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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Did you get the rear track increased as well, and if so, has it improved the driving experience?

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.

Hi Tony,
Thanks for the info, will look them up.
Ray.

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.

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

I have often thought about doing the conversion but I would like to know if the auto has any effect on fuel economy?

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

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.

Hi Mechpete,
Thanks for the info.
Regards Ray.

Hi Mountainman.

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

Regards Ray.

All4x4 in Newcastle are an agent for Wholesale Automatics of Melbourne.
They only install the Wholesale Automatics solution.