I have a question: do gears ever wear out from use? I only ask because in my 83, there seems to be some 'slop' in there. I haven't checked for how much slop or anything, but it seems like when I let off the gas, there is a second where everything(tranny, axles, etc) sort of catch-up, and then the engine braking starts with a lurch.
is that a carbed engine characteristic or am i being anally retentive?
I remember when I let off the gas in my ranger the slow down was smooth.
Maybe my ring/pinion needs adjustment? i've never messed with that

 

I just finish fixing mine and found loose ring and pinion (.020) Before I could grab the drive line in gear and rotate it back and forth a good half turn. Now it barely moves. I also had axel wrap due to lift block so the whole rear end is tilting back and forth. By the way my ring and pinion were fine. spider gears a bit sloppy but reused. Put in a bearing kit and set the rear end back up correctly now it nice.

 

some times after awhile the pinion nut will also come loose...could also have busted a tool on the ring gear at some point

take about 45 minutes to pull your third and inspect it. might wanna PM ScottyC at Addicted OFf road since he is in colorado...he does gear set up reasonable cheap IMO.

another good site to check out is Zuks http://gearinstalls.com/ he specializes in toyota thirds, I think he has a symptoms page

 

cool, I'll look into both of those. If anyone is interested, my truck's suspension is stock, and we set everything in the rear third to the way it all came out. I have no idea if it was good or bad.

 

Check your Tcase mount and motor mounts for slop. If they have never been changed, they are likely do for a change anyway.

 

Are there bushings that mount the t-case? I replaced the motor mounts when I rebuilt the motor so I know those are good

 

Yes. It sits in the crossmember that runs under the truck. If its original, then I would recommend a HD Tcase mount

 

Slight hijack, but will a worn out t case mount give you a bad wobble at 25mph but when I push in the clutch it goes away. I checked the u joints and they seem good.