5th gear rattle

[joshty12]

Ok so here is my problem, I have an 87 4runner with a SAS, stock gears with locker in the rear. When I am driving and shift into 5th it is a loud hellacious rattle and it only gets louder with more throttle, so naturally I dont use 5th at all. Any ideas what it could be?

[emsvitil]

Worn out tranny bearings

[David]

If I'm not mistaken third will go out soon. Happened to two of mine so far.

[joshty12]

So would it be easier to rebuild or just replace?

[BigMike]

5th gear is the weakest and if you pull any hills in 5th or do any towing in 5th then the problem you have described is inevitable.

It is definitely easier to R&R a transmission, but if you have a factory service manual and some spare time then I'd go for the rebuild! You'll learn a great deal about the transmission, such as why to not abuse 5th gear, and you'll have the pride from such an accomplishment! We do carry a rebuild kit but at the moment we are out of stock on the kit you need. I will reply back to see how its coming along tomorrow-

Regards,
BigMike

[BigMike]

I forgot to add that even having power to spare with my 3RZ I very rarely pull hills in 5th (and have only done so to test my power or compare with a friend's truck, and I did so knowing that I am taking hours of life away from my 5th gear).

If you need to apply more throttle for some hill or even a lot of headwind, immediately downshift to 4th. 4th gear is the strongest, runs the coolest, lasts the longest, and is the smallest downshift you can make. It's a no brainer.

[emsvitil]

Take out the center console, and the rubber boots so you have a hole in your transmission hump and can see the ground.

Go for a drive...........

You'll definitely HEAR if you need another transmission.......

[joshty12]

I appreciate the responses guys, the runner is my dd right now so my goal is to find another tranny for cheap and throw it in and then rebuild my stock and get it setup and ready to run dual cases, but thats in the future when I have more time and money. Any idea when the rebuild kit will be back in stock?

[joshty12]

Also with the different transmissions, from what I have seen, mine has the W56B, will other ones fit in my truck and what are the differences?