872door Posted September 5, 2006 Share Posted September 5, 2006 First question as a newb. Will the 88 auto 4 spd. tranny work as a replacement for my 87 auto 3 spd. tranny. If so is there anything special that has to be done such as swapping the ECU ,etc... P.S. I tried a search but couldnt find anything on this subject. Please dont flame me! :help: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cdhicks99 Posted September 5, 2006 Share Posted September 5, 2006 Hmmm, I'm not much of an expert on this, but I believe you have to use the matching TCU. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88pathoffroad Posted September 6, 2006 Share Posted September 6, 2006 Yeah, you do. No idea on wiring compatibility between the two, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
872door Posted September 7, 2006 Author Share Posted September 7, 2006 Well thanks anyway. I had read on another forum that a member was going to do that swap but I cant remember where I read that. Old age is getting the best of me! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unccpathfinder Posted September 7, 2006 Share Posted September 7, 2006 i'd say u'd have to swap the TCU like cd said...try and get a hold of the circuit diagrams for both and possibly cross reference part numbers for the ecu's and TCU's...the stealership might be willing to plot off the diagrams for u but im not sure or possibly a parts store can get them for u Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
872door Posted September 8, 2006 Author Share Posted September 8, 2006 Thanks , I dont know why I didnt think of going to the Stealership for info. Last time I was there looking for Cowl Grills they printed off every page of the computer they looked at and gave them to me. I found a used tranny for an 88-? but am not sure what year it actually is. My tranny works just fine but is a 3 spd. The used tranny is $125.00 I thought I would buy it just in case. If the time comes and I have to replace it I would rather rebuild a 4spd. I'll keep yall posted on what i find. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88pathoffroad Posted September 8, 2006 Share Posted September 8, 2006 $125 for an auto is a DEAL. Most of 'em go for $700+. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
872door Posted September 10, 2006 Author Share Posted September 10, 2006 Well, it will have to be rebuilt. Owner of the junk yard says it runs fine till it warms up then starts to slip. I checked on a price and it is $1,100 to rebuild. Thats with no install. That includes all new parts and torque converter. Not just a repair. 1 year warranty nationwide. Is that 700+ for a working tranny? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PathfinderJerry Posted September 10, 2006 Share Posted September 10, 2006 Hello guys, new person here... I have an 89 SE. Anyway I have heard that the reason why the 4-spd auto's go bad is lack of cooling, I am not sure how much truth there is to that. Was told that just because the tranny warning light doesnt come on doesnt mean that the tranny isnt running hot. Perhaps a nice aftermarket tranny cooler could cure this and would definately be worth the money when you consider what a re-build costs. Funny thing 872Door mentioned cowl grills, both of mine are broken too Anyway guys this may or may not help, but I am glad to have found the best forum on the net dedicated to the best SUV made. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedPath88 Posted September 10, 2006 Share Posted September 10, 2006 One of the first things you should do if you have an Auto, is to install an after market transmission cooler. Completely eliminate the stock one because they clog up over time and take out the tranny. Many people have learned this the hard way, don't be one of them... put a new one in ASAP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
872door Posted September 11, 2006 Author Share Posted September 11, 2006 I have an old cooler from an old truck that is clean and in good shapethat I thought about using. It measures about 8"x12". Does that sound like it would be large enough. If so any ideas as to the best place to mount it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88pathoffroad Posted September 11, 2006 Share Posted September 11, 2006 That would work. In front of the AC condenser(if you have one) is the best place. You could stick it behind the rediator too, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
872door Posted September 11, 2006 Author Share Posted September 11, 2006 I plan on installing the cooler as soon as I get the oil sending "switch w/gauge" unit resolved. Local parts stores seem to have the same type of switch, all of them the wrong one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedPath88 Posted September 11, 2006 Share Posted September 11, 2006 You have the more expensive one don't you. Typical unit (oil light only) Less common unit (with oil gauge) Check here, even if you do not order you will have the part numbers needed for a local store to get you the right part RockAuto.com - 1987 : NISSAN : PATHFINDER : 3.0L 2960cc V6 TBI (H) [VG30I] : Electrical-Switch & Relay : Oil Pressure Switch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
872door Posted September 12, 2006 Author Share Posted September 12, 2006 Cool! Its the one in the middle. The bottom one pictured is the one that they keep sending. it has 0-60 stamped on it.The pathy has a 0-120 scale gauge. When I installed the one they sent at idle it would show pressure and the light would come on. Thanks for the link. I cant wait to get this thing resolved. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PathfinderJerry Posted September 13, 2006 Share Posted September 13, 2006 Hey 872Door, I have a factory shop manual for my 89, should be unchanged from your 87... it has all the wiring diagrams in it so I can look them up for you for your tranny and photocopy and mail them to you (I dont have a scanner) and maybe someone else on here will have a newer manual and they can do the same for the 4 spd tranny and TCU you want to install, then you will have all the diagrams at your fingertips. I cannot offer any advice to you on the swap, but from what I know everyone else is correct in saying you will need the newer tranny TCU, and there may be wiring issues. Let me know if I can help... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
872door Posted September 14, 2006 Author Share Posted September 14, 2006 Jerry, That would be greatly appreciated! Let me know when and where and I will send you a money order to cover cost of what ever is needed. The 89 model should have the wiring diagram for the 4 spd. auto. I think 87 was the last year for the 3spd. You are the man Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
872door Posted September 14, 2006 Author Share Posted September 14, 2006 Red, I ordered the part from auto zone. Ordered at 10 am it arrived at 3 pm. When I saw on their computer that it was a Nieoff (< check spelling) part I was pretty sure it would be the right one. of all the places auto zone was the cheapest @ $35.99 Thanks for the link and the part number! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedPath88 Posted September 15, 2006 Share Posted September 15, 2006 No problem So that issue is solved now? If so, get that cooler in Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mws Posted September 15, 2006 Share Posted September 15, 2006 One of the first things you should do if you have an Auto, is to install an after market transmission cooler. Completely eliminate the stock one because they clog up over time and take out the tranny. Many people have learned this the hard way, don't be one of them... put a new one in ASAP No, no, no.... The first thing you should do is THROW IT FAR FAR AWAY and replace it with a 5 speed manual! Oops, my prejudice is showing. I'm STILL trying to figure out how to make a 6 speed stick fit into my '87 Chevy van.... The lack of factory clutch linkages and how to install a shifter that can be easily reached are proving to be challenges! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedPath88 Posted September 15, 2006 Share Posted September 15, 2006 No, no, no.... The first thing you should do is THROW IT FAR FAR AWAY and replace it with a 5 speed manual! Oops, my prejudice is showing. I'm STILL trying to figure out how to make a 6 speed stick fit into my '87 Chevy van.... The lack of factory clutch linkages and how to install a shifter that can be easily reached are proving to be challenges! I agree... but if can't do that... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PathfinderJerry Posted September 16, 2006 Share Posted September 16, 2006 Jerry, That would be greatly appreciated! Let me know when and where and I will send you a money order to cover cost of what ever is needed. The 89 model should have the wiring diagram for the 4 spd. auto. I think 87 was the last year for the 3spd. You are the man OK, well I PM'ed you requesting your address so I can send them out to you, were here to help eachother so you don't owe me anything... always glad to help... let me know if there is anything else I can do... Jerry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
872door Posted September 25, 2006 Author Share Posted September 25, 2006 Jerry, Check your PM's Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest striperdad Posted October 5, 2006 Share Posted October 5, 2006 If you decide to get rid of that 3spd. , I'm in the market for one Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
872door Posted October 5, 2006 Author Share Posted October 5, 2006 If I can work out the change I'll pm you . I hope your not in a big hurry for the tranny. Looks like I might be the first around here to try this thing. I'll have to take my time and a lot of pics. i dont want to render a good vehicle completly useless! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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