Manual transmission Fan Club and BS thread (All Generations Welcome)

wow, mine needs a really firm down pressure to get into R. i never even considered it a risk. I'd still rather have R on the right side for ease of 1 & R rocking maneuvers. I'm still breaking in though, about 1250 miles on her.

 

Others require a small lever or a push down on the stick to get in to reverse. That would be nice.

 

Got my Ball mounted. It's a little big at 2 1/4", but I'll see how I like it. Speed Dawg has a lot of other options. Quality is really nice. Fun simple upgrade.

Copied from my build.





I used the Grommet Method for the boot, I had a new Grommet set from Harbor Freight that came in handy. This thread helped with what to do with the boot.



Had to trim the back side for a good fit.

 

Long time lurker, considering getting a 3rd gen (TRD OR MT). Just wanted to touch up on this:

You need a certificate of compliance from the manufacturer (or a certified shop) when importing vehicles that are not sold in our market. The purpose of this is to prove that your vehicle meets US regulations, even though the manufacturer didn't already test it. The only exception to the compliance rules is if your vehicle is older. For emissions, EPA does not require compliance for vehicles over 21 years old. For safety, NHTSA does not require compliance for vehicles over 25 years old. This is where we get the "25 year rule" that everyone quotes. Your friends bringing over D110's and R33's were in violation of federal regulations, which resulted in seizure of the vehicles.

https://s3.amazonaws.com/public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2012-28626.pdf

The linked document is the NHTSA regulation (NHTSA-2012-0119) that literally spells out that Canadian market vehicles meet all safety standards the US has. At the bottom, it even lists the Canadian regulations that are equivalent to US regulations.

Toyota already sells an Access Cab Tacoma, with the 3.5L / 4x4 / MT combination in the United States. They just don't sell it in the trim that adds A-TRAC, a locking differential, and beefier suspension. They do, however, sell that trim, cab and engine with the Automatic. In other words, every piece in a Canadian Tacoma TRD OR MT has already been certified in the United States.

There is a tricky issue when titling it, however. If you try to buy it new in Canada, and immediately register it in the US, then you will be importing a "new" truck. Because you're importing a new truck, you will be subject to the federal tax on imported new trucks. The loophole, as mentioned by someone else, is to have the truck titled and registered in Canada, and then re-sold to you (or to just buy a used truck to begin with). The obnoxiously high tariff is not charged on used trucks coming in.

Most people don't do it because, historically, it hasn't been worth it. Canada charges a federal tax (5%) as well as provincial taxes (varies by province) on car sales. Historically, our exchange rate is usually closer, so the taxes are a wash on any savings you'd make from our stronger dollar. On top of that, you will still have to make some small changes to make it compliant (like converting displays to miles). All of those cost money. There is also a small fee you'll have to pay at US customs (much lower for a used truck than a new truck). Add to all of that, the hassle of buying one in Canada (or, having someone else buy it, and then buying it from them), and then transporting it back to the US. Not everyone lives in Seattle or Buffalo, so for most Americans, the Canadian border is pretty far. You'll have to pay airfare, and then fuel / hotels for the drive back, or round trip airfare, plus the cost of a transporter. With the Canadian dollar so weak right now, however, the deal is becoming more and more reasonable. As another poster mentioned, you can get the Tacoma TRD OR MT for about $28k USD. That's a savings of $6k. After taxes, fees, airfare and transportation, the savings may be closer to a wash, but you'll end up with all of the Off Road package goodies and an Access Cab body style.

 

I feel that the reverse to 1st is difficult to mix up. I think it's a flawless design. Anymore saftey's or switches to bounce back and forth between the two would be annoying. If there is trouble with it, it's an operator issue. There are tons of other manuals out there similar to the Toyota pattern. If your having trouble just take your time finding 1st gear. Don't force or jam the shifter in. Let it glide in.

 

Gotta heartily agree on this one. Reverse is well protected IMO. I'd suggest a "lighter" hand on the lever....as syhon86 said..let it glide.

 

yeah but like i mentioned I'm not sure how easy a 1st - R rocking maneuver is with that design... it's one of the major benefits of a MT to rock yourself out of sand, for example. I've done it well with traditional shift patterns in my old bronco and subie. this Tacoma is too new to me to try it yet and it's still too stiff as well being so new. wondering if you can get a good quick effortless back and forth between 1st and R for this.

 

I'm sure it took some getting used to doing it in your bronco or your Subaru. This just takes some getting used to also.

 

sure, i figure. it's just so stiff still that i can't quite get the ease of it, but I'm sure the box will continue to break in and soften and quicken up.

 

Chris - thanks for the enlightenment here. I guess I was off on the new vehicle rules regarding Canada - in any case I don't trust the government with this stuff. In both of my friends' cases, the feds screwed up. The D110 was older than 25 years and had all the proper paperwork (the guy who did the importing had a shady history which led to CBP shooting first and asking questions later so to speak); the R33 was Motorex shitshow and destroyed soon after seizure (owner won settlement here). The D110 was returned however.

OA

 

The manual will feel more powerful because of the gearing and the 4.30 rear end. Autos only get a 3.92.

I honestly have no problems with my MT. I think its great and fun to drive. I rev it out to 3k+ plus between shifts though. I have 2k miles on my '17 and it does seems to smooth out a bit after putting some miles on it. Or it can just be that I'm learning getting comfortable with the transmission and learning how it likes to shift.

One thing I have noticed is that it does not like to shift fast. If you just rev it out to 3k+ and guide the shifter into the next gear without forcing it, it's really quite smooth and enjoyable.

 

3rd gen with short throw shifter? Is it worth it?

 

If they made one that I was mechanically happy with, I would say yes. But realistically the throws are pretty good for a truck, and if you are racing in the Taco your are going to need way more than the extra 1/8 of a second you'd gain from faster shifts.

 

I don't think it would be. Pattern is plenty tight for me.

 

I was torn between the I4 and V6 when I ordered, the fact the 4 came with a 5 speed instead of a 6 speed was what made up my mind. I got the 4 banger with the 5 speed, so far very happy with my choice. Not the smoothest shifting tranny by any means but maybe after the syncros wear in a bit that will change (only about 3000 miles so far).

 

I have this set up also.. i love it. only complaint is 1st to 2nd is not always smooth.. usually when the truck is still cold or if im in traffic and trying to shift quickly. Like others said though it seems to be getting better the more i drive the truck.. The whole truck feels better and better the more miles i put on it.

 

I really wanted a 6MT to be offered for the newer truck (really preferred the configuration of my TDi Jetta 6MT), but I'm impressed with the 5sp ... gearing is absolutely perfect for my needs. My 5MT '94 is a real pain in the ass to drive, relatively speaking ... and I half expected the new truck to drive similarly considering it is geared more for highway than the old one is. The 2TR-FE's 45% more power than my 22RE sure helps it achieve a proper driving experience; even with the much taller rear . Never does it feel like it's struggling, even with a bed full of seasoned wood. I'm sure that would all change if I tried to tow a loaded 14ft travel trailer, but I digress ...

 

Just in case anyone else was wondering. The 2.7, 5mt has the 8.75 rear with 3:90 gear.

 

Wish the 6MT had a 3.90, but it would need a 4.0+ reverse then. Well it needs that anyway.

 

...And here I am wishing they had 4.88 or 5.29:1 lol