All of the above.

Take a look at this, http://www.ipttrans.com/toyotaauto.shtml

This is a company that does tranny upgrades, including work on our friend Tony (the Tiger) Leung's 1994 1MZFE turbocharged Camry that I have talked about before. Look at the different things they upgrade.

I am advocating this? No, even though I plan to do it in the far future (when I finally go back to the U.S.). However, it does raise questions to me that there could have been improvements made (as with all trannies not just Lexus). Our brothers and sisters with RX330s report issues, too.

One final thing, and I thought I might mention it, I have a pretty good list now of what I need for a turbocharger on my RX300, but unfortunately even though I have enough $$$, I won't be able to put it together for sometime. I am way, way too overloaded with work at the moment to do it, including until I possibly go back to the U.S. I will however continue with other performance modifications (which I think are more readily doable for most of us).

 

How do you know if the vehicle has the tow package? Mine does not have a trailer hitch or electrical connections for a trailer, does this mean it does not have the tranny cooler?

 

Look for the tranny cooler on the passenger side behind the front bumper here.

 

The cause of transmission failure in these early-year RX300 is that the maintenance schedule NEVER called for replacement of the transmission fluid, due to the mistaken belief that mere 'inspection' could detect a problem before it became a failure. Trust me; happened to me; my vehicle was maintained 'by the book' yet the transmission failed at 115,000 miles.

 

So your theory is that with proper maintenance and flushing the tranny fluid, the tranny on the eariler vehicles would have lasted much longer?

 

Thx lexmex, interesting articles to be read there.

 

The planetary gear carrier was aluminium, and some distorted enough to trash the tranny, i.e., sending metal particles through the fluid and clogging the whole thing, therefore no shift or lockup. Lexus later replaced this item with steel, ending the problem. In low mileage cars, some dealers gave discounts. There are no "new" trannies, all are rebuilds. My 2000 RX300 AWD tranny blew and I avoided the dealer cost of $4,500 by using a super tranny shop, all upgrades and a lifetime warrany (as long as I service there on schedule) for $3,500 out the door. Some trannies seem immune, but a lot blow. Lexus has never stood behind this item. I love my Lexus, but my checking account sure took a big, unexpected hit.