I have an '88 pickup with about 177,000 on it. Not many problems with it until now. As soon as I shift into 4th the rpms keeping going up like normal but the truck doesn't go any faster, almost like it's in neutral. I have noticed a couple times that it surges mildly while this happens. Any advice/help is much appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Sounds clutch related. If you're at a standstill how easy does it want to pull out in 1st gear? Does the clutch grab about halfway up the pedal stroke or is your foot almost all the way out?

It could be slow hydraulics, a weak pressure plate, sticking or binding clutch disc on the input shaft, etc.

X2 on the clutch, sounds like you're losing 4th gear. This happened to me on my Hyundai Tiburon.

Thanks for the quick replies. I was afraid it might be the clutch. I don't have any experience with clutches how complicated are they to replace/repair?

Cliffnotes Version:
Disassemble shifter
Disassemble hydraulics
Unbolt driveshafts
unbolt trans
unbolt x-member
lower trans
replace clutch
lather rinse repeat.

It really isn't hard to do, but you will be dealing with some pretty heavy components that could fall on you. Plus there is the comfort factor of doing a bigger job like this, some people just don't have a pair to be confident that they are dismantling large peices of their rig. Plus their is whether or not you have a place to do the work, changing a clutch outside, on the ground, in January, with snow running into your boots can be a buzz kill.

If you're up to it, it can easily be done in a weekend. In a day if you're a decent mechanic, in an afternoon if you're a pro.

Hmm, sounds like a weekend job for me. Is there a brand you would suggest I get the parts from or is it all pretty generic?

I've been pretty happy with oem. 186k and counting. I bought a replacement stock Aisin from Wabbit on here because I had a slipping issue last winter, I wasn't sure if it was cold hydraulics or bad pressure plate so I bought the parts. Now that I have the cab pulled for some frame repair i figured I'll try the worlds fastest clutch job.

Good to know, thanks for all the help!

The way I check the clutch when looking at a truck is to shift into each gear ,with the truck parked on level ground. The truck should take off in 1st and maybe 2nd but the higher the gear the more the engine should bog down and try to stall. If the motor picks up rpms and or shutters it is good indicator of a clutch problem.

If you don't know yet, Toyota's came with the highest quality parts you'll ever find.

OEM is GREAT but the dealers can get vary proud of their stuff...

I mean, their cars never breakdown so they gotta make some money somewhere, right?

Get to know your local Pull-a-Part or salvage yard, b/c IMO OEM take-off salvage parts are higher quality than most chains supply these days.

If you see "China" anywhere on a part, walk!




Get a cheap-o clutch (or other parts) if you want, but just don't say you weren't warned...

[quote=tried4x2signN;51641218]If you don't know yet, Toyota's came with the highest quality parts you'll ever find.

OEM is GREAT but the dealers can get vary proud of their stuff...

I mean, their cars never breakdown so they gotta make some money somewhere, right?

Get to know your local Pull-a-Part or salvage yard, b/c IMO OEM take-off salvage parts are higher quality than most chains supply these days.

If you see "China" anywhere on a part, walk!




Get a cheap-o clutch (or other parts) if you want, but just don't say you weren't warned...



Thanks for the heads up. Truck is in the shop right now to make sure it is the clutch. A wabfab clutch kit is most likely in my future.