Putting auto transmission into a 2009 Toyota Cruiser two door Ute.

Submitted: Tuesday, Sep 05, 2023 at 07:25
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Hi All
Would like some info from anyone that has put an auto gearbox into a two door 79 series Ute.

Was wondering if they were happy with the gearbox’s fitting and performance and any negative feed back that they may have.

Also of the best place to have it fitted at, I live in Mackay Nth QLD and would take it to Melbourne if that is the best place to fit the auto.

I heard that there is a shop in Townsville and Brisbane that does the refit.

I Thank you all for any feed back.

Thanks Ray J.

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Reply By: qldcamper - Tuesday, Sep 05, 2023 at 08:04

Tuesday, Sep 05, 2023 at 08:04
Had a customer once that put an auto in an 80 series.
Bolted in ok but it was an electrical nightmare.
As it turned out the tranny, harness and ecu the wreckers supplied come from 3 different vehicles and 2 different country variants.
Customer approached us after he had already bought the parts.
Over 2 weeks trying to sort it and never got it quiet right.
If you insist on doing it make sure you have the tranny, full wiring harnesses including engine and dash, the dash, engine and tranny ecu if they are still seperate, the body control module whatever Toyota calls it, key transducer and key and anything else that might be related off of the same vehicle and even then expect many challenges.
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Follow Up By: Member - Raymond J - Tuesday, Sep 05, 2023 at 16:41

Tuesday, Sep 05, 2023 at 16:41
Hi Qldcamper,
Thanks for the info, the shops in question I heard of are specialist in the auto change outs, and they use the proper Toyota parts and been doing them for a few years now,

Thanks again Ray.

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Follow Up By: RMD - Tuesday, Sep 05, 2023 at 19:17

Tuesday, Sep 05, 2023 at 19:17
Raymond.
I would be more interested in their ability to "change IN" a working auto transmission.
The advice QLD Camper has given is real and the crew you choose should be able to gather and have ALL needed parts to show you and be able to explain to you how each is going to be fitted. If they hesitate to include you in the implementation of the deal ( apart from getting your money) be very careful no matter how EXPERT they seem to be.
I have wired a number of electric autos and engines into vehicles and spend many hours cutting wiring looms out of import and local vehicles and searching workshop manuals for pin ID's on ecu and associated parts. Got it done but not easy.
Wholesale autos apparently fit modded autos to vehicles and use a dedicated ecu to control the auto functions. Maybe ask them and investigated what is the minimum you require for your task. I have no direct involvement with WS Autos, only used some parts for auto clutch repairs.
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Follow Up By: Member - Raymond J - Tuesday, Sep 05, 2023 at 20:44

Tuesday, Sep 05, 2023 at 20:44
Hi RMD,
Thanks for that information, will be asking a few questions about the install as the money is not easy to come by.
regards Ray.

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Reply By: tonysmc - Tuesday, Sep 05, 2023 at 09:21

Tuesday, Sep 05, 2023 at 09:21
Hi Raymond, A friend of mine put one in a 79 series and absolutely Loves it. I was going to put one in a 2014 model but didn't want to lose the middle seat, so I've now gone another way and another vehicle, however there is a new 8 speed auto that became available earlier this year to suit the 79 series and I would be seriously considering getting one of those. From what i have seen, they look like and awesome set up.
Google, 8 speed auto 79 series. Price is about 23k
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Follow Up By: Member - Raymond J - Tuesday, Sep 05, 2023 at 16:59

Tuesday, Sep 05, 2023 at 16:59
Hi Tonysmc,
I’ve got a GXL 79 series because I hate sitting on the passengers seat when travelling. Didn’t know they got an speed out now which would be of great for towing the boat. A mate said to me that a friend got a single cab done and wasn’t happy with it, and got another mate that got a duel cab done and loves it. Both been done at different shops and he’s chasing that information for me. I tried to get an auto when I brought the car but they only do menial in utes. Seen one in Carawine Gorge in WA and it looked really well finished off.
Thanks for the info Ray.

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Follow Up By: tonysmc - Tuesday, Sep 05, 2023 at 18:14

Tuesday, Sep 05, 2023 at 18:14
Hi Ray, My mates was also a Wholesale Automatics done in Melbourne, he said the same as Slopokin below that it was money well spent. His is a dual cab.
The 8 speed only became available about April this year and it's from a company near Brisbane but watching their original video they say they were planning on being able to send a kit to your preferred mechanic or DIY as it all just bolts in? What I liked about this conversion apart from the 8 speed, is the gear selector looks almost exactly like and the same location as the manual gear shift. For me wanting to keep the 3 seats in the single cab, it would be perfect as normally the auto selector ends up between the bucket seats.
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Follow Up By: Member - Raymond J - Tuesday, Sep 05, 2023 at 19:02

Tuesday, Sep 05, 2023 at 19:02
Hi Tonysmc.
Thanks for the info as it looks good for an 8 speed auto and me having a GXL as it only has two seats is good for me. And sounds like Wholesale Automatics are the leaders in the change over of automatics department. I’m in the Torres Strait at the moment and I got info at home from another mate I’ve been keeping for a couple of years on autos for cruiser utes, I’ll look at when I get home.
Thanks very much Ray.

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Reply By: Member - Boobook - Tuesday, Sep 05, 2023 at 09:28

Tuesday, Sep 05, 2023 at 09:28
Try Wholesale Automatics or Marks 4wd. Both do autos for V8 70's
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Follow Up By: Slopokin - Tuesday, Sep 05, 2023 at 11:46

Tuesday, Sep 05, 2023 at 11:46
I fitted a Wholesale Automatic 6 speed auto into my 2012 79 series at 45,000kms.
The fitting was done by Australian Expedition Vehicles here in Townsville who did an excellent job.
The gearbox is a new standard box as fitted to a 200 series and there are no changes to tailshafts, cross members etc.
Fitting included TC Lockup kit, large oil cooler, cruise control, all electrics, electronics and computer, full cabin insulation, a console that looks like it came out of the factory.
The gearbox was tuned remotely by Wholesale Automatics (Johnno) and I cannot feel the gear changes.
It is a completely different vehicle, cruises in 6th gear at 1500 RPM and changes into 6th gear at 100 kmh unlike the 200 series.
A bit expensive at $28,000 but if you are going to keep the vehicle, well worth the money.
Just came back from Fraser Island and fantastic on the beach and soft sand and performs well in rough terrain. I don't do any extreme 4wding, but I am sure very capable if required.
I tow my boat 3 tonne in 5th gear from Townsville and up as far as Cooktown over ranges etc and gearbox temperature never gets over 75 degrees in FNQ temperatures. The vehicle has only done less than 80,000 kms. Sits in the shed waiting for the next camping and fishing trip. I know I need to get out more, just getting ready for retirement and travelling at the end of this year.

You won't regret the money spent and comfort of turning a farm truck into an extremely comfortable cruiser with all the reliability the 79 series can offer. I won't talk about the other $60K of fruit in case my wife reads this post.
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Follow Up By: Member - PhilD_NT - Tuesday, Sep 05, 2023 at 13:17

Tuesday, Sep 05, 2023 at 13:17
Did you get the rear track increased as well, and if so, has it improved the driving experience?
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Follow Up By: Slopokin - Tuesday, Sep 05, 2023 at 15:38

Tuesday, Sep 05, 2023 at 15:38
Hi PhilD

No I haven't bothered as yet, but it certainly affects tracking in soft sand driving and is very dangerous if going at speed.
This will be my next modification, not sure to use a larger offset rims or go the whole hog with a new diff.
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Follow Up By: Member - Raymond J - Tuesday, Sep 05, 2023 at 17:03

Tuesday, Sep 05, 2023 at 17:03
Hi Tony,
Thanks for the info, will look them up.
Ray.

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Follow Up By: Member - Raymond J - Tuesday, Sep 05, 2023 at 17:13

Tuesday, Sep 05, 2023 at 17:13
Hi Slopokin,
Great to hear from people who had their car done and talk about the out come. Will take a trip to Townsville and have a talk to them and see the finished jobs on some of the vehicles they have converted.
Thanks Ray.

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Follow Up By: Slopokin - Wednesday, Sep 06, 2023 at 09:02

Wednesday, Sep 06, 2023 at 09:02
Hi Ray
If you come to Townsville, you are welcome to have a look at my vehicle and take it for a drive.
What you see in the Wholesale Automatic web site pictures is what you get. No affiliation with them at all, only a happy customer.
One thing that I did learn from the installation is to have the gearbox tuned to suit your vehicle. This was done remotely by Wholesale Automatics as the local agent does not have the experience to do this.
It certainly makes a hell of a difference. Originally the gear change was harsh and would not change into 6th gear until 110 kph without changing it in sports mode. After the tune was done it now changes into 6th gear at about 95 kph and sits on 100kph at 1500 RPM.
Regards John
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Follow Up By: Member - Wooly - Wednesday, Sep 06, 2023 at 11:39

Wednesday, Sep 06, 2023 at 11:39
I have often thought about doing the conversion but I would like to know if the auto has any effect on fuel economy?
Wooly VKS-737 Mobile 0058

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Follow Up By: Slopokin - Wednesday, Sep 06, 2023 at 14:19

Wednesday, Sep 06, 2023 at 14:19
Hi Wooly
I haven't really noticed much difference, the v8 79's are not really fuel efficient however I take the opinion that when the wheels are turning and the fuel gauge is going down it is taking me to the places I want to go.

As a comparison on my recent trip to Fraser Island with my brother in-laws who have a Ford Ranger and Isuzu D Max when we all refuelled after all doing the same tracks and distances, this was the following outcome: -
- Ranger - 57 litres
- Isuzu - 56 litres
- My 79 - 59 litres
So not too bad in comparison as I have a full canopy fully decked out and a hard shall Bundutop Roof Top Tent coming in at approx 3.2 tonnes.
Regards John
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Follow Up By: Member - Raymond J - Wednesday, Sep 06, 2023 at 14:43

Wednesday, Sep 06, 2023 at 14:43
Hi Slopokin.
Great of you to offer the look at your car as I may take you up on the offer, I’ve got a good friend in Townsville who’s brother has had his car done in Townsville as well. And he’s going to get back with his brothers opinion on the changeout. As I’ve mentioned before I viewed a car in Carawine Gorge the other year and they even had the floor mat changed to a vinyl one to suit the auto changeout in the car. As I have a GLX I’ve covered the carpet with a clear plastic from the carpet shop to stop the dirt and burrs getting in the carpet when your in the bush.

Regards Ray.

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Reply By: Member - mechpete - Wednesday, Sep 06, 2023 at 12:51

Wednesday, Sep 06, 2023 at 12:51
Ring wholesale autos in melb they have a kit to do it
Cheers mechpete
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Follow Up By: Member - Raymond J - Wednesday, Sep 06, 2023 at 14:56

Wednesday, Sep 06, 2023 at 14:56
Hi Mechpete,
Thanks for the info.
Regards Ray.

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Reply By: mountainman - Wednesday, Sep 06, 2023 at 20:48

Wednesday, Sep 06, 2023 at 20:48
I would highly recommend allfourx4 in Kotara Newcastle
They are doing the auto swaps at least once a week
This is very reliable ex 200series kits
My mate installs them and is a superb mechanic
I would happily put confidence in any of his work
Extremely thorough and attention to detail
They also have a YouTube channel

And a fully decked out equipped shop.
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Follow Up By: Member - Raymond J - Thursday, Sep 07, 2023 at 07:36

Thursday, Sep 07, 2023 at 07:36
Hi Mountainman.

Thanks for letting me know of another place that fits the transmission for the cruisers.

Regards Ray.

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Follow Up By: Geoff (Newcastle, NSW) - Saturday, Sep 30, 2023 at 15:06

Saturday, Sep 30, 2023 at 15:06
All4x4 in Newcastle are an agent for Wholesale Automatics of Melbourne.
They only install the Wholesale Automatics solution.
Geoff,
Landcruiser HDJ78,
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