linuxrunner

I have a 1st gen 4runner that i have started having a hard time getting it to shift into first from a stop (shifts great if i am moving) all other gears shift like butter, even reverse. I can either force it into first, which works okay although makes a loud clunk. Or i can sometimes shift it into 2nd or 3rd and then it will go into 1st. Sometimes it shifts into 1st no problem from a stop, i would say i have trouble 60% of the time.

I had the transmission rebuilt about 25k miles ago (new clutch and all that jazz too) and it was working great!

but about 8k miles ago I removed and completely rebuilt the engine and it seems like ever since i reinstalled the engine it has not shifted into 1st smoothly (i don't remember having any trouble before)

After re-installing the engine and noticing that it was difficult to shift into 1st i checked the clutch peddle bracket for cracks.
Finding none i assumed that the junk rebuilt master and slave cylinders were going bad.
Replaced both with new aisin parts, have a nice firm peddle now, but still the same problem.
I can see that when pressing the clutch peddle the clutch completely disengages (and more)
Since it had helped in the past I replaced the shifter bushings, but the old ones were still good looking and the new ones made no difference.

I am thinking I will probably have to pull the transmission because i must have messed something up when i installed the engine, but i have no idea what to look for?

Co_94_PU

iTrader: (-1)

My brain says scyncronizers for some reason, but I don't recall why or where ect.

I also don't recall where I read/learned it, but if you can't get into first or reverse just release the clucth and try again and it'll usually work just fine.

Yep sorry not alot of help.

RAD4Runner

Scribed. Mine has similar problem, although to a lesser extent. Usually when I first start driving in the morning. During the day usually has no issue. When in higher gears, never an issue. No grinding, just feeling like something's blocking the shifter. Bushing had been replaced. Could the much-touted Redlines or Amsoil synthetics help?

uniformFoxtrot

I'm on the same page as you only on initial start up after that works fine, I changed my fluid to Redline mt-90 it didn't change my 1st gear issue but it feels like the transmission definitely shifts better.

linuxrunner

after driving around and playing with it yesterday, I noticed that when it won't shift into 1st it often also won't shift into 2nd or 3rd, but i can shift into reverse.

And when shifted into reverse it will then slide right into 1st or 2nd or what ever other gear i am after.

So if you are waiting behind someone at a red light and their backup lights flash on, give them a minute maybe they are just trying to shift it into 1st

jerry507

I have this same issue too. It's relatively intermittent. Need a 50F day in Minnesota to change the fluid to Redline stuff though...