5spd manual tranny doesn't like to drop back down to third, escpecially trying to keep revs up climbing passes. I can tease or "force" in, but definetly harsh. Feels almost like missing the timing on the clutch during a normal shift. If vehicle slows (under 25 or so), tranny seems to drop down okay.

Any guesses as to the problem? Thinking something internal , but hoping maybe just a clutch adjustment problem. Like maybe the clutch isn't disengaging completely, keeps things spinning that shouldn't be spinning.

Thanks

 

Hmm, if it was hard to shift into all of your gears, I would say clutch, but only one gear seems like it would be a synchro problem with third gear...

 

There is a set of bushings on the base of the shifter that wear out after a while and cause difficult shifting. Try searching for transmission bushing or something like that.

 

I'm pretty certain it's called the "shifter seat bushing" and it is an relatively & cheap (@$5) replacement. I'd recommend trying it before you start tearing into syncros. There is a really good write-up here on it:

http://4runners.org/articles/shift/

 

Shifter seat bushing sounds right. I am really tired and I could not remember what it was called.

 

Did you check the fluid?

I've also heard that the cheap bushing wears out too pretty often. That's definitely cheaper and easier to change than the tranny is...

 

Ditto on the shifter seat bushing. This happened to my former Toy PU transmission.

 

Thanks for the tips and links. I'll look at the shifter seat and double check the fluid level. I am also going to make sure my clutch is adjusted properly.

What oil does everyone run in this tranny? Synthetic work any better?

 

Theoretically AMSOIL is the best (duh) but I run Valvoline 80W90 and haven't had any problems... maybe someone will jump in that has used Synthetic though.

 

brake fluid