1995 22RE Transmission

[digitalgun]

Hello

I am new to the board. Thanks in advance for the assistance!
I have a 1995 Toyota Truck with a 22RE 2.4 liter engine - Auto with 4x4 and 150K+ miles. Overall the truck is in great condition. Not too long ago I had a cracked header fixed and during that the belts, hoses etc were all replaced. My issue now is with the transmission. There is a very loud whining sound as you merge onto the interstate. In around town driving it wants to hang as you get around 40MPH. Letting off the gas a bit seems to allow it to shift properly... BTW I am a computer guy and not a Auto Tech guy. It might be something other than the transmission for all I know. I have had the transmission flushed in the past and did not see any change. The truck is perfectly drivable but I would prefer to have these issues resolved if possible.
The company that services my truck said they would do a rebuild for around 2500. Is 2500 reasonable? What about a re-manufactured transmission? Is that a good option? I called Jasper and they say they don't make one for the 22RE. Is there another company that I should check with? I am in the Charlotte, NC area in case anyone has a transmission shop to recommend in this area.

While I am at it... Is there anything I can do to this truck to get a little more performance out of this engine - without breaking the bank? I am trying to get this truck in tip top shape so I don't have an excuse to go out and buy a new truck.

I apologize in advance if this is the wrong part of the forum. Please let me know if there is another board that would be more appropriate for this question. Thanks!

[whomadewho]

This is difficult to answer. Your decision should be based on the following information,and the final decision can only be made by you. Do I want to spend 2500 on a 15 year old vehicle with 150k? How many miles do I drive per year? If you drive 15k -20k a year a rebuilt maybe the way to go,10k or under a used transmission maybe the way to go. Is this vehicle used as your primary means of transportation? If the vehicle in involved in some kind of accident are you going to recover the loss? How many years do you plan on driving the vehicle? A re manufactured transmission from Toyota is 2750 so 2500 is not out of line. Your concern should be the warranty. How many years and miles,does this include parts and labor,will they offer you a loaner car in the event the transmission fails, make sure you read the fine print. IF you purchase a transmission elsewhere ,who pays the labor and covers the shipping,and handles the arraignments in case of a transmission failure. If you have been dealing with this company for a period of time, then this maybe this is the route to go. Shop around I personally would hesitate giving someone a blank check for 2500. You may want to have the transmission pressure tested,this can be done without removing the transmission ,you may get by with for an example a torque converter. The transmission needs to be removed to repair it,so have it removed and get an estimate on the cost to repair the unit,based on that information than consider other options,rebuilt,used etc. There are a few used transmissions in NC depending what transmission and if your vehicle has cruise control or not. I do not know how close theses cities are to you,but Johnson auto salvage located in Ashe ville has one without cruise for 450, with a 7 month warranty. Matlock auto salvage located in Cleveland has one without cruise for 600. E70 located in Smith field has one without cruise (low mileage) for 600. As far as getting more performance out of the engine,depends on the condition of the engine, compression etc. given you are going to replace the transmission If you can not preform the labor yourself I hope you are on a first name bases with your mechanic and banker

[whomadewho]

I take back something I said- the part where the final decision can only be made by you. This would only apply if your single,or newly wed.

[digitalgun]

Thanks for the reply. You are exactly right. I keep going over and over it and it is a tough decision.
Thanks for locating the transmissions in the state. I called the one in Asheville. It has 110K miles on it. I just don't know... That is not much less than what I have on mine.

As for the performance. I am going to leave that one alone. It isn't worth the money.

[whomadewho]

For me, because I am married the decision is easy. All I have to do is tell her I am spending a large sum of money and then sit back and listen to what the money should go for. Just an opinion,as long as the transmission still shifts good,I would have the transmission pressure tested and if it test out good,try to salvage what you have. Take it to a few different shops,if it is a torque converter or front pump issue they should be able to tell by listening to it. Again the transmission is going to have to be removed,so have it pulled and get an estimate on the repair. Be up front with the shop,so your both on the same sheet of music. Let them know up front the vehicle is 15 years old, and if the bill is more than you are willing to spend,you want the option of buying a used or re manufactured unit. As far as used and rebuilt both can fail. Say you went used and the unit lasted 35k,you could purchase another and have it installed and still be close or below the 2500 estimate you got. Say the second one only lasted 35k,you stated the vehicle has 150k this brings the mileage to 220k or x amount of years, based on your mileage per year. In x amount of years things may change,you might not want to drive a high mileage vehicle or you may find another vehicle you like. If you go used,make sure the converter gets flushed. Sit down and price everything out, re manufactured,used,mileage per year,book value of your vehicle, warranty,and the price of labor. If you spend x amount of money this could be used as a down payment or x amount of cash for x amount of months for a newer or another vehicle.