How is your 03/04 4Runner shift?

[pwanghk]

Greetings:

After driving my new 04 4Runner Sport Ed for 350miles, I notice that when shifting from park to Rev or D, the SUV jolt/shake abruptly (not as smooth and barely noticeable as the first 300 miles. It feels like the SUV has a hikup). Is this normal? How is your transmission behavior when shifting from P to R or D?

Your feedback is greatly appreciated

 

[petegaz]

Shifting

I just got my 03 4Runner with the 4.7 and have found the same thing. For such a smooth riding truck, it really jumps going into drive from park. It will be interesting to hear what other folks report.

Pete

 

[Iman74]

Switching between drive and reverse or vice versa, you are at a complete stop?

I never noticed such a thing with my 2003 Sport Edition.

 

[dancojgl]

I've found my new '04 V6 jumps too. But if I'm stopped, with the brakes firmly applied, I don't feel it as much.

I think the jump is normal...these new engines put out quite a bit of torque, and it's a lot to ask of the torque converter to be smooth going from no load to high torque, even at idle engine speed.

Try pressing on the brake pedal firmly, that should minimize the lurching.

 

[sliaa]

I noticed the same thing

on my 03 4runner V6 4x4. I asked my dealer and they said that it's normal and if I don't press the brake pedal firmly, it'll be even worse.

I had the same thing on my 97 4runner 4x2, too.

 

[mtnrunner]

after 800 miles on my 04 V8 LTD have not noticed anything unusual, smooth as silk so far...

 

[Woody]

Shift "jerking"

Does this happen when you start the car after it has been sitting for a while (> 4 hours) or when temperatures are low?

If so, Toyota configures their engines to warm-up on ignition. They do this by shooting the idle RPMs high initially (usually between 1200-2000 RPMs) and then gradually lowers to regular idle RPM as the engine warms. This does not occur if your engine is already warmed (or properly lubricated).

If you shift while the RPMs are higher, the more pronounced the jerking will be.

* Woody

 

[mtnrunner]

Good point Woody, and w/ a V8 the start and run days of the 4 banger corolla are gone, you really need a 5 minute warm-up in the winter to prolong engine life and keep it humming smooth...

 

[loyd]

i have the same thing...but i attribute it to the all wheel drive of the limited...all 4 wheels engaging as opposed to only 2....not sure if thats it or not

 

[jharris2]

I've felt it, typically going from reverse to drive. Always just thought it was because I didn't have the brake pedal firmly pressed and that I was rushing the gear change.

It is more pronounced than the Camry or the F150 we used to own, but nothing that I've even brought to the attention of the service manager.