04 Tacoma MT really stiff when cold

When cold I can hardly get it in gear. After driving for a little it shifts pretty smooth. Any ideas why this is and what I might do about it? Thanks for any help!! Just bought the truck a few days ago.

 

Change out the fluid to start.
Check your clutch fluid- probably black. I’d drain it and don’t forget to bleed it.

 

Shifter bushings and 75w90
Welcome to TacomaWorld

 

What type of fluid does it use? Is this difficult to do?

 

Transmission, Tcase, front and rear differentials use 75w90 gear oil
You'll need these

$7 Rexka 12pcs Transfer & Differential Service Gasket Kit Compatible with Toyota Lexus 4Runner Land Cruiser Tundra Tacoma FJ Cruiser Highlander RAV4 Sequoia Sienna 1215710010 9043024003 90430A0003

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CJHTDVV
Always remove the fill plug before drain plug

 

Check out the DIY Links
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...-thread-compiled-list-of-helpful-links.95271/

 

Define Cold ??

To me Cold is below zero F to some 50 degrees F is bitter cold

 

Just purchased the truck ?
Got any warranty ?

 

It has been in the 30's. Bought as is, no warranty.

 

Any service records come with the truck ?
If not , check out whats been done to the truck at the dealer and what TSB,s and recalls are needed
This way , you get a track record of what was done
https://www.toyota.com/owners/home. You will need your vin # handy
We are for a looking clutch job , clutch master cylinder or slave cylinder replacement .

 

I was told the master and slave cylinder were just replaced but no records. Under the hood it does appear to be new. I'm hoping to fix it up and get everything mechanically sound but I don't have much money. I did get the frame inspected/undercoated and it is solid, so that is awesome.

 

Alright , thanx for letting us know the clutch master and clutch slave are both new .

Go to the website below and pick out your shifter bushing
https://www.marlincrawler.com/transmission/shifter-parts/heavy-duty-sockets
If you can wait until you get the shifter bushing , you can fill your transmission with new fluid from the top
Once the new shifter bushing and fresh fluid have been installed , road test and get back to us

 

I changed the fluid and the problem is still there. It's actually starting to get worse I think.

 

Fk that, it was 69F and hard nipple chilly today

 

They all are stiff when cold, least the majority of ours are. I live in az and even in the 30s it's noticably stiffer if I don't let it heat up for 5 10 min. I just start the truck and let it sit in the winter time.

 

I know my shifter bushing is shit bc it pops out of gear when hitting a bump engine breaking, and fluids need to be done on mine. However, many others have all said it's common

 

to anyone with MT knowledge, could he have tried a thinner fluid?

 

@Wulf has recommended redline to fix this before, but if he's got fresh fluids already idk if brand will help

 

It's more than a common inconvenience. I can't even put it in gear at first. Have to put it in second when it's not running then drive around slow for a while. It grinds and is extremely hard to shift for quite a while. Getting hard to even drive. A friend said to bleed the line since the slave cylinder was just changed. Gonna give that a try next I suppose.

 

The transmission fluid definitely needed changed though. It looked really crappy and smelled horrible. I put Mobile one 75w90 in it. That's what was recommended and it said good for cold weather.