RC60F Transmission swap including 4th Gen Taco

The Hiace input shaft arrived today, length is correct.

 

Great news!

 

Having the shaft in hand, it's easy to spot an obvious improvement that was left on the table. I'll share that info as the build moves, more research needs to be done.

 

Since the gear ratios are different and the input shaft includes a gear I doubt the shaft will fit unless the gear can be changed.

 

The Hiace (shaft) and Hilux (transmission) are both of the RC60 variant, so ratios are the same.

 

... following!!!

 

That was the whole reason he needed to get a different input shaft and not reuse the Tacoma's shaft. The Tacoma's RC62F has the wrong ratios to work with the RC60(F). This is an RC60 input shaft with the correct length for the 2GR engine and the correct ratios for the RC60F transmission.

Jeff

 

Soooo I've been combing the web for anything related to the Toyota/Aisin RA/AY6 RC/AC6 transmissions that might help with building and improving. Long story short, I began looking at the Aisin SP6 Transmission that was built for the Porsche 997 Series cars. It has the same CD measurement, so that drew me in. Turns out, upon digging around, that it shares a bit of architecture with the RA and RC. It's simply built into a rear engine transaxle layout. There could (?) be some parts that will interchange, but they are probably limited to bearings, synchronizers, and other small parts. They are likely stupidly priced, too... so they would need to be vastly improved to be considered.

Porsche input shaft.... look familiar?


It's already crossed drilled for improved oiling and cooling.

Complete unit, note that it retains the PILOT BEARING out at the tip of the input.

 

Lotta digging. Definitely staying tuned

 

Fuckin hollow eh? Materials science is a trip.

 

The shafts on our transmissions are also hollow, but the input lacks the oiling holes. It's also more difficult to get the oil in there, as we have an output shaft mounted where the input ends on the Porsche.

 

Ok, in the Hilux RC line up, there are type A and Type B transmissions. There are various changes between the two in some part numbers, mostly bearings, but they share plenty of parts, too. My Hilux transmission is a type B, which has more matching numbers with Hiace RC than the type A. This is likely a very good development. We also need to compare the older RA and the 997 units, perhaps we can find all the best parts for future performance rebuilds. I've found full brass, steel, and carbon coated synchros in the various units.

The design of this transmission, from lubrication stand point, is excellent... this makes me hopeful that we can likely run near the transmissions limits without issue. With upper and lower shafts being hollow, plenty of gear lube can pumped deep inside all the vital bearings and synchronizers, keeping them cool, strong, and relatively wear free. An electric pump will likely be the best option here, and will also be to send lube out to a cooler.

 

Any progress on this?

 

I'm waiting for a few parts to show up, then I'll begin breaking down the the Hilux transmission.

 

Today I broke the trans down, all that remains is disassembly of the input and counter shafts. Toyota spent some good time working on oil flow and distribution through this unit, it is directed to every part that needs it, including the ability to send lube into the centers of the shafts. From there it can then be pumped outward directly into bearings, gears, hubs, and synchronizers. The problem is, unlike the Porsche transmission in post #108, the only gear that has cross drilling is reverse. The remainder rely solely on splash.

The plan continues... All shafts will be cross drilled in the appropriate sections, getting lube into these locations will increase the life of many components greatly. Toyota's design also makes it quite easy to force feed, via pump, absolutely everything. Add a cooler and this unit should take some serious heavy use.

 

Makes you wonder why they didn't just use this transmission from the start...

 

well great there goes any thoughts I had of keeping this truck in budget and maintaining a warranty.
add this to the list of things i just need in the worst way.

cant wait to see where this ends up.

anybody need a kidney?

 

So you're looking to install a pilot bearing on these pilotless cranks to fully support the input shaft?

Colour me curious.

 

Yes, the pilot bearing makes sense from a power handling and durability standpoint. The flywheel is already machined, right from Toyota, for the oh so common 32x12x10mm pilot bearing, which seems to have 1/2 a dozen different part numbers. Machining a stub and inserting it into the tip of the input shaft should be fairly easy.

 

Toyota and Lexus produce several different electric motor driven pumps for their various hybrid vehicles. They are are the pricey side, but are variable speed... might be a good solution for supplying lube to the oil cooler.