Torque converter lock up kit for Prado 2015 VX 5 speed

[mat-with-one-t Member Find all posts View Profile Close mat-with-one-t]

Hi everyone. I am aware that there has been discussions regarding transmission lock-up kits. I’ve read everything I can! I’m a bit unsure, so need advice!

I am about to build up our trusty 2015 VX KDSS 3.0lt 5 so auto diesel for touring, and we will likely change from a 1600kg Cub Camper to a 2300kg hybrid off-road van.

Thus, I want to look after the transmission as best we can. I have already fitted a cooler some time ago. I’ll soon upgrade the head unit, and it has a Bluetooth option to be able to watch tranny temps. I’ll see if that means I can save getting a scanguage.

About Transmission lock up kits:
- websites tend to be a bit crap, so I’m uncertain which units will work with my older 5 sp.

- I have spotted the following:

1. Stocklock
2 Richards
3. wholesale Automatics
4. lockup Mate Plus

From what I’ve read here, the Stocklock looks to be the best? Having said that, there seems to have been upgraded kits from
most these suppliers. Thus, some reviews may be a bit outdated.

i am in Melbourne. Can anyone recommend a unit and a fitter?

Lastly, is it worth looking at a Valve Body also, such as the Nomad unit? I get the vibe that (fairly substantial) investment may be better spent elsewhere?

cheers!
Mat

[gxl_d4d Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close gxl_d4d]

I've got the lockup mate plus + engine remap (2019 prado with 6 speed). No valve body, just an extra cooler. Does the job well for my usage when I tow a 2.7t van. Lockup makes a difference when towing up hills or slight inclines, removes the gear hunting and transmission flare. Car just keeps pulling and maintains speed.

You may get a better overall outcome if you get an ECU + transmission remap and ask the tuner to program for lockup in S mode under load and more frequent lockup in D for normal driving.

[whitewhale Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close whitewhale]

I recently spoke to a known tuner for a tune and lock up on my 2017.
Unfortunately for me, tuning the transmission isnt really possible until the 2020/150kw models which I really would have prefered.
Kit they recommend is the Richards one but they were happy to tune the car with the Wholesale Automatics kit too. Doesn't effect how the engine is tuned as they locked the convertor during tuning anyways via the scan tool.
Both are the same retail price , ( fitting was approx 3 hours on the Richards, unsure about wholesale ), but the Wholesale is customisable via a app so leaning towards that one. A issue is they weren't AS keen to fit the Wholesale so I'd need to do it somewhere else.
They said, steer clear of the Stocklock as the wiring wasn't great and caused issues.

Anyone else's thought between Richard's and Wholesale??

[mat-with-one-t Member Find all posts View Profile Close mat-with-one-t]

It's so hard to know, as I have been told by many that the Stocklock is the best option and the others have issues!! Maybe it's just down to who sells what??

[ptommo59 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close ptommo59]

I know a bit late to input to topic, but to clarify for the 4 & 5 Speed Toyota transmission the choices of lock up kit are more limited than on the 6 Speed as they have a separate Transmission Control Module (TCM) where the 6 speeds are control by the Engine Control Module (ECM) which has more programmability options. The below is what I gleaned from research on topic when looking at a purchase for my Hilux A340F 4 Speed and general interest.

In the Wholesale Autos range you can only use the GENII version which is full manual control so you have the turn it on and off with a switch and from experience if you forget when slowing/stopping not a pleasant noise until you turn switch off or engine stalls. The clutch control is 12V DC so lockup can be harsh when switching it on under load and while locked gearbox shifts will still occur but again will be harsh on downshifts under heavier throttle. The harsh lock and shifting can be detrimental to the long term durability of the torque converter so fuel saving/heat benefits could be offset by earlier repair/rebuild costs if you keep the vehicle longer term. To minimise this issue only lock the TC off/under light throttle and manually downshift before starting any hill climbs or using full throttle which would cause a full load/torque harsh downshift.

The Richards is more automated and accesses the vehicle speed to lock and unlock the torque converter at preset (but adjustable) speeds in Auto (Lock 80 km/h /unlock 75km/h) and Low Speed (Lock 35km/h / unlock 30km/h) modes. The Richards uses the same clutch control method as the Wholesale Autos so similar issues other than it will automatically unlock when slowing down or stopping.

The Stocklock is available for the 4 & 5 speeds in single and dual speed versions with the dual having similar characteristics to the Richards. The difference is the clutch control method which is PWM the same as used by the TCM so reduces the harshness of the clutch engagement and potentially not as hard on the clutch control solenoid but will still have same harsh downshift problems when clutch is engaged that the previous two do.

The MM4x4 Lockup Mate+ is the most sophisticated and fully integrates with the ECM operation so PWM and hash shift reduction features but is currently only available for the 6 speed transmissions (so not an option for the 4 & 5 Speeds).

So of the options you have, based on above info the Stocklock and Richards are the two best options if price is not the main driver (Wholesale Autos GENII is a fair bit cheaper and simpler install as no speed signal required). Noting that the Stocklock is less likely to reduce the service life of your Torque Converter and clutch control solenoid but have same impact on the gearbox internal clutches if you don't mitigate with manual downshifts when TC is locked when needed.

Hope that info is useful and happy to be corrected if I'm off the mark in any aspect as its my interpretation of the info published online and personal experience with the Wholesale Autos GENII.

[mat-with-one-t Member Find all posts View Profile Close mat-with-one-t]

Fantastic info. Really appreciated! I'll look to read up some more. The Stocklock is looking like the most usable option for the 5 speed...! Mat

[whitewhale Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close whitewhale]

GLX-D4D, did you get the tune and convertor lock up done at the same time or separately?
I recently bought a wholesale lock up kit but ran out of time to fit it before I had the engine tune done, no transmission tune as far as I know.
Im now really questioning why I'd need the lock up kit at all.
The engine has enough power now to get into 6th and lock up, plus stay there way earlier. Around the 90km/h range
This is without my jayco swan attached though, maybe it's needed with the van on?