Taco noob and an idiot to boot

I finally got myself a 2nd gen. I found a 4x4 pre runner, with an extra cab and a 6ft bed. It’s an ex fleet vehicle of some sort- I’ve seen the Carfax and it’s been regularly serviced in a few different states, and it has utility lights, aside from being white.
Anyhow, I got it at 198k and haven’t had any issues except I just changed out the front wheel bearings. Now the back ones need replacing too, figures as much.

so, to the point, I thought I should do a transmission fluid swap and went in gung Ho- turns out, I’m reading in here I should just leave it be since the shavings and sludge are theoretically what’s keeping it a smooth operator… so new fluid is out. Ok fine, I saved the old fluid, but I drained into an oil pan then transferred to an empty oil jug… my question is, is that little bit of residual oil mixed in with the fluid I drained going to cause an issue If I go ahead and return it to whence it came? Thank you, and please Be nice, I’m sensitive.

 

I'm a professional and I can tell you that anyone that thinks old fluid holds a trans together heard it from an origin that is long gone.

Dump the oil, put new oil in, set the level, don't fret about things.

 

Forgot to mention it’s at 230k now. So, you say just put new in and stop stressing?

 

If it had 500k I'd say put in fresh oil and stop stressing.

Most people that report issues from flushes already had pre-existing issues and need something to blame.

Ideally you'd do a pan drop on that truck to get the most out of it, but a spill and fill is a good idea, it also ensures the fluid level is correct.

 

I’m with @Bishop84

Change it.
If you have a problem after changing it, you already had a problem.
Or you did something wrong changing it. (Like not following the refill procedure exactly)

 

welcome

Pre Runners are 4x2 out of the factory. People do convert them to 4x4 but it does require a bit of work and usually a transmission swap to mate with the transfer case

Not trying to bust your balls but just noting contradictory information that may relate to your transmission

 

I just did a full flush on my 4Runner transmission with 242k miles. Shifts way better than before… no issues.

 

The last thing I'd do is put the old fluid back. You drained it out, it's done. Especially now that it's contaminated sitting in a used oil jug. You ripped the band-aid off, so just send it.

 

that’s what I thought until I found this one and did some research- turns out Toyota made a few 4x4 prerunners just because apparently.

 

Change it. You don’t keep old oil in your engine, so why should you do the same in the transmission?

I have changed it in my 350,000 ride and runs fine.

 

No.

It's either a 4x4 or a Prerunner.

I hope you didn't buy a Prerunner for the price of a 4x4.

 

If you have a 4wd truck and a prerunner badge on the tailgate, my bet is you have a replacement tailgate.

Conversions from prerunner to 4x4 are done, but usually by individuals and unlikely by a fleet owner

Factory 4 x 4 prerunner? You'll have to bring stronger evidence.

 

O.P. do you even know what you bought,look and see if you have axles going into your front tires,or a 4x4 switch next to your steering wheel on the lower right hand side.

 

Hey OP when you have a moment send up some photos of your cool new ride!

We are excited to see it, and to squish your Pre-runner 4x4 hybrid monster debate.

 

https://youtu.be/pb7OWlVYYRw?si=QN3Ueys8srSu0SLo

 

It's only Weds.

Serious though, congrats on the Taco regardless. I'm curious now to see if it's a 4x4 Base owned by a badge slappy happy fleet (which would be weird), evidence of a tailgate swap as mentioned, or just a standard 2WD Pre.

 

OP, I think your confusing a transmission flush and a drain and fill. Most will tell you to avoid flushing high milage transmissions for the reason you mentioned. However nothing wrong with doing a drain and fill with fresh fluid.

 

Someone mentioned it above... but when I had my high mileage 4runner transmission fully flushed I voiced the same concern to the shop owner (Dr.Trans in San Diego) and he said the same thing... usually issues are already there so people think flushing the fluid will solve whatever existing issue is there, but it doesn't. Again, different transmission (I think?) but I went ahead and did the full flush at 242k miles (unknown previous fluid change history) and all is working well. YMMV

 

I'm here for pics of the 4x4 Pre-runner, cause they exist, but only cause someone made the mod. No 4x4 Pre-runners built by Toyota. Pre-runner was a 2wd package that had the look/size of a 4wd.