Good News on the R154 shifter extension(sort of)
10-06-08, 07:02 PM
#1
Good News on the R154 shifter extension(sort of)
Well as many of you know the MKIII R154 Transmission that graced our shores is not a direct bolt-in. Regardless, this transmission is a great value at the going rate of 400-500 dollars, and lets face it, V160 prices suck. A CL member, I believe it was "Blizzy", converted his MKIII R154 using A jdm swan neck and control lever. Sadly, these parts became unavailable about three months ago.
At first I called the big Toyota dealers in the United States (Champion, Elmhurst, etc) with no luck. So I figured I would contact Japan. Realizing that I don't speak Japanese, I decided to contact Australia. Bellow is verbatim of the Email from Castlehill Toyota.
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ORIGINAL MESSAGE
From: Nick Cazessus
Country: United States
I was referred to your dealership by a friend. I'm in search of Toyota Soarer transmission parts. I own a 1996 Lexus SC300 (stateside equivalent of Soarer). I am currently converting an R154 transmission to my car but I'm missing two parts; The swan neck 33521-24040 and shift control lever 33570-24010. The Japanese have stopped sending these parts to the U.S. and I need them. Please help and if so, tell me how much it will cost shipped to U.S. zipcode 32952. Thank you, Nick
REPLY
Hi Nick
Thank you for your inquiry
33521-24040 $55.00---($40.44 Us dollars)
33570-24010 $225.00---($165.44 Us dollars)
Postage $55.00---($40.44 Us dollars)
The parts are currently nil stock in Australia and Japan. Japan has quoted 5 business days production time and another 10 business days to freight them here. Once they arrive here, it's another 3-5 business days to you. The Postage price includes tracking which can be done on the web. All prices quoted in Australian dollars tax exempt for export.
Regards
James Sloane
Castlehill Toyota
2 Victoria ave.
Castle Hill NSW 2154
Ph: +61 2 8831-8831
Fax: +61 2 8831-8820
chtoyota.com.au
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So you can see how it's kind-of good news. The parts are technically available, they are just more expensive now. Still $400 tranny + $350 bellhousing + $246 shifter parts = $996 Soarer R154. Thats less than the last couple genuine Soarer R154's I saw go for, and something tells me if these two pieces didn't used to be $90, then $246 wouldn't look so bad.
I am currently just going the "vipsoarer" welding method, but I hope this helps some CL members who don't have access to a welder.
Nick
At first I called the big Toyota dealers in the United States (Champion, Elmhurst, etc) with no luck. So I figured I would contact Japan. Realizing that I don't speak Japanese, I decided to contact Australia. Bellow is verbatim of the Email from Castlehill Toyota.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
ORIGINAL MESSAGE
From: Nick Cazessus
Country: United States
I was referred to your dealership by a friend. I'm in search of Toyota Soarer transmission parts. I own a 1996 Lexus SC300 (stateside equivalent of Soarer). I am currently converting an R154 transmission to my car but I'm missing two parts; The swan neck 33521-24040 and shift control lever 33570-24010. The Japanese have stopped sending these parts to the U.S. and I need them. Please help and if so, tell me how much it will cost shipped to U.S. zipcode 32952. Thank you, Nick
REPLY
Hi Nick
Thank you for your inquiry
33521-24040 $55.00---($40.44 Us dollars)
33570-24010 $225.00---($165.44 Us dollars)
Postage $55.00---($40.44 Us dollars)
The parts are currently nil stock in Australia and Japan. Japan has quoted 5 business days production time and another 10 business days to freight them here. Once they arrive here, it's another 3-5 business days to you. The Postage price includes tracking which can be done on the web. All prices quoted in Australian dollars tax exempt for export.
Regards
James Sloane
Castlehill Toyota
2 Victoria ave.
Castle Hill NSW 2154
Ph: +61 2 8831-8831
Fax: +61 2 8831-8820
chtoyota.com.au
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
So you can see how it's kind-of good news. The parts are technically available, they are just more expensive now. Still $400 tranny + $350 bellhousing + $246 shifter parts = $996 Soarer R154. Thats less than the last couple genuine Soarer R154's I saw go for, and something tells me if these two pieces didn't used to be $90, then $246 wouldn't look so bad.
I am currently just going the "vipsoarer" welding method, but I hope this helps some CL members who don't have access to a welder.
Nick
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10-07-08, 04:53 PM
#9
make your own. im sure you can find more then one person/fabricator in the area that will modify it for you properly for less then 250 bucks.
hell if people are willing to pay i can have my dad start doing it. he has a welding/fabrication/CNC business.
...so who wants to send me some money. lol. JK
hell if people are willing to pay i can have my dad start doing it. he has a welding/fabrication/CNC business.
...so who wants to send me some money. lol. JK
10-07-08, 05:25 PM
#10
Lead Lap
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why not just cut, extend a couple inches, and weld? thats what I did- worked great. Didnt cost me anything, cuz a good friend of mine is an amazing welder. I dont see it costing more than $20-$40 anyway...
10-08-08, 08:28 PM
#11
Pole Position
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Curious, does anyone have pictures of the welded ones ?
I just installed a r154 and was going to have a company extend the shifter housing for me for $250. But if there's a different and cheaper way, I would like to know. Right now, we just cut a whole in the frame for it to come straight up, but since its closer to the dash now, I cannot get the interior pieces in, so I need to do this asap.
I just installed a r154 and was going to have a company extend the shifter housing for me for $250. But if there's a different and cheaper way, I would like to know. Right now, we just cut a whole in the frame for it to come straight up, but since its closer to the dash now, I cannot get the interior pieces in, so I need to do this asap.
