4th Gear Slipping!?
 

When im cruising at about 35mph, in 4th gear, and then give it full throttle, the RPMs raise faster and faster, yet I don't accelerate. I could be in 4th, going 40mph, but doing almost 5500rpm. It's the factory clutch that's still on it. Should I have it replaced? What could be causing this?

Note: This doesn't seem to happen in any other gear than 4th. Everything seems fine in 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 5th. It's really strange.

Thanks.

Sounds like its time for a new one, just got one myself this week. A zoom clutch. 35 seems kinda slow for 4th though.

Lamm

Yeah, when im going 35 in 4th im doing about 1200 RPM. Do you like the "zoom clutch." How much was it plus install?

Zoom is good stuff. I just got the truck back today so I haven't had time to test drive it in a lot of conditions though. For me, parts and labor topped $1000, thats for gaurenteed work though. Having a 2wd makes it considerably easier. It ain't chep though.

Lamm

$1000!? :eeek: I don't exactly have that kind of money right now. Is that an average price for clutch replacement? What parts are required? Thanks.

Yep, you have a glazed clutch my friend. Mine is doing the exact same thing, except worse cause I am S/C'd. It will start to slip in other gears sooner or later. If you can do the work yourself, a clutch kit is less than $300.

Is replacing a clutch pretty much a bolt on job? I've never attempted anything of that magnitude and know little about transmissions. :help:

You may wan't to find a friend who does if you cant afford that. The complexity of it all leads to the possibility that your install will not be perfect and when you test drive it you will just burn up/destroy your new clutch. I have done a lot of things to my 4x4 but my time was better spent working to pay for a real pro to do the clutch replacement. You will have to decide for yourself what works best for you.

Lamm

Thanks for the posts, I'll probably just end up taking it into the shop. :( Anyone recommend good clutchs to put in my toy? I drive it as a street truck going into high RPMS and power shifting - if that matters when choosing a new clutch.

Lamb is right, I had a Zoom clutch in my truck for 5 years. It was probably the best clutch I have had so far. I have the standard advance one now and am not impressed with it. Pulling the transmission is not as hard as it is labor intensive. but stabbing it afterward is almost an art in itself. If you dont have the confidence to try it yourself, you are much better off taking it to someone. It will save you a lot of headaches!

Whats powershifting? I have never heard this term before? Is it like tyring to make it chirp in 2nd?

When I say "powershifting" I just mean speed shifting, or whatever it's called. Just tapping the clutch for a quick second before shifting, and shifting very fast, usually around redline. (Maybe I created the term. :hillbill: ) I don't think it's very good for the transmission, thats why I was looking for a durable clutch.
Note: I don't do it all the time, only when I'm trying to accelerate quickly from 1st to 2nd to 3rd.

You don't depress the cluth all the way?

Just a quick tap. I barely even push the pedal down, but it still goes into gear quite easily.

That's probably why you need a new clutch.

I have a 71 Chevelle SS that I drag race. IT gets powershifted occasionally...my pickup does not.

It's running fine now. That was about a month ago.

technically powershifting is shifting with NO clutch action very quickly and very hard..(never do this while in 4wd) but its reallly bad to do and doesnt even benefit from performence because theres a break in the power for a split second and it screws up your rear end...bad idea...shifting while just barely pushing in the clutch is just called blip shifting (what i call it atleast) you shift without droppping your gas pedal so you dont lose any RPMS...theres really no point to this on a 4runner though, unless you have a turbo because than you don't lose any boost.

The one thing that I still don't understand is why the heck people are even thinking about powershifting a 4runner or pickup?? I don't care if it's got a supercharger or any other power adder. If that's how you like to drive (nothing wrong with it), powershift in a sportscar, IMO. I've seen more damage done from people using a car for the wrong purpose: i.e. driving a pickup like a sports car, or trying to tow a trailer with a camaro! It just sometimes makes me scratch my head.

Hey 1986...sharp looking old truck, though! :)

his pickup is more "sport truck" oriented...seriously, there's very little difference between the clutch/tranny in his truck and a supra. even less between his truck and a RWD celica, so driving it like a hi-po car isn't going to hurt it...

the clutch that's going into my truck is an OEM one that i bought off ebay for $70. doing the clutch isn't hard on a 4x4, since there's a lot of room...might want to make friends with somebody who has a lift for doing yours though