6spd manual hard shifting

After lurking and trying to adjust my driving I've decided to ask you guys a question.

I got myself a new 14 double cab with a 6spd mt. When shifting above 1st I feel what can only be described s vibration and slop in the shifting mechanics. As if the drive shaft is catching up to the transfer case and almost knocking as I engage the clutch. I don't know if this is normal but I definitely wasn't getting this sensation in my GTI (also 6psd mt...which did weigh like 1/3rd the taco so maybe that's why I didn't feel anything).

Without getting defensive, clutch pedal is fully depressed on every shift, revs are closely matched, no jerking forward upon clutch catching. My technique isn't quite world class rally but it isn't shitty either.

Anyone know what I'm talking about or know if it's normal?

 

Mine does that too. I've read several posts on here where others attest of similar occurrences and add that the manual trans isn't the smoothest.

 

Also owning 14 double 6sp, the shifting is.... sloppy. I've found I have to slightly delay shifts or the engine clunks a bit. Sadly, from what I've read it's normal on recent Tacos. My daily is a 6sp Miata which is extremely crisp; so I think i'm spoiled a bit here. I do plan on picking up a URD short throw kit as my first serious upgrade.

 

My 13 6 speed does the same thing. I had the master tech from the local dealership drive my truck with me in it about a year ago, he said it was normal.

I also have another car (86 Prelude) which has a much better feeling transmission in it, but then my 02 Tacoma's transmission was better as well.

Still like the manual just wish Toyota would've done a better job, because I know they can.

 

My transmission felt that way at first. I was regretting buying the 6-speed. After 9500miles of mixed driving, with about 500miles of heavy towing mixed in, the transmission is shifting much smoother.

I came from an accord 5-speed which was a fantastic transmission. I drove my buddies BMW M5 and, if you ignore the rest of the car being infinitely better than my Accord in every way, I preferred the accords transmission.

What I am trying to say is… Give it some time, you will get used to its quirks and it will break in some with use. I truly enjoy the 6-speed now. I hated it in the beginning.

 

Whoo! I'm so glad to know it's not me and I still know how to row gears. I will certainly give the truck time to settle in and learn the eccentricities.

My mk6 had a Swiss watch for a shifter and with the diesel geek short shift kit felt like heaven...but I was also afraid to drive over a pothole in that car so I have to say I love this truck and it's sloppy ass gearbox.

Thanks fellas.

 

There has been a lot of talk about changing out the fluid in your transmission to the fluid made by Redline . Guys say the Redline product makes for much smoother shifting .

Apparently the TRD short throw shifter has also helped to clean up some of the sloppy shifting .

Understand you are still on warranty but you may want to read some of these posts .

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/te...on-information-your-6-speed-transmission.html

 

This transmission, unlike other Toyota truck transmissions in the recent past, really is a truck transmission (at least by feel). It shifts about the same as the T-176 in my old Jeep, slightly worse than the R150 in my old 2002 Tacoma, and about the same as the grinder in grandad's old '41 Ford.

I found the key to smooth operation of the 6 speed is "slow and easy". It's no sports car gearbox, and it won't tolerate being treated like one. And that's just fine with me.

 

My 14 does the same thing. It doesn't bother me, I think it just gives it personality lol. I have noticed it smooth out a little bit, and I imagine it will smooth out more as it breaks in.

 

As Gearchruncher and obscrotron noted, changing to redline and shifting slower are two great improvements. These trucks have very large gearsets and as a result can't be shifted as fast. It's a small price to pay for a tough transmission.

 

I am glad mine is not the only one! This is my 2nd manual Tacoma, I was nothing short of abusive to my '03 and I have never had any issues, even with over 200k miles. I hope the 2nd gen transmissions are equally as robust as the 1st gen's... does anyone know?

 

I believe they transmission in our trucks actually came from the Tundras which would make them quite overbuilt for the Tacoma which, IMO, is a good thing.

Let me see if I can back that up with facts though.

Cheers, James

 

my 13 6 speed was real finicky at first when i got it at 7k. but now that im up to 27k with a bunch of city driving, towing and hauling, it has definitely loosened up. Like others said, the throw is very long, i forget how long it is until i jump in my uncles old 86 f150 with the 3spd+OD and a 10 mile long shifter yet the throw is still shorter. The clutch throw is also long too, i get in any other manual vehicle and almost put my foot through the floor lol. It really does require a slow and smooth shift, tho ive gotten really used to it and sometimes have a tendency to chirp 2nd if i really gotta get on it
I highly recommend a short throw shift kit. Though i havent ordered one for this truck yet, i put the urd one in my 10'4 cyl 5 speed and it did wonders. You wont regret it

 

Just slam it into the gear you want and don't worry about it. No need to pussyfoot around with it. Tacoma manuals are known to be "notchy" I guess is the word. But durable. I've had three Toyota manual trans trucks with a total mileage of 326,000 miles on them and never replaced a trans component. Just push the clutch in all the way, use firm pressure on the stick and you'll be fine.

 

I've had the TRD short-thow on my 2013 since I took delivery, so no basis for comparison for the 2nd gens. It's definitely a night and day difference from my 1st gen, where I feel like I'm moving the shifter from the front bumper to the rear on goin thru the gears!

 

Mine got better with time.

 

My 6spd in my 2010 was kind of sloppy, but i did switch to Redline MT-90 and did see a little difference. Like others have said, these transmissions aren't known for being smooth.

 

IMHO, one big hurdle here is the "hang throttle" from the drive-by-wire throttle - the throttle is programmed to not slam shut, allowing fuel already injected into the intake to burn off at the proper air-fuel ratio and keep emissions to a minimum. As a result, the engine RPM doesn't drop very quickly, and makes shifting smoothly above 3000RPM rather difficult. At 2500 RPM or below, you could be a blindfolded passenger in my truck and never know when I shifted.

Oh, and I really can't believe I'm commenting on yet another 6spd transmission thread. Oh Well...

 

Drove one for the first time today. A 2007 Tacoma Access Cab v6,4WD, 6 spd manual. Couldn't find reverse gear and this is after 12 years of Toyota Gen1's. Felt a bit duffus. "Go way over" for reverse. Was a stiffer than my old 2004 5 speed manual.

 

Just rolled past 10k kms, there is only two ways so get smooth shifts in mine.
Slow and delayed shift then almost ride the clutch, a fast foot off the clutch results in jerk every time. Rpms dont match with the delayed shift. Gearbox loves it, backlash in the drivetrain not so much. Quick shift feels grindy in the hand, dump clutch no jerk. Cant really seem to find the right grampa drive tecnique. I know a few other locals with the 6sp with the same issues, difficult to consistantly get smooth shifts.

The only real smooth shifts come when the vvt's workin and the intake is whine'n like a tiney turbo @3500rmp, quick snap of the shifter and dump the clutch, just like budda, from second to sixth.

Every vehicle is different i guess but after 10k still havnt got the hang of it.
Every vehicle ive owned has been stick, Chevy Sprint (lol), B2200, Nissan p/u, two civics, pathfinder, and now my Taco. Its gettin better but its far from smooth.