Rebuilding A R150F Toyota Transmission Part 1

Well... the truck has been popping out of first gear so i decided to tear the transmission down and see what's going on! Stay tuned for part 2!!!
Check out my website! avrcustoms.com/
Follow me on Instagram! / austinniemela
Some tools you may need doing this job:
Transmission Jack: amzn.to/3erZbgN
20 Ton Press: amzn.to/33puIK0
1/2" Impact: amzn.to/3uxd7vQ
1/4" Impact: amzn.to/2PYi3L7
Bearing Separators: amzn.to/3vUUmTn
Gear Puller: amzn.to/3xURoQn
3 Jaw Puller Kit: amzn.to/3us2v12
Snap Ring Pliers: amzn.to/3uuPt2P
Camera equipment used in the video!
Sony A7II Camera: amzn.to/2yprn1p
GoPro Hero 8 Black: amzn.to/31avsTg
Tripod: amzn.to/35P7oY5
Send me stuff!
PO Box 133
Chattaroy WA 99003

[@conservativeokie]

Austin: “Like many of you, I’ve never done this before.” (As he expertly disassembles an entire transmission, replaces parts, knows exactly what tool to use, and has it, then reassembles after proper torquing, and reinstalls, etc!!!) Me: “Yeah, that’s not like me or anyone else I know; have known, will know...”

[@aldistapm2518]

And he did it all by himself. Haha

[@nedkelly1306]

This fix will only work for a bit but it's all to do with the wear on the dog teeth where it selects gear

[@nathanbruneau1822]

When you say easy and not complicated, I'm like 😲 Its impressive how confident you are and never get overwhelmed

[@canaldonitrao5162]

Sauve

[@johnnyblue4799]

He's also right when he says that with patience, care and some research one can accomplish a lot. From my experience, a big part of it is to have the right tools. His shop seems to be quite nicely equipped.

[@canaldonitrao5162]

Sauve😁🤙

[@jimmadonna1436]

His composer is impressive.

[@johnnyblue4799]

@@jimmadonna1436 What composer? The video has no music in it!

[@lwoodt1]

Its so much easier doing repairs when its not your only vehicle. Good video.

[@austinniemela]

That’s for sure!!

[@theMUFF1NZz]

Only thing that will keep you calm doing a big rebuild is knowing you can still drive to work the next day haha

[@mountainlifewithdavidkelsie]

Agreed!!! Man I’ve been in a pinch trying to get a project done so I had wheels to make it to work and almost always forget to do something or have to leave it undone

[@philgriswold2133]

I appreciate your comment about using common sense and taking your time when doing something unfamiliar. Unfortunately, many young people don't have the exposure to mechanical assemblies that older folks did. Farmers had to fix their own stuff, guys used to work on their own cars and their kids learned from their dads. Another avenue was shop and auto mechanics classes at public schools. Now many farms are gone, cars are too complicated for a shade-tree mechanics and vocational classes have been cancelled at most schools. Add to that many kids now without fathers and it's becoming a lost art. It's not that young people can't understand mechanics, it's that they have very little exposure. Another great video.

[@austinniemela]

Yeah our generation in different, with all the crazy technology in cars these days they are getting harder to work on!

[@clintmoffet435]

My 92 has always popped out of gear in first from time to time. I've been driving it for 21 years. Just happens every once in a while. Awesome videos man. I'm redoing mine now. Got a ton of good ideas from your flatbed build on the red truck. Thanks for taking the time to share with us

[@allytudor7598]

My 99' has been having the same issue for over a decade and has finally started doing it every time it's in 1st gear. Looking at tackling the project in the next month or so, along with replacing the clutch. I'm intimidated about opening the transmission, but thankfully have a few friends who are willing to help/guide me to getting it done.

[@MrAdameiro]

Hey Austin. Check the wear of ring which is between reverse gear and syncro of the second gear(the one with teeth inside). Don't know it's name in english sorry. Btw - Syncro only helps to engage the gear smoothly, when it's worn out, you can still shift gears but with adding some rpm by pressing the gas pedal before. Ring i mentioned on the beggining 'holds' the gear in place, but if its inner teeth are worned, then gear will pop out. Hope You understad what i mean;) good luck!

[@pentiuman]

I'm mechanically inclined and he talked me into it. Then once he opened the transmission up a bit, I realized, no, he's A LOT braver than me! (I could get it apart without too much trouble, but going back together, I'd need to watch the video over and over again to have a chance at it ever being whole again.)

[@calabskier1393]

I should be in my garage piecing my jeep back together. But I'm happily lounging on my couch, feet up, watching Austin work instead.

[@austinniemela]

Haha get to work!!

[@MussaKZN]

I’m look at my shit in the garage wood fire on beer in hand RDO today getting sleepy now!!

[@stevendouglas6593]

Sounds like most of us.

[@spencerlarsen9178]

Most youtubers are like, "yeah there's some small issues left, maybe I'll get to it some da....ooo another project" Way to go making your stuff 100% and clean.

[@inferno1770]

Like you said just pay attention to what your doing and you can do anything great work bud when I do a full tear down on my 92 sr5 you will be my reference

[@drivefortright9662]

Ur problem solving skills are exceptional

[@abpsd73]

To keep the shafts from rotating to remove/torque the nut, move the shift collars so two gears are engaged at the same time. The different ratios basically lock everything together. I've done a couple manual transmission repairs (Toy L52, Ford ZF5-47,) both shop manuals indicated the same thing to stop rotation.

[@austinniemela]

Thanks!! Yeah I figured that out! Works amazing!!

[@EngineKrahnicles]

going through one on a customers truck that was supposed to be a simple engine rebuild that snowballed. replacing the input shaft and the syncros and seals while I'm there. thanks for the walkthrough that is saving me the guesswork.

[@jsvallee567]

never mess with engine before but when my head gasket went out on my 4runner i bought the parts and did it all by myself got my yota manual to get the correct torq spec timing etc took me 2 days and it was fix ! and 2 years later still going strong ! so like you said if take time to do thing you can do a lot ! nice video buddy have a nice day

[@austinniemela]

That’s awesome!! Thanks you too!

[@frankstall1347]

painted one of my f 150f's with tractor supply Majik Tractor paint and it looks fantastic.

[@arthurdent5903]

This dude is fearless ..........Make MY Toyota Great Again !!!!!!!!

[@starwarzgeke]

Syncros just went in mine and possibly those plate bearings. This video just saved my ass! Thanks man very well put together

[@danielcarcamo6336]

I gotta give it to you bro. The amount of patients and skill you have are amazing. Just the cleaning and attention to details to that TRASMISSION speak VOLUME. Stoked 4 part 2.

[@austinniemela]

Thank you!! Part 2 is live!!!

[@janierios1194]

ITS CRAZY , HE WILL COMPLETELY HAVE A TRANSMISSION APART AND HIS VOICE REMAINS EXTREMELY CALM AND COMPOSED WITHOUT A SIGN OF FRUSTRATION!

[@austinniemela]

Haha this thing came apart easy!

[@jpmansnothot10]

Haha, for real man! Even some of the best mechanics that I know get the jitters about working on gearboxes. Some prefer to not even touch gearboxes at all. Rather save themselves the headache - Can't blame them really. Certain gearboxes can be real devils!

[@abrahamedelstein4806]

I imagine it's that Northern European stoicism in his blood, Niemelä being a Finngolian name and all. And one has to remember, these machines weren't built with sorcery but with human hands and the right tools, so theoretically, they should go back together again with some care.

[@stevendouglas6593]

For me it would be fear, not frustration. I don’t think I would have trouble pulling it apart, getting it back together, I don’t think so. Maybe the only way would be to video the whole strip down.

[@Asian_Connection]

OH Itch, you got it out yourself. Can only depend on yourself. I would so scary you would lose your arm as you drop it. DANGERIOUS

[@rogerkilburn4732]

I love it that your so patient and calm. (I have never torn one of these apart but we'll figure it out.)

[@rangerup1804]

My 1986 FWD had the same problem of the tranny slipping out of gear. A Toyota mechanic had me buy a new Teflon gear shift knuckle and all I had to do as pull the shifter out and replace the old worn out knuckle and put the new one in. Works perfectly.

[@mountainlifewithdavidkelsie]

Just redone the clutch, pressure plate, fly wheel, pilot bearing, throw out bearing and starter in my 98 taco and used the same tranny Jack they work slick!

[@austinniemela]

Yeah can’t believe I haven’t bought one yet! They are sooooo nice

[@mountainlifewithdavidkelsie]

@@austinniemela yeah worth their weight in gold

[@pjc4425]

If I was neighbor, I would be helping you out when ever needed. Anyway excellent video, I could never go that deep but does motivate me to take on rear seal replacement on my 96 4-runner Limited. While in there replacing oil pan gasket of course. Leakges aren't too bad but bug heck out of me!

[@James-of-all]

My trans pops out of first some times too, and I have some issues with grinding when shifting so this is a super informative video, thank you sir looks like I have some work to do

[@shawnmcpeak7934]

Yeah...might be worn out shifter detents and/or the synchros worn out.

[@shawnmcpeak7934]

Whenever you work on a fairly high mileage TACO transmission (75k+) ALWAYS replace ALL of the bearings! Now is also the time to check and/replace anything related to the clutch (throw-out bearing, grease the ball pivot on the release arm, etc). I have a 1995.5 TACO SR5 4x4 v6 and I replace the transmission bearings every 75k miles in addition to standard maintenance. I love my damned old truck! It is very tough and really fun in the mountains!!

[@austinniemela]

All the clutch components are new! And yes I’m doing all the bearings 👌

[@shawnmcpeak7934]

@@austinniemela kzbin.info/www/bejne/b3SxY6iqrsaSbdU Austin, I knew you would replace all bearing as you have put a lot of thought into this project...😁 The comment was really for anyone considering the same adventure with a transmission.😉 The link above leads to a fantastic transmission mechanic/expert in Florida who absolutely knows his 💩! ! The video has him going through a W58 Toyota transmission but you may be able to pick up some small but very important details from him. Paul is very good!

[@shawnmcpeak7934]

Oops..wrong link...BRB

[@shawnmcpeak7934]

That is the correct link...check it out!

[@austinniemela]

@@shawnmcpeak7934 thanks I actually saw that video!! Very helpful

[@bobthebuilder6315]

Hay Austin I had the same problem, dealer ship told me most often the nylon ball on the bottom of the shifter wears down and it changes the amount of throw and won't let it travel far enough to go into gear. About $10.00 part didn't even have to pull trans it worked.

[@stevendouglas6593]

My land cruiser had the same problem.

[@oldowl4290]

The was the first thing I thought too. I was having hard shift issues and it was just the plastic bushings. They will actually disintegrate fully over time and completely disappear down into the gear box. Mine were cracked with some pieces missing. It's literally a $10 fix that works and I flushed my gearbox oil when I put the new ones in. I bought delrin ones from Marlin Crawler. Austin doesn't even mention these bushings in either video. He may have rebuilt the tranny for nothing..(aside from the experience and making a great DIY on the R150F which is of course awesome in itself).

[@geoantony9509]

What a legend mechanic you are when you say..... How easy to work on the transmission 😁😁✌️✌️

[@evermtz8001]

There is a lots of thoughts and patients , congrats to you!

[@ochancay]

I don't lose me any video from you, I like Toyota...

[@rickmckenzie3878]

Austin! Great job bro, on this vid but I think you were working on a R151 not a R150F but it is very simular and uses the same parts lucky for you and for a lot of us who needed a refreance when tearing down our R150F or R151 Transmission. GO Toy! lol... You did cover the general logestics on how to tear this beast down! I agree, its a good easy transmission... lol Just wish it could handel way more Hourse Power! Boom!

[@steadybark20]

No neighbor, no buddy, no worries, this mans smooth

[@the_7th]

If anyone wants to know, the rare R151F from the 4 cylinder 22RET USA transmission uses the same bearing kit as the bearing kit as the USA R150F transmission. Don't confuse it with the kits that are available for the Land Cruiser transmissions.

[@mybackhurts7020]

Good timing literally just got done pulling the engine on my sons 89 those damn tranny bolts at the top of the tranny were the hardest. They have never been taken off since factory

[@thirumoorthy2346]

I love the way he is handling the things..very very perfect and smooth....we need him in India for more precise work....wow... .i also doing DIY for my vehicle...

[@justinmas299]

Excellent camera work, between you and timmy I will be able to rebuild mine, thx and MAKE TOYOTA'S GREAT AGAIN.

[@jordanhendrickson1484]

These videos make everything look easy. Enjoying the walk through tho!

[@austinniemela]

Glad you enjoyed!! 👍

[@718stix]

I never pulled apart a gear box b4 the video ... I have 2 under my belt now. thanks

[@thomasbeltran5417]

Lol I’m sending you my Toyota truck . 🤣😂 Great segment very talented my man

[@austinniemela]

Thanks man

[@calebnutley4494]

You are a legend this gave me the confidence to buy the second hand r150 trans I've been on the edge about

[@stevejones1318]

Very impressed Austin. You have such skill and patience. Steve in Cape Town.

[@jeremyb5293]

Idea for your next vehicle, first gen tundra would be awesome to see what you do with it and then when you make a front bumper for that I can buy the plans haha

[@Jesus-hx5vg]

Your channel has helped me in so many ways man. I thank you so much.

[@austinniemela]

Thanks! Glad I can help out!!

[@SerheyDesigns]

Awesome content! Thanks for making this video before you sell it

[@ppeterson9359]

Well done!! My R150 recently went from popping out of 1st a few times a year to every time (if I don't hold a little fwd pressure on the shifter). My plan is to swap in in a rebuild from Yota1 Performance, but I enjoyed seeing what's inside on e of these units.

[@brianshylo6270]

Check the plastic bushing at bottom of gear shift first. Mine did same thing - twice now,

[@stevefrazier6185]

Thanks for the walk down memory lane! I had to change the main shaft bearing on my 87 4runner about 15 years ago. It was too funny watching you. I cussed way more than you did LOL!!! I got the tranny out by myself. I about killed myself trying to line up the spline when I was putting it back together. I finally went to good ol Harbor Freight as well and bought a tranny jack. Best purchase ever! Annnd I never used it again. Still sitting in the garage collecting dust. I am not a mechanic, zero training, but pretty good mechanical sense and I pulled this off. You can do it if you are careful and document everything. Lots of parts. :-) Plus you have KZbin! Thanks again you are awesome! Oh and watch out when you are putting it back together. I swear I had to tilt it to one side putting the shifters back on. It wouldn't go into reverse. I had to drop it out and tilt it the other direction and then put it together. Once I did that it went into reverse. 87 is still running!!!

[@austinniemela]

Thats awesome!! The transmission jack is a must have!!

[@richardmiller5238]

Yet another reason I like your vids, you dive in to any task dealing with your vehicles. This is the same way I taught myself, just do it! Waiting for part 2. I like doing tne work myself, if something goes wrong I cant blame anyone but me! Lol

[@bob_frazier]

Who else wants to see Austin get an auto hoist?

[@austinniemela]

Meeeee 🙋‍♂️🙋‍♂️🙋‍♂️🙋‍♂️

[@adamthatguy454]

Nice work man. But please get some safety glasses to wear in the shop. You only have two eyes, take care of them.

[@ryanoddi8490]

Nice man. I have a g58 behind my 22re and mines not popping out, but actually difficult to shift in to first and reverse while at a stop. Thinking it's a totally different issue, but I figured I might as well start researching how to rebuild one since it might be on my list in the near future if other remedies can't solve the issue.

[@austinniemela]

Right on! I hope the videos can help!

[@austincegnar1727]

Just the video I was looking for

[@luiscruz-no3ib]

The shif linkages do not need to come of the trans center carrier jus remove the retainer bolts on the forks,remove fifth gear and counter shaft rear bearings and spacers them remove the bearing retainer plate and clips and the whole gear pack will slide toward the front also do not forget the shifter saddle bushings

[@RogerM88]

Cool build. I hope you consider for a next build an old Tacoma (Hilux) with a Lexus V8 5.0 swap. Or as a base, a Range Rover. Would make a great series.

[@dubltap7216]

Yep, my 90 does the same thing. But I can live with it.

[@MussaKZN]

You gave me hope I want to do a clutch on the ground seems easy. ok!

[@scubbarookie]

Thank you Austin! I must mention, that this channel is becoming one of my favorites. The technical prowess that you have seems limitless! Yoda gang! Lol! Yoda Love! ❤👍

[@CB-hr6zs]

Good video bro, very methodical. Your mechanic skills are top notch and your very smart a lot of people don’t have common sense and they aren’t confident in themselves to take apart a transmission or other very complicated things with there vehicle.

[@austinniemela]

Thanks man!!

[@rztrzt]

When you spend all that time & effort it only makes sense to replace all the bearings & seals...

[@rogerkilburn4732]

I use a bearing heater and a freezer to get the bearings back on. Inertia welder transmission. What your doing is a lot more complicated.

[@_taunic]

MVP, cheers for the video man!

[@prevost8686]

You’re going to need a new shifter seat bushing and ball end bushing. The seat bushing will eat itself up over time causing the shifter to have reduced throw inside the trans. Very common on YOTA manuals. The gear oil looked like it was shot at some point in the transmission’s life.

[@MalukuOriginal]

bro, you are an expert in this part. two thumbs up

[@austinniemela]

Thanks for watching!

[@gsftom]

Taking something this complex apart would scare the crap out of me. I would never, ever get that thing put back together 😎

[@WeekendWrenchTurner]

Been thinking about doing this, good stuff👍👍

[@davidchang8428]

You're doing pretty well for someone who "doesn't know what he's doing."

[@enricopolazzo33]

If it’s popping out of gear it’s likely the coffin teeth are worn. You should replace the gear while you’re in there.

[@Arihus_Reyes1988]

Piece of cake, that's what a men do, get strait your own shit, great job sir! 💪🏻😎

[@austinniemela]

Thanks brother!

[@luiscruz-no3ib]

I have not done one of those for a while the gear you are tried to remove is part of the shaft everything come a part front the front

[@notahacker2107]

Austin I love your videos man. Makes me want a Tacoma for a ALH diesel swap so bad.

[@austinniemela]

Do it!!!! Better yet do a bhw!

[@notahacker2107]

@@austinniemela I will hopefully soon. I’m trying to break into the cyber security world and get my first cyber job first. Gotta make that money lol

[@austinniemela]

@@notahacker2107 sweet man!!

[@oliverworks5469]

Your common sense is light years above mine! 😂

[@jimwest986]

check for wear on the shift forks

[@ulisesstanleyhernandezsori8168]

Good job AND hard work alot of Time in proyect from a friend from EL SALVADOR C.A

[@hassansyed1083]

Watching you all the way from Pakistan 🇵🇰 nice work done waiting for part 2 i want to update my Hilux vigo 2012 model

[@tonydize3944]

You're awesome man I wish i was closer to you so you could work on my tacoma 😁

[@tomlander123]

Fun to watch. Learned a lot about the trany. Wondering if you can help me on my 1999. Pulled the trany to replace the input shaft and bearings. With the cover off the shaft and bearing won't come out. Do I need to pull the bearing first or worse case split the cases?

[@thewatsonian8111]

Austin, please consider wearing safety glasses when using a press. I’d hate for something to happen to you.

[@atomicorang]

You sir are “THE MAN”

[@cuntox8358]

Hello Austin. Excellent video. I have an r151f that is stuck in 5th gear. The gear stick is in the neutral position. I’ve removed the gear stick and tried to get the transmission into neutral ( without success). Can you recommend any other things I could do before I remove the transmission?

[@charliebruceortega8447]

I’ll take it apart, then it will sit there for a couple of months, then I end up buying a new one

[@shawnmcpeak7934]

Well...you could then rebuild your original and keep as a spare or sell it as a fully refurbished unit! 😁

[@JEREMY120983]

Work hard here! 👍 Good chanel for fan off road.

[@ifell3]

Worries me when I see your daughter's trike in the background, glad you found the brake drum 🤣

[@oldowl4290]

With these trucks (and really any with a manual tranny) you've got to work the problem from the top down first! Start with the pedal adjustments, then make sure the pedal bracket itself is 100% and not cracked (they are known to on these trucks), and then make sure the hydraulic Clutch Master Cylinder is working properly with a full stroke. Dialing in the masters push rod just right for a full and proper stroke can be a PITA. And then make sure it's pushing the slave cylinder properly and re-bleed with new clutch fluid. Lastly, I would also pop out the shifters in the cab, check the plastic shifter bushings. They wear down and disintegrate over time. And best of all they are only a few dollars to get new delrin type from Marlin Crawler. And then finally, flush and change your gearbox oil (and xfer case if you have one). If all that doesn't work..only then would I take on the huge task of actually dropping the tranny, which as you now know, takes a hell of a lot of effort. You made it look easy but it's not that easy for 1 person. (but that body lift sure helps get to the upper bolts lol!) I just went through all this myself last year and also have the factory service manuals. I highly recommend using them, especially for as much work as you do. And personally, I would not be using Scotchbrite pads on any precision ground shafts. That's just a big no-no. Much better to use a sonic agitator in your cleaning tank.

[@deanfreeman986]

Austin, I've been following your builds for a while now and love what you do. I have a 2000 Tacoma that would benefit from your magic. You likely get this type of offer all the time, but if you are interested in a sale of one of your taco's with mine to boot, I'd love to see you transform my beloved truck into your next project. Just a thought. If you have any interest at all, reply to this message and we can figure out how to get together. Regardless, I love what you do and am always amazed at how you figure out this stuff on your own. BTW, If you are selling any of your projects, how do we get a chance to purchase? Best of luck to you in the future! P.S. If there is any way to PM, let me know. I'm a bit older and not super computer savvy. I would love to discuss the possibility of purchasing a project (present or future) of yours out of public view.

[@FlynDirty1]

You and your brother missed your callings. Doctors for Exploratory Surgery

[@evrettj.9250]

That was impressive.

[@AlphaChimpEnergy]

I want to work on my own Toyota pickups when I grow up too!

[@kantdiego]

Yeah pulling out RF1A ain’t easy hahaha

[@adventurousairman]

I need a friend like you

[@SlickDiecast]

Incredible job!

[@elijattack9621]

I got replacement bearings and the 1st to 2nd gear synchro ring. Can I complete this project on my own without a 20 Ton press? I will only have hand tools and not even a transmission jack (i plan on raising with ratchet straps and lowing with cam straps). I have my small jack for replacing tires which I will use for lifting one side and getting the transmission out from under the vehicle. Since I dont have a jack I will low on plywood with pipes underneath to roll it out... I have never rebuilt a transmission but am a ME. Is this worth doing myself?

[@jerrywooton4308]

I’m sure you know this already but 1$ store oven cleaner works wonders on oily greasy shit like that hope it helps knowledge is key brother love the yota content

[@austinniemela]

Oven cleaner doesn’t like aluminum from my experience!

[@ckamina768]

Austin, you lost 50% of people asking when you mentioned common sense!😂🤣😂 I find that common sense and maybe patience are the critical things missing with most people that are curious about tear down and repairs! Pay attention to how things come apart and then reverse that same process! Great video sir!

[@austinniemela]

Thanks!!

[@adamzagaar3470]

When he said “before I sell the truck” my eyes went wide 😳

[@kimlau6662]

how much do you think he will sell for? 35k?

[@charliebruceortega8447]

I think he said 15

[@kimlau6662]

@@charliebruceortega8447 wow. seem fair, thanks

[@austinniemela]

15k! Seems reasonable to me!

[@charliebruceortega8447]

Really fair

[@pitbullluca]

You are the beast 👍💪

[@austinniemela]

🤘🤘

[@caleblewman7496]

What would be the first and second gear and shift fork?? I have a trans that I let sit for some time water got in through the shifter and will not shift in to first or second gear??

[@anthonysova7117]

Beautiful nice work ethic By the way in today’s world Common Sense is a superpower.Good advice when ur disassemble I have a paint pen very useful CHEERS

[@sanaaaboulhosn]

very true

[@levimonsen1006]

Very informative, thanks!

[@James-of-all]

By the way...what's that brand new Trans and transfer case under the stairs for? Backup in case the rebuild goes south? 🤣

[@cotisado16]

Was thinking the same, just in case.. lol

[@austinniemela]

That’s for another future project

[@caleblewman7496]

Btw love you videos they’re great along with the all other niemelas.

[@phild9560]

I know you put a 1 1/2 inch body lift on the truck. Did you extend your two shifters? I couldn't see when you were pulling the shifters off. Thanks!

[@austinniemela]

Yes I just welded in some small extensions