Manual to Auto switch

It's official, I'm converting my 6 speed into an automatic. With family and life changing, having an automatic right now is best and if I switch my truck then I don't have to get rid of it just to buy another one. Plus I can make some of the money back when I sell my manual set up.

I am researching and have loads of questions. I can start this thread as a build thread and document what I come up with along the way. But, I really need help getting started.

1) I bought a shift console already but found out some are rod shift and some are cable shift. Does the shift assembly depend on which style or does the A750F year make depend on the linkage?

2) I have been told that a 2009 will have to have a new ECU. Sounds like the 2008 - 2011 ECU automatic is different than the manual ECU. Can anyone comment on that?

3) It looks like the transfercase bolts right up and the crossmember supports are the same from the manual to the automatic. Correct?

4) I am having a hard time finding out if a wire harness needs to be made, can be bought. I haven't been able to find one to buy non the less.

5) The transmission cooler looks like it is included in the lower portion of the radiator but I will need to go external cooler. Any thoughts on who to go with?

6) Is the transmission fluid warmer worth it? I hear it improves fuel economy.

What other things would you guys consider? I plan on doing all the internals like the shifter, the console etc... but I am not doing anything with the parking break. I like the hand one by my right knee. Also I don't plan on doing the speedometer console either unless I need to. I don't think I need the position indicator on the dash.

 

Sounds like a huge pain. Why not just trade it in?

 

Welcome to Tacoma World!!

Not to say its not possible, if you can figure it out then go for it.

BUT, I really think you will be better off getting an Auto Tacoma. If I remember right you have the first year of canbus system in the Tacoma, and there is nothing short of a nightmare to get it done the way you are thinking.

 

going to be cheaper and easier to trade it for an auto.

 

+1

 

Sounds like you're in for a huge amount of pita work. At least look into trading before committing to the swap.

 

Not to mention re-sale value drops considerably when such a change is made .
Sorry for the negative feed back , but I have to agree with what has been mentioned above .

Answering your questions

1 - I beleive all 4x4 Tacomas with the A750 series transmissions use a cable .

2 -Transmission fitment by year:
2005-2007,
2008-2011,
2012+

3-I believe the manual transmission output shaft uses a smaller spline . I will do some digging .

4- You need to find a wiring harness from a 2008 - 2011 donor truck .

5-You live in a warmer climate .You shouldn't have an issue using your original radiator . An aftermarket external cooler will work fine .

6- The transmission warmer is something needed in cold climates . The earlier the transmission temperature warms up , the sooner the transmission will shift into overdrive and converter lock up .

I beleive you need to swap out the dash for a dash used in the auto . according to wiring diagrams , The vehicle speed sensor sends information to the dash head unit where the ac signal is converted to a dc signal to satisfy the automatic ecm you need to purchase .

There is enough work and wiring here to keep you busy for a month of Sundays . This is going to be a very expensive venture . Finding a wrecked donor truck is your cheapest alternative.. Can you afford the cost and down time to take on such a task ? Do you have the necessary automotive tools and a tech stream scanner ?

 

Wow talk about intimidating! I am still committed but holy cow that just put a stop to a few things until the wrinkles get ironed out. I have access to an automatic TC (23 spline) so that really isn’t an issue but the wiring harness does not sound like fun. I wonder if there is a painless way to go or just adding in the transmission part. Either way, thanks a lot for the feedback. The fact that so many of you suggest against it really makes me scared of it. However, I have found transmissions used with about 35 – 80K miles on them for around $800. On a budget of $2.5K and doing the work myself seems doable but I think I need to get my hands on the hard things first.

 

You could get a turbo 400 and an LCE adapter plate so you have an automatic and don't have to mess with the wiring.

or a 700r, or other GM auto.

Or a later GM auto, some have aftermarket standalone controllers available so you could add that in. Could run an adapter to the TOY case or run an Atlas.

The Toyota automatics don't have much aftermarket support in comparison, I strongly doubt there is a painless solution to the wiring. You may be able to build a controller like guys do for lexus swaps however I am not sure with the newer Trans if it as simple as a 90's era A340

 

Or if your looking for better MPG you COULD stay manual and get a magnum T56 swap. They have better MPG oriented gearing available.

 

this all sounds like one hell of a pain in the ass to get an auto....

 

I'm curious as to why an auto would be good for your life?

Unless it's a.medical condition I can't think of any of reason to do this swap. I traded off my last daily driver standard after injuring my knee at work and after the surgery I my knee just couldn't hack shifting all the time in traffic.

 

Not trying to steal the thread but could anyone tell me if the v6 and 4cyl engines use the same transmissions?

 

No, they are not the same. The v6's come with either a 5 speed auto or 6 speed manual. The 4cyl's come with either a 4 speed auto or 5 speed manual. There are many other big and small differences between them besides the number of gears but I don't know what they all are off the top of my head.

 

Did you go through with the swap? How did it go?

If you gave up, what problems did you run into?

 

Alright well then are the transmissions the same between models, like the trd's, x-runners and stocks with the same engines? Like would any of the manuals swap into my auto trd off road and fit properly into the transfer case? I know that it has to be a 05-07 model to work but are there any other problems I may run into?