I have an 86 4x4 manual. Runs like a champ clutch pedal still "feels" good, but I can shift into any gear without pressing the clutch with no grinding and no movement. It feels to me like the shifting linkage must have gone out. But I dont know much about this type of truck. I am planning on dropping the tranny and clutch and inspecting every thing. I'm sure its going to need a new clutch any way.
Is this type of problem a common occurrence with these trucks. Let me know what you think.
Take er easy
Bandon

 

Have you checked your transfer case lever? Are you in 2wd?
It basically shifts like a L 2wd being at the top then 4 hi and 4 low.
Check your clutch master cylinder too if the fuild is empty. It's next to your brake master on the far right looking at it from the front.
If it's empty it's leaking either 3 places.

1) from the master cylinder
2) from the slave cylinder
3) the clutch line.

Fill it up pump the clutch a few times and it should restore some pressure you still need to bleed it to get full working clutch pressure back.

some ideas to check out for ya.

 

Fluid is good there are no leaks. I have tried it in 2wd and 4wd.

 

Just pulled the shifter and cant see any thing obviously wrong with it. That little plastic piece on the end of the shifter seems to be intact and operational. Can I replace the whole shifting mechanism without removing the whole tranny?

thanks so far maybe I'll post some pics of what I'm looking at.
Brandon

 

have you checked the slave cylinder? is it pushing the clutch fork when you press the pedal? it's on the pass.side of the transmission, next to the starer

 

slave cylinder is good, is pushing and has been bled. I took off the shifter and started the truck just for s and giggles. I noticed that none of the fluid in the tranny was moving. Is that normal? to be honest I expected to get covered in oil.

 

i'm no expert, but i've had a similiar problem in another truck(ford) and it ended up being a broken jack shaft. thats the shaft that goes thru the trans. and clutch assembly and into the back of the engine. when you start this truck up does it make any noise? is it possible it could be a throw out bearing? or maybe broken fingers on the pressure plate?

 

hm makes no noise I guess I'm gonna need to drop the tranny huh?

 

sounds like it. you may be able to slip the tranny back far enough to look up inside the bellhousing and see if you can see any problems in the clutch assembly and throw out bearing. good luck and let us know what you come up with for future information

 

Well got it dropped and it turns out it was the clutch. disc, flywheel, bearings, the whole setup was FUBAR. Put a whole new assembly in and she runs like a champ.

 

glad to hear you got it straightened out.