have to be almost stopped to get into first

Ok so I have had manual trans on most of my vehicles and going into first you can be moving still its pretty much a normal transition from second to first. but with this 2000 tacoma I have to be pretty well stopped before it will go into first even second is this way but not as much as first. I have a new clutch in it and its still the same way. anyone els figure out how to fix this I hear its normal but vary annoying as I always have to come to a complete stop to get into first.

 

You should be at a complete stop before going into first gear. You are putting unnecessary strain on a whole host of components.

Frank

 

my old 2000 tacoma 5sp was similar. couldn't be going more than 5-ish mph or it wouldn't click into 1.

sorry to say it, but "it's normal"

 

Normal.

Not good to shift into 1st if moving. If you are moving at all, second gear. 1st is generally too tall to down shift into. Would also not be a smooth shift and cause the truck/passengers to lurch and engine to race.

 

Its always harder when the truck is cold. It becomes easier once it warms up properly

 

Thanks for replys all. So I just lug it in second when not wanting to completely stop, because im to slow for second but first wont go in till im stopped ? doesnt that wear the clutch ? it vibrates when I do this because I dont want to completely stop when pulling into my driveway or any other area that I should be going slow but dont need to completly stop, but first wont go in for the correct speed I need. This is vary annoying lol

 

Blip the throttle, man.

You can always shift into *any* gear at *any* speed that wouldn't have you redlined.

Drive at, say, 10mph in first. What RPM are you at? 2500? 3000?

Whatever it is - then that's the engine speed you need to match when downshifting from 2nd to first at that truck speed.

Push in the clutch, step on the gas to match that RPM, move the shift lever from 2nd to 1st, release the clutch.

That's all there is to it, but many folks never learn this important downshifting skill.

 

Oh ok so like when I drive a 18 speed tandom dump truck. I didnt know this was all right to do with the small trans in these trucks. Ok will do that if thats all that is needed. Thanks

 

Nope dont work giving it a rev and trying to match rpm. still have to be going below 10kmh for it to even slide in at all. Why would toyota make such a good truck have to lug around in second instead of letting first gear angage lol

 

I'm actually gonna say it's not completely normal. My old 5 speed would let me go in 1st at like 20 if I wanted. Didn't have to rev match either. Maybe you don't have the clutch all the way to the floor? I don't know.

 

Might be a floormat in the way of the clutch going all the way down. :idk:

My 2.7L pulls fine from 2-3mph in 2nd, at over 5000ft altitude, with a very slight easing of the clutch.

Synthetic fluid helps, but my truck has never shifted into 1st easily while moving. Bought it new.

 

Thnanks for replys all. I will just have to get use to lugging a bit in second and dropping to first below 10 kmh I guess. as its seems to be normal on these trucks.

 

I have no problem with 2nd gear all most to a stand still even towing. Oops sorry your's is a 2.7 mines a 4L. See what you mean my old 97 was a 2.7.

 

You dont feel a bit of a vibration when doing that ? feels like when you have a gear in when to low of speed

 

Could be worn motor mounts causing that vibration

 

I just checked them all lol I wondered that myself. but all my mounts dont budge. Its the same vibration I got in any vehicle when putting the gear in at the wrong speeds it luggs and vibrates. because its supposed to be in a lower gear lol It just does not make sense why it wont go in when its supposed to be in the lower gear, but seems like thats the way its is I guess with the year of tacoma

 

Do you have trouble cycling through the gear positions when parked with the engine off?

 

Nope not at all

 

Rules out the shifter ball seat.

Guessing the clutch isn't disengaging all the way or going too fast.

I have no problems downshifting to 1st at rolling stop type speeds but locked out when going faster.

 

Hmm its vary odd. I have everything looked over when I got my new clutch and the trans and all is good. but it does not feel right not being able to use first like you would on any other vehicle. after 16 years of driving stick its the only one ive ever had this annoying problem with