2wd transmission- rebuild vs replace

Howdy!

I've got me a '99 5-speed with almost 190k on the clock. She's new to the north, so probably has an easy 50-100k left in her, assuming I take care of her.

In the cold, the transmission has a hard time going into first and second- and crunches a bit. When hot, sometimes I get a hint of grind- the syncros are shot.
I also happen to need a clutch in the coming months, so it's got to come out anyway- and I noticed it's leaking fluid.

SO- I imagine the gears are in decent enough condition- and the bearings in there are likely alright for a while. I've done a transmission rebuild before (transverse, it was a pita) so I'm not too worried about the labor- but I'm debating if I want to or not.

What I'm thinking is either making a weekend of it- pulling the trans, taking it apart, pressing it all apart and reassembling with new syncros (and seals) and replacing the clutch and dropping it in- or just buying a second hand/rebuilt one and doing a swap.

The partial rebuild path has a potential catch of finding out mid-way I really do need a bearing or something midway, delaying the project for an entire week (or more) with the transmission apart. Of course there's always the option of buying ALL of the parts, but historically I've found buying a rebuilt unit isn't much more than the cost of all parts- and a lot less work.
The other path lands me with an "extra" transmission, which I don't intend to hold onto.

Third option is to try and find another in similar condition and rebuild that, I suppose.
Wondering who might have gone either path recently and might have input.

 

Contact Marlin Crawler with your issues.
Great guys with a wealth of knowledge... just be prepared to sit on the phone, they're busy.
Talk to CJ or Big Mike.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...on-your-5-speed-transmission-write-up.338836/

 

rebuild.

 

Alright- the Marlin Crawler site doesn't seem to sell kits for the w59 (which appears to be what I've got) but they do sell rebuilds. Grand total of $1250 - a bit rich for my blood, but it does make the problem go away for the life of the truck.

On the other end of the spectrum, I can buy a flea-bay rebuild kit for $375- less than half what I expected, and it contains new seals, bearings, and syncros. Guess the last one I rebuilt was a little less common.

I've not found a good rebuild guide yet- but I did check out the parts diagrams and a video on another W-series and it doesn't look as hard as the transverse rebuild I did last fall. I've got a press and an assortment of 'nice to have' tools for this sort of thing.

any input on the cheap ebay kits?

 

$375 for an e bay kit is a little pricey
try here http://www.americanpowertrainwarehouse.com/toyota-lexus-w40-w50-w55-w56-w58-w59/
These transmissions are simple to rebuild
split them in half , mount the center section in the vice ,and start replacing the synchros and bearings .
You dont have to take the detents and interlocks out

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...es-away-when-i-clutch-in.347261/#post-9323268

 

Thanks! I love these forums, you folks are the best.

Down to $300 for parts and an 'easy' rebuild vs almost 1300 for a rebuilt drop in- I think it's getting pretty clear which way I'll go.

Anything special for trans fluid, or just what the book specifies?

Also needing a clutch- I'm happy with what's in there, but I have no idea what it is. I'm usually a fan of dealer clutches- any input there?

 

Guys on Tacoma World swear by Red Line fluid for the transmission .
As far as a clutch , I believe Marlin Crawler sells some of the best clutches you can get .
All this info is at the bottom of that link I provided

 

Red line- the same stuff I'm running in my '85 toyota mr2 that I just rebuilt. Can't say I'm unhappy with it- but it's got less than six months of use

I'll check out the Marlin clutch kits. Thanks again!