So, fired up my V6 to plow today and it is a bear to get into 1st gear and reverse and likes to grind unless I really jam it in. It is also hard to get it out of Gear. I have a bad feeling it has something to do with the way the clutch was put in, but I'm hoping it is something simple if anyone else on here has had a similar problem. There is a lot of loose play in the shifter. Low fluid or something else?

 

when i put a new master cylinder in mine, i had to adjust the clutch pedal out further, when i did that worked like a champ.

my truck did all the same stuff. adjusted it good to go

 

Mine was like that and the problem was the GL-5 I put in it - too slippery for the synchros. Has shifted great since I got the MT-90 in there, tho.

You also may want to drop in some Marlin shifter seat bushings, too.
http://www.marlincrawler.com/transmi...-shifter-seats

 

I had the same issue after a clutchflywheel install...adjusted the clutch pedal underneath the dash and work out good.

 

Remove the shifter and replace the shifter seat and bushing.

Search it on here, I posted some before and after videos of my insane shifter slop ( could move the shifter side to side 5" in each gear!). the Marlin shifter seat and bushing fixed that.

before you shift into reverse, shift into 2nd or 4th gear. Or really any forward gear, this will let you slip into reverse without grinding.

 

I know 3 people that drive 89-95 pick ups / 4runners, including myself, that their reverse grinds. and I have a brand new clutch. lol

 

I shift into 2nd before reverse, its a habit now! no more grindy grindy! Well unless I try and pop it into reverse while rolling backwards!

 

x2

 

Also, check your clutch pedal bracket... the one the clutch pedal is attached to under the dash... they are known to crack, and cause the exact symptoms you described.... if the bracket moves AT ALL... it needs to be welded or replaced.

 

I used to do this but shifted into 3rd and it did the same thing, I'll try 2nd too when I get mine running again.
I think what it does is slow something down inside of the tranny that allows the synchro for reverse to work better...

 

what is this talk about replacing a bushing in the shifter? i have to really push mine into first, and when i have to back up i need to put it into first before i can get it into reverse

 

Ha ha. And what's all this FUSS I hear... about saving Soviet jewelry? *

 

if the shifter bushing is toast its harder to align the shifter to get into gear. However if you're not low on fluid in the clutch master cylinder theres a good chance your clutch bracket inside the truck is cracked.(common v6 problem)

 

Clutch pedal freeplay adjustment fixed the problem. Thanks everyone!

 

This could be a somewhat common issue of the clutch bracket cracking and failing, allowing excessive movement. check for cracks in the upper left part of the bracket.

-Zach