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AW4 tranny upgrades

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Old 12-31-2012, 01:13 PM
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Question AW4 tranny upgrades

Im about to pull my engine for a rebuild, and while Im at it I thought about getting the tranny rebuilt. The tranny works fine now, just dont want to pull it in the near future for a catastrophic failure. I was curious if there were any performance upgrades or known failure points that could be beefed up on this tranny? I will install a trans cooler as a performance upgrade. Not necessarily performance just longevity. Thanks in advance.
Old 12-31-2012, 06:46 PM
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Tranny cooler is one of the biggest things you can do.

Give the flexplate bolts a good snugging with some red loctite.

Maybe a fluid/filter change.
Old 01-01-2013, 03:01 PM
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i have a 2000 with the AW4 and just had to replace my torque converter at 136K miles. also adding an external tranny cooler is recommended, i have a B&M. the AW4s are know for generating a lot of heat and heat is the enemy of a tranny.
Old 01-01-2013, 06:10 PM
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I agree with the tranny cooler. When all said and done...a tranny cooler is probably the best thing you can do to help. I had issues with mine running too hot on the highway....didn't help how I drive sometimes. But I narrowed it down to it getting too hot. So added a small tranny cooler. Picked it up free at the shop I work at. It's a Hyundai tranny cooler. To my suprise it works great. No more super hot tranny. And like I said its rather small. Most after market coolers are bigger. But works for me. Get it rebuilt...then buy a tranny cooler. You'll be fine. And your tranny wilm be very happy.
Old 01-24-2016, 06:26 PM
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Do any XJ's come stock with tranny coolers?
Old 01-24-2016, 07:26 PM
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Originally Posted by Squidd
Do any XJ's come stock with tranny coolers?
The towing package has it for sure, but it is inadequate. I will be doing a 19 plate stacked plate cooler and external filter in the future and will do a writeup if anyone is interested.
Old 01-24-2016, 07:39 PM
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^ Id be interested in reading that write up. What type of filter are you gonna go with?
Old 01-24-2016, 07:45 PM
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I will be using the same filter as we use for oil.
Old 01-24-2016, 07:48 PM
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So just like a remote filter kit? Any ideas on where you are gonna mount it?

Might be astupid question but would you need to replace the filter inside the transmission still?
Old 01-24-2016, 08:00 PM
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Will likely mount it near the alternator. There is no reason to change the in pan filter as it is. It's just a screen. I will likely replace everything from the trans forward.
Old 01-25-2016, 04:56 AM
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There is a shift kit out there for it but that takes almost a trans rebuild to install right.But like others have said if it works good just get a trans cooler and your good to go.
Old 01-25-2016, 06:40 AM
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Originally Posted by andrewmp6
There is a shift kit out there for it but that takes almost a trans rebuild to install right.But like others have said if it works good just get a trans cooler and your good to go.
Yup. It's not a Chevy, Ford, or Dodge trans. You're good to go.
Old 01-25-2016, 08:49 AM
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cant go wrong w/ using a synthetic fluid, runs cooler , lasts longer, less heat build up. w/ a cooler too.
Old 01-25-2016, 10:46 AM
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Default AW4 tranny upgrades

If your building a high horse 4L you could always take it to a Toyota supra shop and have them do their magic.
Old 01-25-2016, 11:51 AM
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good quality B&M stacked plate cooler

Wix or Magnefine 5/16 inline magnetic filter will catch any metal dust that would block up a valve or solenoid

temp gauge sender fitting, older AW4s had a fitting in the body, newer ones don't and have to be plumbed, you could do this at the same time as you're setting up the cooler fittings

there's a shift kit for the toyota transmission, also works on the AW4, pretty simple but if the trans is out you can just take it to a shop and have them do it, won't cost much

Last edited by ehall; 01-25-2016 at 11:53 AM.


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