First let me say thanks for sharing your forum. This seems like a great site. I guess I really only have one question at this time. I have a 1994 X-cab Toyota 4x4 pickup with a 3.0L V-6. I have done some searching on here but did not reveal anything (maybe I'm searching wrong), but here's my question.

Has anyone done conversion of removing the 5 speed tranny and replaced it with an automatic? Would this be a wise choice? And how difficult would it be? And what's involved?

This truck is a daily driver. I hope to do a solid axle swap someday. I really like this truck, but just wanna make it better. Any help and/or opinions would be great. Thanks for taking the time to read and answer the questions of a newb.

Most people want to go the other way. The problem is that you lose usable power and the control over the powerband is lost. People generally dislike the 3.0+auto mix.

You are probably going to be better off getting a different truck with 22re and an auto, At least you can get decent mileage, 19 to 22 mph in good weather, 17 to 19 in cold, or very hot. More reliability, not as expensive to work on.

Please elaborate on this, I have been running a 3.0 for about eleven on very hard trails and a few comp courses and it has never let me down. If you are going to say HGÆs please do a search on this site on blown HGÆs and tally up how many 22rÆs and 3.0Æs. I will bet you there are a lot more 22rÆs then there are 3.0Æs!!!!!!

the 3.0 has been getting a really bad rap lately. i know a few people that have 200,000 miles plus on their's, but for everyone one of them i know another that had a blown motor. but that's b/c they were all idiots and let them get low on oil due to valve cover leaks(at least 3 people).

but back on topic, an automatic 22re is even more worthless than an automatic 3.0.

the man's right! i too have heard all of the horror stories about the 3.0 headgaskets. seen a few myself. but i too have seen just as many(if not more) 22r/re's blow the gaskets themselves. don't get me wrong, i run a 22re myself and love it. but a toy motor is a toy motor in my book. i know, i know, i gonna get the "my 3.4 is way better than your 22re" thrashing but the bottom line is that every motor has its flaws. that's why we're all here!!! to learn and teach each other how to better build and maintain our junk. hell, i've got buddies whose 20r's prolly run better than my 22re <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/scared.gif" alt="" />.

x 2, and welcome BTW!

If you're in stop-n-go traffic, you might be better off looking for a Yota with an AT.

The reverse of the swap; different ECU, pedal assemblies, shifter and linkages to go with the other tranny; the basics.

Define 'make it better'--that answer would be a 3.0 to 3.4 swap; also fairly involved.

Keep 'er tuned up (see our Toyota section in the header above for writeups), and keep an eye out for that head gasket.

www.yotarepair.com under service campaigns <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

I have also had very little problems w/my 3.0(other than 2 burnt valves), and I test drove an auto(dealer didn't have a manual 3.0) and new the auto was a dog. My Sister had a 3.0/auto in her '95 Runner and couldn't get better than 15 on the highway, and only 13mpg's combined. Unless an injury is preventing you from driving a 5-spd it would be better to stick with the manual tranny. You should go and test drive an auto/3.0 and see what you think of how it performs, and wether or not it would fit your driving style. However if you do decide to swap in an auto, you should also swap in a 3.4 along with it. A buddy of mine has a '98 Runner w/3.4/auto, it appears to be a better set-up than my Sisters '95.

I'd be willing to bet that there are quite a few more 22re engines in general.

More engines=more possibility of failure.

On that same not I have my 22re with 230k miles on it sitting on a motor stand in my garage after it died and the V6 running in my fathers 4runner is still chugging away. (190k miles I think). I have never seen an engine run with a complete lack of maintenance as he puts his 3.0 through.

Hey thanks guys. This is why I ask you all this. I like the feed back. I have only driven 5 speed Toys. I have seen the autos but never driven one. With what I'm hearing here I think I'll stay with the 5 speed. I would still like to do a solid axle swap someday, or on the other hand just buy an old beater with a solid axle to thrash on the trail. That would probably be the cheapest route.

The 3.0 I have has only 140k on it. Not bad for an almost 14 yr old truck. No leaks and running strong. I bought the truck from my dad a few months ago who bought it from my brother in law who bought it new. My old man bought an older Dodge Cummins and didn't drive this truck much. So I sold my 2002 Dodge 4x4 to get away from payments and bought this one. This is my second Toy and have loved both. Anyway, long story short, Thanks guys. I value your opinions.