2010 tacoma 6 speed manual transmission issue

Hey guys i own a 2010 double cab tacoma with a 6 speed manual transmission, a little background i got the truck at 31k miles and its not at 65.5k miles. It has limited slip differential and ive taken it offroading a decent number of times, burnt the clutch at 4200 rpms one time, other than that my dads done a good number on the clutch as well.

Getting to my point, i used to clutchless shift a lot (i know stupid, but it was a fun way to drive) and after a while the gearbox felt a little looser, even doing it correctly, and yes i did grind the gears a couple times, a good amount on gears 2 3 and 4.

Now this truck still drives like a champ, itll 4x4 pretty well on top its been driven back and forth from california to oklahoma no problem at all even after being driven for 27 hours.

However the gears are slight challenge to get into, where as it use to go into gear like butter, i have to feel the shifter more and decide how to put into gear each time. Im pretty sure i wore the crap out of the syncros.

Now finally-how long will my transmission last? Is there a chance of it crapping out on me eventually?

All input welcome.

 

Your synchros normally just have to worry about slowing the input shaft of your transmission down to match the output shaft speed (not a whole lot of stuff to slow down). When you clutchless shift, your synchros now have to slow down your engine as well, which is quite a bit more mass...

So yes, you wore the hell out of your synchros and now they are slow to synchronize when you are (properly) shifting which is why it is so hard to get it in gear.

How long will the tranny last? Well, it might last quite a while longer after the synchros are completely done - you'll just have to double clutch it...

Honestly there's no way to really tell you "it will last this long" - the fact that you seem to do a lot of highway driving from CA to OK means you will rack up lots of mileage with minimal synchro wear (since you're just sitting in 6th cruising).

What I CAN tell you is that you definitely reduced the life of your transmission significantly by clutchless shifting it.

 

Just wow.. I know some guys have money trees for mods but damn you must have a forest to abuse it like that.. Just replace the damn thing and beat the shit outta it again.

 

I would start looking for a replacement transmission. Sucks but thats the price for playing that kind of game. Longevity? who knows. All you need to be able to do it shift effectively to get out of the way of a possible accident or worse yet, not cause one.

 

Syncros are probably done. I would reccoment that you stop clutchless shifting and do not rest your hand on the shifter when driving as that will also wear the syncros.

 

I'm sorry but how does that wear the synchro's? You're trying to "synchronize" it when it's already spinning the same speed because it's in gear... no speed differential means no slippage which means no wear.

 

I had a '95 Ranger I drove for 11+ yrs. I used clutchless shift almost exclusively (except starting out in 1st) Usually skipping 4th gear. It went to its 3rd owner this last spring, original clutch, no tranny work, close to 200k. I didn't "jam" it into gear, I would let engine rpms drop and it would slide into gear. And there is always a chance something will "let go".
Welcome to TW!

 

Will it go into reverse with out grinding? If not your issues maybe more clutch than transmission.

 

A wise man once told me if I change the transmission fluid regularly with quality syth oil, and shift the thing each and every time as though I were cradling a Faberge egg in my hand, the transmission would outlast me.

You treat it like this, well then good luck to you and your soon-to-be-smoldering Visa card.

 

I have heard not to rest my hand on the shifter before, but never knew if it was true or not.

 

Resting your hand on the shifter is not always in the shifted direction. Most people that keep their hand on the shifter are anticipating the next shift and are actually pushing against the shifted position. This will apply pressure to the syncro ( which is usually fairly soft material ) and excessive wear.

Believe it or don't that is your choice. Short throw shifters are also a cause of concern, but that is another subject.

 

That still doesn't make sense. As long as it is in gear there is no speed differential and therefore no slippage - without slippage there can be no wear of the synchros.

And you won't wear the synchros of another gear because the synchros for that gear only work as you shift into that gear...

 

Yes it does make sense. I didn't say you would wear the syncro for " Another Gear ".

Believe what you want. It is not my job to convince you.

 

The syncro rings are like a brake. Every single gear except direct is turning at a different speed they are driven by the counter shaft and free wheel until they are selected by the driver the rings are tapered to match the taper on the gear. As you select a different gear before it is engaged the shift hub forces the synco ring against the gear and brings it up to speed to match the main shaft, at that point the the shift hub dogs connect the hub to the gear as they slip over top of the syncro ring dogs. Now if you like to shift without the clutch you are forcing the ring to do all the work against a load unless you are really good at matching speeds I have been driving sticks for 52 years and as a kid did this kind of stuff was sort of good at it but never perfect.

 

Some guys do hold the shifter while driving the truck . This will put additional force on the shift forks ... most noticeable on the 3/4 shift fork since its positioned in the center of the shifter pattern . Not a good practice to follow .

Years ago , it was easier to shift without the clutch because a lot of synchronizers that were used had a large notch pattern and it was easier for the synchro to match the opposing speed of the next gear . These days most synchronizers have a fine tooth pattern combined with brake lining on the blocker ring and grooves machined into the cone clutch . Unless you are driving a dump truck or rig , I wouldnt recommend shifting without the clutch.

Another quick " Edit "
Some guys rest their left foot on the clutch pedal . This practice keeps the clutch release bearing turning all the time . Because our Tacomas do not use a centrifical release bearing , this will wear out the clutch release bearing prematurely .Clutch release bearing ...AKA throw out bearing.
Our Tacomas do not have a self adjusting clutch . With this said , the clutch release bearing does not turn all the time and is " not " designed to turn all the time . This is why it is important to keep your clutch adjusted properly . You need at least a 1/2 inch of free travel at the top of the pedal to keep the bearing from turning . As your clutch disc wears down plate loading increases ,but that free play at the top of the pedal is going to disappear .