Let's play 'What would you do?'

Looking for some rational minds and sound advice as I find myself in a bit of a pickle. Would appreciate any and all thoughts/advice from anyone who's been in a similar position.

Situation:
Driveline vibrations for a year or two now. Took it to a Toyota dealer yesterday and they said the clutch was shot, quoted $4500 out the door for a 5-speed auto reman, probably swapped in a couple weeks. I said thanks, drove it to a transmission shop nearby. They just called and said the same thing, $4500, recommended a rebuild in 3-4 weeks time if supply chain issues don't hold things up.

Considerations:

• 291,500 miles, 2009 V6 4WD DCLB.
• OME lift on 285s but 100k on the springs, so its settled enough that I had to chop the flares a bit to help with the front rubbing until I can afford a new kit. ARB+winch weight, too. Along with a big camper shell on the back. All this to say I put a good amount of cash and time into this thing when I was making money and now that I'm not making money its definitely fallen out of prime condition as far as resale consideration goes.
• The engine has nearly 300k on it too, along with a knocking sound that everyone on here talks about but no one seems to know the source of. So $4500 toward a fresh transmission could just make me feel a little better until something happens with the engine.
• I'm out of a job right now and live way out where walking or riding a bike to work isn't an option. So going for a rebuild means no vehicle, but also no way to make money to pay for the rebuild, a used vehicle, or payments on a new vehicle.
• I'm not the kind of person who could sell this thing without mentioning it needs a new transmission. I also don't want to sell my beloved truck for what I'd likely have to price it at with a dead-man-walking transmission.
• The used market is insane right now.
• I kinda screwed the pooch by taking it to a Toyota dealer and refusing recommended service, right? If I were to decide to try to trade it in somewhere else, I assume there's some sort of service record on that now.

Woof. Thanks in advance.

 

$4500 for a rebuild is cheaper than a new or another vehicle. Is a loan (private or commercial) to get the truck fixed and short term rental vehicle feasible?

 

Do you NEED a truck?
The 291k is what has me.

You might be able to find a good used Camry or Civic for $4,500 + trade in. (Or cash sale)
(Actual I’d list myself, there are people that will buy with a bad trans for more than trade in).

 

Sure, but I'm kinda at the point where it feels a bit like paying for chemo for a 15 year old dog. Which is something that I would absolutely do against better judgement. For now it still drives fine even at highway speeds, so I'm leaning toward just kicking the can until I'm in a better financial situation or the transmission shits the bed... whichever comes first.

 

We all NEED our trucks, don't we? Do you think I'd be better off trying to sell privately or trade-in?

 

Probably get more privately.

 

This sounds like a good option.

 

Agreed.

Thanks for the tip. Do you know of a good online resource for finding parts like this or is it more of a check your local junkyards deal? Seems like every time I've checked a parts yard for something they either don't have any Tacomas or they've already been picked down to the bones.

 

I'm confused. Is this a manual or auto trans?

If it's a manual and the clutch is shot, that's not a $4500 job.

If it's a manual, how the hell did you kill the actual transmission?

If it's an auto, then yeah it's gunna be costly.

I doubt you have any options through any JDM shops, but might be worth calling and asking some.

 

Thanks. I assume they mean the torque converter clutch.

Edit: It's the OD clutch... shudder exclusively happens between 4th and 5th gears.

 

5sp auto. No good JDM shops around here.

 

Trade in on a new Tundra. That way you know you will be spending a great deal of money.

I regret not buying a new 2014 FJ Trail Teams SE, even though I couldn't afford to buy one at that time. It would be nice to have one now.

 

You say it still drives fine, get a good used transmission and have it on hand when (if) needed.

 

Are you convinced it's really a transmission problem? I'd suggest that you take a good look at the u-joints and carrier bearing first, maybe remove the rear driveshaft and drive in 4wd a couple of miles to see if the problem changes or goes away. Given your situation this would be good to evaluate before more expensive options are undertaken.

If you know anyone with a GoPro or similar camera, mounting it with a magnetic mount to the frame then taking the truck for a drive until the vibes occur is a great way to see what's happening. If it involves the driveline you'll probably see it.

I realize this sounds like I'm saying the dealership and the tranny shop aren't to be trusted, but really it's just that they're happy to spend your money on a "probably" and if you can eliminate the less expensive items yourself, all the better.

Oh, and lastly, do check the transmission fluid level, maybe add some Lubegard to see if it helps.

Good luck!

 

Yep, this is the last step of what's been a long and not cheap process narrowing down the vibrations. Multiple u-joints and carrier bearings were replaced, driveshaft was recently rebalanced which took away some of the consistent, lighter vibrations I was feeling at higher speeds but the deep shuddering never went away. That's when I decided to have the dealer check it out, and then got a second opinion from a transmission shop without telling them I'd had it checked out elsewhere. I was hoping it would be as simple as maybe throwing in some Shudder Fixx, but both independently said the same things. Maybe they are full of shit, but at this point I'm sure it's not any of the cheaper options.

 

Definitely can't afford one of those, but they do look pretty nice! I've loved my Tacoma but am starting to feel like it's time for a full-size. Was really enjoying not having a car payment.

 

If the converter is shot, maybe just try replacing the converter? It's a lot of labor but cheaper then a remanned trans.

When was the last time the tranny fluid was replaced? Maybe start with a fluid exchange ?

 

You said driveline vibrations,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,and they want to rebuild the transmission to solve the vibrations?

I'm confused I've never heard of or seen an auto trans vibrate, now I've seen and heard them make all sorts of noises that sound from maybe to aw shit, and when the noises start they don't drive well.