Which job you are doing depends on which engine you have. The 2.7L 2TR-FE trucks got the A340E/F four-speed, which still has a dipstick and uses Toyota Type T-IV, so it is about as easy as an oil change. The 4.0L 1GR-FE trucks got the A750E/F five-speed, a Toyota WS "sealed" unit with no dipstick, a side fill plug, and a plastic overflow tube inside the drain hole. On that one the correct level is set by letting fluid overflow at a specific fluid temperature, so you need a scan tool that shows ATF temperature.
The mistake people make is treating the WS transmission like a dipstick transmission and pouring in "about three quarts" before calling it done. The other common error is doing the level check with the truck jacked up on one end or on a sloped driveway. Both give you a level that is off by a quart or more, and on these units that shows up as harsh or flaring shifts. Also remember a drain and fill only exchanges about a third of the fluid, so if it is dark, plan on two or three passes rather than one flush.
| Item | Type | |
|---|---|---|
| Floor jack 2 ton minimum Lift the truck to reach the transmission pan. | Required | shop |
| Jack stands 3 ton pair, frame rails Support the truck level on both sides so the fluid level reads correctly. | Safety | shop |
| Wheel chocks Keep the truck from rolling while it idles in park during the level check. | Safety | shop |
| Socket set 24 mm socket, 1/2 in drive (drain and fill plugs) Removes the pan drain plug and the side fill plug on both transmissions. | Required | shop |
| Breaker bar or long ratchet 1/2 in drive, 18 in Plugs are often torqued tight and sealed with old fluid. | Required | shop |
| Hex bit socket set 5 mm and 6 mm hex bits, 3/8 in drive The WS overflow tube plug inside the drain hole uses a small hex; some plugs are hex-head instead of external. | Required | shop |
| Drain pan 8 quart low-profile Catches drained fluid and lets you measure how much came out. | Required | shop |
| Fluid transfer pump Hand pump with 1/2 in hose, or ATF filler tube The side fill plug is the only way in on the WS transmission; there is no dipstick tube. | Required | shop |
| Funnel with long flexible hose Alternative refill route through the dipstick tube on the 2.7L A340. | Recommended | shop |
| OBD-II scan tool Live data, ATF temperature PID Needed on the 4.0L WS transmission to hit the 95-115 F window for the overflow level check. | Required | shop |
| Infrared thermometer Backup way to read pan temperature if your scan tool lacks the ATF temp PID. | Recommended | shop |
| Torque wrench 3/8 or 1/2 in drive, 10-80 ft-lb Aluminum case threads strip easily; plugs must be set to spec. | Required | shop |
| Measuring container Clear, 2 quart graduated Measure drained fluid so you can put back the same amount. | Recommended | shop |
| Transmission fluid Toyota WS (4.0L A750E/F) or Toyota Type T-IV (2.7L A340E/F), 4-5 quarts Correct fluid type is not optional on these units. | Parts | shop |
| Drain plug gaskets Crush washers for drain, fill and overflow plugs The aluminum/copper washers are single-use and will seep if reused. | Consumables | shop |
| Nitrile gloves and shop rags Hot ATF runs everywhere when the overflow plug comes out. | Consumables | shop |
| Safety glasses Hot fluid drips from the pan and overflow tube. | Safety | shop |
2.7L 2TR-FE (A340E/A340F four-speed): Type T-IV fluid, dipstick on the passenger side, single 24 mm pan drain plug, no overflow tube and no temperature check needed. 4.0L 1GR-FE (A750E/A750F five-speed): Toyota WS fluid, no dipstick, 24 mm pan drain plug with a 5 mm hex overflow tube plug inside it, plus a 24 mm side fill plug and a required 95-115 F overflow level check.
| Transmission pan drain plug (A750E/F and A340E/F) | verify in the service manual (typically around 15-20 ft-lb into aluminum) |
| Overflow tube plug, A750E/F | verify in the service manual |
| Side fill / refill plug, A750E/F | verify in the service manual |
| Pan bolts (only if dropping the pan) | verify in the service manual |
Plug sizes on both transmissions are commonly 24 mm with a 5 mm hex inner overflow plug on the WS unit, and fluid types are correct by engine, but plug size and torque can vary slightly by year, so confirm against the factory repair manual for your exact model year.
The 2.7L four-cylinder with the A340E/F four-speed has one on the passenger side of the engine bay. The 4.0L V6 with the A750E/F five-speed does not; you set the level through the overflow tube plug in the pan at 95-115 F.
Plan on 2.5-3.5 quarts coming out, and buy 4-5 quarts so you have extra to overfill the WS unit before the overflow check. Total transmission capacity is roughly 9-11 quarts, so one drain and fill exchanges about a third.
No. The A750E/F is designed around WS fluid, and the A340E/F around Type T-IV. Using the wrong fluid or a "multi-vehicle" ATF commonly causes shudder and harsh shifts. Aftermarket fluids labeled as meeting WS spec exist, but stick to a reputable brand.
On the 4.0L yes, in practice. The WS level check is only valid between 95 and 115 F fluid temperature, and there is no dipstick to fall back on. A cheap Bluetooth OBD-II dongle with a Toyota-capable app that shows the ATF temperature PID is enough; an infrared thermometer on the pan is a rough backup.