How long do most stock Terrano Gearboxes last?

[nzshred]

I previously owned a 2.7TD manual terrano in 2013 and the km's were about 250thou. The gear box (i think) died on me after about 4000km so it was sold as I didn't have the money for it at the time due to other expenses.

I'm currently looking for another 4x4 and considering another terrano but it seems they're all around 250+ with the stock gearbox. I understand it varys, but what would be a reasonable amount of KM on a gearbox when buying? And further to that, if the gearbox did die, what is a reasonable cost for having a new or second hand one installed by a mechanic? Prices seem to range $1200-$2500 for the transmission depending on trade in.

Also, what year did the Terrano gearboxes actually improve and I don't need to be as pedantic about the shotty things?

[ChurchurDan]

The diesels didnt get the big box until the r50 or d22 navara. Life expectancy depends on how it is serviced and treated. Mine had new bearings 11 years ago and is only just starting to show signs of needing attention but I dont abuse it or tow that often.
Most remanned boxes are around $1200 and I would expect $300 - $400 in labour to change one at a workshop. The big boxes pop up occasionally for about the same money and are almost a bolt in conversion.

[Crash bandicoot]

the gearbox you a refering to had an issue from factory. the casting of the filler bung was too low not allowing the box to be filled with the correct amount of oil.

nissan did put out an advisory but how many owners heeded it is anyones guess.

[fh2014]

interesting question. here are my findings.

my 93 manual diesel terrano with 4.8 diffs was one of the most cared for and unmolested trucks i could find with 209000kms.

had about six months now, done a few off road trips. Now it is important to remember that the old guy i got it off said he never gave it a hard time and swore it was serviced regularly. depends on what you wanna believe. but it drove real nice.

I drained the gearbox myself to do the said 5.1L top up just last week. I drained approx 3.2L of oil. Up until this, the gearbox made no noise at all and shifted smoothly.

I refilled with 5.0L of GL4 gearbox oil through the shifter hole. NOW .... it is growling and not shifting smoothly , especially second, notchy as!

Either ive been had and he was running it full of moreys, or I put the wrong oil in it, or its just a coincidence of timing because ive started giving the box a hard time now with the offroading - im now at 211,000kms, those last 2000kms are probably the hardest it has ever seen.

TL;DR I had a mint box when purchsed at 209kms, now have a grumpy box at 211kms.

[Crash bandicoot]

oh and they are very picky about the oil they get, somthing to do with brass bushes

[nzshred]

Cheers for the responses.

I assume the petrol terranos have the same shotty gear box?

Little bit unsure what you mean when you say "the gearbox you a refering to had an issue from factory. " Crash. I didn't specify my past problems in this post but you may have looked through my other ones?


Would people generally avoid a terrano that's done about 250km on the original gearbox?

I'm interested in this thing:
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing ... =890520325

but if I'm paying that I don't want to have to replace the box anytime soon.

[BlakeNZ]

that truck has a fair bit of extras installed on it, so(providing it passes a pre purchase inspection) you could buy it, and just drive it and drive it- the trans may last a few years yet. The money you've saved on those accessories will more than cover the trans recon. (price up the snorkel/ARB bar/winch and 33" tires and then factor in labour cost to install/wire in those bits.)
just be aware that the truck should be at a slight discount due to the red interior!

[fh2014]

The petrols got the bigger box but suffered from the same under oiled fate.

From my understanding both the smaller diesel box and the larger petrol box both have the filler holes too low only allowing 3.5L of oil when in fact you need to whip out the shifter and fill em with 5.1L. GL4.

Not all boxes are bad, just their owners.

[johnny262]

BlakeNZs right about the extras, but those tyres aint 33s ha, look more like 31s. Also I dont see a cert plate for the body lift (thought they had to be on the firewall) and the fact of the matter is if the box is whining and crunching its in need of a rebuild. Still looks like a good wagon if bought at the right price, just be prepared to fork out abit more dough in the short term

[lax2wlg]

viewtopic.php?f=25&t=33750

[nzshred]

So I also found this one. There's very little info about it though. Would I be better off to look at something a bit more stock and which likely hasn't had such a hard life, yet has more km like this?
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing ... =892870075

I'm trying to organise an inspection for it but the location makes it hard.