New Toy - Sloppiest Shifter Ever

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mattafact

mattafact

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103
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Location
So Cal
I picked up a new to me 85 Xtra Cab 4x4. It's carbed and from what I can tell it has a G series trans (G52?). Anyway, the shifter is so sloppy that not only is finding the gear extremely difficult but the shifter pulls completely out of the trans.

I haven't had a chance to pull it apart since I get out of work after it gets dark but what kind of problems and I looking at?



Sweet bumper and nerf bars!
 
Richmondo said:
It sounds like the collar on the shifter isn't locked down but I would put money on you finding a disintegrated shifter seat when you get in there
Click to expand...

That's what I'm hoping to find.
 
X3 on the s***er seat, and I think your truck's left a snap ring behind somehwere.

I lost the snap ring on my T-case shifter, and it just came right out.
 
Combat Chuck said:
X3 on the s***er seat, and I think your truck's left a snap ring behind somehwere.

I lost the snap ring on my T-case shifter, and it just came right out.
Click to expand...

You could be correct but I don't remember a snap ring. I thought the ball seat held the shifter in place?
 
I'm not too familiar with the G-series transmissions, but I'm sure my L52 has a snap ring.

I may be wrong, though.
 
It's a push down and turn type deal. There are two pins on the side of the housing that the collar locks into. And yes there should be a shifter seat in there and I would bet money there isn't. I can't think of a Toyota that I have purchased that actually did have a seat in there. Usually that's the first thing I do.
 
It looks like the Marlin seat is plastic. The Toyota one is like a hard rubber. If you get them from me the seat is $9.46 and the bushing is $4.03.
 
No, there's a collar around the base of the shifter that you push down and turn 1/4 turn, it latches on to a couple of pins. I have seen these pins snap off with over-zealous use. You'll have to get a whole new shifter base "retainer" part, if that's the case.
 
WarDamnEagle said:
You could be correct but I don't remember a snap ring. I thought the ball seat held the shifter in place?
Click to expand...

The parts diagram on Toyotapartseast doesn't show a snap ring of any kind so hopefully its the ball seat.
 
Ok, the snap ring had come out of the retainer. The 2 pins on the retainer were still there but were pretty loose. Is that normal?

I pushed the snap ring back in. The fit was extremely tight and I wasn't able to do the 8th of a turn but it's far better than it was. I'll take it apart again when I get my Marlin shifter seat.

I ordered the shift lever socket too but where does that go? On the pins that are sticking out?

Thanks,
Matt
 
The pins shouldn't be loose. I would be looking for a new retainer, before they fall out.

The little socket goes on the very bottom end of the shifter, down in the trans. It will be apparent when you pull the shifter all the way out.
 
KLF said:
The pins shouldn't be loose. I would be looking for a new retainer, before they fall out.

The little socket goes on the very bottom end of the shifter, down in the trans. It will be apparent when you pull the shifter all the way out.
Click to expand...

Alright, I have a new retainer and gasket on order. That, combined with the Marlin seat and socket better give the crispest shifter this side of a Ferrari.
 
Thanks, this a good thread. I just picked up a 87 4Runner with a sloppy stick, although I haven't tried to pull it up and out, now I may know whats wrong.
 
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The shifter seat seems to be as high a wear item as air filters or brakes. I recently did one on a 2nd gen 4Runner. I checked the vehicle history and spoke with the guy and it looked as if he was replacing them about every 30- 60k. So I'd put money on yours being shot too.
 
photo-4.jpg


Marty Mcfly called and asked for his nerf bars back....

New issue. I put a new heater valve on as the old one was frozen shut. The heater works pretty well now but I'm hearing the sound of trickling water when I'm in first and second gear at about 2500 RPM or so. I've lost about a quart of coolant over the past week but the drain that comes from what I'm guessing is the heater box is completely dry. I'm stumped. Any ideas?

As far as the shifter is concerned, I have a new one on order from Davez Offroad. I can't wait for nice shifting.
 
Update: The truck shifts beautifully now and passed California smog the legit way on Saturday after putting a new catalytic converter in. I found an awesome exhaust shop in Riverside that put a new cat, tucked the exhaust up nice and high and installed a used Borla exhaust for $250.

I sold my FJ60 but kept the brand new BFG 31" ATs which ended up on the pickup.

I picked up an elocked 5.29:1 third that will go in once I find a cheap IFS rear end. The 31's will have to go at that point if I want to drive faster than 55.
 
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