I want to run this by you hands and see what you think. My wife's 01 was taken to a local shop for fifth gear nut fix, bearings,etc. She got it out and after a few days, started to get hard to get to go into gears 1, R sometimes 2nd. It was worse after it had been stopped, out of gear(brake set). After starting is when it would be tough to get into gear at times. Anyhow, we took it back in.....same thing, only then it starts to pop out of fifth at times. Mostly this happens when pulling the trailer, but happens bobbing too. It pops out when throttle is eased and it gets enough pressure relief to pop out. It doesnt do it under a steady pull. It does not do this, or hasnt yet, when it reverse or third. Any ideas? Could something have been left out during repair, or even fell out unknown?

 

For hard shifting I would check and make sure thay put the correct gear oil in it. If you have a lot of miles on the trans it may be time for a rebuild.

 

My truck was popping out of fifth under the same conditions that you mentioned.

After the tranny rebuild it never did it again. But I did the tranny myself. I did it by the book and to minimum tolerances.

 

trans builds are very simple just may cost a little to acquire the parts if not have them.. but to save yourself money get all the tools from local parts store as donors like slide hammers, snap ring pliars. and such.. they give you your money back when you bring them back...saved me tons of money instead of buying them all