I would appreciate if anyone has found a resolution. I have a 2003 4R I purchased in 2009 and didn't notice this issue for a couple months after having the vehicle. It has gotten increasingly difficult to shift into lower gears than drive and I couldn't go from R -> P. I usually went to N and had a sweet spot to get it into P. This morning I shifted and heard what I believe to be something plastic break and I have a floppy shifter. Didn't anyone make the final repair?

I took the floor shift assembly apart today... or atleast half way. It doesnt seem to be a problem with the shift lock ECU assy. I'm focusing on either the "lower position indicator housing" or the unnamed hunk of plastic that the "shift lever lock pin" goes through.

I just encountered the same problem. Shifter flips between 3rd and D with no resistance what so ever. Any update on a possible fix?

Hey guys, chalk up another floppy shifter.

Happened to me today while driving to work. I was in 3 for whatever reason, and, when going back into D, there was a huge amount of resistance. I slapped it into D, heard a click, and from there on, it became very floppy, with no resistance between shifting anywhere. It also has been increasingly hard these past months to shift into L.

I have some technical knowledge about the tranny; that being the 03-04 V6'es came with the A340E 4-spd tranny, used in many many Toyota's in the past. I heard these trannies have a physical, mechanical connection from the transmission to the shifter, however, I can't confirm that. I will be going to the dealership tomorrow to see if I can get some more information.

I'd imagine this problem doesn't exist in the newer 4th gens with the 5 speed A750 transmission.

What did the dealer say regarding the floppy tranny?

I am guessing someone figured this out..

There is a pin sitting in a hole with a spring it in right next to the shifter post. What I can't figure out it how to get the pin to stay in place when reinstalling it.

I think the cause of the problem is the grease dries up causing friction on the pin flipping it out of the hole or the grease dries up and the plastic wears to a point the pin can pop out.. either way I have to get the pin to stay seated and am unable to have that happen.. Any suggestions?

Ditto on this problem. Happened to me this weekend on my 03. Anyone found a good solution other than forking over $600+ for a new shift box mechanism?

(FYI: someone on another thread said they were just using a rubber band to hold it in 4th while towing . . .)

$600?? They are $1100 in Canada.. I am doing without, it only took a few days to get use to it.. I think mass emails to Toyota should be in order. They can sell the small plastic plate for $50 ($100 if they are greedy) or make no sales at all.

I have a 03 4runner SR5 4.7 just turned over 166K miles and I pulled a guy out of ditch yesterday and put vehicle in low 4WD so wouldn't put much strain on trans & put tranny in low 1 and now I have noticed the shifter being sloppy, has anyone found a easy fix or low cost fix?

For the past couple of years I have used a black elastic band with a fender washer. Run the elastic through the washer and tie it tight enough to just slip over the gear shifter. Put the shifter into drive and stick the washer into the edge of the little compartment door that's in the shift console.

This holds the shifter over into 4th gear. The elastic is flexible and will allow you to put it in a few different gears. If moving more than a couple gears, pop the washer out of the door edge.

When not using (during towing) I slip it off and store in that little compartment.

Not real sophisticated, but does the trick (and is well worth not paying over $600 to replace everything)!

Trying to visualize this. Can you take some pics?
Thanks.

Now I get it.

Is keeping it in D an issue?

When towing they recommend keeping it in 4th and not drive, as the transmission will hunt too much.

I understand but what I meant was:
Others in the thread were saying the shifter is side-to-side floppy in and out of D. You are keeping it in 4th for a reason. Do you have trouble keeping it in D (to the right) and not randomly going into 4th when not towing?