Torque Convertor lock up instal

[Davis Dieso]

I read these last two threads (Mick and Leigh) with interest.
Very relevant points and something all should do before jumping in and making alterations like this on there vehicles.
I am a qualified (long time ago) mechanic. I did my lock up knowing full well the ramifications of what "could happen".
I understand what goes on to the clutches during changes etc. First of all there are no bands in the modern auto trans'. Just clutch packs. The more these clutch packs are subjected to "slip" and "power", there ultimate life will be reduced. Also bad servicing will have the same effect. Most modern auto transmissions should outlast the vehicle if serviced and driven accordingly. All auto's have planetary gear-sets that are markedly stronger than a conventional manual gearbox, as the side loading on gears is non existent, due to the load being shared by 3 gears in contact and load distributed in 3 equal directions. Drag cars have for years put enormous power through gears and clutches that were essentially made to take the original engines power, but with (in most cases) just increasing oil pressure (to increase clutch clamping pressure) is all thats done. Yes other mods can and are done in some instances for ultimate gain.
I have now done around 10,000km with mine and don't consider it puts undue strain on the clutches during the gear change or lock up engagement. There is not any more slippage than I would consider "normal". It changes and locks up very nice. HOWEVER, time will tell for operational life and I am prepared to take that chance. I will monitor my trans oil carefully and see how it goes. I would also understand anyone being too concerned to try it. No naysayers could talk ME out of it. Its just great.

Cheers, Jamie

[LeighW]

I would like to do something like this but also a little concerned my two main concerns are:

Can the brake pads on the torque convertor handle the load, for instance in a KIA I own, the torque convertor locks up when in drive and the vehicle speed exceeds 80KMH. They are designed to take the full engine power, as soon as you back off, drop below 80KMH or the transmission goes to change the lock up disengages till the prime conditions are meet again. Is the torque converter lockup in the Prado able to take full engine power under all conditions?

My second concern is the bands in the gear box, bands are basically little clutches that lockup gears to change the ratios. I suspect the Prado would be similar to the KIA in that when it changes gear it unlocks the torque convertor to enable a bit of slip to occur when the gear box changes gears. With the torque convertor locked up any difference in the required input shaft speed to match the output shaft speed will have to be taken up by the bands and the torque convertor brake pads, ie the bands and or torque convertor brake pads slip until engine speed reaches the correct speed, this may not be good for the bands and shorten their life considerably. It could also place extra load on the planetary gears in the gear box itself.

I would also be interested to hear form any auto transmission experts out there as to their opinions on this and similar modes?

Cheers
Leigh

[delicar]

Hi all, I have been following this thread with great interest particularly after my recent trip of 3600ks out bush towing my little camper trailer and having experienced first hand the some what useless g/box in my 03 diesel prado, so I downloaded the info from Jamie and also the info from the Auto wholesale gearbox mob in Vic and put it to a couple of very astute mechanical mates of mine who work for the RAA here in SA and there opinion was DONT do it due to the weak construction of the torque lockup band in the gearbox that damage will occur, similar to using the bigger Toyotas to tow in fith gear all the time and stuffing the g/box which is a well known problem.
So I put it to you mob has any body actually fitted these lockups, been using them for a long time and experienced any problems.
cheers Mick

[Drillerscott]

Thanks for the emails fellas, look forward to doing this to our Grande.

[Davis Dieso]

Finally been able to attach a link to the instructions. Tis difficult, time/ability!!!!
Try this, and let us know if it doesn't work for whatever reason.
I've tried it and worked fine, just be patient for it to load up.
Cheers, Jamie

https://www.dropbox.com/s/x7karsquuv...p%20.docx?dl=0

[Drillerscott]

Thanks bloke.

[BlakMoth]

Sent it for you guys


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[Drillerscott]

Very interested in this for my 2005 1KZ Grande, would someone mind sending me the info?
[email protected]

Regards Scott.

[delicar]

Ditto to the above please Sunny. cheers Mick. [email protected]

[BlakMoth]

Me too please Sunny. [email protected]


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[MRW82]

Yes please sunny. I'll pm you my email address.

[sunny120]

If anyone wants the wiring diagram for fitup of the wholesale automatics converter lock up I can email it across to them, it may/maynot help with the install of the install of the one on this thread.

[Foxo]

Jamie, Thanks for your offer to send me the details of the lock-up conversion, I really appreciate it.
My email addy is [email protected]

Cheers,
Foxo

[MRW82]

This is the info Jamie came up with for me when I suggested the idea:

Thats certainly an excellent idea MRW82. I've had a gander at the good book and asked my Toyota man about the wiring harnesses. He says YES, all harnesses are the same, the plugs just hang around there designated spots. So yours not using the hight control could use the LO light for indication. The "Suspension Control Module" looks like it resides near the glove box near the BCM somewhere. The SCM has 3 plugs go into it. One has 26 wires, one 24 wires and one 30 wires. The wire you would need for the LO light is in the 30 wire plug and is coloured BROWN/BLACK trace. This wire MUST be EARTHED to work, so will require another relay to activate an earth. You cant get activation from the hight control switch in the console as it only sends the signal to the SCM and then it controls the light. Sorry.
Cheers, Jamie

[120D4D]

I will use the 'lo' dash light in the height control as an indicator as previously discussed.

Just got to confirm which wire to cut (not the red one, it's a decoy.....)

MRW82 and Jamie - this has had me intrigued for a while now (years in fact!).

I'd love to activate the rear locker light on my instrument cluster when I have my air locker on - but woudn't know where to start.

Would either of you know where I could access to loom and activate this?