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I seem to be getting mixed results when searching online for a definitive answer so I thought I would throw this question out there. Being that the 1985 4Runner automatic transmission filter and screen is all metal, do you all clean the filter or buy a new one? I just ordered one from Toyota and the thing is $100. I last replaced mine around 8 years ago and maybe went 20k miles but the fluid is slightly dirty and I figured I would do more than just a drain/refill and replace the filter as well. I use Toyota ATF II/III fluid (00718-ATF00).
My wife drove her 86 4Runner with the automatic for MANY years. It had an easy life but It had over 450K miles when our son wrecked it. All I ever did to that transmission was change the fluid and CLEAN the screen every 100K miles and it was trouble free. It didn't even leak. If I remember correctly it was just a metal screen. Maybe brass?? I just cleaned it and wiped out the residue from the bottom of the pan and off the magnets.
Thanks AZToyman. Your 86 probably had the same transmission as my 85 and it's been a rock solid transmission as long as I have owned the vehicle (almost 25 years) but with the taller tires/gears and running the mountain trails up here in N. AZ, I don't want it blowing out. I'm kicking myself for buying the filter but at least I'll have a spare.
A lot of parts are discontinued so it doesn't hurt to have the filter on hand. I think having larger tires and actually wheeling it would require more maintenance than my wife's stock daily driver needed. Sounds like you're on it and it should serve you well. The only thing I can suggest is adding a trans cooler if your use would warrant it.
My wife's 4ruuner never needed it. I always run one on anything I tow with. Especially in this AZ heat and all the mountainous terrain we have. I always put the biggest one I can fit and the stacked plate type. In my "opinion" there is no such thing as over cooling down here in the desert. Maybe if you are up in Flagstaff you would have to consider that and adjust as necessary.
I am building an 86 Xtra Cab crawler right now and might be able to did up pics of my steering cooler mounted. It's a trans cooler in the typical location just hooked to my steering instead. I have a manual trans.
I'm going to see if I can attach links to my pics from my build thread. I didn't like the typical mounting option of the plastic rods that go through the radiator. I used some scrap metal to make a mount and put it between the radiator and condenser.
Yep, I'm up in Flag so overheating never crossed my mind until I re-geared. I check the temps on my transmission on hotter days (80 degrees) and it doesn't cross over into danger and never had the dash light show up but installing such a cheap add-on as a precaution seems like a no-brainer. But here is a stupid question - my 4Runner has three coolers: the radiator, another one that I have no idea what it is, and then the AC condenser. Is it possible I have a trans cooler already - maybe it came as a factory option? Check out these pics: my 85 shows the 3 condensers. My 93 Truck (22RE, manual, no AC) just has the radiator and nothing else. I'm going to trace the lines, but this middle condenser has to either be a Transmission cooler or a power steering cooler (which my truck doesn't have)
I've never seen that. Maybe you do have a trans cooler? The power steering cooler on our 86 4Runner was just a loop of steel line that stuck out in front of the condenser. Obviously the A/C lines will go to the condenser and the other cooler should have lines to the trans I would guess if you don't have PS. Follow them and see.
Yeah, I see the PS line loop. I'm going to trace the lines for that middle condenser....maybe post the pics as another thread to the forum to see if anyone else has seen this. I like what you've done with your rig's transmission cooler. If I go that route, I'm going to do the same.
So I am thinking with the limited space due to the dual stacked AC condensers of installing this type instead. I talked to Summit Racing and they said due to the design that this condenser has the colling capacity of a unit twice its size. I can mount it to the frame in the engine area where it gets airflow.
08-29-2024, 08:51 AM
