Transmission/Clutch (?) issue after off-roading today

2004 4x4 Tacoma, v6 5 speed 27k miles, supercharged

So I was out wheeling today on a trail that was much too advanced for a stock first gen to handle, but I made it through without any visible damage. A lot of substantially sized-rock climbing on steep inclines/declines.

After we finished the trail, I got back on the freeway and everything seemed fine until I went shift under high RPMs. When doing so, the truck goes into gear just fine but there's this 'grunting' noise coming from just below me (transmission I assume). It's not really a metal grinding noise, it almost sounds like a low, far away roll of thunder which is why I at first thought I did something to my exhaust. But it only happens when I shift and only when I do it at around 3k RPM's or higher. It's especially bad going from 1st to 2nd, then 2nd to third...3-4 and 4-5 I don't hear it at all. After the grunting noise there's sometimes a rattle that follows it, kind of like the rattle you hear when you shift into too high of a gear until you get up to speed. Only that's not the issue here.

I was pretty hard on my clutch throughout the day, a lot of sudden stopping while in 4lo on hills and long, slow, rocky climbs that involved a lot of foot work.

Any ideas? should've stayed home today lol

 

Time for a clutch/pilot/throw out bearing

 

^

 

I would see how things are after the truck sits over night.

Possible your clutch might just have been a little hot yet !!

Then how many miles on the drive train might impact things

 

I was hoping for that, but this morning it was just as bad on my way to work It's developed a creaking sound too (not the clutch pedal) that happens when I press the clutch in, then the grinding is especially noticeable after going from first to second from a stop.

Something's definitely up, I can't get my truck in to the shop until maybe tomorrow morning, hoping the clutch/tranny doesn't crap out on me before then...

If it take it easy on shifting (below 2.5k rpms) then everything appears normal.

 

Good time to upgrade the clutch

 

oh and my truck only has 27 thousand miles on it (very low for an '04), I picked it up only a few months ago but I'm certain it's still on the stock clutch and parts.

Between the supercharger though and the frequent wheeling I've been doing since I got it, I fear that maybe the stock clutch isn't up to the task.

 

Yeah that's what I'm hoping the issue is, even though the labor costs are a bitch with clutch replacement. I'm just hoping it isn't anything too serious like I overheated the tranny and put it on the brink of death or something (I'm cynical what can I say lol)

 

Haha just do it yourself! Not too bad

 

haha

I do prefer to wrench on my truck on my own, but replacing the fuel filter is about as complicated as I've gotten lol

 

I brought my own clutch and throw out and pilot bearing to clutch masters in Tujunga. I think they charged me like $300? I can't remember

 

I agree with the majority. Throwout/ clutch release bearing. Any able shop with a lift and a transmission jack can replace the bearing. Forget replacing the clutch......your truck is still a infant.

 

Nice! I'll take it to them, thanks Jimmy

 

UPDATE:

Took my truck into a local auto shop today, guy told me that my trans skid plate got pushed up against the transfer case when it hit one of the rocks I was crawling over. So whenever I was shifting under high RPM, it would rub against the skid and make the grunting/grinding sound I was hearing.

They took it off and bent it back into shape, issue is resolved!

Good thing I had that skid plate or I may have lost my 4x4 out on the trail...

 

That little stock t-case skid is ridiculous. And now that it's been collapsed once, it'll do it even easier the next time.

It may be time for a set of real skids.

 

I have an aftermarket skid plate under there

 

Pretty sure if I had a stock plate there it would've been much worse lol

 

I've always wondered how well the skidrow belly skid holds up, now we know. Tho I suppose, if you come down hard enough on any skid its gonna give.

 

That's what brand it is! Haha I've been trying to figure it out ever since I got the truck. Thanks! Lol

 

Yeah honestly I bottomed out on that rock REALLY hard, I think that skid held up pretty well considering. It just sits pretty close to the t-case is my only concern, there's maybe an inch worth of space between