I posted this in the 2nd gen forum but was told I would get more help here:

So we're coming back from a long trip and I'm about 220 miles from home when all of a sudden it feels like the truck jumps out of gear, except the gear shifter is still in 5th. I had to drive the rest of the way home in 4th. Not fun.

So am I correct in assuming that a transmission rebuild is in my future? What exactly happened? Manual transmissions are one thing I've never rebuilt before so I'm a bit in the dark on what exactly happened.

I was told that there is a nut that can work it's way loose, can I just drop the trans, open it up, and reattach the nut?

Thanks

 

just the fifth gear nut fell off, simple fix, just pull the t-case and the rear cover off the trans, there are a few ways to repair it, just clean really well and put some locktite retaining compound on the splines and threads and tighten down, and some guys like to get a second nut and "double nut" the gear then tack weld the two nuts together, and probably a few other ways also, there is an upgraded tail shaft but more $$ and time, all on what way you want to do it, but in any case, i would put the retaining compound on everything

 

Ok thanks. Is it safe to drive in the meantime?

 

yes, it wont hurt anything