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Engine & DrivetrainDiscussions about the engine and drivetrain of your vehicle.
This is a discussion thread titled "01 Tundra Transmission Problems", within the Engine & Drivetrain forum, part of the Technical & Vehicle Assistance Forums category.
I took good care of my transmission before it failed me. You may also want to consider the "pattern" emerging with a number of people who did have transmission problems.
Toyota certainly acknowledged the problem with these transmissions. If these transmissions were such a good design, why did Toyota redesign them for the 2003 model year? Toyota certainly would not do this if there were simply a few unlucky people who experienced problems.
Oh, and frankly... any suggestions to me that the failure of my tranny is due to poor maintenance is offensive and ignorant.
Redesigns happen constantly in the automotive field seemingly regardless of past performance, just look at any manufacturer. Sometimes it is good sometimes not. Reasons can vary from new performance expectations, cost issues, fuel ecomony issues or any number if reasons.
I was attempting to help all members here, but if that seems ignorant to you and are offended then that is really something you need to deal on your own. I didn't post to point any fingers at you or anyone else.
Today HiVolt gave us another 200K testimonial. He wrote: "I have an '01 with 315,000KM ( 200,000 + miles ) and it is still going strong. Regular maintainence/fluid changes are key to long life."
Thus we are starting to see a pattern - the '00 & '01 owners who changed the fluid periodically and kept the fluid level correct and who did not abuse the tranny via towing in overdrive are getting over 200,000 miles (and counting) out of the transmission.
Kathy,
We are going in circles, aren't we. Again, let me state:
The fact that some people get 200k miles on their tranny does NOT negate the fact that many also don't even get 100k. You can make the ASSUMPTION that it is their fault, but it is just an ASSUMPTION.
As I've said before, I have 170k on my truck. I flushed it at 30k (15qts using method here on TS) and have since done a drain/fill(4qts) every 30k. I do expect this truck to last a long time and it is still running great <knock><knock>
But it doesn't mean that some of these tranny's aren't problematic. I don't think you can say that any tranny that broke at 60k HAD to be the owners fault, which is what you are implying.
Given the history here on TS, I'd say that we can and should be suspicious of these early model Tundra tranny's. I do hope(and expect) that one day I can give you my 300k mile testimonial (you can edit out the part about me using all Mobil1 synthetic oil/gear oil/tranny fluid and PureOne/Amsoil oil filters, of course).
170k
mobil1 tranny fluid every 30k, pan never dropped
90k miles with 33" tires, remainder of miles using stock size tires
no towing, semi-frequent hauling(motorcycles, dirt, blocks, etc..)
mostly freeway miles
/Mike
__________________
2001 2WD Silver Tundra: 4x4 TRD springs, Daystar 1", Carson AAL, red/blue Bilsteins, 265/75 Revo's, IS kit(minus bumper) and rims(hand polished), RF851X amp, Alpine HU, JL 6.5"XR comps, Qlogic with JL 8W3V2 subs. 176k miles and counting......
2005 Silver Sienna LE with 12" Overhead DVD
I think your best option is to go with a Toyota remanufactured transmission. The price of a remanufactured unit installed is only a couple bucks more than an independent rebuild. It's worth the peace of mind that any available factory updates would have been implemented in this new unit.
From "Toyota Parts" - OnlineToyota Parts and Accessories., a transmission for a 3.4L 2WD Tundra (2001) is only $1795.45. Even if you add in another $500 for shipping the transmission to you and returning the core, you're at $2295. Another $800 for labor (if not less), you're still at 3k. Yes, it will cost probably cost you around $500 more than your shop's rebuild, but I personally think that you'll be better off with this route in the long run.
Last edited by The Critic; 02-11-2008 at 06:29 PM.
Kathy,
We are going in circles, aren't we. Again, let me state:
The fact that some people get 200k miles on their tranny does NOT negate the fact that many also don't even get 100k. You can make the ASSUMPTION that it is their fault, but it is just an ASSUMPTION.
As I've said before, I have 170k on my truck. I flushed it at 30k (15qts using method here on TS) and have since done a drain/fill(4qts) every 30k. I do expect this truck to last a long time and it is still running great <knock><knock>
But it doesn't mean that some of these tranny's aren't problematic. I don't think you can say that any tranny that broke at 60k HAD to be the owners fault, which is what you are implying.
Given the history here on TS, I'd say that we can and should be suspicious of these early model Tundra tranny's. I do hope(and expect) that one day I can give you my 300k mile testimonial (you can edit out the part about me using all Mobil1 synthetic oil/gear oil/tranny fluid and PureOne/Amsoil oil filters, of course).
170k
mobil1 tranny fluid every 30k, pan never dropped
90k miles with 33" tires, remainder of miles using stock size tires
no towing, semi-frequent hauling(motorcycles, dirt, blocks, etc..)
mostly freeway miles
/Mike
Yep I agree with you there Mike I had about 124k on my former 2000 Tundra with no issues on trans. To some degree I think my transmission was going out the last few mo's a had that truck because it was hunting for gear going up hill's.Yea i never changed the fluid Period figured it would last forever like the gm coolant wrong. I do know from being on this board the 00 -02 Tundra had a lot of first year issues coming out on the transmission esp the brakes I had a lot of issues on as well.
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T3 Grill, Line X extra front Bumper coating (too many mod's to list)
I couldn't help noticing another 200K mile '00/'01 transmission testimonial came in today. imjim wrote: "I have an 01 LTD 4x4 with, are you ready for this, 204,000 miles. Still runs like a champ!
I couldn't help noticing another 200K mile '00/'01 transmission testimonial came in today. imjim wrote: "I have an 01 LTD 4x4 with, are you ready for this, 204,000 miles. Still runs like a champ!
Would you say a lone survivor in a 747 plane crash is evidence that anyone can survive a crash?
Would you say a lone survivor in a 747 plane crash is evidence that anyone can survive a crash?
No, I'd say that if a handful of owners with 200K miles can be found on this forum alone, then there are many hundreds of other '00/'01 Tundra 200K owners out there still on their original transmission. By 2012 there could be hundreds of 300,000 mile '00/'01 owners.
So in the late 1990's when Toyota was originally was conducting durability testing on the '00/'01 transmission, it probably passed with flying colors and the company wasn't aware of the planetary gear weakness that would rear it's ugly head if the owner towed alot in overdrive or did other things that were abusive.
I couldn't help noticing another 200K mile '00/'01 transmission testimonial came in today. imjim wrote: "I have an 01 LTD 4x4 with, are you ready for this, 204,000 miles. Still runs like a champ!
Who is this Imjim you speak of? There's no user in our Members List by that name, and it wasn't me, plus I've only got 100k on my 01'.
__________________
Waiter, how do you prepare your chickens?
Nothing special. We just tell them straight out that they're going to die.
Base: 2001 Tundra - Thunder Grey | SR5 | TRD | 4x4 | Bilstein Shocks | HD TRD Coil Springs | Tow Pkg | Factory Spray-on Bedliner | RS3000 Security
Mods: Mickey Thompson Classic II | Cornfed 2.5" Lift | Differential Drop Spacers | 930 Inner CV Boots | ProtechEZLift Limit Straps | Spintech Sportsman XL Muffler | Brembo Front Brake Rotors | A.R.E. Z-Series Cap w/ Thule Rack | Stubbs Rock Sliders | Hellwig Anti-Sway Bar | 285/75/16 BFG All Terrain TA KO's | VIAIR 400C Air Compressor w/ 2.5 gal tank | Front clear corner lamps | Odyssey PC1700T battery | Optima Red Top 75/35 battery (backup starter) | Hellroaring 95300A Isolator/Combiner | Truspeed Calibrator
Future: Winch Bumper | UCAs & Coilovers | RCD Lift | 4.30 Gears
No, I'd say that if a handful of owners with 200K miles can be found on this forum alone, then there are many hundreds of other '00/'01 Tundra 200K owners out there still on their original transmission. By 2012 there could be hundreds of 300,000 mile '00/'01 owners.
So in the late 1990's when Toyota was originally was conducting durability testing on the '00/'01 transmission, it probably passed with flying colors and the company wasn't aware of the planetary gear weakness that would rear it's ugly head if the owner towed alot in overdrive or did other things that were abusive.
Im Sure the Company Knew very well about the Brake problem flaw's in 00,01,02 Tundra and the Long history on the Planetary problems that Toyota did issue some design changes for the 2003 Tundra including the brake calipers.
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T3 Grill, Line X extra front Bumper coating (too many mod's to list)
No, I'd say that if a handful of owners with 200K miles can be found on this forum alone, then there are many hundreds of other '00/'01 Tundra 200K owners out there still on their original transmission. By 2012 there could be hundreds of 300,000 mile '00/'01 owners.
So in the late 1990's when Toyota was originally was conducting durability testing on the '00/'01 transmission, it probably passed with flying colors and the company wasn't aware of the planetary gear weakness that would rear it's ugly head if the owner towed alot in overdrive or did other things that were abusive.
I have yet to hear any PROOF that these owners with ruined tranny's did anything abusive. Again, you are assuming that it is the owners fault.
Using your logic: We can say that if a handful(more actually) of owners with bad trannys can be found on this forum alone, then there are many hundreds of other '00/'01 Tundra owners out there with the same problem. Right?
/Mike
__________________
2001 2WD Silver Tundra: 4x4 TRD springs, Daystar 1", Carson AAL, red/blue Bilsteins, 265/75 Revo's, IS kit(minus bumper) and rims(hand polished), RF851X amp, Alpine HU, JL 6.5"XR comps, Qlogic with JL 8W3V2 subs. 176k miles and counting......
2005 Silver Sienna LE with 12" Overhead DVD
I have yet to hear any PROOF that these owners with ruined tranny's did anything abusive. Again, you are assuming that it is the owners fault.
Using your logic: We can say that if a handful(more actually) of owners with bad trannys can be found on this forum alone, then there are many hundreds of other '00/'01 Tundra owners out there with the same problem. Right?
/Mike
Yet the guy doesn't have a Tundra No logic there
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T3 Grill, Line X extra front Bumper coating (too many mod's to list)
Im Sure the Company Knew very well about the Brake problem flaw's in 00,01,02 Tundra and the Long history on the Planetary problems that Toyota did issue some design changes for the 2003 Tundra including the brake calipers.
Some 00,01,02 Tundra owners went 200K+ miles without experiencing brake rotor warping & pedal pulsations.
Some 00,01,02 Tundra owners went 200K miles without any transmission problems.
Some '97-'02 Camry V6 owners went 300K miles without getting engine sludge.
Therefore some owners are knowledgable enough to know how to drive and maintain their vehicles in ways that prevent problems like these. Other owners think Toyota componets are "defectively designed" if they won't last 200K even if subjected to considerable driver abuse or maintenance neglect.
Re: 01 Tundra Transmission Problems
and the Long history on the Planetary problems that Toyota did issue some design changes for the 2003 Tundra including the brake calipers.
