Jumping out of 1st Gear

[Heartworm]

I have a 1986 FJ60 with an H55 transmission that has 35K miles on it since purchased new from Cruiser Dan. It has started slipping out of 1st gear. It does not do it under load, only when the pressure is off and the cruiser is going downhill. I can watch the gearshift lever gradually moving toward neutral and bingo, it goes out of gear.

Could it be that the shifter boot is putting pressure on the lever, or is it something horrible?

It has always shifted "notchy", even when new. Could I need a new shifter cup?

 

[lovetoski]

I have an H41 that does the same thing...pops out only when compression braking going downhill...in my case it only happens in low range. Very curious to hear any ideas as to what's going on...

 

[snowboardonsnow]

I believe that is a common problem on the h55f isnt it? some sort of washer or small spacer or something most of the venders would sell. I know I've read about it but its slipping my mind.

 

[Godwin]

This would happen with the H55F I have in my 60 but I attributed the issue to it having been rebuilt once or twice and having had a lot of miles put on it.

 

[TemboTusk]

.

I cured this issue by removing the inner boot on the stick shift. The inner boot sometimes puts pressure on the stick when in first gear and pushes it out.

Remove the boot, separate the inner boot from the outer boot and reassemble. I have had no adverse affects from the removal. No dust, no water entry.

Good luck!

.

 

[Heartworm]

Rubber Boot

Yes, I am familiar with the stiff rubber boot pushing the 4X4 low range out of gear. Fixed it several years ago with my pocket knife. Maybe the same deal is happening with the main gear ship lever, eh? I would love to hear more about people's experiences with the H55/first gear thing. Also, replacement of the nylon cup in the shifter socket?

 

[Cruiserdrew]

Yes, I am familiar with the stiff rubber boot pushing the 4X4 low range out of gear. Fixed it several years ago with my pocket knife. Maybe the same deal is happening with the main gear ship lever, eh? I would love to hear more about people's experiences with the H55/first gear thing. Also, replacement of the nylon cup in the shifter socket?

Mine does not jump out of gear. In fact, it's perfect.

But if it did, the first thing I would do is replace the plastic cup the in theshifter socket. That's easy and cheap.

The next thing I would do is to look critically at your motor mounts. If one is broken or cracked, it lets everything move around and forces the shifter out of gear. Good luck, it seems doubtful that it's the transmission.

 

[FJ40Jim]

Another thing to check, that's relatively easy, is the tork on the mainshaft nut. That's the big nut under the 6 bolt cover on the back of the t-case. If it is loose, then the mainshaft can walk fore & aft, which walks the shift collar back toward neutral.

Is this the one that done blowed up recently, or a different one?

 

[Heartworm]

Yes, this is the same one that the clutch blew up on. I talked to mechanic in length about tightening that nut and I think that we are good. He seemed ultra careful about assembly...even used my Toyota manual, which is a first for the guys that I usually deal with! I can deal with it in routine driving because I am rarely in first gear for more than 20 yards because it is so low. What I am worried about is being on a steep incline in 4 Low and having it jump out.
Thanks!

 

[lovetoski]

What I am worried about is being on a steep incline in 4 Low and having it jump out.
Thanks!

That's when mine pops out. I have to do descents while holding the shifter in place to prevent it.

Gonna check that nut Jim recommended though...just in case...

 

[Ry24000]

So what was it!? Another dead thread with no solution.

 

[RustyAndDusty]

So what was it!? Another dead thread with no solution.

For real. Mine does the same thing while engine braking downhill in 1st. I was excited to find a post detailing the same symptoms and not have to bug the forum with another one. Maybe someone will chime in with another bump to the thread?

 

[David*BJ70]

Somewhere in the culprits list, there is the engine mounts.

 

[RustyAndDusty]

Somewhere in the culprits list, there is the engine mounts.

Ill have to give mine a look. They can't be in great shape with all the oil thats leaked all for who knows how many years.

 

[Ry24000]

I checked my mounts and didn't see anything. I suspect a bad first gear(synchro) just because of the not as smooth shifting in first versus other gears. I am not too concerned anymore because I have the H55 to install now, so there it is the solution! If your having trouble with first gear install an H55. I wonder did the OP check his engine mounts?

 

[joebattle1]

I put a used h55 in recently and I had to replace it with a new one. 2 reasons…. It had a horrible whine and consistently fell out of first gear. Really dangerous on the trail. Seems like the h55’s aren’t nearly as bullet proof as the 4 speeds. The 4 speed I replaced had 229k on it and shifted perfectly.

 

[Godwin]

This would happen with the H55F I have in my 60 but I attributed the issue to it having been rebuilt once or twice and having had a lot of miles put on it.

An update to my comment. The above would happen with a rebuilt transmission. I later installed a new transmission and found that when cold it would pop out of first on a descent, but once warm would remain in first. The old transmission seemed to pop out with more force while the newer transmission (cold) seemed to slip out of first.