6sp trannie

[Donnkirkland]

I have a 85 tercel with the 6sp 4wd. question what do you do to put it in the 6th gear? i know it have to be in 4wd to perform this task. This is my first toyota. Thanks for any help!

[keith]

It doesn't have a 6th gear. It has 1-5 and an extra low (EL) that only work in 4wd. Fifth is your highest gear, EL in 4wd has a top speed of something like 10mph, if that.

[mikey]

I guess I always thought of the extra low gear as a sixth gear, but maybe it should be called 1/2 gear! As I remember, you just follow the pattern on the shift knob, while in 4WD. I only used it a few times, but boy, could I climb a steep hill.

[Donnkirkland]

ok when the shifter is in neutrel do you just swing it to the left and then up to put it in gear? or push down and put it in. in 4wd of course when attempting this. I have tried both ways and it won't go in.

[dlb]

hi donnkirkland. yup, just put the car in 4wd and push hard to the left. you will go past the point for 1st and 2nd. then push it forward. with an '85, a yellow 'EL' light should light up on the dash to indicate you are now in extra low.

if the shifter absolutely will not go that way, i would crawl under the car and look for the rear driveshaft just to confirm that no one has swapped a FWD transmission from one of the 2WD cars in. i'm assuming the car is new to you.

[Donnkirkland]

yes dlb my first one. it would be nice to know at least how i can put it in to EL thankyou for your help.

[xirdneh]

for what its worth
the only time i had a problem getting it into the extra low 4wd gear
was due to a bad pressure plate that was not moving far enough to totally free up the clutch disc
i could shift into 2nd thru 5th gears ok
1st and reverse went in hard
extra low just about impossible

[dlb]

any luck, donnkirkland?

[donnkirkland61]

It's snowing out right now going out to try in some real conditions. Thankyou for asking

[Petros]

he does have a 4wd tercel, and the EL works on it. I think that was originally the car I rescued from Colorado that was at risk of going to the wrecking yard. I fixed it and drove it back here after making stops in Austin TX, and Torrance CA on my way back.

make sure your tires are all the same size and inflated the same amount, it makes getting into 4wd easier, and as stated above, it is just like the regular first gear, just further to the left and only works when in 4wd.

Often is is said this car has a six speed trans, which is true, but in practice it is driven as a 5 speed, with an extra low "zero" or "granny" gear when in 4wd.

[donnkirkland61]

Yes it's the grunt! I put new tires on it after i bought the car and yes their the same size and pressure. Thanks for the tip!