One for you Toyota Hilux 4x4 mechanics...

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Muir

Well-Known Member
I have been going through my rusty old 1986 Toyota 4x4 fixing this and that. It runs like a top BUT it does an odd, quirky, annoying thing: When I come to a controlled stop -especially when facing down hill- I cannot get it to go into any gear. I can yank it into reverse, back up a tad, then it will go into gear. Then it will proceed like nothing has happened. I replaced the shifter seats, clutch master and slave cylinders, changed the transmission fluid... All this after clutch, pressure plate, Rear main seal, throw-out bearing and anything else I could reach. It doesn't happen all the time but I swear I can feel something move around through the shifter when I hit the breaks.

Any thoughts? The "Yota Tech" forum has come up dry....
In appreciation,~MUir
 
I don't know enough about Toyotas or their 4x4 system but a similar problem occurs with Suzuki Jimnys called wind up if you drive on the road in 4 wheel drive as there isn't a centre diff. Is there a chance the diff lock on yours is getting stuck on while driving?
 
Is it April 1st ? A Toyota playing up ? Well I never :roll:


You'll have a few on here in tears posting these sort of threads :rofl:
 
My money would be on the selectors having something loose ? In old Land Rovers the ball used to break off the end of the gear lever in the selectors but that would stop all gear selection until you re welded it ?
 
tackb said:
My money would be on the selectors having something loose ? In old Land Rovers the ball used to break off the end of the gear lever in the selectors but that would stop all gear selection until you re welded it ?
Click to expand...

In an effort to fix the problem I replaced the shifter seats and bearing with racing after market units from bearing grade nylon. No help.

It really has been a great truck. No mechanical 'problems' to speak of tho I did replace the timing chain, et al to get rid of the plastic timing chain guides they put in these gasoline 22R engines. Otherwise runs like a champ, doesn't leak a drop of fluids and has been very reliable. And most of the time the shifting isn't an issue either. It's sporadic... and a little maddening.~Muir
 
If you come to a stop and then turn the engine off will it engage the gears then ? If it wont then its a gearbox problem and its probably the Synchro's which is probably why you can yank it into reverse as there is no synchromesh on that gear, when you pull away try changing up through the gearbox WITHOUT using the clutch it should be stiff to select a gear but they should still go in if they wont my money is on the synchro's which means rebuilt gearbox.
 
Robb said:
If you come to a stop and then turn the engine off will it engage the gears then ? If it wont then its a gearbox problem and its probably the Synchro's which is probably why you can yank it into reverse as there is no synchromesh on that gear, when you pull away try changing up through the gearbox WITHOUT using the clutch it should be stiff to select a gear but they should still go in if they wont my money is on the synchro's which means rebuilt gearbox.
Click to expand...

I need to go out in a bit. I'll try to induce the problem and do what you suggest.~Muir
 
Muir said:
I need to go out in a bit. I'll try to induce the problem and do what you suggest.~Muir
Click to expand...

I thought it might be the synchro rings too. When you have the problem again, give the engine a quick rev in Neutral, then immediately depress clutch and engage gear. This might help.

Do you get the problem when decelerating and changing down from 2nd to 1st?
 
If the synchros were gone you would struggle to get it into gear not out of it. My guess is the clutch dragging and there is some wind up in the transmission that is not being released. It is a very good idea that you try the switching of engine and trying it thing. That again would point at clutch drag or not.
Although you replaced the clutch did this fault happen before the clutch replacement? It may be a fault with the clutch just because it's new doesn't mean it's right.
 
Surely if it's synchro rings then it would crunch, for it to be baulking would mean the synchro's are TOO good ? It's very unlikely to be rings in this case, and uphill or downhill wouldn't make any difference if it were them.

It could be something simple like broken or worn mounts and the gear lever getting blocked / jammed by something. Try putting a ratchet strap from the box to a body mount to hold the box back, then park it on a downhill.
 
rodp said:
Surely if it's synchro rings then it would crunch, for it to be baulking would mean the synchro's are TOO good ? It's very unlikely to be rings in this case, and uphill or downhill wouldn't make any difference if it were them.

It could be something simple like broken or worn mounts and the gear lever getting blocked / jammed by something. Try putting a ratchet strap from the box to a body mount to hold the box back, then park it on a downhill.
Click to expand...

This was my feeling. All the clutch and replacement parts are OEM to the vehicle. Fly wheel turned correctly.... maybe I don't have the clutch adjusted correctly? Mounts look good. As I said, the master and slave cylinders for the clutch are OEM and brand new. Bled them twice to be sure with new fluid.~Muir
 
Or clamped a set of vice grips on to what was left of the lever,and used that to change gear.:rofl:

Sorry this should have been in reply to tackb's first post.
 
Last edited:
bogtrotter said:
Or clamped a set of vice grips on to what was left of the lever,and used that to change gear.:rofl:

Sorry this should have been in reply to tackb's first post.
Click to expand...

not if it the ball that sits in the selectors , then you strip the gear lever off and use a big old screwdriver
 
rodp said:
Is it a 3 rail box ? Does it matter what gear you are in when braking ?
Click to expand...

Don't know. It's G52 transmission with attached transfer case. I can be in neutral and it can happen.
I took it out and drove it hard for an hour til it did it. This time on a flat. I turned it off and started it again and it shifted. It doesn't happen all the time and when it does, I can almost sense it through the shifters. I'm a heart beat away from taking it into a shop.~Muir
 
Had a quick look at the only exploded view I can find at the moment. What's the bushing around the gear lever swivel (ball) like. If that's worn you could well be running out of travel on the gear stick before engaging a gear.

edit, give the gear lever a tug, make sure it's not moving in it's housing.
 
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