Any Tundra shifter issues?

I, prior to owning my '08 SR5 Tundra, owned two '03 4runners. Was very happy with them, for a long time, but eventually the NE winters and road salt ate the frames and I had to get rid of them. One other issue I had with both, was problems with the console shifter eventually getting stiff, and finally breaking a sleeve that held the detent ball and spring. It is a common problem with 4Runner shifters, especially in the cold weather.

I have started to notice that the shifter on my Tundra, at times seems a bit stiff when shifting from park to reverse, and back. Before I take it apart, I wanted to ask the group if any one else has had any issues with the Tundra shifters?

 

my shifter gets stiff on inclines and declines shifting out of P, My driveway is on an incline and notice this often so I decided to park it on sort of level ground and no longer have the issue.

 

Ok, from my experience, that is usually caused by the vehicle weight being loaded on the parking pawl in the transmission, a common issue with many vehicles. To my knowledge, there are only two remedies for it. Park on a level surface, as you have discovered, or set the parking brake before you put the shifter into park. If you parking break is working properly, it should take some of the load off the parking pawl and ease the difficulty a bit. If this method works for you, just remember to take the shifter out of park before releasing the parking brake.

The issue I am talking about is different, it happens on level ground, and seems to be a problem with the shifter itself.

 

Yes, I've discovered both through trial and error, including placing a brick on a rear wheel which also helped. Your issue may be more with the transmission, more specifically with the shifter linkage? where it enters the transmission. It may be corroding which may be freezing at that point.

 

I think it is within the shifter assy, but when I get a chance I will get underneath and check the linkage connection at the trans. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

It is adjustable. If you have a console shifter, there is a cable under the housing that allows you to remedy the issue. I brought mine to the dealer because of this issue (I couldn’t seem to get it adjusted right) and they did it for an hour of labor.

 

I am aware that the console shifter uses a cable, and when I get a chance to remove the console cover I will check it. Thanks.