2000 Tacoma Prerunner to 4x4 conversion

Oh yeah - didn't see my update? I was driving out of the shop and the flexplate broke a block away from the shop. I managed to turn it around.

They called me the next day and told me the torque converter mating surface was warped, which is why the flex plate kept shattering. My theory is the transmission I bought was from a truck with a bad front end collision.

 

Possibly. Does the torque converter just get swapped out for a new one? No knowledge of autos...

 

Yup. Re-using my old A340E torque converter. It has a different stall speed (200 RPM) but it's better than paying $300 for a new one. Luckily this is a fault on the shop's end so they're covering a new flexplate and R&I of the transmission.

 

I’ve done the trans now for so many fellow members I can have all the bolts out including starter and torque converter in less than half an hour

 

It's putting it back that's a pain in the ass. It took me forever to get it lined up with the dowel pins.

 

I get directly under it and push up and down once it’s close and so far it usually slips right in. I always make sure it just goes together because I’m able to hand snug all the trans bolts each time I’ve done it. I’ve also been fortunate (not at all) to have gotten to do three motor removals and a motor install within the last 30 Days.

 

I haven’t gotten to mess with any 4cyl toyotas yet no 2.7 or anything. There is nothing but 3.4 out here in AZ for some reason!

 

Like @Dalandser said I did get the tranny,ecu,wiring harness, from an 03. But I didn' pay attentin to the electronic throttle body when I took everything out

 

That's how I am with suspension installs, done so many it gets routine.

 

Don't know if that's a good idea, actually I know it's not a good idea & most if not all trans shops won't warranty anything they rebuild or otherwise unless a new converter is in place.

 

Besides unless you're an awesomely skilled welder how are you going to rebuild or even clean out properly ? Too much trans flash (& other floating matter) in fluid.

 

The owner is the one who suggested it. The shop has a very good reputation so I'll take them up on their word.

 

& if flexplate is warped/cracked I'd look to improper install/torque before suspecting a front end collision,

a little confused on that one.

 

Well , yeah if they are going to stand behind it.

 

The flexplate broke two times. The first time was when I installed it, and the second time was when they installed it. The shop used a micrometer to measure the mounting pads on the TC and he told me they were uneven on the one supplied with my A340F which was causing the flexplate to crack

 

I'm just saying re using torque converter is fine as long as it's been gone thru otherwise what's the point of matching a "clean " trans with an unclean converter

 

I know you're not supposed to mix and match torque converters but I wasn't ready to pay Toyota $400 for a new one and my old one was fine. My A340E one only has 92k on it while the A340F one that was warped has 150k on it. The only difference between the two according to the AISIN manual is the 200 RPM stall speed difference.

 

That’s a pretty crazy situation there but I can totally see that. The flex plate isn’t the strongest material but it’s also supposed to rotate very smooth within that bellhousing. The torque converters are supposed to get installed into the trans first then mated to the motor afterwards and maybe it’s so the little mounting points don’t get twisted up any. The TC smoothly mates back to the flywheel, all 6 bolts should thread and hand tighten will snug up

 

Just a PSA, if you are working on pulling a starter on a Toyota 3.4... watch Timmy the Toolman. PERIOD!!!

Got my starter out in about 15 min haha now to go test it. Fucking bummer cause I wanted to fire my truck up and see if that motor is any good haha

 

I have the exact opposite problem ironically. I have an '02 transmission (the seller claimed '03 but it has a mechanical TV cable)

My plan is to swap my old valve body into this transmission so that I don't have to deal with throttle bodies and ECUs