Manual transmission first gear only partially engaged

The adm will change how the clutch grabs. You will be able to feather it and alllow differ t amounts of fluid to pass through. The accumulator is there to make it is easier for an inexperienced driver.
After I changed my fluids, I was going uphill on a grade that often requires to drop some gears. ( 4 th is best, sometimes just 5th is okay. ). I downshifted and no giant clunk/slam, just went into gear, felt normal.
If you have a ‘21 you probably need to change the transmission fluid out. If that is the factory fluid, it needs to go, it has done its job.

a tune also helps out.

 

I wouldn't be concerned about damage at all, it takes a lot more than that to really hurt a synchro or gear.

Just wait until your rear wheels hit a bump at the exact same time you shift into a gear. You'll get a nasty grind that really makes you feel bad.

 

Yeah it’s usually pretty easy to notice. The person who had it happen to them had never driven a Tacoma before so wasn’t used to the length of the throws and assumed it was fully engaged. I was just distracted and tired and must have granny shifted because usually I notice right away cause it definitely feels different when you hit the stopping point of a fully engaged first.

 

oh gosh not looking forward to that. I’m sure it will happen when I inevitably go off-roading. Thank you for the peace of mind though!

 

It's more at higher speed, like a pothole at 10 mph while shifting into 2nd...or something similar to that. It's very rare but if it happens just right, the shockload from the wheels will drive the countershaft faster than your shifter and synchro want to move to engage the gear, and you end up with a mismatch in speeds that are trying to mesh. Grind.

 

Dangit, I had just convinced myself I didn’t need it especially because of people mentioning warranty stuff with it. With the accumulator deleted does it engage harder like with a clunk? Because one thing I like about how the truck drives right now is how easy it is to have smooth starts in first.

 

That makes sense. Combined with the slop in the driveshafts these trucks have I’m sure that makes for an amazing noise.

 

I’ve been there on that one too. I’m sure the fj had more bottom end than the taco. off-roading with the manual trans, is a good time to explore 4lo. That’s a game changer, literally makes you think, I should use 4 lo more often.

 

I have a tune (sporty) and no acccumulator. When the truck is warm, I can drop the clutch and crawl little to no gas (depending on terrain obv). So it’s still pretty smooth out of first.

 

That’s for sure true. I drive the Tacoma and think it feels a little sluggish compared to the FJ until I get it up above 3000 RPM then the Tacoma feels like it’s flying.

 

Okay that may be worth it then. Have you ever had any issue with warranties?

 

Blip into first as you come to a stop but are still rolling, not after you stop.

 

You should absolutely delete it. The only person I see it benefitting is someone who is completely dumping the clutch every shift with zero feathering.

And funny you mention starting in first. That was the first thing I noticed being off with the accumulator. I'd pull the clutch out to the engagement point like any other manual, but with the accumulator that point is never consistent. I'd nearly always get pulsing through the driveline when starting from 1st.

Also note that the 4th gen, with a nearly identical transmission set up, no longer uses the accumulator.

Oh and +1 for the Motorcraft fluid. It's not a miracle in my trans but it's noticebly better.

 

Okay I’ll definitely look into it then. I’ve heard it’s not terribly hard to do (obviously just putting the disk in) but I’ve never bled a clutch or done any work in that area so I may see if my mechanic will install it.

 

I used the Acura brake hard line. Sent my accumulator off to die for science.
I haven t made any warranty claims, not really worried about that, but I managed to get the shield back on so maybe a tech won’t look there?

 

It’s pretty easy to do. You need a flared end wrench for the lines. The bleeding process takes a minute to rebuild pressure. But can easily be done by one person. After I did mine, I drove uphill, from a dirt road to asphalt, the response from the truck was great. It threw some rocks and chirped on the road. Couldn’t believe it.

 

That is impressive I find it hard to believe I could chirp my tires with it like it is now.

 

It feels as bad as it sounds through the shifter. Tons of potholes in my area, it happens frequently. I just hope it's not causing damage.

 

I mean I doubt it and with the lengthy drivetrain warranty these trucks have I wouldn’t be too worried.

 

That is not an issue nor will it ever be. Uncomfortable, yes.