87 pickup 4x4. I can shift 1-5 no problem at all but say I wanna go from 5th to 3rd or 4th to third 90% of the time it's like hitting a brick wall. Will not go into 3rd from 4th or 5th gear at any rpm greater than say 800rpm. I have to go into second gear And then to 3rd to get it to work. I don't understand how I can shift 1-5 all day no problem, but when I want to down shift into 3rd it's not happening. Feels like it's being blocked. There is no noise or anything just won't go. I am aware of a leaking clutch master cylinder issue i have but every other gear works fine and the clutch works fine. Idk if this is something the marlin crawler shift bushing kit will resolve? (Shift lever is sloppy/loose) or do I need a new tranny?

 

Address your hydraulic leak issues and bleed for sure.

You may be experiencing less than perfect clutch dis-engagement.

Will it downshift if you double-clutch and rev match??

If the syncros are good, sometimes they won't let the tranny shift, if the engine revs and the tranny internal speeds are too far off each other. This is more likely when downshifting, than when upshifting, and is often found behind clutch issues such as yours..

 

Thanks millball, I just came back from checking my slave cylinder too and it had ALOT of build up on it and when I pulled the rubber boot out of the way it leaked a good amount of fluid down my arm, so the slave is bad as well.

 

No it wouldn't even shift when I double clutched, now that I know both master and slave are toast I'll replace those so I can eliminate those possibilities. I didn't even try to rev match, didn't think of that, if after replacing these parts doesn't work I'll try that out.