A different kind of 2nd gen Transmission delay

Before I start, I apologize in advance if starting a thread on this is poor form on TW. If it is, mods please delete and I'll just work it out myself and write-up what I've come up with.

Back in '08 I was so excited to have my first ever 4x4, and a Taco at that! It's a V6 4.3L with A/T, if that is of any relative significance. I took it in the mud and was following a trail. I got stuck by accidentally crossing ruts that were made by much larger tires; they were buried under water and I just couldn't see them. None of my 4x4 buddies were in town to come to the rescue. I ended up jamming rocks under the tires and then fiercely rocking back and forth. Tons of tire smoke. It took a good hour of rocking and trying to jam more rocks under the tires . This was not a delicate kind of rocking, I needed the momentum in order to get out. I knew it was hell on my transmission but I wasn't in a place where you would ever want to leave your truck and come back later.

Now, ever since then, maybe once a month at the very most, when shifting from reverse to drive, it has a delay. All of the sudden the transmission will abruptly catch and give a small jolt. I quickly learned that if I quickly shift into N and then back to D, it goes into gear, no problem.
I've read extensively about issues with transmission delay, so I'm not a total newb that hasn't already read other threads. This just seems different in nature than all other transmission delays because it came as the result of me beating on my truck. Any insights on what it could be that ISN'T already covered in other threads(ATF level, a sensor, etc). Looking for any input from anyone with a fair amount of transmission knowledge about what this could be all about. I doubt it's the usual suspects but do plan on troubleshooting it similarly to those that experience delay but didn't do something as bone headed as I did. Just wondering if anyone has any guesses. I've googled about rebuilding a Taco transmission in a 2nd gen and just returned very little. Seems these transmissions aren't a super common rebuild. Any useful input is greatly appreciated(flaming me for being such a newb back in that day isn't useful, I'm well aware of what a rookie mistake that was).

Thanks in advance!

 

Flush and change tranny fluid

 

Thanks! I can't say I would have thought to go beyond just a drain and refill, but to do a full flush. Quick question, I was once told by a friend of mine who had a first gen tundra that he did a ton of towing with and the AT was slipping in 2nd. An old timer told him not to change the ATF because it was full of "metal flake that helped it mesh." Sounds like voodoo to me, but it's a concept that I've since wondered about the validity of. Could there possibly be a shred of truth to that?

 

No truth to keeping old fluid in the tranny.

Please drain & fill or even flush the trans.

Don't beat yourself up, you Rocked It, Congratulations!
I'm going to bet that a transmission service will smooth out the issue.
Toyotas Auto Trans. Are very sensitive.

You're gone be fine, don't sweat it.

 

Not trying to hijack, what is the difference between just draining and refilling the transmission vs a flush?

 

I have never done a flush, but I believe you drive it with fresh fluid for a while to get it up to temperature, and then drain and fill again.

All the old fluid does not come out at the initial drain as it's stuck in low spots.

A drive to get the old fluid up to temp and a drain & fill should get it done.

I suggest doing the rear differential as well.

 

Thanks folks! Glad everyone seems to agree about the flush. I like the suggestion to just change it twice vs flush, probably accomplishes the same thing without all the labor. I actually changed the diff fluid at 70K, I could feel the difference on the highway. As for beating myself up, not hardly, just trying to preempt any trolls from spraying the most obvious that it's not a great idea to go wheeling solo, in a stock truck, somewhere new, with the only self rescue method being the rocks I gathered from the woods. On the upside and an unrelated matter, I roasted the spongy soft stock street tires down to very little...it was a good excuse to drop $800 on BFG AT's.

 

I'm about to drain the fluid and change it 3x over. I forgot to mention that I have the towing pkg(with remote AT cooler). I'm replacing the factory ATF with valvoline max life ATF. Anyone see any issues using this method to flush it vs doing a traditional/textbook flush that involves disconnecting lines that run to the remote cooler? My only concern is mixing old, OEM ATF with valvoline. My instinct says for as little mileage that will be put on in between the 3x drain/refill, it should be fine. Any and all opinions welcome!