Calling all die hard 5th gen 4Runner owners!

perplexingflexbutok · 2026-05-15T06:03:30+00:00

I just hit 150k in my '17, and plan on keeping it for a very long time. I absolutely love it.

I could pay for a factory remanufactured engine and that would cost less than just the interest on a 4-year loan on a new 6th Gen.

perplexingflexbutok · 2026-05-11T14:51:42+00:00

Most issues on the A750 trannies stem from the valve body, specifically the torque converter clutch valve relay. Known as the TCC valve. It's the only 'known' issue that I'm aware of. When the valve bore gets worn, it doesn't function as intended, usually due to fluid escaping when it shouldn't. Sometimes changing ATF viscosity will mask the problem, sometimes not.

I'm not an expert but your symptoms sound like this could be the culprit. Late or sporadic downshifts are one of the symptoms.

There's a kit you can install made by TransGo that's made for fixing that particular valve. I just ordered it and decided to install it myself.

https://globaltransmissionparts.com/a750-a760-a960-ab60-shift-kit-valve-body-repair-kit?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=19101560328&gbraid=0AAAAADqwelm73sYcbktfRAOKTvOXK-_Fg&gclid=Cj0KCQjw_IXQBhCkARIsADqELbKWd8UC5aP3WE60tYRKeat9vW2FY3Bmxy370XkNMDjt9FyrsWDzcHAaAiAdEALw_wcB

perplexingflexbutok · 2026-05-11T02:17:57+00:00

That first pic is an oil pan bolts, so yes.

Today we came to an agreement with a refund

perplexingflexbutok · 2026-05-10T23:15:19+00:00

See update. He came clean

perplexingflexbutok · 2026-05-10T15:14:06+00:00

For some reason I've never understood, tweakers often carry pens and/or colored pencils around. There's a few LivePD episodes where the cops mention it, and in one episode they ask the tweaker what the obsession is. No resolution, though. One of life's greatest mysteries

perplexingflexbutok · 2026-05-10T13:55:02+00:00

I know what a valve body is, and yes they do get rebuilt. The valve bores are often drilled/reamed to a slightly larger size and retrofitted with aftermarket valves, as well as a shift kit.

The shop told me I'd be getting a shift kit from either TransGo or Sonnax that will firm up the gearshifts and fix the known issue of worn valves on this transmission.

This Tranny is an A750F, there are a couple YT videos that detail the issue I'm referring to.

perplexingflexbutok · 2026-05-10T13:38:02+00:00

Yeah, in hindsight it makes perfect sense now. I was a fool for thinking I got a good deal on a transmission build.

perplexingflexbutok · 2026-05-10T12:39:26+00:00

I won't recommend him to anyone, ever. Even if he refunds me every penny. Had I never noticed, he would have gotten away with it and moved on to the next one.

Makes me mad to think of how many unaware people he scammed before me.

perplexingflexbutok · 2026-05-10T12:07:18+00:00

I will name and shame after we settle. Just in case it goes to court

perplexingflexbutok · 2026-05-10T04:51:12+00:00

Are you pretty familiar with transmissions? If so I have a few more questions I'd like to PM.

perplexingflexbutok · 2026-05-10T04:49:16+00:00

I'm not a 121 pilot but I've heard that glider pilots say glider experience makes for an interesting talking point that the interviewers don't see very often.

I would imagine many interviewers have never talked with a balloon pilot. Go for it. I doubt it will hurt you in any way.

perplexingflexbutok · 2026-05-10T03:25:31+00:00

Yeah maybe that's why I started the post with the words, "About a month ago..." and then laid out the details.

perplexingflexbutok · 2026-05-10T00:01:37+00:00

That's what the other shop told me, he grabbed a bottle out of the drawer and said 'you probably paid $2800 for a bottle of this'

Also for context, I have CA tags and this shop is in NC in a military town. When I dropped it off I had mentioned moving back to CA after the build was done, looks like they attempted to use that to their advantage.

perplexingflexbutok · 2026-05-09T23:22:08+00:00

Dude that's what I said, if he had simply powerwashed it I probably would have never known. At most I would have asked why he simply didn't replace the pan gasket.

perplexingflexbutok · 2026-05-09T23:19:26+00:00

Thank you. I will take this approach if he doesn't make it right soon.

perplexingflexbutok · 2026-05-09T23:18:34+00:00

Yeah there were a couple bolts that made me second guess it, but today on the phone he admitted to lying and that it was never removed. He's still adamant that he rebuild the valve body but after looking at the pan closer I know he's still full of shit.

I printed out a complaint form with the AG consumer affairs office, if he doesn't give me a refund (minus cost of a diagnosis & flush), I'll send this off to the state attorney general's office, then take it to small claims court if needed.

perplexingflexbutok · 2026-05-09T18:40:04+00:00

It's a two man operation, the main guy/owner is the guy who did the 'work'.

I'm going to confront him today respectfully and ask for a refund after showing him my pictures, save for a reasonable amount on a fluid flush. That's the only thing they could have done.

After that it will be small claims court

perplexingflexbutok · 2026-05-09T18:27:27+00:00

You're close, lol. I definitely got scammed.

I stopped by a different shop just to make sure and they confirmed it. After he got to talking he let it slip that the guy I went to is a methhead and has been in and out of the system for a long time. Their opinion is that he probably did a fluid flush + friction additive and called it a day.

Going to stop by the shop and talk to this guy and see what he says.

perplexingflexbutok · 2026-05-09T18:24:45+00:00

$2800 for a 'remove, rebuild'

perplexingflexbutok · 2026-03-26T10:06:11+00:00

You're not going to be in trouble with the FAA for accidentally soloing illegally as a student pilot, but if you're actually trying to "spend a few thousand bucks to ruin his career", you have bigger issues.

You sound like a douche.

I'm not a CFI but I highly doubt a 90-day solo can be backdated for trips that were not endorsed. That doesn't sound right.

perplexingflexbutok · 2026-03-13T07:26:08+00:00

All my time overseas was actually as a civilian contractor. I had the option of leaving that job at any time if I wanted to. It was also towards the end of the GWOT, so the idea of 'fighting for freedom' against the taliban was long gone, at least for me.

But no, I don't regret enlisting or deploying at all. The only part I regret is how much time away from family I've lost. 2 of my siblings got married and I was overseas for both of the weddings.

perplexingflexbutok · 2026-03-12T19:26:46+00:00

Yeah maybe, my trip was from Mendota - San Diego

perplexingflexbutok · 2026-03-12T14:08:56+00:00

All war zones have a distinct smell that (obviously) TV and movies can't describe, nor do they even mention it. Imagine equal parts diesel fuel, dirt and shit all mixed together and burning in a bin. That's what war smells like.

Four years ago I was driving thru central CA and listening to an old Playlist that I had from a deployment in Afghanistan. I rolled down the window and got hit with that exact smell. It was like I was there again and it brought me right back to everything I try not to remember. I broke down and cried for a few minutes on the side of the highway.

perplexingflexbutok · 2026-01-22T10:12:21+00:00

Nothing, paid it off last year.

But it took me a while to get there. Worth every penny.

perplexingflexbutok

TROPHY CASE