DaveMW

Hey folks,
I'm a new owner of a Supercharged 99 4Runner with 198k on it. The transmission was rebuilt at 40k and the clutch was replaced then. So far it's a fantastic truck but I have a few questions that I can't seem to find answers to through search.

1. I have a hard time downshifting to 1st while the truck is moving. I can shift through the other gears without a problem and it shifts fine when I'm stopped. Is this normal behavior? I'm used to being able to shift into any gear at anytime (minus revers) in most manuals. It feels as though there's some sort of blocking device in the way until I get down to maybe 3mph.

2. I'm not sure if the clutch is going out. It engages about 2 inches off the floor. It feels solid otherwise but seems too low for my liking.

3. I also had a situation the other day after some light wheeling where I was sitting at a light with the clutch depressed. I could not shift into any gear and when I lifted my foot, the clutch only came up about half way. I pulled it up with my toe, depressed it again and everything was fine from there on out. I hadn't experienced the problem before that and haven't since.


Thoughts?
Thanks!
Dave

Here's a pic because... well, everything is better with pics!

Yota Runner

Let me be the first to welcome you to Yotatech!

1. The behavior you explained here I believe to be normal. My 98 5spd does this as well as my last two manual transmission toyota rigs.

2. My clutch engages pretty close to the floor as well. If it bothers you I believe there are some adjustments that can be made although I am not sure on the precedure to do so. Someone else may chime in with that or you can do some searching on here.

3. I'm not totally sure on why this happens but I do know a little bit about the clutch not returning all the way up. There is a return spring that can get a bit worn is all. Some folks have done away with the factory spring and used a linear type spring you can pick up at any auto parts store. There are some threads running around addressing this as well

Hope that helps! And nice 4runner too!!!

DaveMW

Thanks Yota Runner!
I have seen the threads about the linear spring but I have a feeling it may not be the case here. It's not that the clutch didn't return that is the problem, It's that i couldn't put the truck in gear with the clutch to the floor that bothers me.

I'm going to check the fluids tomorrow, the more I read about this, the more I think It's the master cylinder

Jeff B. in Michigan

If the pedal keeps getting stuck on the floor (and the spring is OK) then your clutch master cylinder may be starting to fail.

When it completely goes out.. it will not come off the floor and you will have to drive home with no clutch (thank goodness for that clutch safety override ;-)

Jeff

drkblu4runner

1. normal.
2. if you have over 100k mi on that clutch i would be amazed. 2in off floor does not mean its going out. just make sure its fully disengaged when shifting
3. your clutch slave or master may be going out.

drkblu4runner

what wheels are thos? procomps? truck looks great