Trans Issue?

So we have a 1999 Tacoma PreRunner 2.7L. We bought the car second hand and have a few concerns.

1st Concern: The car seems very jerky like, after I drive it and come to a stop..I am holding the brakes and right when I let go..the car seems to jerk foward but settles real quick and accelerates normally and shifts normally. The shifter seems loose when accelerating, like it moves foward and backward. It only seems to jerk at a stop. If i let go of the brake and let it jerk and hold the brakes again and let go..it doesn't do it. Seems like something is loose. Any ideas?

2nd Concern: I believe the last owner threw on some bigger tires which is causing bad gas milage. I just wanted to confirm the tire size. Thanks

Oh and it has about 80k on it

 

1. I think what you are experiencing is axle wrap, which the Taco is notorious for. There are a few things you can do to help alleviate axle wrap: new leaf springs, traction bar and keeping your zerks and u-joint greased up on the driveshaft.

2. IIRC, the stock size on your PreRunner should be 225/75-15, or you can check the door jamb on the driver's side and see what that says. What kind of MPG are you currently getting?

 

thanks for the quick response....and the info. I believe i am experiencing the axle wrap. I'll grease up the driveshaft u-joints and zerks for now and see if that helps.

as far as the tire size..i did notice the 225/75-15 on the door jam with 15x6 wheels. but whats on the car right now is 265/75-15 with 15x7 stamped on the wheel. i'm not sure what MPG it's getting at the moment, for my mom is driving the truck and doesn't keep an eye on it. I'm going to drive it for a week or so and see if its normal. what should this 2.7L be averaging?

 

if greasing the drive shaft doesnt work.....you can get a new set of springs from wheelers for a good price that will stop the axle wrap, or you can get a set of helper springs for pretty cheap from autozone/pep boys/advanced and that should do the trick too.

also....maybe put a new fuel filter on and see if that helps.

 

It depends on whether you're mostly highway or street driving, but a mix should bring you over 20 MPG easily. Getting average MPG should be done over a few (more than 2) tankfuls, say 4 or 5, that way you'll be getting a better average rather than an anomaly for that one tank.