I know it's not just me having problems finding 2nd gear

[spandit]

Spoke to another Pinz owner and, like me, he has selected reverse by accident instead of 2nd gear. Now that I start in 2nd, shifting is pretty easy, but downshifting from 3rd is difficult and going from 1st to 2nd is nigh on impossible. Is it just my dodgy driving technique or can something be adjusted?

[M Wehrman]

Perhaps the posting about the "floopy" shifter will be of help. It.s a few posts below this one.
Mark

[Jimm391730]

Try RedLine MT90 oil, it has improved my shifting by a very noticable amount.

Jim M.

[David Dunn]

Check the adjustment of the reverse lockout plate.... If you don't need to push the shifter down to select reverse, it is either out of adjustment , or missing.

[Twin Pinzies]

I've gotten in the habit of always aiming for the middle of the start button with the middle of the shifter lever.
Try it next time, it works.

[Fleg]

I just feel for the gate.

[milesdzyn]

What David Dunn said above. The plate can shift if not checked, it should be part of a yearly check list.

You should have to push the shifter down to be able to shift into reverse, if your hitting reverse accidently the plate is off adjustment. Fix the plate now or fix the trans later $$$$.

As far as difficulty finding second your shifter has adjustments, but first try to slow down when shifting. Push the shifter up out of first and let it shift sideways on its own (with a light touch). If the shifter doesn't slide over on its own, don't start messing with the adjustments yet. First feel if the shifter is tight or loose. If it feels tight, you've got dried up grease in the joint, these are 30+ years old. Take the shifter apart, clean it up and put new grease in it, put it back together and enjoy a smooth shifter.

The last thing to do is mess with the adjustments, you'll need two people to do this. One to adjust the shifter while the other test shifts. It can be done with one person but it is a pain.

Here's the adjustment area, accessable through the trans access plate in the rear bed.





Small adjustments and keep track of rotations so you can get back to your start point. Good luck

Miles

[spandit]

The gate is very difficult to find. Will have a look at the reverse lockout plate. Shifting is smooth generally, it's just difficult finding 2nd

[cronapress]

Where exactly is the reverse lockout plate located ? I had the inspection hatch off the bed the other day whilst checking levels, generally cleaning/oiling everything in sight. Is said plate within the gearbox housing itself ?

I would like to clean/grease it BEFORE any problems arise.

I'm a bit wary of disturbing anything vital inside the box. "If it ain't broke.......... " etc. I've been told there's those complicated cog things inside !!

[David Dunn]

The plate is on the underside of the truck where the shifter comes through. The adjustment is in the owners manual (iirc, it's been a long while since I've looked). It's a simple plate

[cronapress]

Thanks David. I was looking in the wrong place altogether - story of my life really !! ha.ha.

[pcolette]

Page 33 of the Gearbox section of the repair manual shows the plate and the proper adjustment.

Hope this helps.

[cronapress]

Thanks pcolette. I presume we are talking about the set-up in Fig.86(Page 33) ?

I've just had a quick look under the beast now and all became clear. I'll attack it with some oil/grease in the morning. Not a breath of wind here this evening and the midges are biting big time !

[pcolette]

Yes, figures 85 & 86.
The adjustment is easier with 2 people so you don't have to keep hopping in and out to try the shifter.

Good luck!

Midges - probably like our gnats. Horrible little things!

Paul