2003 Tacoma 4wd problems shifting into 3rd gear.

Hi folks,
Yesterday I noticed for the first time in tight traffic I noticed that sometimes I thought I was in 3rd and found myself in neutral. (Although I was distracted looking for Help Wanted and places to post an ad up on a bulletin board.) Thought it was just my lack of concentration.
Today it happened again, it doesn't feel like it is solidly going into 3rd on the shifter, definitely different than in the past. 4th feels a bit odd as well.
The truck is a base model 4WD, 4cyl. 147,000 miles. At 60,000 I changed the transmission gear oil to Mobil1 synthetic. Would another transmission gear oil change help?
Ideas? Common Problem? Owned since new.
Thanks,
-ugmold

 

clutch working OK? sound like you're not engaging the gear all the way. any issues with movement on the stick?

 

As far as I can tell the clutch works ok. I do have some floor mats (Michelin) that occasionally bunch up,and make it hard to push in the clutch.

The stick just feels different, going into 3rd, 1st and 2nd feel ok. It is pouring rain out now but I'll remove that floor mat's tomorrow and hope it makes it difference, and I would sure be embarrassed, but happy if that was it.

 

something similar happens to me. at neutral, and at a stop, my truck will not fully go into a gear. usually in 1st or 2nd when noticing this. sometimes ill be bored at a light and shift into all gears and come across this as well.

but while I'm pushing the clutch in and as I'm pulling/pushing the stick into a gear, and it doesn't feel like it's going all the way, I'll let off the clutch slightly to move the gears in the tranny enough for the stick to fall into place properly. the teeth of the gears are just hitting dead on and will NOT engage unless they slightly move. ya know? normal gear on gear meshing stuff.

on a second thought, even though i know I'm in gear properly, my tranny will pop out of gear and you can hear a crashing throughout my entire truck from it. I think that's from the previous owner grinding gears and it won't stay in gear properly. that may also be an issue, too ground down of gears. but HIGHLY unlikely that you have that issue.

 

look under my user name threads i started . got a bunch of info for you

 

Hay Gearchruncher I looked under your "postings" and didn't see anything related, then searched your member name and tons of posts came up but I didn't look through all the pages, can you narrow it down? Or perhaps I am not searching correctly. Thanks

 

That is a good description of my problem, although this is only in the last couple of days. How long have you had this problem?

 

Not sure if this is your problem, but on my old '84 4runner 5-speed, I had a 'sloppy shifting' issue caused by a worn-out nylon bushing at the bottom end of the shift lever. Replaced it , and it shifted like new. The dealer or Marlin should have that part.

 

I've only owned the truck for 2 years but it happens maybe once every 3 or 4 weeks? It's not an issue or really annoying, but it happens.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...on-your-5-speed-transmission-write-up.338836/




A very common problem is the shifter bushing .
Marlin Crawler . Guys are saying this bushing is much stronger than the factory bushing . Also stands to reason that if your changing the bushing , you might as well change the transmission fluid and transfer case if 4X4 . It,s so much easier filling the transmission through the shifter hole and it only uses 2.3 quarts . This is going to save you from trying to use a flimsy pump underneath the truck .
https://www.marlincrawler.com/transmission/shifter-parts/heavy-duty-sockets

 

I had a problem on my first gen where something fell off the bottom of gear shift. While I was waiting for the part, my mechanic said I needed to pull up on the stick while shifting to get into gear. Worked great for me till the part came in, and I had same symptoms. Try pulling up while shifting

 

Great Info here Gearcruncher and Andy. I will read that thread. Today I took it for a ride, and had no problems in rural driving, still didn't feel right especially in 3rd. Certainly a relief to see a cheap fix.
Thanks much.

 

not saying its the actaul fix but the new bushing and seat offered through marlin is a good start

 

Today I drove the truck and tried pulling up on the shifter when I shifted and it did seem to help. So I figure it is in the shifting mechanism. I looked at gear crushers info (great work) but I don't know what # my transmission is. It is 5 speed manual 2003.

I found these 2 pages that may help: http://www.instructables.com/id/Toyota-Tacoma-manual-transmission-pop-out-of-gear/

 

Your door sticker will have your tranny info.

 

Thanks bry838. I took a photo of the driver side door sticker....?
Anyway I ordered the parts that gearcruncher recommended hope they are correct.
IMG_2319

 

Far bottom right...you have the w59!
All 4 bangers with manual have the w59.

 

Thanks bry838, looks like my order is ok, look forward to installing.

 

I got the parts and got into it today. Having a problem with my shift lever retaining cap. Mine seems to be pressed in the top is flush, where as this one is popped up.
Mine is first pic, 2nd is from
http://www.instructables.com/id/Toyota-Tacoma-manual-transmission-pop-out-of-gear/

I have tried moving the retaining cap, pushing down and spinning ccw but it doesn't want to budge, tapped it with wood and hammer and feel like I'm going to damage it.....? It doesn't seem frozen.

 

I pulled the 4 bolts that holds the shifter the the trans and brought it in the basement, finally got with 2 screwdrivers and no damage. The old seat seem to have totally shattered into pieces, there was only a rubber washer there. Still not sure how that retaining cap should be, might make sense when I reassemble.