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What to do, dcsb, manual swap or supercharger

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by Mikeybuck, Mar 16, 2017.

  1. Mar 16, 2017 at 1:25 AM
    #1
    Mikeybuck

    Mikeybuck [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Trying to figure out what I want to do next. 1st gen, 3.4 v6, 4wd, dcsb. Really feel under powered with the auto.
    My 03 ex cab 4x4, 3.4, 5 speed manual rips compared to my dcsb auto.

    Thinking a manual swap, or supercharge it.
     
    Misplaced Nebraskan likes this.
  2. Mar 16, 2017 at 1:30 AM
    #2
    Misplaced Nebraskan

    Misplaced Nebraskan TTC #007 'First Gen Best Gen'

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    image.jpg

    Money is never an issue when modding right:rofl:
     
  3. Mar 16, 2017 at 1:31 AM
    #3
    butsack

    butsack Well-Known Member

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  4. Mar 16, 2017 at 1:31 AM
    #4
    Mikeybuck

    Mikeybuck [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I want to do both...but what one first.
     
    Misplaced Nebraskan likes this.
  5. Mar 16, 2017 at 1:46 AM
    #5
    Matic

    Matic The "OFG" Baby!!!

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    Damn...you dont know the pain.
    My Dc is 2.7 liter on 33's. I can hear it it cry when I go up hills.

    Safetydang has a great thread on converting to a manual shift. (He also did a 4x4 swap in the same prerunner.
     
  6. Mar 16, 2017 at 1:47 AM
    #6
    Misplaced Nebraskan

    Misplaced Nebraskan TTC #007 'First Gen Best Gen'

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    I'm definitely going the supercharger route. Someday after the truck is all finished being rebuilt and upgraded to move that up the list. Manual would be nice too but I'll go with more "go" :thumbsup:
     
    PottMatter and Matic like this.
  7. Mar 16, 2017 at 1:49 AM
    #7
    Matic

    Matic The "OFG" Baby!!!

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    I'm putting money back for my sc....but its not for my truck. :D And its already a manual.
     
  8. Mar 16, 2017 at 8:11 AM
    #8
    License2Ill

    License2Ill Woke like a Coma Toyota Tacoma

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    It's a dry heat thou, AZ
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    Do the manual swap first. My SC sucked on the autotragic.
     
  9. Mar 16, 2017 at 8:21 AM
    #9
    Toyko Joe

    Toyko Joe Here for the pictures

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    @Mikeybuck
    Make this a Poll item.
    - both of your ideas require a lot of messing around with a system that is currently functional and sufficient each one you do will have some drawbacks...
    Do what will make you happy and help you enjoy your truck more with the least amount of work.
    That being said my vote is for manual transmission conversion, making downshifting easy to get better response from the 3.4L as required. (I've never driven the 1st gen with an auto, but the manual ones I have driven seem to be easy to manage hills and power demands as necessary.)
     
  10. Mar 16, 2017 at 8:35 AM
    #10
    crashnburn80

    crashnburn80 Vehicle Design Engineer

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    I really wanted to do a manual swap on my 1st gen DCSB due to the auto only having 4 speeds which was terrible for the highway.

    Something to consider, the SC will be a complete out of the box bolt on system with everything needed. Very straight forward, buy the kit and install following the professional instructions. The trans swap will be much more of a do the research, collect all the parts and put it together yourself. I'm not sure on the 1st gen how much ECU integration there is for the trans and what supporting parts would be needed. It will be more work. That said a 5spd 1st gen DCSB would be awesome.
     
    DustStorm4x4, Wulf and cruiserguy like this.
  11. Mar 16, 2017 at 9:23 AM
    #11
    License2Ill

    License2Ill Woke like a Coma Toyota Tacoma

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    It's a dry heat thou, AZ
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    Bailing wire & Duct tape
    You need an ECU from the year of the truck and the type (manual Tranny) you're converting it to. EVERY year is pinned slightly differently. Unless you like repining connectors. Or you like check engine lights...

    An EWD of the year of both trucks if they differ. Learn how read it. Learn how to properly solder and heat-shrink wire.

    You'll need the front section of the rear drive shaft from a 4X4 manual truck or the complete ds. The 150f cross member mount. Front O2 sensor. Shifter boots. A few more parts needed depending on if the TC is push-button or J-shift. Clutch pedal. Clutch master and slave. Hydraulic lines. Cut through the firewall for clutch master. Open up the Tranny tunnel. I recommend the engine and Tranny + TC oem harnesses. For a clean install. And to remove the probability of electrical gremlins from your Shitty wiring ability.

    And please for the love of god DO NOT splice the P/N/P switch into the circuit. Get a donor harness for the truck for the model you're ending up wanting to be or build your own harness... Don't butt-splice under the truck.

    I've had to help 6 or 7 people diagnose their crappy rusty butt-splices under the body or in the engine bays of their trucks doing this swap. And a few of them had mechanics turn them away because they didn't want to deal with the electrical nightmare.
     
  12. Mar 16, 2017 at 9:46 AM
    #12
    Mikeybuck

    Mikeybuck [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Licence2ill

    I'm thinking about having toy only swap do the work. They said that they use all factory wires from a donor truck.
    I like driving manuals. I know my dcsb is heavy compared to my manual ex cab. So if I can have the manual swap done, and it pull the hills like my ex cab manual on 33s, then to me its worth it.
     
  13. Mar 16, 2017 at 10:02 AM
    #13
    License2Ill

    License2Ill Woke like a Coma Toyota Tacoma

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    It's a dry heat thou, AZ
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    Bailing wire & Duct tape
    If you got the funds do it!

    When I did the 5 speed it solved my 33's & hills. The SC and regearing solved the 1200#'s of armor, wheels and rtt.

    SC on the automatic was sad. Do the manual swap first, is what I'd recommend for immediate satisfaction.
     
  14. Mar 16, 2017 at 10:55 AM
    #14
    vasinvictor

    vasinvictor Junkie

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    Yeah so I have to jump in and defend the automatic. I drive it with the O/D off most of the time. If you try to lug it around it won't be fun. Let it run 4k and above. I had a 5 speed turbo combo and hated it. Turbo and and auto are magical- especially after a valve body mod.
     
    drr likes this.
  15. Mar 16, 2017 at 11:23 AM
    #15
    drr

    drr Primary Prognosticator

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    I've had no issues with the SC and auto on 35s. As with anything, you have to know how to operate it correctly. The auto is a little trickier because you're controlling it with the throttle instead of a clutch.
    The manual will make it easier to keep it in the power band, but it won't give you any more power (other than having slightly lower gearing than the auto). If you actually want more power, the SC is the only way to go.
     
    vasinvictor likes this.
  16. Mar 17, 2017 at 12:03 AM
    #16
    Mikeybuck

    Mikeybuck [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Any chance you driving south any time soon? Would love to drive a SC auto. :)
     
  17. Mar 17, 2017 at 8:02 AM
    #17
    drr

    drr Primary Prognosticator

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    Vancouver area? I head down to Portland occasionally, there's also a meet at Tillamook State Forest every year.
     
  18. Mar 17, 2017 at 8:18 AM
    #18
    Exhaust

    Exhaust Well-Known Member

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    I've got a supercharged auto DC and really like it. For a little while I was tempted to get rid of the supercharger and use the money for a manual swap but then I drove an N/A access cab and realized there is no going back. Now I'm just looking for a manual to drop in.....finding a used 5 speed is way harder than finding a used supercharger.
     
  19. Mar 17, 2017 at 10:37 AM
    #19
    Mikeybuck

    Mikeybuck [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Vancouver to longview
     
  20. Mar 19, 2017 at 9:30 AM
    #20
    digitalferg

    digitalferg Well-Known Member

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    Just going through this same thought process for my V6 '03 Dcab. There is no question for me on doing both SC and 5-spd swap, but which one first came down to how quickly I could get everything gathered together for each project.

    With the SC, after doing research on it, trying to piece it together was out of the question for me. If you buy used, there are so many small pieces that are ofttimes left on the original truck, or get lost while sitting around in someone's shed. Make sure to buy a full kit. Know what you are needing and what should be in the kit if you buy used, buy from a reputable seller, or buy a brand new kit direct from magnusson.

    Versus the 5-spd swap where there is basically no such thing as a "full kit" unless you buy a complete donor truck or find somebody selling ALL the necessary parts.

    I opted for the SC first. With a bit of patience, I found an *almost* complete kit for what I felt was a good price (although, had I waited another week, a screaming better deal popped up locally but oh well). I've just finished the install this past Friday and I have to say that I am LOVING it. It makes the truck much more tolerable to drive. The auto is still a dog, IMO, but push on the ECT and it makes a decent difference. And I know you can do the valve body upgrade, but I just personally don't like these 4speed autos that much.

    I would say, if you're dead set on both of these mods, 100% SC first. Biggest difference in least amount of time and effort. If you are deciding one over the other, I couldn't say as I've not done the 5-spd before and it's been a while since I've driven a 5-spd first Gen...

    So now that's it tolerable to me to drive, I can take my time gathering all the 5-spd parts.

    Disclaimer: I am not a tuner, not into tuning, and am not a horsepower freak. So if you're looking to get 500HP or whatever out of it and doing all the 7th injector, water/meth, etc etc, then your "ease-of-install" and your "biggest impact, least install time" is all totally going to vary from mine and it may be that the 5-spd swap ought to be first...
     
    Last edited: Mar 19, 2017

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