6 Speed Ratios

[tazinfo]

I have a 2005 Tacoma with 6-speed manual. Why is this transmission geared so low? I expected that I would normally drive around town using it as a 5-speed and only get to 6th gear on the highway. I find I can take most moderate hills in 6th gear at 30mph with no trouble. At 65mph in 6th, I'm running about 2300rpm. It would seem this could have been geared to run down at 1500-1700rpm. I keep looking for higher gear to shift into.

[MickUpi]

I find it surprising too that I can pull most hills in 6th gear.
Mick

[Jeff]

Yep, they could have dropped 6th a little bit more, to give a nice cruising speed of 1800rpm

[Ldytaco05]

welcome to TW

[tazinfo]

Thanks much!

[ScreamingTaco]

Originally Posted by tazinfo

I have a 2005 Tacoma with 6-speed manual. Why is this transmission geared so low?

Towing w/ decent fuel ecconomy.

I expected that I would normally drive around town using it as a 5-speed and only get to 6th gear on the highway.[/quote]

So did I. When I first started out I was regularily cruising around 2500 and shifting at around 3000.... it took me a bit before I clued in that it was a 4.0L 6 speed and not a 2.2L 4 speed like I was used to.

I find I can take most moderate hills in 6th gear at 30mph with no trouble. At 65mph in 6th, I'm running about 2300rpm. It would seem this could have been geared to run down at 1500-1700rpm. I keep looking for higher gear to shift into.

I agree. Then again, to do 65 in my old Toyota I'd be doing around 3100rpm in 4th.

I worked these out a little while ago and posted them on another forum... I'll re-post them here for infos sake;

Originally Posted by screamingdaisy

Page 176 has the "Recommended Shifting Speeds". The 6speed is listed on pg 177. They only give recommended speeds, but I converted them to RPM courtasy of a back road and a few minutes of my time (I'm on vacation and getting a little bored).

Acceleration

  gear             km/h (mph)            rpm

1 to 2               20 (13)             2200

2 to 3               38 (24)             2200

3 to 4               53 (33)             2100

4 to 5               65 (41)             2000

5 to 6               75 (47)             1900
 
Cruise

  gear             km/h (mph)            rpm

1 to 2               12 (8)              1500

2 to 3               22 (14)             1300

3 to 4               40 (25)             1500

4 to 5               54 (34)             1700

5 to 6               65 (41)             1700

They also have high altitude shifting speeds (4000ft+)...

Acceleration

  gear             km/h (mph)            rpm

1 to 2               24 (15)             2700

2 to 3               40 (25)             2300

3 to 4               64 (40)             2500

4 to 5               72 (45)             2300

5 to 6               80 (50)             2100
 
Cruise

Same as acceleration.

[Jimbo]

Got a new Taco 4x4 v-6 manual! I have a little over 700miles on her. I know I haven't driven stick for years, but I thought I would get quickly used to the shift again and make really smooth seamless shifts in all gears with practice. I still seem to have to time everything with a little effort to avoid the jerky amatuerish shifts. The 6-Manual is still smooth and intuitive though. Anybody have the same opinion or comment to help. Thanks.

[Jeff]

The new 6spd is a fine transmission, reasonalbly smooth, it has good low gears, if loaded, to get under way, yet you can buzz along the highway at 2500rpm. I know they have a "short throw" kit available and I would like to see that in my 06, V6 taco.
I have taken some very steep hills, here in New England and given enough time and if the hill can be approached at 6omph there usually is no need to downshift and then usually if someone pulls out in front of you on the way up.

Welcome all new 6spd Taco owners.
Jeff
06, V6, SR5, 4x4.

[Jimbo]

Thanks Jeff. I agree with your comments, it's a good tranny. I guess I'll just have to master unloaded smooth shifting without getting jerky between first a second particularly. I have a feeling thats an inherent thing, but easy to live with.
I have looked at the short throw shifter threads too. That sounds like a great overall improvement I'd like to try.