Any of you encountered this with the manual transmission

The manual transmissions used in the 3rd gen 4runner is an R150F (or R150 if its 2wd). Mine works fine but there are some strange things about it that I'm not sure are normal.

My main issues revolve around 1st gear behaving strangely. If I am coasting to a stop with the clutch fully engaged, the transmission will fight me as I try to put it in first gear. It will fight me even if I'm going at a safe speed for 1st gear. It's possible to get the transmission into first gear while moving, but I really have to force it. I don't know if this is a safety feature to prevent me from making a money shift using 1st gear, but this makes engine braking even in a safe manor basically impossible. Only once the vehicle comes to almost a complete stop can I easily select 1st gear.

Another thing I notice about 1st gear (perhaps related) is that when coasting down hill in 1st gear with the clutch in, if I start going above ~10 mph I will start to hear a "wrrrrrr" noise (nothing happens with the tach). This "wrrrr" noise goes away the moment I take it out of first gear. This is the same "wrrrr" noise that is made when I try to shift into 1st gear as I coast. I don't remember it happening on my jeep.

The clutch on this transmission was replaced less than a year ago, before that it was using its original clutch that was very worn. All these observations are made at speeds that are still safe for first gear. The owner manual states that shifting to or from 1st gear can happen at 15 mph (on either engine).

 

I have the same situation on my 3rd gen 4Runner. Including the "wrrrrr" sound. By the same token, I have it with my 87's too.
I just chalk it up to Toyota transmission design, and don't try to go into 1st until I'm at a complete stop. If I'm coasting down into a light, and it changes before I get stopped, I use 2nd to take off again, unless I'm going 2 MPH, or something like that. At that speed, though, shifting down into first is pretty easy.

I'm still having trouble getting used to far shorter shifter throw in the 3rd gen. I am SO used to the throw of the first gens, three feet in any direction , since I've been driving the first gens for 35 years, that when I'm in the 3rd gen, that short throw totally messes me up. I am never sure I have it in gear until I let off the clutch. I think it's just a matter of doing it over and over until I get used to the 3rd gen too.

Anywho, I am of the opinion, for whatever it's worth, that this situation is just the way Toyota designed the transmission. Just have to deal with the trucks' excentricities. Just my opinion, though.
Pat☺

 

both the 89 and 95 4Runner I had exact same thing Nothing wrong with the Transmission it is just like several other Manual Transmission Toyotas I have had and that is you shouldn't shift in to First Gear while moving this is also same with a 2000 Mercedes Benz I have.

 

Manual Transmissions historically have never had synchros for 1st gear. So this is not surprising. 1st gear should really not be shifted down into until you come to a near stop.

 

Not unless you're really good at double clutching.
A nifty skill to have, but hey, nowadays, not really needed.

Have fun!
Pat☺

 

Double Clutching In high school I had a 1947 International 3/4 ton Pick up I got for $600 with a 4 speed manual that you had to double clutch or "know" the feel of the gears thru the shift lever.

 

See? A great skill to learn. I just hope like heck I never NEED it. Just do a little practise once in a while.

Have fun!
Pat☺

 

I had Sta-Lube, 85W90 GL-4 gear oil in my transmission. The 1-2 and 2-1 shifts were very notchy, especially before the transmission was warmed up.
I changed over to Royal Purple Max Gear, 75W90 and within a few miles the notchy feeling went away. The 1-2 shift now takes two fingers and I can shift into 1st while still rolling.

 

Every Toyota Truck/4Runner I have owned with a stick shift was like this. Just half clutch or double clutch and everything is fine.