Reverse gear difficult at times

Reverse gear in my 1999 4.2 sticks or is difficult to get into gear alot of the time. Just thought it could be my gear oil, but is that a common problem on 1st gens? I have to roll forward sometimes to get it in gear, and really wham it. -Gear oil? No idea when it was last changed.

 

Usually a tell tail sign that you have a hydraulic assisted clutch issue . Wether its a worn clutch or a faulty clutch hydraulic system - clutch master and slave cylinder , hard to select reverse is one of the first symptoms because it takes the clutch a long time to slow the gearing down to match the ratio of reverse gear .
How well does the trans go into first gear ?

 

I Just re-read your post .
I wouldnt force the transmission to select reverse or forward . Turn the truck off , select first gear , then let clutch out until you have time to look into the problem .
First , make sure your hydraulic clutch resevoir is filled with appropriate fluid .
There is an adjustment rod under the dash to adjust your clutch effective travel .
Its a 99 . Has the clutch ever been replaced ?
Price out a clutch master cylinder and a clutch slave cylinder .
Price out a new clutch kit , new pilot bearing and talk to a machine shop for a flywheel re-surface

 

When you put it in reverse let out on the clutch just ever so slightly. Usually it will fall right into place. I think it is just the nature of Toyota transmissions. My dads 88 and my 2000 I have to let out the clutch a little bit. Just enough to make the gears turn and mesh then it falls into place. Never grinds or offers any problems. My 2000 I just put a new clutch and all associated parts in and it is still the same. So I think its just the gears need to mesh.

 

Ok, It goes into first with no problems. Clutch is fine, Fluid Levels are good ,but I was told 'about now' it may need replacement- up to 8000 miles was his guess and I'm over 9000 I think. My trick is to try to move it a bit first, then it may click in. I'm just sick of it.

 

I replaced my clutch at 192xxx miles. 80 or 90000 is nothing unless the clutch has just really been beaten. Still think its a trait of these transmissions.

 

How much 'notice' did your clutch give you before you replaced it? How many miles did you put on it while you knew it needed replacement? I am near those numbers and I may be in the boonies when it goes. I can take off in third gear but 4th is just too shakey.

 

I've found this to be a common trait of w series transmissions.
The reverse gear doesn't have a synchro.
I generally can't get mine into reverse on the first try. I let out the clutch, push it back in, and it slips into reverse just fine. This is on a trans that is only ~30k miles old and always has fresh oil.
My old trans did it too and so does my dads W59.

Try that next time.

Also, never put the truck into reverse while the vehicle is still moving forward. Just, don't.

 

About 20000 miles. It started slipping last winter but as it warmed up into spring it stopped. I ordered the parts and had them for several months before I ended up replacing it.