My truck has been shifting harder and harder lately, I also noticed that the shifter lever is moving around when it shifts and when I hit bumps. I’m going to check for broken mounts tonight but I’m not getting any vibration... Its almost like when it shifts its jumping around causing the hard shifting.. Any thoughts or places to look this evening?

 

My first thoughts are manual linkage, or throttle cable adjustment, but I'm still learning about them, myself. Read this, maybe....

http://www.autoshop101.com/forms/AT25.pdf

 

I believe that is normal. The entire transmission "floats" on rubber mounts. I notice it on mine when I go over grade changes. So, some movement is normal but if you have excessive movement you may have lost a rubber trans mount.

 

The shifter moving from it's drive position is not normal, if that's what Ilovemountains is talking about.

 

Is it popping out of gear or is the shifter just moving around a bit? Also check the tranny fluid and if you can install a tranny temp gauge.

 

The only issue I have is engagement into drive. Sometimes it'll go to 2nd and I have to bump it even though it shows 'drive'

 

Its not popping out of gear just moving forward and back more than ever... I did adjust the throttle cable and kick down cable when I put my headers on... I did not get a chance to check the mounts and all under there tonight but will take a look tomorrow! It just seems to be really dropping into gear hard, especially OD.. The fluid has about 35,000 miles on it but that was a full 15 quart flush.... Ill check the rear and drive shaft for slop too, Ive replaced both in the last year or so!

 

Bushings?

 

maybe one of these...
http://www.marlincrawler.com/transmi...ver-ball-seats

 

I'm assuming it's an automatic from the mention of "OD" and fifteen quart flush. Which makes bushings moot.

 

My guess would be bad or loose engine and/or trans mounts. If the trans can move around enough to move the shift lever something loose underneath.
On second thought are the shift lever pivot bushings worn out maybe? I bought a used shifter once and it was that way, made the shift lever kinda floppy so to speak.

 

In my '95 the shifter lever would move backwards when I'd give it a good amount of gas.

I don't remember it moving when shifting but I would imagine a little movement is normal.
As others have said, it needs to have some play - if it were all bolted down super tight you'd be breaking linkage and stuff if enough stress was put on it.

Fink

 

If my '95 shifter moves, it can't move very much, as I've never noticed any movement in 6 years of driving the 4runner.