This morning I was trying to get my '86 4Runner out of a small snow bank that it was parked in on the side of my driveway. Both passenger side tires were in a hole, so I was rocking it trying to get out. I was in 4 low, hubs locked, keeping it in reverse just pumping the clutch with the gas trying to rock it out.


I was making some progress, but I decided to get out, and try and clear a bit of snow from the pass rear tire (pass front is inaccessible). Got back in, and continued rocking. After around 10 "rocks" the clutch stopped grabbing. The pedal feels normal, and I don't smell anything. It just wasn't grabbing in reverse or 1st (I'm sure the other gears too, but those were the only two I tried).

It was ~10*F outside, so everything was bitter cold. I didn't have time to investigate further, because I had to run to work (took another car). Now I'm sitting at my desk wondering what I did. The clutch only has 22k miles on it, only driveline mods are an RV cam on a rebuilt engine and 31x10.5 tires.

Did I burn up the clutch (without being able to tell any difference in pedal feel or smell anything)?
Did I boil the fluid in the clutch line despite it being so ass-cold outside(I've never changed the fluid in the 50k miles I've owned it)?
Did I pull the release bearing through the pressure plate (without being able to tell any difference in pedal feel)?
Something else I'm not thinking of??

 

When you get back, have someone press the pedal repeatedly while you crawl underneath and confirm that the slave cylinder is actually moving the clutch fork. It's on the passenger side of the bell housing. If that works, then the hydraulics are working. If not you can try bleeding it. Since you said no change in pedal feel, it's probably fine. If you are patient, you can wait till it warms up and see if it works again. If not, you should probably pull the trans to investigate. It's not terribly difficult.

 

Any clue if I can see the fork through the wheel well? Like I said, it's in a snow bank...

 

I think you can if you move the rubber spash shield out of the way. Not sure though.

 

Maybe just maybe you bumped the transfer case into neutral or between neutral and 4 low. It will not move then. I have done this before. Check that out first . Keep it simple.

 

Wow, I really hope that's it, but I kinda doubt it. It would explain everything though...

 

As funny as people might think that sounds, that happened to me on my gmc. The linkage was bent enough that it looked like it was in 4wd but it was in neutral. Pretty good feeling when I figuired it out.

 

Ha, yeah you gotta love those epiphany moments when you relize it's a free fix

 

Well, that was it. Sort of. I got in it last night, tried backing out again (without touching the T-case lever) and nothing. I pushed the stick forward (it didn't move very far though) and it popped in to 4 low.


The only "problem" now is the 4WD light isn't on when I'm in 4 low (it was on before), and the stick barely engages before it runs out of throw. I think I bent the linkage somehow when I was rocking it.

 

There is no linkage for the transfer lever. Maybe the bushing that the lever pivots on is worn. Pull the shifter out and check the bushing

 

Ok, linkage was the wrong term. Selector lever was what I was trying to say.

 

Not sure where the sensor/switch wire runs for the light, could have just came loose due to snow piled up under the chassis. Could be a simple inspect and reconnect. Check the switch and bulb.

 

Snow doesn't explain no 4wd light and no engagement. A worn bushing does.

 

This shows a little better than the manual where the switch is located. Empty hole top right corner of Tcase.
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f115.../#post50579683
This picture shows where the wire runs, you'll need to use the zoom function in your web browser. It's inthe upper right corner, runs down and along the tranny.
http://imageshack.us/f/801/venthosetransfercase.jpg/
This thread shows the internals, and tips for removing the shift lever., Good pics on pg2&3
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f2/s...acement-14773/

There aren't any side mounted linkages or "funny stuff" hanging off the side it's all internal. Since you were just rocking it using the clutch I can't think of anything that would have moved or bent. Probably just cold as crap and the grease has retained some water and frozen/slushed-up.

Poping out of gear is an indication of a bad bushing but they tend to get sloppy not tighter. Nothing wrong with tighter aslong as it stays in gear

 

FYI, the 4WD light works in 4 high. And the t-case popped out of 4 low, the tranny never popped out of gear (just making sure we are on the same page)