Transmission decisions - any advice?

[Sleam]

Hey there team, I have a 1995 4Runner with the 3.0 engine, automatic, 4wd. It's not liking going into reverse at the start of the day, after it's sat for any more than an hour or so. Its now just started slipping as we take off in the mornings (super cold here right now), slipping in drive but slightly less with out overdrive engaged.
198k miles. Good new suspension, strong engine (seemingly) with new timing, well maintained over the years.

One quote is for a complete rebuild of $4800 with two years warranty.
Another for a used one (no idea of its history) but has 170,000 miles on it, yet comes from a reliable company for $1650 for parts and one year warranty. I'd still need to pay a mechanic locally to install.
Or my local scrap yard says they come in fairly often and I could get one for $200 and no warranty.

I'm waiting on other quotes but mostly these transmission shop guys say, Are you sure? Given its age? Mileage?

No, I'm not sure. I like this vehicle, works well, and I've invested a lot in great tires, suspension, maintenance over the last two years. I've put on a lot of miles and would like to continue but I don't know if it's worth it, since it will wipe out my savings. But buying another one similar, I'll have to start again, working out what's wrong, replacing parts, fixing it up.

Sigh.
Any suggestions or thoughts for me?

 

[v_man]

I'd get a second opinion , or find a donor transmission and do the work yourself, might be a bummer but there's no way I'd put 4,800 into that vehicle...

 

[Clutch]

Swap in a manual, and never have to worry (much) ever a again...

https://www.marlincrawler.com/transmission/rebuilt-complete/r150f

311K on mine, original clutch...

 

[Sleam]

I can't do manual, my knees are shot. I'm looking at the scrap yard option for sure, but I also just found this from Napa Auto who I'd trust for sure.
http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/CatalogItemDetail.aspx/Automatic-Transmission/_/R-MOVG10481_0352725141

 

[plh]

basically an Aisan Warner AW4? They were in a LOT of vehicles - Swap bellhousing and tail stock.

 

[surlydiesel]

I vote you get one from the yard for 200 bucks and you and some friends swap it out, or pay a shop to do it. I know the 3.0 has a bad rap but I wouldn't want to put 2500 bucks into that rig only to loose a head gasket. If you are a decent mechanic, that is where you save the money. I can't do these things in my driveway, so I walk away from high milage trucks like this and invest in something newer/lower miles. I watch craigslist all the time, there are one owner deals on there all the time. Just have to be vigilant.

-jorge

 

[ghostmoney]

Depending on how mechanically inclined you are I would look on craigslist for a 2nd gen 4runner with a blown head gasket. You can usually find a pretty clean one for <$1000 get your transmission and part the rest of the rig out quick. I purchased one for $600 and took the manual transmission and parted the rest out and broke even with buying new clutch and fluids. Before I would even consider spending $4,800 on a transmission on a rig with the 3.0 I would sell it and take the $4,800 and put it towards a 3rd gen 4runner. That would be my choice if I was you as from the picture it doesnt look like you have too many mods done to it to justify to me to dump that kind of money into it.

 

[Martinjmpr]

Like putting a $40 saddle on a $10 horse.
.
You can probably part it out for a thousand bucks or so and get another 2nd gen 4runner for less than the cost of a transmission.

 

[Mrknowitall]

you should be able to get someone to swap in a salvage trans for $500 compete. They're stout transmissions.

 

[Sleam]

Yep, that's what I think. Around here a 20 yr old 4Runner is $4k minimum. With the tires, suspension, etc done, its solid but for the tranny. I'll let you know what I come up with! Thanks for all your help.
S