Maybe need some belt dressing?

But on the clutch?
Admittedly a noob, I've recently starting hearing what sounds like belt squeal when letting the clutch out of 1st (sometimes 2nd).
It lasts a very short amount of time (maybe 1-2 seconds).
When the clutch is completely released, I don't hear any squeal anymore.
The squeal doesn't sound like one of the belts closer to the radiator, but I might be wrong. You guys would know better than me.

Any suggestions?

1999 4runner SR5
apprx. 140k

thanks,
-steve

Sounds like the throw out bearing?

Thanks, mfmahan.
Would this be an indicator that it's almost time for a new transmission?
I haven't noticed slippage in any gear.

nah, not time to change the clutch...

i am not familiar w/ this brand(i'm a nissan guy)

cable or hydraulic actuated system? either way, check clutch pedal freeplay to see if it's in specs.

contact a dealership locally or online to see what they will say...

Hey ricebike.
I'm fairly sure it's a hydraulic system. The freeplay seems to be within range. The odd thing is that the squeal doesn't happen consistently. So, it's hard to explain to a shop without them being able to study the problem. I've heard it happen more when I'm preparing to aggresively accelerate (i.e.- merging onto a highspeed road from a dead stop) and as I'm letting the clutch out, I hear a squeal just before the plates engage. Thanks again for all your input, guys.

ahh, so it may just be the throwout bearing-to-clutch input shaft facing area that may have less grease than it is now...

squeal coming from the pedal? lube it w/ white lithium grease.

squeal coming from w/in the clutch itself? live w/ it until it's time to replace the whole clutch kit... mebbe one of the diaphragm springs are weaker than the others, making the throwout bearing cocked to one side than just parallel to the input shaft... unless there's a way to add some grease to the input shaft surface, w/out dissasembly, so the throwout bearing would slide easier...

slightly off-topic: check for the clutch slave cylinder for leaks? even a dampness of brake fluid w/in the dust boot may make it not work correctly @ times...

It could still be belts and once the clutch engages the rpms drop and the belt stops squealing. It is MUCH more easy to diagnos and repair if it is, than a clutch component prob.
Just grab the belt and make sure they are tight. If they're tight then see if hosing them down with water from a garden hose CHANGES the sound if the sound changes then its the belt(s)
A through out bearing will be noisey almost all the time the clutch is depressed and you should be able to hear something with a budy holding it down while you listen, neutral of course.

Thank you guys.
I'll check the belts first, and if that's a nogo, then I'll move on the the clutch components. The sound isn't there the entire time the clutch is depressed, just when I'm letting it out under high acceleration conditions.
Thanks again for all of your help. It is very much appreciated.

-steve