Tacoma 2001 Manual 2.7L 4x4 Hard to Shifting Gears

Hi! My Tacoma 2001 Manual 2.7L 4x4 is hard to engage when trying to engage any gears (and it clunks) but ONLY WHILE car is stopped. Basically, when you're stopped, you'd want to put 1st or Reverse, and that is difficult. BUT If If car is moving, gear shift is easy and soft, no clunking.
Any suggestions? thank you!

 

Pilot bearing might be going bad. I had a similar issue on my 3.4. When that bearing is going bad, the drag will still transfer power (just a little) to the input shaft of the transmission even when the clutch is pressed in. This keeps the transmission internals spinning faster than needed and makes it hard for the synchros to catch up as well as a clunk when it gets into gear. Not the only thing that could be wrong, but a possibility. When was the last time the clutch was replaced?

 

Welcome to TacomaWorld
If the fluid in clutch master cylinder is dark use a turkey baster to remove the old fluid and put in fresh DOT 3/4 brake fluid.
Do this once a week for a month.
If it shifts fine with engine off it's not the shifter bushings.
Possibly Pilot bearing
Change fluid first.

 

I second what Black dog Lila just posted. I was having the same issue in my 97 2.7 4x4 and when I checked the brake fluid it looked like gooey black syrup, so I cleaned it out and flushed the entire system and will probably repeat the process soon. So far it seems to have helped. I would try that out first before you take the time to do all of the necessary disassembly for the pilot bearing.