Outer Limits 4x4 Board

i have an 80 series landcruiser which is hard to change gears, it does not jump out or crunch gears. you need to find the sweet spot for it to engage in gear, i have heard that the bush were the gear lever goes into the gearbox is a common component to wear. any one had this issue or know the best way to fix it?

It is a common problem. Some swear by castrol VMX-M to improve the changes. Others say redline MT90 is the best stuff to use. If the redline doesn't improve things, you will need to rebuild the gearbox.

James

the problem you have is very common in the 80series.
It's unlikely to be the shifter seat bush.

Most likely for the 80series is, you just need to change the oil. It can make a surprising difference. As above Castrol VMX-M is popular, it made a big difference in my 80series. It's a slightly different grade of oil. At about $35 for 4litres, it's the first thing to try.

How's your clutch fluid?

clutch fluid is good.Thanks, will change oil and see how it goes.

My 80 started the shift problem. 4 changes later of vmx-m and still no improvement.
The redline is supposed to be even better for the shift problem.
Mine now has a h150f from a turbo 79 series.

Oh and also turbo motor from 79 series

James

Dont rebuild see if toyota have and boxes in stock i got a brand new one for $3800 4 years ago

Jim

I'd be weary of the vmx-m as it is a lower grade of oil than what the cruiser box needs. I changed to it before a trip up to the N.T. and by the time I got back the gearbox was noisey. Changed the oil out and it was full of metal. My guess is it broke down under the extra heat up north and made the gears wear.

I changed to the Redline MT90, will never run anything else.
Gear changes are smooth and easy and it has reduced the low speed high torque noise.

Changed Oil, within first 30KM could not get 5th gear, after 30 km could not get into any gear. dropped the oil and tried several other types and grades of oil. i went back to my first suspicion of a worn bush in the selector. i removed the selector and found the bush the selector swivels on was completely deteriorated. on first look it looked like burned/ dried out blue grease on closer inspection it was the swivel bush (blue in colour) was in a million peices. the selector shaft was sticking to far into the gearbox being pushed in by spring tention from the retainer clip/spring arrangment and fouling the selector.

1 new bush later $35ish and the gear box is now better then its ever been since i bought it 60 000 km ago. running Caltex Syntrex gear oil with Nulon n70 manuel gearbox treatment.