lucas trans treatment

I've posted on a few threads about a shudder at 35mph ish between 4-5 gear. it only does it when I drive in "d" when left in 4 then manually shifted ti d its fine. it also shifts fine when the engine temp is cool for the first few times until it warms up. this leads me to believe that a thicker fluid will fix (least temporarily but hopefully permanently) my issue.. so I ask if these transmissions can have Lucas in them. I no they're picky so I thought if ask before I just drain a quart and replaced it with somethin that would make it worse.

 

Personally, i wouldn't add lucas. My previous tacoma was an auto and i only used the World Standard fluid that is made for the auto transmissions. Lucas is good stuff, especially on old vehicles, but i wouldnt try it on these 2nd gen tacomas. How many miles are on your truck? have you ever done a drain & refill or a full flush before??

 

175000 I bought it with 142000 and at 155000 I drop the pan and cleaned te filter and put 3.2 ish quartz back in. I've checked it and its still got plenty in it and it still looks pretty bright red.

 

You might have a clutch pack on the way out or maybe mixing the older fluid and newer fluid didnt mesh too great. What fluid did you put in when you did a drain and refill?? You said it best when you said these transmissions can be picky. They have to have the exact right fluid and the proper amount to function properly. If i remember correctly, when they do a flush at the dealer they have to wait till the trans. warms up to an exact temp. b4 they do a flush. My thought on transmissions are, if you do a drain and refill like every 30-40k for the life of the truck, you're good. But if you drain or flush at higher mileages without knowing the past maintenance history, there could be a chance of prematurely messing something up. I got rid of my auto and bought a taco with a manual 6spd, but they tend to have a few issues here and there too.

 

Don't add the lucas.

 

3.2 qts may not have been the right level.
Did you check it at the proper temperature on the dipstick (2.7) or fill-height plug (4.0)?

If you are getting a stutter, and anything from a bottle "fixes" it, start saving for a new trans. It will only be a temporary fix.

 

It was two years ago but I'm pretty sure it was just a touch over 3. Think that's what the pan holds in the 4.0. I checked the fluid. couple months ago when this first started after about a 8-10 drive. I assumed that would be warm enough and fluid came out the check plug.