OK, the 3.5 should be a good engine

I didn't realize the one I posted was the 4.0L. I'd be the market for the 4DR, do that means automatic anyways.

 

Double cabs were only V8s, so guess what kind of trans they had? LOL, yea..... Those 6-speeds are rare trucks, would be nice.

 

Based upon that, the number should be very accurate with an error to the low side. There is a only so much fuel that the air can oxidize, and a known amount of energy in the fuel. Since the temp is known and there is an O2 sensor in the exhaust and an RPM value, the mixture should be accurate if a hair rich.

 

Towing with manual is far superior than an auto, especially with an underpowered engine found in the Tacoma...you get the pick the gear it is in.

Rare situations you can smoke the clutch backing it up, just put it in low range, problem solved.

I have driven some auto medium duty trucks, even with a big torquey diesel...I had to help find the right gear for pulling long climbs.

I like the 1st gen Tundras...no manual with the V8 is a deal breaker for me.

Not with the coveted V8 they don't... Only the V6... if you're going to settle for a V6, might as well get the Tacoma over the Tundy.

 

If you want to believe it go ahead, to me it's a useless value.

 

So

You had to shift the auto to get the gear you wanted as opposed to shifting the manual to get the gear you wanted ?

I can see how that would be infuriating

 

At my workplace all the heavy truck drivers want to drive the few new automatics we have. I guess they just like the challenge.

 

Like totally...

Point it is, with an auto...you shouldn't have to. That and hauling a heavy load, the autos tend to hunt for the right gear to be in instead of holding a steady RPM like you can with a manual.

Yep, kids today are pretty soft handed... No surprise really..most people want the easy button...why we see list of fluff demands in pickups, impossible to get a bare bones truck anymore...Toyota doesn't even have hand crank windows anymore.

 

It seems the point you are missing is that it is easy to do that with an auto as well. With an AT if you move it from the "D" position you can select the highest gear it will use and thus stop the hunting for any possible grade or load. So that leaves no real advantage to the MT at all for the problem you are describing.

I've driven underpowered trucks up steep passes with both MT and AT. If I was dumb enough to leave my AT in "D" in that situation it does in fact hunt. If I use the AT the way it was meant to be used in such a situation then it doesn't hunt at all and is as steady as the MT.

It seems the problem isn't an AT on hills but rather you don't know how to use an AT on hills... Or I'm just not understanding your point. But it doesn't seem anyone else is either.

 

I don't have a class 3 driver under 40 this year.... You do know you can still select the gear in a modern automatic right or are you just so ignorant you won't even try to drive one.

I do get the "feel of the road" argument, but for hiway cruises in a truck you aren't shifting gears anyways

Light trucks are getting more options because this generation of families often will own a pickup in the family as there utility vehicle. Pickups tend to tow more and have greater versitility, at the expense of 3 row seating, over a similar SUV. Since most families now have 2 of fewer kids they could care less about the third row, so why not put a 1/2 ton in the family?

Auotmakers love it because they make oodles of profit on half tons, or even smaller trucks like our Tacoma. As much as Toyota has positioned the Tacoma for a young weekend warrior with the offroad package they have also attacked the young family market with the TRD Sport.

That's also why this 3.5 L motor makes great sense. It'll do fine offroad and still have the MPG's to keep the mom and dad market happy.

I know when I bought my F150 and Tacoma I was thinking about the utility of each as family vehicles, on top of being able to work each hard should my work truck end up in the shop for a day. Which it often does.

BTW I should also mention that our company, one of the largest Ag retailers in the world, does not allow employee's to buy manual vehicles simply because it causes another skill restriction should another employee need to use your truck. They view manuals as a safety problem.

 

I rented an International 26' Bobtail last summer, IIRC it had a switch where you can turn off the higher gears, even with that it hunted quite a bit...so I helped it find the right gear...the shift lever was rather clunky, didn't like to be moved. Was wishing for a good ol' manny on that trip.

I dunno, with an auto seems like I have to fight it to be in the right gear, and try to keep it from overheating, with a manny...I get to choose, mannies seem more natural to me since I have been driving them for 30 years now.

Auto feels awkward, the wife's vehicle is auto, I feel out of place in it.

Is one better than the other (?) probably not...just what you are used to.

Kinda shocked Toyota is still offering manual trans in the Taco, guessing next go around it will disappear.

 

If you are overheating an automatic, you are doing it wrong.

 

I was being facetious.

Yep, I have driven modern autos...kinda boring and video game like, at least to me.

yes sir, the 1/2 tons and midsize truck have become the do-it-all vehicle for majority of people...so they want amenities.

Us that want a super basic truck are few, and aren't on the radar (for profits) by the manufactures.

Pretty sure companies will remove most of the human element from machinery one day soon, autonomous heavy equipment is upon us. Be a win for companies, since they won't have to pay people to operated the machines. Just a small crew to maintain them.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Usadb4bBn4k

 

prolly...

 

Autosteer is gods gift to farmers. The local Ag research center was just testing some no cab equipment. It still takes an operator to set it up and lay the lines but the operator doesn't have to stay up all night planting. With there being a major labour shortage in Ag most guys would love that technology on their farm.

If you want a base model truck with 4x4 and the big motor I think Ford is the last man standing offering that package. It does have an auto and power windows though .

 

Problem with most people who drive Automatics is that the Driver just leaves it in the "D" dumb position and has no idea how to operate it properly.

 

Yeah it is great for farmers...less employees to deal with. We used to own a construction business. It was like herding cats...now I am self employed one man show. Less bullshit to deal with, the better.

Yeah, it is too bad they don't offer manual trans anymore. I simply just like driving manual trans over autos. That and my dad has been in a wheel chair since I can remember. Pushing in that clutch reminds me not to take my legs for granted. I tend to park far away from store fronts so I can walk in...that and walk or ride my bicycle to go get things. Never know what tomorrow may bring...

 

I prefer the "N" night mode myself.

 

Remember in Night mode you still have to manually turn on your lights.