calling out all 5speeders

[4runna08]

ok so i bought a 5speed 4runner because with my previous car i had to rebuild the tranny(2000honda accord v6)

this is my first car i learned how to drive stick on. ive got the hang of it when it comes to shifting and using the clutch, but the shifts are not consistently smooth. sometimes ill hit a nudge which i believe are the synchros and it makes me cringe everytime. im starting to get paranoid that eventually i will have to rebuild the trans.

at first gear i shift around 2500, then from second to third around 2300, and from third to 4th i can almost never get it to shift shift smoothly there is always a nudge.

What are the shift points?

can you give me some tips which will save my trans from being rebuilt

Thanks a lot guys!

 

[4runna08]

also the previous owner has changed out the clutch already and i bought the 4runner with 113000 miles which isnt much. what are some tips for prolonging life for the clutch :cheers:

 

[JohnsD90]

ok so i bought a 5speed 4runner because with my previous car i had to rebuild the tranny(2000honda accord v6)

this is my first car i learned how to drive stick on. ive got the hang of it when it comes to shifting and using the clutch, but the shifts are not consistently smooth. sometimes ill hit a nudge which i believe are the synchros and it makes me cringe everytime. im starting to get paranoid that eventually i will have to rebuild the trans.

at first gear i shift around 2500, then from second to third around 2300, and from third to 4th i can almost never get it to shift shift smoothly there is always a nudge.

What are the shift points?

can you give me some tips which will save my trans from being rebuilt

Thanks a lot guys!

I've never had a problem shifting a 4runner (Saturn Vue i am terrible at). How long have you been driving stick? that will have a lot to do with it. Also i am doubting its your trannsmission. Just push forward and back easily when shifting and this car will guide it right to the next gear, because if you force it forward you may be hitting a spot between gears and that will feel liek you are stuck. What is wierd is that it is on the upper gears that your shifting is an issue which is usually never the case. Also change the tranny fluid (this will help, it's shifts much better with new fluid) http://www.4runners.org/writeups/difftsf/index.html, and also if you want see if this helps http://www.4runners.org/writeups/shift/index.html ,

Your are shifting at a proper time, i shift before that but thats just me, my dad shifts it higher, it's all preference. The synchros allow you to shift whenever you want to.

 

[JohnsD90]

also the previous owner has changed out the clutch already and i bought the 4runner with 113000 miles which isnt much. what are some tips for prolonging life for the clutch :cheers:

To save the clutch try to shorten the amount of time the clutch is engaged (not so much that the shift isnt smooth though). and thats pretty early to change it. the PO must of been terrible on it.

 

[4runna08]

http://www.4runners.org/writeups/difftsf/index.html[/url], and also if you want see if this helps http://www.4runners.org/writeups/shift/index.html ,

Your are shifting at a proper time, i shift before that but thats just me, my dad shifts it higher, it's all preference. The synchros allow you to shift whenever you want to.

it has been about 6 months. so what is that stuck feeling between 3rd and 4th? i have to be easy on it and go 3-n-4 instead of one motion. also what are some tips going from 1 to 2 because sometimes i feel that grindage. thanks

 

[JohnsD90]

it has been about 6 months. so what is that stuck feeling between 3rd and 4th? i have to be easy on it and go 3-n-4 instead of one motion. also what are some tips going from 1 to 2 because sometimes i feel that grindage. thanks

If its that bad between 3 and 4 that you have to double clutch than your syncros are probably going. The previous owner must have killed that car.

 

[Elton H]

how many miles does the truck have mines got 180k and i switch over to syntheic tranny fuild it shifts smooth

 

[4runna08]

the car has 117k on it now. like what im saying is from 1-2 then 2-3 the shifter will "slip" into gear smooth when everything done correctly. but that doesnt happen from3-4 for some reason. the owner said he changed the fluids with royal purple

 

[JohnsD90]

the car has 117k on it now. like what im saying is from 1-2 then 2-3 the shifter will "slip" into gear smooth when everything done correctly. but that doesnt happen from3-4 for some reason. the owner said he changed the fluids with royal purple

just change them again, most likely the owner didnt change the tranny fluid. Here do this, it sounds like this could solve your problem: http://www.4runners.org/writeups/shift/index.html

 

[steezemcqueen]

just change them again, most likely the owner didnt change the tranny fluid. Here do this, it sounds like this could solve your problem: http://www.4runners.org/writeups/shift/index.html

x2 on the bushing. i just did mine and it made a big improvement on the engagement and the whole feel of the shifter

buy the one from marlin and get the shifter socket too

linky

shifter seat(bushing): http://www.marlincrawler.com/transmission/parts-upgrade/heavy-duty-shifter-seats
you need the white one

socket: http://www.marlincrawler.com/transmission/parts-upgrade/heavy-duty-shifter-socket
$6 one

 

[denverunner]

I just ordered these parts (thanks for the link!) and plan on changing out the bushing next week. I'm having similar issues with my 98'. I just purchased it last week and it tends to "pause" between 1-2 and 2-3. I've always driven manual trannys and this sort of thing never happens with my 98 honda civic, so hopefully changing the bushing will help to some degree. If not, then I'll swap all the fluids and see where that gets me.

 

[kellogg]

Follow the Owners Manual:

1st to 2nd: 15mph
2nd to 3rd: 25mph
3rd to 4th: 40mph
4th to 5th: 45mph (I wait till 50, I feel 45 is too slow for 5th)

 

[JohnsD90]

Follow the Owners Manual:

1st to 2nd: 15mph
2nd to 3rd: 25mph
3rd to 4th: 40mph
4th to 5th: 45mph (I wait till 50, I feel 45 is too slow for 5th)

i do about 1-2 2300, after that its shifting at 2 grand.

 

[024RunnerSE]

My 98 5spd shifts like butter. I don't even use the clutch, i just float gears. Owners manual gives you shift points for better fuel economy. You should be able to upshift into uany gear doesn't matter speed your traveling.

Do your syncros make a loud whining noise?

 

[Ron Helmuth]

my synchros whine a bit

024Runner SE
mine whine a bit like that also. No one else seems concerned about it. I ask the alignment guys or my buddies at Irbis if it worries them when they drive it and they say completely normal.

It's a bit louder when cold and then as it warms up and I turn the radio up I don't notice it at all.

Good to hear about this Marlin stuff and his reputation preceeds his products.

 

[024RunnerSE]

I'm guessing yours is a 4WD as is mine. The problem with the "clunky" shifting is that all R-series gear boxes are clunkyish. My W58 in my Cressida is smooth enough to shift from one gear to another in one stroke but W series trannys aren't as stout as a R series trans. The slight bump you feel is perfectly normal. Get a gear oil change to extend the life of your trans.

The smoother softer shifting W58 was only used in less powerful vehicles such as:

The 2WD Hilux aka Pickup R series motor
X32, X62, X73 Cressida
Lexus IS300
MK2, MK3, MK4 Supra N/A
80-85 Celica RWD

The R series gear boxes were in the stouter vehicles that demanded more bite from powerful engines or challenging terrains:

Prado/4Runner/Pickup/Tacoma M/T 4WD
LandCruiser I6 and V8 M/T
Mk3 Supra Turbo


So enjoy your rig knowing you got a stout gear box and nevermind the slight clunk in the shifting. Go test drive a 6spd FJ Cruiser or Tacoma, you'll like your R better.