My boss has a 1995 4 runner. The 5 speed has synchro issues. While deciding which options to go to replace his tranny, we thought of used, rebuilt, and rebuilding his with either a complete kit or just sychros because thats really all that is wrong with it. Here are some things we found out and hopefully someone can shed some light on it.

It seems the 1995 stands alone with a rebuild kit at $700 because of some two piece synchro or ?
other rebuilds 1994 and prior show the same trans (his is a r151f 3.0 v6) with single piece synchro at 1/2 the price $320.
OK so why the big $ diff. and is this trans better or is the older ones better? We may want to purchase an older one to rebuild and put in place. Any help would be kool...as you can see...I mostly play with Jeeps.

Hi Ed, welcome to the board!

Here's a tech article we have in our Toyota section for ya:

http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/tech/r151f/

You didn't say where you folks are located; www.marlincrawler.com is another option for a swap for the tranny and having a warranty.

When it comes to rebuilds on trannys, sometimes just the synchros and bearings need replaced, as long as the 'hard parts' are still good. The bigger components of a tranny have a coating of harder metal on them, if that breaks down, then a major overhaul is in order.

You might investigate just what all comes in the rebuild kits you're looking at. The R-series trannys for the most part are robust unit.

In addition to the article I listed, your boss can also go to www.techinfo.toyota.com to download the tranny section for $10. We also have a link for some factory service manuals over in the Taco section that he can look at as well; check out the sticky posted there.

Hopefully this will get you guys into a game plan; keep us posted!

PS- Reminder to the boss also to get a pilot bearing and plan on getting the flywheel turned; no half-steppin', or you guys will be back under there in 4 months for the clutch.

If it makes any difference, the 3.0 V6 trans is a R150 NOT an R151.

Thanks for the help guys. According to these guys http://www.drivetrain.com/toyotaR151rwd.html It shows a difference between 94 and 95. Read the part about the multi-piece sychros. Also note that 94 kit is the same as earlier year kits like back to 88. Also look at the price difference. It also appears that is a r151. I was hoping someone knew if I should use this opportunity to find a 94 and back which uses the single piece synchro's and is a proven trans.

No, its not a r151. that trans was found behind turbo 4cy engines in 1987/88

your r150 is the same back to 1988. tacoma r150's started in '95 those may be different but yours isnt.

a better source for parts and info is www.marlincrawler.com