Hey Guys, I have run into a bit of trouble on a 90 Tracker 4wd.

It really isn't mine, I am trying to help a friend. 

90 Tracker, 2dr., soft top, 4wd, 5 speed. High mileage.

Here we go, it was operating normally until the other day. It seems to have trouble finding gears. Kinda like a sloppy shifter. Then it will not go into any gear. It takes NO effort to move the shifter or select a gear. It really feels like it isn't doing anything.

So I am under the impression the shifter bushing, on the bottom of the shifter, inside the transmission needs to be replaced. So I order a new one, remove and reinstall, still no gear selections.

Now I'm digging around trying to select gears with a screwdriver. Well, no matter what I do, it doesn't seem to change. When I try to select any gear, I can "slide" the shifter anywhere I want it. It doesn't seem to "catch" when you put it into a gear. Kinda like there is no detent, to keep it selected.

So visualize this. With the shifter out, I am selecting 5th gear, and I can slide the screwdriver into 1st gear without going into neutral first. I understand that I need to look at the pattern differently since the shifter is out, and I understand that the screwdriver probably doesn't move the internal parts quite the same, but I am looking inside the transmission with a light, and I can see what I am moving and where.

I have even started the vehicle in what I thought was in gear, and it will not even make any effort to move. I have moved the transfer case in and out of 4 HI and LO, still nothing.

I also tried to back out the clutch until there was no tension on the clutch cable. It still doesn't go into any gear, running or not.

Now I am more familiar with Samurai transmissions than Trackers. So I kinda understand them, but not 100%.

I guess what I wonder is, is the transmission shot? Can you change out the shift tower? Am I overlooking something simple?

Maybe someone will have a similar situation and an idea of what to check or repair.

Thanks...

Jeff

Did the bottom of the shift lever break off ?
look for rough break off marks, bottom of the
lever should have a round, yet flat side to side
piece.

Did somebody bump the 4WD lever into neutral?
that's always a fun trick to pull on your unsuspecting friend 

Wild

This sounds like a problem that a customer of mine had with his 1989 5-speed 4x4 tranny. The cast pieces inside the shifter housing on top of the tranny fatigue and break off. Remove the six 12mm head bolts on top of the tranny that hold on the shifter housing then flip the housing over and remove the 4 phillips head screws. There should be a broken chunk in there attached to a shift rail and maybe a piece rattling around in there.  Let me know if you need the part to fix it.

Sean

Did somebody bump the 4WD lever into neutral?
that's always a fun trick to pull on your unsuspecting friend 

Wild

I think  need to try that one

Did the bottom of the shift lever break off ?
Wild

The shift lever appears to be in proper shape. It doesn't look too worn or anything out of the normal.

This sounds like a problem that a customer of mine had with his 1989 5-speed 4x4 tranny. The cast pieces inside the shifter housing on top of the tranny fatigue and break off. Remove the six 12mm head bolts on top of the tranny that hold on the shifter housing then flip the housing over and remove the 4 phillips head screws. There should be a broken chunk in there attached to a shift rail and maybe a piece rattling around in there. Let me know if you need the part to fix it.

Sean

That sounds quite possible. It seems as if the shifter has no resistance, like it isn't moving anything internal.

I guess I didn't know that the shift tower would unbolt from the top of the transmission.

Can I just bolt on a new shift tower?

How much would something like that part cost?

Thanks for everyone's help.