Shifter Problem / New Shifter Seat. Need advice ASAP

I was having problems getting my '00 into 5th and reverse (standard), and I thought it might just be the seat and bushing, which were fairly worn down. I am replacing those.

However, the main problem I saw was that one of the notches on the boot had been completely torn off, meaning the entire shifter could spin freely. I am going to try and replace it without replacing the entire shifter, but I wonder how it could've been completely ripped off? Pictures shown for a better explanation of what happened. Another thing I noticed was that the spring was pretty messed up as well.

Looking for advice on what to do, as I'm stranded in the middle of Nebraska.

 

Did you find the piece of metal that's missing from shifter lever cap? Maybe that's what's preventing your shifting? Looks like the other side is intact.

 

No, I couldn't find that piece of metal at all. Not sure where it would be.

 

Pretty sure the p/n for the shift lever cap (what the Fsm calls it) is 33544-27010.

I'm on my phone and my service is crap so I don't know for sure...

 

Never mind. Part number is:
33554-30012

 

So should I replace the cap with the 33554-30012, will that keep it from spinning?

 

What's broken is the part number I listed.

I'm not sure what's spinning? The shifter tube has two pins to keep it from spinning.

 

the entire shifter. I think the pins aren't catching because the seat at the bottom is not holding it up high enough.

 

The retainer I listed the p/n to keeps the shifter seated tightly to the shifter bushing. Two small rods at the 9 & 3 o'clock position keeps the shifter from turning.

 

Yeah, I see that, but the shifter goes down too far to catch on the rods at the 9 + 3 position

 

Then it's probably not in neutral.

 

No it is definitely in Neutral, but will spin right, passing the 4wd shifter

 

By spin I mean rotate

 

I would replace everything: Retainer, Spring, Bushing and cap. This stuff is cheap and its important that it works.

 

Well I guess start by replacing all the parts like Currygoat mentioned.

It's definitely not normal, what you're explaining, the rotation or the tabs not catching on the shift lever.

 

Okay great, I'm on it.

Where would you order them from?

 

In the second photo, between the two spring coils, it looks like there might be at least part of the missing piece of metal. Also looks like the cup has warn thin enough to have the locking tab break off. Any salvage yards near where you're at? Mechanic's?

Where in NE are you located? Live there or passing through? Do you have a relative named John and is a MD?

 

Locate the OEM part numbers first, then google for the best prices. If you walk into a dealer they will run your VIN and give you the exact parts. I bought my bushing and cap at a local dealer and It was like $10.

 

Currygoat: so look up prices, then talk to dealer? Any dealer or specifically tacoma?

Inbonestryker: Kearney, NE. Yes, John is my father. How do you know him?

 

The parts for replacement transmission items are here:

http://www.toyodiy.com/parts/p_U_200407_TOYOTA_TACOMA_VZN170L-CRMDKAB_3312.html