ok so I was down in Tennessee yesterday with my 94 pickup and I started having an issue with the manual transmission. It no longer goes all the way into 3rd and 4th. They still work, but they seem to only go in half way. I tend to hold them in so they don't pop put. All the other gears work perfect still. It's got 202K with the original clutch but it still grabs fine. The shifter still feels pretty tight so i don't think my bushings are shot. I'm in Elizabethtown KY right now and I hope she makes it back to Detroit fine, which im sure it will. Anyone know where to start with this issue? Thanks, Brian

 

Is it the original shifter bushing?

 

UPDATE...I made it home! 3rd gear started working fine again as soon as i got back into michigan (almost like debris was cleared out of the shifter or something)
Yes, it is the original shifter bushing along with the clutch. My shifter has minimal play, nothing i would think would cause the shifter to not go into 4th all the way. Could that shifter bushing break apart and get stuck in there holding the shifter partially out of gear, without having a ton of play? Transmission oil isn't more than 2 years old. Thanks, Brian

 

Yes, it could. Old gear lube could also cause problems. 2yrs is kind old depending on how you drive. Might check the levels, too. Do a search on MT-90 when you get the chance.

It's not that hard to inspect the bushing, you know. Going by the feel of the shifter is not terribly reliable. That is if your point of reference is the same truck you've been driving for a long time. Anyhow, the bushing's cheaper than a trans. rebuild...or another one. If that's not the problem, I'm willing to bet it's part of it. Those things don't really last that long from factory. 202k is pushing it. If you haven't already, run a search on shifter seat bushing....when you get the chance.

Good you made it home. I know that feeling.

 

Necro-posting.... but it's a crazy coincidence. Yesterday, on my way back to Michigan from Tennessee (same as OP) I had to pull off and do some roadside repairs in Elizabethtown KY. I was just searching the city's name to see if there were any "Is this you?" posts about my obnoxiously immobilized 4Runner & uhaul trailer stuck on the I-65 off ramp to E-town. Bermuda triangle of Toyotas, eh?

 

Ya I guess it is. I posted that at a hotel I was staying at. Had to stop, was falling asleep driving home in the middle of the night.
She's still running great at almost 219,000.
Just drove to battle creek and back at 5am this morning for work.
I was suprised I did 295 miles / 14.4 gal = about 20.5 MPG with A/C at 70mph.
Everything is still original, even the clutch/plug wires.

Go Toyota!

 

Give that badboy a damn tuneup!!!!!

And pull the shifter and check the condition of the shifter seat and bushing.