I have an 84 4runner with 186,000 miles on it - haven't had it long and seems like all it's done since I bought it is stay in the shop. The shifting has always been a little rough so had the clutch replaced but that didn't seem fo fix much. When it's cold it shifts okay but after it warms up you actually wonder if your going to get it in gear or not. Is it time to sell out or is there something to try besides replacing the transmission?

 

You might have a look at the shifter seat bushing:
- http://www.off-road.com/toyota/tech/shifter/index.html

Also, what grade and weight gear oil are you running?
- http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/index.sh...ntheticGearOil

 

there are two easy things you should do before you think about a rebuild or selling the truck.

1. the shifter seat and bushing has probably never been replaced...go to the dealer and get it or order the poly ones from www.marlincrawler.com anyone who has replaced it will tell you its a world of a diffrence.

2. change the tranny lube...it might have never been changed (could be bad) and get some synthetic in there!



EDIT: hahaha! the exact time i was making this post 4crawler wrote the exact same thing

 

Wow!! Thanks!! I'll get on it this week. I really appreciate the help.

 

If your 84 Runner w/186K mi is like my 84 Runner w/165K mi, doing those 2 things probably won't help. It most likely needs a tranny rebuild like mine does.

 

Those 2 things were the EXACT ticket for mine at 210k. Now at 219k it still shifts great.

Difficulty in shifting is rarely a sign of needing a rebuild. Bearing noises and such (and worse) are usually the sign it's time for a rebuild. It can be totally shot inside and still shift smoothly.

 

Okay - looks like it was a combination of problems - did the shifter bushing and the fluid - both of which were needed badly. Helped some but still things weren't right - went back to the shop and had them replace the master and slave cylinder - which should have been done when they put the clutch in and after that things are smoother than it has been since I've owned it! Everyone wants to buy it from me because they think this 52 year old woman doesn't reallize that it's a SFA Toyota!