Truck was stuck in snow. Now it feels sluggish and horrible (Manual Transmission)

Long short story

My truck was in 3-4 feet of thick snow. I had to dig out. Used 4H in reverse but it wouldn’t budge so I tried it in 4L in reverse and the wheels just did a burn out. I thought I ran out of options but forgot about the A-TRAC equip. Used it and finally got it out.

Now here’s the issue I am having with it

•Alignment is tilting to the left a bit

•Braking is horrible

•Acceleration is weak. Engine sound normal but it feels like either the rear differential is holding it back or the driveshaft is stuck somewhere because its having a rough time picking up.

Any suggestions to look at before I take it in?

Also any recommendations on how to choose which dealer and explain the situation since I bought mine 800 miles out of state (new yes)?

Thanks in advance

 

Maybe the parking brake froze? Hasn't happened to me because I don't live in an area that experiences freezes often but I've read about it happening before.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/search/13433839/?q=Frozen+parking+brake&t=post&o=date&c[node]=186

 

Do you have any Warning lights ON in the instrument cluster? Take a look underneath, see anything out of the ordinary? Any strange smells/odors?
Also check the parking brake as previously mentioned.
Do you have access to a scan tool?
While the CEL may not be ON there may be some pending codes.
If there's no visible damage and you're still under warranty take it to your Toyota dealer. If you have more than one nearby check online to see which one has a better rating. They can vary widely in overall quality and customer satisfaction unfortunately.
Doesn't matter which state you purchased it as long as you're in the US, warranty is nationwide.

Good luck, hopefully it's something simple.

 

Do you have a heated garage to thaw it out in? That’s be my first go to... let it thaw and dry out. Could easily have snow packed in around a brake that’s froze. Can’t see what else could be an issue without other obvious signs.

 

Is it definitely back in 2Hi?
4Hi and 4Lo will cause huge binding on drivetrain (especially during and after turns on dry pavement)

 

Definitely defrost it.

 

Slide your phone underneath in each corner and take some pictures of the under carriage, drive line, brake areas. If you packed snow in there, it wouldn't just blow out while driving on even dry roads, it's there till it melts out. Maybe a drive-thru car wash with under carriage wash.

 

No warning lights on. Nothing out of the ordinary. I have to assume its internal. There was a burning rubber smell almost similar to a clutch smell but I don't think it's the clutch since its operating normally. I do have a scan tool. About to do it once i get off from work

I hope it's un-engage and back to 2H. I do not have it switch to 4H or 4L

I will take some photos once I get off from work. It's been close to the 40's so I doubt there will be any snow underneath my truck. I have it garage and wash it 1-2 times a week

 

Damn that's a lot of washing

 

Check rear drums if you're washing it and parking, they are more prone to sticking if not driven to dry.

 

Go out on the road, get up to speed and put the truck in 3rd or 4th gear. Now mash the throttle, if the RPM goes up and your not really going faster then you probably smoked the clutch (that burning smell)

Otherwise I will say that my truck feels sluggish after I turn off 4wd pretty much every time I use it. It usually goes away after a few miles of driving.

 

What exactly is the ‘long story’ and what info have you left out?
How long was it sitting for before being buried in snow?

I’ve battered my truck snow-wheeling in every possible mode and crossed multiple creeks that were not frozen drenching the underbody - it doesn’t even have 2500k kms on it - and it’s a manual. No issues what so ever — I do have a habit of NOT engaging the parking brake when I know temps are freezing. Attached pic is the underbody full of snow, ice, and salt — ran without issue after sitting for a day or two like that before a wash.

 

Wait, you tried reversing in 4hi when you were stuck? I’m 90% sure your clutch is done. 4hi is only for ripping down FSRs or driving in snow in the city/highway. You don’t have a torque converter to multiply the torque.

Did it smell like eggs and bacon when you were stuck and trying to reverse in 4hi?

 

Dude, after reading this, I’m sure 99.9% that you burned your clutch.

As soon as it gets technical or you are going slowly off-road, you must select 4low to save your clutch and engine. In automatic it doesn’t matter.

 

Salt is a witch

If that's the case it might be my clutch. Can it be the clutch and a stuck e-brake problem?

I will this weekend. It's suppose to be over 50 so there isnt an excuse to look at it. Thank you

The long story is why I had it in the snow. There isn't any info I left out. It was buried in the snow for a good 10hr. We had a family matter meeting and I was asked to park my truck on the side of the driveway. Stupidity (me) didn't think before doing it.

 

Well you can test them both at the same time. Go for a drive, if the e-brake is stuck, it will unstick itself pretty quick as it heats up. While your doing that you can test the clutch.

 

I place all my bets on a burned out clutch. I was stuck in snow in my ranger for about 7 hours, absolutely no issues and it was nasty to say the least.

OP never use 4hi when trying trying to get unstuck.

 

I’d say it’s either these.. or you’re stuck in a 4wd mode.
Rule out each of them one by one as stated by others.

 

It didnt smell that good lol more like a burning rubber snitch

 

How did you end up on the snow, photos?
Edit, see the answer, photos?