Transmission fluid type

I actually had no issues and my truck has 207K. Previous owner who owned it for most of its life did one of those “professional” tranny flushes at around around 100K so to my knowledge it had never had a filter and gasket refresh. My only issue was the dreaded rusty seized up dipstick tube. I had to unbolt it - kind of a bitch - but otherwise easy job.

 

Oh and yes the pan magnets had very little metal on em. Very clean for over 200k.

 

Similar thing here. I’ve had shops do 3 or 4 (can’t remember) full fluid exchanges over the 140k miles I’ve had it. I tow and haul mucho reason for the frequent changes. Now that I’ve retired from professional hand modeling (forced retirement due to stage lighting accident), I do my own 4.25 quart drain and fills every oil change or every other depending. That fluid level being just right is the key in how smooth the transmission works IMO.

 

I actually snapped a filter bolt on mine.

 

Bumping this up. I'm doing some drains and fills on my 3 Toyotas. The two Gen 1 Tundras 4.7L call for Dexron II or III. The 2004 4Runner 4.7L calls for Type IV. I believe this is correct, I've triple checked the manuals and talked to a Toyota parts guy to confirm.

Anyway, looking for more opinions or longer-term users experience with using the Valvoline Maxlife full synthetic. It claims to cover "90%" of vehicles and specifically Dex II, Dex III, and Toyota T-IV. I just bought like 5 gallons of the stuff cleaning Walmart out, for like $4 per qt which made me happy... My prelim research lead me to believe it works fine. My slight hesitation is "mixing" with whatever is in the transmission - which are unknowns. I literally have no idea but assume these fluids are compatible?? Valvoline isn't exactly snake oil....

Oh, and my fluids in all look excellent. But I want to get after this. On one, I have no records of the trans ever being done, now at 155k. On the other the only record was 212k, now it's at 245k, so ~33k miles ago. So, I definitely need to get after it on these. In 2019 the 4Runner actually had a pan drop, filter replace, drain and fill, and my records might say what they used. I'll have to dig those out...

Any smart folks with experience want to chime in?

 

@bmf4069

 

Stick with Valvoline Dex/Merc (DexIII) on the early 1st Gen Tundras. Cost about $14 a gallon. Its very specific to our transmissions.

The Type-IV works for other members here. Reason I don’t use it is it covers a wider range of transmissions (see spec) and it costs more. I do drain and fills every other 3.5k mile engine oil change so new approx 4.5 Quarts drained and filled at 7k miles. Extra left overs goes to suck and fills on the Power Steering.

 

I can chime in. I got started with max life for Honda’s and have used it for several years and 100000+ miles about three times. I put it in a 2008 sienna at about 130000 miles and just sold it with 230000, no problems. It’s in my 2006 4.7 liter now. Like PHM says, the blue bottle is the right answer for Dex III trucks. It’s good quality fluid. It also mixes fine with the factory fluid. Red bottle is fine if you want to go with a single fluid for all vehicles also. I’m doing that right now, actually.

 

The good stuff. My PS leaks so much I just carry this around with me.

 

I have this one, and the red jug now. Keep it with the truck. (Red jug is for car.)

 

Just don't use it in an 05-06.

 

No sir. I like my dip stick.

 

But do you like it more than an extra gear?

 

Honestly, I think so. I'd rather have the power that the 05-06 has, but I like having a trans dipstick on both our vehicles. Our 2012 Rav4 has the antiquated 4 speed auto and we still get 28-29MPG highway. I've never been bothered by the transmission in either vehicle but maybe I just don't know what I'm missing. I sure do like the easy drain+fills though.

 

On the Interstate pulling a trailer for 12 hours is where it comes in handy. When OD is off there are only 3 left. Over revving and under revving happen a lot. If I was not towing all the time I think I would agree.

 

How easy is change the filter and tranny oil on a 5.7? Any recommendations?

 

Nobody in this subforum has a 5.7, all 1st gen trucks came with a 4.7. You may want to try the 2nd gen forum here: https://www.tundras.com/forums/2nd-gen-tundras-2007-2013.26/

 

My 2005 has no dip stick.needed the more modern fluid.
Dropped pan, did filter, drain and fill till its bright and clear.
ONLY use Toyota transmission juice.

 

Was having some work done at the dealer this weekend and I said I was thinking about doing a transmission filter for my 01' AC 4x2 (i'm at 255k miles). When I first bought the truck 2 yrs ago I did a preventative drain and fill to the truck.

He was hesitant to replace the filter + pan in the future and said it wasn't a necessity, but said that just the drain and fill works.

Sounds sound I guess, or is this just a planned oblescence thing, to not change the filter until the tranny gives up the ghost. Thoughts?

 

I've heard that the filters aren't super restrictive and are unlikely to be clogged. Pan bolts can break on removal as well. Easier to just do drain and fills. Some people do 2-4 of them depending on how the fluid looks.

 

Can you get for Tundra 2008 2x4 5.7?

 

You can get it yourself.

Just use the maintenance section, newbie! https://www.tundras.com/threads/tundra-maintenance-guide.315/