faylow

Thanks wwest! I didn't even see the other post while searching around. how much do you think we could save if we did the DIY rebuild like what you're going to do? my brother's rebuilt transmissions before but it was pretty time consuming for domestic GM i think and rebuilding a tranny is something i've never tackled before. maybe if it's worth the cost savings, i'll pull it apart and try to rebuild with your help? lots of posts and pictures obviously. maybe you'll already be rebuilding yours by the time mine goes out? who knows... anyhow, when you say you're going to convert it to R/AWD with he removing of spider gears and welding, etc..., so the whole rear shaft will be removed and it'll be essentially a front wheel drive right? what's the benefits of doing this again? mpg and longer life? -k

The RX has been pretty nice overall so I just want to figure out the best upgrade/replacement for me and anyone else deciding to keep theirs. Besides, I'd rather keep this one running right for my wife while I go get a nice convertible M3- ha! woo, she'd kill me if she saw this...i'm a ninja ANYhow, so here's the latest I've found and the website and person I spoke with (John) seemed very friendly and helpful. http://www.ipttrans.com/toyotaauto.shtml " ~$200 to ship to them. ~10 business days to rebuild the transmission and send back. $3375 for full rebuild with all possible IPT upgraded internals (valve body, clutches, solenoid, etc...) regardless of 2WD or AWD. $489 for IPT upgraded rebuild of converter for high stall. Recommended: -addition of Long thru-cool LPD transmission (for better cooling along side factory ATF cooler), but size depends on where placed. Racing applicatoins recommended: -IPT 9 1/2 billet converter and electro-matic manual controller." From talking with John, I'm leaning more towards the IPT Trans folks although the PRTrans guys are local. So...in the grand scheme of things...I think in the event of a transmission failure and given the choice of taking it to the dealer and getting an oem rebuilt one at ~$4500k, or taking the DIY route...I'm going to have it towed back home, drop the trans and either send it out to IPT or goto PRTrans directly here in Phx for the roughly the same price or less...at ~$4K. Maybe if someone reads this and has the unfortunate failure before me, they can try out one of these guys and let everyone know how it goes. I'll post again if/when it happens to me but again...maybe somebody else already has done this? Experience with IPT Trans or PRTrans? I just saw clublexus so i'll post there too. Oki doki, hope this helps somebody! -k

So here's what I've heard back so far from two places: They both said there are no over the counter items to buy and upgrade for a DIY kind of rebuild and that they only offer in-house builds that require sending in your unit. The main upgrade during rebuild is for upgraded torque converter, and valve body. However, they can upgrade the transmission so it is "tow worthy" and a better setup than original from factory. (although i couldn't get them to tell me what exactly they do to make it better) The 1999 transmission is a 4speed with lockup, U140F AWD transaxle. www.levelten.com : full rebuild = ~ $1000 to $1500 less than the cost of replacing at Lexus dealer. www.prtrans.com: upgrade just torque converter = ~$1350 full rebuild = ~ $3500 I saw another thread where they were changing awd to 2wd and modifying the tranny: http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...showtopic=40981 What happen with that? wwest? oh wait, that was just about disconnecting the rear driveline. hmm...uh, anyone replaced there tranny and have pictures of what it looked like inside? Any explaination from the rebuilder on what was replaced and upgraded? I also read from the other post: http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...28020&st=30 Ericok said that the transaxles are the same for: The U140F AWD transaxle was used in the 98-03 RX300, the 01-03 Highlander and the 00-03 RAV4. The U140E (the two wheel drive unit) was used in the 98-03 RX300, 01-03 Highlander, 99-01 ES300 and the 2002 Camry. If these are equivalent, do you think we could just swap out the U140F from the Highlander and RAV4 into the Lexus instead? I also read the LS had a heavier 340 series tranny? think there is a way to mate that with an adapter plater or something? Maybe we could upgrade the ATF cooler? I saw some of these universal ones online. I'll post more if i get some more responses from other places i inquired on...

Oh yeah...and I am grateful to all the posts and responses. Also the fact that it seems I am one of the lucky ones to have had the tranny last this long (keep fingers crossed). I'll keep the good maintainence at Lexus but just want to be prepared for when (if) it goes so yeah...that's all. I'm a worry-wart i know... lol. -k

Hey thanks for the responses so far! I don't want this thread to turn into another flame one on "how or why" the tranny's are the way they are though. Quite frankly I don't care...if it's Lexus's fault or my nephew pooring hershey's syrup in it b/c he thinks its funny. Whatever the reason it maybe, when the tranny fails...I'm more concerned on the "what" to replace it with when it goes or the best rebuild method even. Hopefully this thread will turn into the "What to do" when it does fail. Anyhow, I'm waiting to hear back on full quotes for the replacement from levelten on the "bullet proof" I'll post what I get back from them, but maybe if anyone else has done the DIY tranny rebuild or recommended aftermarket setups. Hopefully we'll get some positive posts on people that have rebuilt or just got a better beefier setup after the failure that we can all follow? Cool have a great day! -k

hey wow is my question really way out or does no one have a good answer? maybe there is one and i missed it in another thread? hmm...

So I'm a newbie and bought our 99 AWD Rx300 in Tx. Now live in Phx and just recently read all the crazy horror stories of the failing transmission. I've got ~120K and took it to the dealer here to have the tranny fluid change. I asked them to do a flush but they recommended against it as it could cause problems...especially since i haven't been having any troubles. I did find out from their record pull that the previous owner did a transmission solenoid change?? but no failed transmission yet. I just did the drop off so i have no idea what they found in the fluid change or anything. Anyhow, I was wondering...it sounds like everyone that has had the transmission failure, that they've pretty much pony'd up $4500-5k for the replacement at the dealer...(that's refurbished)...or bought a new one at ~7k at the dealer (which is the same flawed design)...or gone to outside transmission shop to rebuild the same unit... Luckily I haven't had it happen yet, but I'm curious if there's an upgrade, swap, or custom transmission that can be used instead of just having it rebuilt for an essentially rebuilt-flawed transmission. If it's inevitable (and it sounds like it is) can't we group buy or get a better one put in that we know won't have the failure or the over zealous 15K fluid changes? I'm just assuming Lexus won't do anything and really if it does fail on me and i have to spend the money, I refuse to buy the same piece of junk to replace if there's just better alternatives. I mean...if there's a race worthy one or solid aftermarket one, why not find one that actually works with longevity? Can some other transmission be swapped in from another Lexus or Toyota model? I ask this cause I work on Hondas/Acuras and it's just so common to interchange, swap, or just have readily accessible upgrades for performance items that when something breaks on it...i just buy a non-factory but better item. (i.e. clutch goes out, put in a performance one from HKS, EXEDY, or anything but OEM...) I've got all my vehicles running pretty long and strong. My oldest girl is a 91 integra ... 332133 miles baby. same engine, tranny...heck even the suspension's factory....*but whatever broke, i upgraded to better components. Anyways, I've been looking around locally and on the web. Has anyone tried www.levelten.com for their "bullet proof" transmissions? I emailed them and they said they've done this transmission "all the time" and can make them tow worthy. (although i have no clue if it's just a sales pitch) Locally, there's another one www.prtrans.com that says they have a custom made "stump puller" heavy duty transmission. Anyone tried them before? I'm a firm believer in the old saying..." if it ain't broke, don't fix it" but like to add, "...and if it breaks, fix it so it won't break again." Anyhow, so this is a new one for me to start doing all these additional 15K tranny flushes....I mean, I bought her for my wife thinking it was going to be *less* maintainence than all my other cars....sheesh. Ahhh, i'm starting to go off topic...:whistles: Alrighty, any thoughts and aid is greatly appreciated! Thanks everyone! -k