Replacing a Toyota Land Cruiser or Prado gearbox in SA costs R9,500–R85,000 depending on series. The 200 Series AB60F 6-speed is the priciest; the 70 and 80 Series remain the most affordable to fix.
Key Takeaways
Replacing the gearbox in a Toyota Land Cruiser or Prado is not cheap — but it does not have to be a crisis. Prices in South Africa in 2026 range from around R9,500 for a reconditioned 70 or 80 Series unit up to R85,000+ for a used Land Cruiser 200 Series AB60F automatic. The right choice between used and recon, and knowing exactly which transmission your vehicle uses, can save you tens of thousands of rands.
Key Takeaways
Model & Series
Gearbox Code
Type & Speeds
Used (approx.)
Recon (approx.)
70 Series (1HZ diesel)
H55F
Manual, 5-speed
R6,000–R12,000
R10,000–R20,000
80 Series (1990–1997)
A442F
Automatic, 4-speed
R8,000–R15,000
R15,000–R25,000
100 Series diesel (SA, 1998–2004 confirmed†)
A442F
Automatic, 4-speed
R10,000–R20,000
R18,000–R30,000
Prado 120 (2002–2009, V6 petrol)
A750F
Automatic, 5-speed
R14,000–R25,000
R22,000–R40,000
Prado 150 (2009–2015)
A750F
Automatic, 5-speed
R16,000–R28,000
R25,000–R45,000
Prado 150 (2015–2023)
AC60F
Automatic, 6-speed
R18,000–R35,000
R30,000–R50,000
200 Series (2008–2021)
AB60F
Automatic, 6-speed
R30,000–R55,000
R50,000–R85,000
Toyota Land Cruiser Gearbox
New & quality used stock from our Johannesburg & Cape Town branches — delivered nationwide.
Which Gearbox Is in My Land Cruiser or Prado?
Toyota has used several distinct transmission families across Land Cruiser and Prado generations. Getting the right unit matters — a gearbox from a different model year or variant will not bolt in even if the external dimensions look similar.
Series
SA Production Years
Transmission Code
Type
Speeds
70 Series (1HZ 4.2 diesel)
1990–present
H55F
Manual
5
80 Series
1990–1997
A442F
Automatic
4
100 Series diesel (SA)
1998–2004†
A442F
Automatic
4
Prado J120 (1GR-FE V6)
2002–2009
A750F
Automatic
5
Prado J150 pre-facelift
2009–2015
A750F
Automatic
5
Prado J150 post-facelift
2015–2023
AC60F
Automatic
6
200 Series
2008–2021
AB60F
Automatic
6
Always confirm by VIN. Toyota changed gearboxes mid-cycle in some models, and SA-spec vehicles sometimes differ from global variants. When ordering a replacement, give your supplier the full VIN to cross-check the part. (†The A442F is confirmed for 100 Series diesel SA models from 1998–2004 per the Toyota A transmission technical record. Owners of 2005–2007 100 Series should verify their specific gearbox code with a Toyota dealer or by VIN.)
Land Cruiser 200 Series — The AB60F 6-Speed Automatic
The AB60F is the most expensive and most capable automatic transmission Toyota ever fitted to a Land Cruiser sold in South Africa. It is an Aisin 6-speed unit rated to handle up to 700 Nm of torque, fitted to the 200 Series from 2008 through to the end of production in 2021. Both the 4.5L V8 diesel (1VD-FTV) and petrol variants use the AB60F.
AB60F gear ratios
Gear
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
5th
6th
Rev
Ratio
3.333
1.960
1.353
1.000
0.728
0.588
3.061
Common AB60F problems
6th gear selection. Early 200 Series models shipped with factory programming that prevented the gearbox from selecting 6th gear below approximately 110 km/h. Toyota issued a software reflash — if you have a pre-2012 200 Series and have never had the gearbox reprogrammed, this is worth doing before blaming the hardware.
The bigger long-term risk is fluid neglect. The AB60F requires Toyota Genuine ATF WS — not Dexron VI or any generic ATF. Dirty or incorrect fluid causes valve-body solenoid fouling, which starts as erratic shifting and escalates to full transmission failure. A drain-and-fill service (7.5 L of ATF WS) every 40,000–60,000 km is good practice for SA conditions, especially if the vehicle is used for towing or off-road work.
AB60F replacement cost in SA Used unit: approximately R30,000–R55,000 | Reconditioned unit: approximately R50,000–R85,000 | Labour (8–12 hours, 4WD): approximately R7,500–R12,000
Land Cruiser 100 Series — The Diesel Workhorse
The 100 Series (1998–2007) is still one of the most popular Land Cruisers on SA roads. For the diesel variant sold in South Africa, Toyota fitted the A442F 4-speed automatic — the same basic gearbox used in the 80 Series. The A442F is confirmed for SA diesel 100 Series models from 1998 through 2004; if you own a 2005–2007 model, verify by VIN before ordering a replacement unit. The large pool of A442F-equipped vehicles in SA means donor gearboxes are not difficult to find.
The A442F is a robust unit. Most failures are either solenoid-related or the result of a worn torque converter after very high mileage. A used 100 Series A442F with a documented km count and service history can be a sensible buy — especially compared to the cost of a recon unit.
Check the transfer case too. When a Land Cruiser 100 Series gearbox fails, the transfer case sometimes suffers simultaneously from the same shock load or fluid contamination. Always ask your gearbox specialist to inspect both units before you commit to a repair quote.
100 Series A442F replacement cost in SA Used unit: approximately R10,000–R20,000 | Reconditioned unit: approximately R18,000–R30,000 | Labour (8–12 hours): approximately R7,500–R12,000
If you're seeing early warning signs — delayed engagement, slipping between gears, or shudder under load — read our guide to signs your Toyota gearbox needs replacing before booking it in.
Prado 120 and 150 Series — The Family 4x4
The Prado is SA's most popular family 4x4, and its gearbox story splits neatly in two: models before the 2015 facelift used the A750F 5-speed automatic, while 2015 and later Prado 150s were upgraded to the AC60F 6-speed automatic.
Prado J120 (2002–2009) — A750F 5-speed
The Prado 120 with the 4.0L 1GR-FE V6 petrol engine uses the A750F — a 5-speed heavy-duty automatic shared with several other large Toyota 4WDs. It is a well-proven unit. Failures typically involve the valve body or the torque converter after 250,000+ km. Used units are readily available in SA from stripped Prado 120s.
Prado J150 (2009–2023) — A750F then AC60F
The Prado 150 launched in 2009 with the same A750F 5-speed. In 2015, Toyota upgraded both petrol and diesel variants to the 6-speed AC60F as part of the mid-life facelift. The AC60F is smoother but more expensive to replace.
Prado 150 "Kick Back Delay" fault. A number of Prado 150 owners (particularly pre-2015 A750F models) have reported unpredictable gear change characteristics and a jerk when moving off. Toyota acknowledged this and released two separate software updates. If you are buying a used Prado 150, ask whether these updates have been applied.
Prado gearbox replacement cost in SA A750F (J120/early J150) — Used: ~R14,000–R28,000 | Recon: ~R22,000–R45,000 AC60F (J150 from 2015) — Used: ~R18,000–R35,000 | Recon: ~R30,000–R50,000 Labour: ~R6,500–R10,000 (6–10 hours)
Toyota Prado Gearbox
New & quality used stock from our Johannesburg & Cape Town branches — delivered nationwide.
Land Cruiser 70 Series — The Workhorse That Won't Quit
The 70 Series is still sold new in South Africa and remains a favourite for farmers, game lodges, and anyone who needs a vehicle that will run forever with minimal fuss. The primary gearbox in the 4.2L 1HZ diesel 70 Series is the H55F 5-speed manual — a tough, straightforward unit that rarely fails catastrophically. When it does fail, it is usually the synchromesh rings on 3rd or 4th gear.
Reconditioned H55F units start from around R10,000 in SA — making the 70 Series one of the most cost-effective Land Cruisers to keep on the road.
Manual gearbox oil grade matters. The H55F requires a GL-4 rated gear oil. Avoid straight GL-5 in manual Toyota gearboxes — the sulphur-based EP additives in GL-5 can attack the brass synchro rings over time. Use a GL-4 or GL-4/5 dual-rated oil at the correct viscosity for your conditions.
70 Series H55F replacement cost in SA Used unit: approximately R6,000–R12,000 | Reconditioned unit: approximately R10,000–R20,000 | Labour (4–6 hours): approximately R3,500–R6,000
Used vs Recon — What Makes Sense for a Land Cruiser?
For most Land Cruiser buyers the answer comes down to budget and how long you plan to keep the vehicle.
Option
Best For
Typical Warranty
Risk
Used OEM (pulled unit)
High-km vehicles; tight budget; older models with lots of donor cars
30–90 days
Unknown internal wear history
Reconditioned (recon)
Newer models; vehicles you plan to keep 3+ years; towing or off-road use
6–12 months
Higher upfront cost; quality varies by workshop
New (dealer OEM)
Vehicles under warranty; when budget is not the primary concern
Toyota warranty
Very expensive; often not practical for older models
Specialists like Mayfair Gearbox dyno-test every reconditioned unit and offer a one-year warranty with nationwide collection and delivery — which is worth comparing against the short warranty on a pulled used unit when you own a 200 Series or a Prado 150.
What gearbox is in a Toyota Land Cruiser 200 Series?
The 200 Series (2008–2021) uses the Aisin AB60F 6-speed automatic transmission in all SA variants, rated to 700 Nm of torque. It requires Toyota ATF WS fluid.
What gearbox is in a Toyota Prado 150?
Prado J150 models built before the 2015 facelift use the A750F 5-speed automatic. From the 2015 facelift onwards, all Prado 150 models received the AC60F 6-speed automatic. Check your build date to confirm which unit your vehicle has.
How much does it cost to replace a Land Cruiser gearbox in SA?
Used units range from R6,000 (70 Series manual) to around R55,000 (200 Series AB60F). Reconditioned units range from R10,000 to R85,000+. Add R6,500–R12,000 for labour on a 4WD Land Cruiser, which typically takes 8–12 hours at a specialist workshop.
Is a reconditioned Land Cruiser gearbox worth it?
For a 200 Series or Prado 150 that you plan to keep, yes — a 6–12 month warranty on a dyno-tested recon unit is worth the premium over a short-warranty pulled unit. For an older 80 Series or 100 Series on a budget, a good-quality used unit with a mechanical inspection is often the more practical choice.
How long do Land Cruiser gearboxes last?
With regular fluid changes and no abuse, the AB60F and A750F regularly exceed 300,000 km. The main killers are neglected ATF, heavy towing without a transmission cooler, and ignoring early warning signs like slipping or delayed engagement. Early attention usually means a valve-body repair rather than a full replacement.
Can I get Land Cruiser gearbox parts from used Toyota specialists?
Yes. Used Toyota parts specialists can supply pulled gearboxes from accident-damaged or high-mileage vehicles, often at a fraction of the recon price. Always check the donor vehicle's km and ask for a compression or function test before purchasing. See our Toyota Land Cruiser parts page for available stock.
Related Video
Video: Toyota LANDCRUISER 200 Series V8 – Torque Lockup Kit & ECU/Transmission Remap
This article is for informational and educational purposes only, based on automotive industry research and publicly available data. Used Toyota Parts SA is a parts supplier, not a licensed automotive repair facility. We do not provide mechanical advice or diagnostics.
Always consult a qualified mechanic or Toyota-certified technician before performing repairs. Incorrect installation of parts can lead to vehicle damage, safety hazards, or injury. Prices, specifications, and availability mentioned are approximate and subject to change.
We assume no liability for actions taken based on this content. Contact us for current parts availability and pricing.
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