Advice on repladcing SMOD transmission with Used Junkyard Tranny

H

huntxterra

Test Drive
Location
Utah
I bought a 2005 4x4 auto Xterra (Sierra the Xterra) with 175,000 miles a year ago for my 16 year old daughter. Immediately had to replace all 4 catalytic converters and as a precaution, I replaced the radiator. Sierra had lots of power, engine purred, and drove well BUT the tranny went out. The AC doesn't work and the body has a few dents. I'm trying to assess if I put more $$ into it. The transmission shop I pulled it to says water got to the tranny CPU and wiped it out...."your tranny has seen better days and needs to be replaced." After already investing $1200-1500 in Sierra, I can't justify to my wife another $3500 to put in a remanufactured transmission. Wife wants to cut our losses and scrap it. I've done a lot of auto mechanic work on my own vehicles over the years. I"m 54 years old, grew up on a farm in Quincy, Washington, and my dad taught me to repair cars. But I've never replaced a transmission or rebuilt an engine.

I'm wondering about getting a used transmission from a junkyard. The junkyard I called said that only 2005 transmissions are compatible with our 2005.

To avoid SMOD damage, are trannys from 2012-2015 compatible with our 2005 Xterra? Or if not, can minor mods be done to make it work? The task of pulling a transmission from a junkyard car seems daunting to me but if I had a moderate chance of success, I would consider it. Are there grease monkeys hanging around junkyards that would be willing to pull the tranny for me for a moderate price? The transmission shop quoted $1000-1200 to install a used transmission.

My daughter really enjoyed racing around in sturdy safe Sierra the Xterra.

What advice do you Xterrans offer?
 
H

huntxterra

Test Drive
Location
Utah
I replaced the radiator as a precaution to avoid the SMOD. I didn't think it had any SMOD damage. So I'm not sure if the transmission was damaged before or after I replaced the radiator. The transmission went out about 3 months after the radiator was replaced.

The junkyard I spoke to said they have a 2005 automatic Xterra. The transmission and valve body would cost me $300. But again, I'm apprehensive about putting in another transmission from the SMOD years - without assurances that it would be in good shape to last a few years.

Thoughts?
 
General_Tarfun

General_Tarfun

Sliders
Location
Atlanta, GA
Water in the trans sounds like it already had SMOD. My 2006 never had it so I don't have personal experience but I've read where people were able to swap in a valve body and get it working but that was never a guaranteed outcome.
 
TerryD

TerryD

Total Tease
Supporting Member
Location
Covington, Va
Historically, junkyard transmissions are a gamble.

I've had the t-case out of mine twice and it's a chore.

On top of that, the transmission has to be programmed to talk to your ECM after its installed.

Xterras are a good vehicle. They're capable, generally dependable and very safe.

My 2007 has had the cats, timing chain tensioners and transmission done, as well as the t-case replaced (I use it pretty hard) and other items and I'm still very attached to it.

Plus the warranty from a shop is worth a good bit of piece of mind.
 
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