new member, thinking of buying 05 6speed manual

Hello all,
New to this group but not new to toyota. had a modified 92 4runner regeared, lifted, elocked .... frame finally gave way to rust. I really want to buy a used tacoma and love the 05 and newer body styles. I love my old 5 speed, got 125k on the original clutch never any problems. so i was looking into the 05 4.0 6speed but have read alot of weak syncros and weak rear suspension. I found a great looking 05 with 105k. The dealership just told him that the syncro are going and the transmisison would have to be replaced soon. The dealership quoted him 4 to 5k to replace the transmission. Thank you for being honest.. Now the seller said he would lower the price because of the tranny.
It sounds like the 6 speeds are hit or miss with the syncros so it seems like it would be better to buy one at a deal and just deal with the issue rather than buy one and hope all goes well. What are you opions on this. Are people rebuilding these with success or jsut replacing them, any aftermarket stronger transmissions out there. Were the 3.4 5 speed tranny better. Just wanted to get good info from you guys before I decided buy it or pass on it. If I pass on it, i'm passing on the truck that i really want. Thanks for your thoughts.

Sid

 

I think the real issue with the 6 speed is the TOB and the pilot shaft. TOB is steel and pilot shaft is aluminum. I have 107k on my 05 6 speed and after I put the TOB sleeve on from URD, its been a non issue.

 

can you explain this a little more and what is the cost. the guy said he just changed the fluids but used what was recommended. no other mods like shorter shifter.

 

Parts are just $225. If you are paying a shop to do it, the labor required to access the clutch throwout bearing will be expensive.

http://www.urdusa.com/p1260519023/T...IT,-2005+-Tacoma-V6-6-Speed/product_info.html

 

aren't the syncros and tob two different problems - grinding vs chirping.

 

Yes, they are separate issues. The 6 spd was revised by Toyota in 2007 and again in 2009. I would not buy one before 2007 unless you have the $3,000 to replace the transmission if the problems show up in your truck. They may not. Are you a gambling man? I know that for the 2007, the part number for the replacement transmission has been superceded by the 2009 part number. I would assume that the 05 and 06 have been superceded as well. Of course Toyota still contends there never was a problem

 

Yes, that is my question. I can get a good deal on a 05 and he said it grinding just a bit from 2nd to 3rd. Dealership said it will need to be replaced at some point. not right now if driving correctly. but what i dont want to do is put another weak transmission in it. i really want a tacoma 5 or 6 speed vs the auto but not sure if i want to worry about babying a truck. thats why i wonding about the options about replacing vs overhauling vs just another earlier year (04), but they are a smaller truck. cant afford the 09 and up tacomas right now. what about the 05 2.7l 5 speeds, are they also having problems with trannies.

 

I haven't had any complaints with the 5 speed in my 4 banger. Only has 30k though, but I don't know of any guys on here that have had problems with the 5 speed. I think it is a solid tranny though.

 

I've always been a die hard manual guy so I bought the 6sp without a second thought. I never imagined I would get a problem Toyota. If I were doing it again I would get the auto. Aside from the 6 spd problems, the autos have gotten so good that there is really no argument against them. The Taco autos are very good. Hell, they even get better mileage. I'm not aware of any known issue with the 5 speed.

 

the 5-speeds had a run of bad clutches i think. some were luk, some were aisin and the luks sucked. dont quote me on that. my dad has the 4cyl/5 speed and loves it.

i enjoy my six speed better. if the six is spongy and sloppy, then the 5 is moreso. drive them and see if you agree because it is all based on personal experience.

in my opinion the only problem with the six speeds is the motor in front of them. i came from a 924cyl toyota that would drop revs very quickly. the 4.0's drop revs very s-l-o-w-l-y, therefore, to get rpm's to match, you must shift slowly. i spent my first few months or so shifting this truck too fast, and forcing the synchros too work too hard. now, i can match speeds a little better and the truck drives and shifts like butter. and at high rpm, the motor doesnt take long to lose speed so dont assume that when you "oh crap that car is going faster than i thought" that you floor it, pause 1,2, and floor it again lol

 

i'm comming from a 92 3.0 5 speed and loved it. tough as nails. you could shift as fast as you wanted to.
how much is the going rate for a new transmission for the 4.0 manual?
can you put in a stronger transmission?

 

6 speed in my FJ was clunky and I also suffered from TOB issues. I'd go for the auto. It's nice...

 

i gave up my manual to my brother for an auto. there is a dodge ram 1500 with a auto here that im driving until i get something for my self. i just miss a manual. i'm thinking maybe the 2.7 5 speed because i can use the dodge whenever i need more muscle the 4cy.

 

one thing that drove me to look into the 4.0 is that it has the timing chain. does the 2.7 have a belt or chain

 

I bought a used 2005 6 speed with 116k on it. I had to replace my tranny after about a year and a half of driving it due to losing so many synchros. If I could go back I would not have bought this truck strictly based on it having the 6 speed. It's up to you, just giving my personal experience.

 

Only Tacoma engine that ever had a belt was the 3.4L 5VZ. All 2005-up are chain.

A dodge auto would make you want ANY manual, LOL

I hate driving autos, and even though I was a lucky one being that with the right fluid my six speed shifts almost like my first Honda, I'd still choose the auto next time.

The only thing the six speed has going for it is better control with a trailer (gears 3-6 are quite close together and work well in the hills). Unfortunately only the auto has the towing capacity that would really take advantage of that. Then there's the lower mileage, slower acceleration, and reliability issues - things that should be in the manual's favor but are definitely not in this case - that essentially remove the need for Toyota to offer it.

2.7L 5 speed is a favorable combo for sure.