Manual Transmission - 1st & 2nd Gear

Got my 4x4 MT Sport about a month or so ago. Has about 1,000 miles on it now. In most areas, the truck is great... but the manual transmission, especially between first and second gear is rough. Best way to describe it is that the truck is 'clunky'/ 'harsh' and hard to drive between the speeds of 5 - 10 mph.

Basically, the truck is constantly jumping/lurching at those speeds - - even when I am not changing pressure on the gas pedal or depressing the clutch and trying to maintain my speed around 5-10 mph.

All of my past cars have been manual transmissions, and I have never had this issue before.

Anyone have any suggestions as to potentially fix this?

 

I can't even drive in 2nd gear at 8 mph or below, it completely lugs the engine. I use first if I'm going that slow. But yes, it is a little jumpy at the lower speeds, you have to be extremely sensitive on the gas pedal to avoid it.

I do notice it jumping if you aren't on the gas like you say.

I also notice that if you purely use engine braking in say 2nd gear, eventually when it reaches a certain RPM it will release the engine braking and you will stop decelerating. I still haven't quite figured out a predictable pattern for it, so I find myself just putting it in neutral a lot sooner than I'd like.

I dont think there is any fix, it is engine programming causing this. Most likely it all boils down to EPA standards and/or maximizing fuel economy.

 

Yeah that's my biggest gripe is that it won't compression brake well because it goes into its non load engine cycle. My 4 cylinder compression braked way better.

 

same issue here, can't find a way to get a smooth shift from 1-2 and 2nd does not engine brake under 15mph. I hate doing it but I rev the snot out of it in 1st to like 15mph then I coast, and repeat since my passengers think i'm an awful driver below 10mph.

 

Ya just gotta drive it and figure it out. It's going to be different than previous cars/trucks due to the lower gear ratios. First gear you have to wind it out a bit to say 2k rpm shift then 2nd will be much smoother and you can even start from a standing stop on LEVEL ground... so shifting into 2nd from 2K should be a smooth transition and on up thru the gears the same. First is a little different since the gear ratio is lower. Just give the truck more revs and get it going. My wife has the same trouble when she drives my truck.

 

That's your problem.

The gear ratios between 1st and 2nd are very different. Combine that with the computer controlled rev hang and a smooth shift out of 1st can be harsh but only if you drag out 1st which there is no need to do. Shift out of 1st almost immediately after you get moving. The shift will be very smooth up to 2500 or 3000 rpms and 2nd gear is plenty to push the truck from there.

First gear wasn't meant to work the same way on this truck as others. It's only meant to get you going or to make up for the lack of torque when pulling a load.

 

Wow, if I shift at 2k in 1st I have to be really slow pushing the clutch in or else the transmission clanks and clunks all over the place.

If I want to be quick I need at least 3k+

I know that is a common complaint. You either need to drive like a grandma or drive it hard through 1st into 2nd, it is hard to find a nice middle ground.

I still feel all accomplished when I manage a smooth 1-2 shift.

 

How are you avoiding the loud clanking and clunking when shifting out of 1st at low RPM's? I find that tougher than just dragging 1st out.

 

Mine doesn't do that.

I get a clunk if I'm rolling through a rough parking lot while in neutral or have the clutch depressed, but nothing while there is tension on the drive train or while shifting from one gear to the next.

 

same with my truck, 1st to 2nd.. it is a bit harsh sometimes, but not all the time by any means, sometimes its smooth as can be. Will try as said above, to shift sooner maybe?? I think it will get better too as truck breaks in more, got 2100 miles on her so far.

 

I find running it out a little bit makes shifting easier.

 

Interesting. If I push the clutch in too quickly at lower RPM going from 1st to 2nd it sounds like metal pieces banging around under my truck. Also clunks if move the gear shifter too quickly.

If I'm reallllyy slow it's fine or if I shift at a higher RPM it's fine

 

I don't seem to have this problem. Gotta be smooth with the 1st gear in anything.

 

I am having none of these issues. I live on a long gravel driveway once I get it moving I pop it into second and away we go. If there is no traffic (usually there is none) I pull right out onto the main gravel road in second. It does not jerk and pulls away just fine. I shift at about 2K all through the range and do not have issues with lugging. In town I pull away in first and shift normally. Even slowing down I downshift through all the gears (even to first coming up to stoplights). Maybe I just drive slower than most but thus far it has been one of the nicest manual trucks I have driven. First gear is not a creeper or granny but it will idle along just fine and even with minimal throttle input does not lurch.
Maybe I am just so used to old 4 speeds with a non-synchro first gear that anything is an improvement.

 

Greasing the driveshafts made the "getting rear ended everytime im off throttle" much more gentle. I also read about some motorcraft driveshaft yoke lube i want to give a shot which should help with the drivetrain lash but other than that, im not sure of any "fix"

 

When my wife is in the truck she complains how lurchy it is. I've told her over and over its not the driver but the truck.

 

Well jesus, if you can successfully downshift into 1st from second at speed while approaching a stoplight in this truck then you have mastered this transmission.

 

Challenge accepted. (i just need to take delivery of my truck first )

 

I've never driven anything that likes a 2-1 downshift.

 

I've found that if I wind the truck out a bit --- getting up to about 3500 rpm or higher, my Tacoma shifts gears much more smooth.

If I do low rev shifts I'm not a very smooth gear changer.