Availability of 6Spd Gearbox's ?

[tkstrong Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close tkstrong]

I have a Nov 2004 build Prado with a 6Spd Manual.

The 6Spd box is working perfectly - except that 6th gear has a noise. Its exactly the type of noise you'd expect from a slightly worn diff. With load, the noise gets less or is hardly there. But with slight acceleration or engine de-acceleration (i.e. Cruise ctrl keeping you ticking along at 100 etc), a diff like whine is present.

New Gbox oil will make it quieter for a while. Also, driving around town and not using 6th for a couple of weeks, and then going for a run where you can use 6th always results in 6th being noisier then usual for some time. Then it will quiet down to normal whine levels. Its almost as if it gets quieter when it warms up. I can't explain it but its just enough to annoy me.

I suspect that the 2 6spd gears may have had their hardening worn off? Or it may be a bearing but no one can tell till they take it all out. I've been told that even when it does come out the problem may not be obvious enough and there is a chance that even with a bearing kit and Gear replacement the noise may be still there after its all done.

I want to keep the car for the foreseeable future as its all setup how I like it.

So the options I can see are:
1: Pull the box out, spend the money with the risks as noted above. I also suspect that vehicle down time will be significant as ordering uncommon parts from Toyota will take ages.
2: Find a low Km 6Spd (Wreckers?) replacement box. No idea on cost or how I would find one.
3: Could a 5spd box fit ? Would it be cheaper / easier to find one?

*** All suggestions will be welcome !

Thanks

[mudboy Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close mudboy]

Availability of 6Spd Gearbox's ?

Where abouts are u located as I know a good gear box person west Sydney

[photoprado Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close photoprado]

Re: Availability of 6Spd Gearbox's ?

Get the diagnosis first.

If the hardening has worn off, I suspect it would be better to repair than replace with an unknown from a wreck.

In any case, that decision is best made when the box has been removed and inspected by someone who knows what they are looking at.

Michael

[Chriso57 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Chriso57]

Re: Availability of 6Spd Gearbox's ?

I I've been told that even when it does come out the problem may not be obvious enough and there is a chance that even with a bearing kit and Gear replacement the noise may be still there after its all done.

Thanks

Who made that statement? A reputable gearbox rebuilder or someone with limited knowledge. A reputable transmission specialist would be able to sort it properly I am sure. Even the most complicated 'boxes are just gears and bearings.

IMO I would be reluctant to fit a 6 speed from a wreck because you obviously have the issue of not knowing what you are buying.

I would be making some calls to various transmission shops and try and find someone who has had experience with your model gearbox. Explain your concerns about the noise and see what they have to say.

Chriso

[tkstrong Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close tkstrong]

Re: Availability of 6Spd Gearbox's ?

Where abouts are u located as I know a good gear box person west Sydney

Im in Sydney - so more then happy for any suggestions on good Gear box places.

I have been to 3 places and called up a few as well. Just trying to do the numbers. As you would expect, no one can speculate on the real issue until it all comes apart - but a few shops have said that it could be the gear surface hardening worn off 6th. Some also say that there may be another reason for the hardening to be worn... so it may happen again - even with normal use ? (That sounds a bit weird to me).

I don't know the history of the first 80K/km's of the vehicle. Perhaps it was used to tow heavy stuff in 6th gear... which they say not to do. I dont' tow anything and only noticed the noise about 1 or 2 months after purchase. (Possibly the Fresh Oil in the box deteriorated and the noise started. As I mentioned, new oil makes it way quieter).

I agree with the idea that buying a 2nd hand box brings a lot of unknowns. My main reason to contemplate this idea is that even after a heap of searching - I can't seem to find anyone else ever having issues with the 6Spd gear box's. They seem to be rock solid ?