that’s true lol. Yeah I did a drain and fill with Valvoline 75/90 about 40k miles ago when I bought the truck, and had no issues. Did it again the other day cuz I felt it was time, used the exact same stuff and then this. I’m going to have to dig in more to the Gl5 and Gl4 differences with our transmissions. Thanks for the info !

 

GL4 is what you want.

This thread might be helpful. Yea, 3rd gen related, but it doesn't matter.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/3rd-gen-manual-transmission-drain-and-fill.858474/#post-30623288

 

2016 I paid a reputable shop to rebuild my R150F 5 speed with all OEM parts, a new oem input shaft and also rebuild my rear driveshaft. Grand total was $2800 for all of that in 2016 so the prices you are getting seem reasonable.

 

Check out Yota1Performance, they have fully rebuilt transmissions for good prices.

 

A little late to the party... My '02 Prerunner AT 3.4L just threw a CEL for P0770, malfunction in solenoid "E." It had been making a "whirring" noise for a while. I took it to my regular Toyota specialist mechanic, and he said it was the transmission pump, advising me to just keep driving it until it got worse.

Well, the noise has definitely gotten worse, but the transmission still shifts fine.

I brought it to a local transmission shop and was quoted $6,000 for a rebuild ($500 just to drop the transmission, minimum $2,000 in labor, and $6,000 as a ballpark total).

Obviously, I'm getting a second opinion from another shop (an independently owned AAMCO), but does anyone else think this is crazy? I know I'm basically a fetus when it comes to mechanics , especially transmissions, but this is the first time a quote has truly shocked me.

Appreciate the posts for rebuilt transmissions btw..Thanks!

 

Call Yota1. I have limited internet access now, but I'd talk to them. They know these trucks.