*Hopefully* constructive discussion about the 3rd gen and it's issues

Not sure why you think it's funny? Just stating the facts. The Honda has power on tap throughout the power band and the transmission is always in the right gear. Cruise control works fine on the interstate and only drops down one gear on bigger inclines.

 

Oh yeah... one other gripe I forgot to mention earlier is that the manual shift gate on the A/T is backwards. You need to pull back to shift up. When I'm rowing the gears manually, it screws me up every time.

 

Take a look at Colorado forums, same complaints about new Colorado/canyons in regard to shifting/tranny.

I think it's more the way they are designing 6-10 speed Trannys to operate. They are working as intended but a lot of people do not like the way they work.

Anyway, if it makes you feel better looks at some other forums and you will see similarities.

I would add we have a vw sportwagen and tranny feels similar as well, always wants to keep rpms as low as possible.

 

I don't have any problems with the Ridgeline, Ridgeline owners or owners of any other vehicles.

My love for pickup trucks is the no longer available simple inexpensive workhorse.
Your comment " need to drive a Ridgeline and see what a truck should drive like" is almost beyond the pale IMO.

But you are entitled to your opinion, and based on market preference my opinion is obviously a minority one, so fire away.....

 

Just to throw my 2-cents in

My past Toyota truck experience was an 85 SR5 (22r, manual) followed by an 88 4-runner (22re, manual) and a 90 SR5 (V6, manual). Then I went to Jeep and went through a 99 Cherokee (4.0, auto) 04 GC (4.0, auto) and an 05 GC (5.7, auto).

I really don't see a problem with the engine/tranny on my 17 DCSB Auto, although everytime I read these threads I DO tend to second guess my opinion

How long will the engine last revving high? Ever drive an older Toyota with the 22r? Even with a manual that engine was pegged against redline 90% of the time just to get it moving, and they lived FOREVER like that.

Compared to my 4.0 Jeeps, I much prefer this transmission (the 4.0 Jeep transmission was nice, but shifted weird). Is it different? Sure, they were 4-speed autos and this is a 6-speed, of course it shifts differently. Everything about it drives different to my past vehicles, but I still love it and really haven't had any issues as I've gotten used to how it drives and shifts.
But then, I went into this fully expecting this Tacoma to drive differently than my past vehicles, how could it not?

And of all of them, I like this one the best (gotta admit, the 5.7 Hemi in the last GC was fun until the rest of the Jeep went south around it).

Admittedly I'm not quite to 5000 miles yet (getting close), but I like it more every time I drive it.
Don't expect it to drive like a 1st or 2nd gen, because it's not. I've driven both of those, and while nice they also didn't drive like my 85 or 90 (or 4-runner), and that's OK.

 

I went thru and read this entire thread and I can't believe some of the similarities to the Tacoma transmssion complaints versus the Colorado/Canyon complaints. And it sounds oddly like its due to 'government' mandates to control gas mileage. I mean....I can be driving at 40mph and my truck shifts into 6th gear already (1200rpms). Then - it doesn't know how to downshift when you coast or slow down. Step on the gas....stutter, stutter, hiccup hiccup. GM had a program update, but that only works for a couple months. GM's have this 'adaptive learning' built into their programming. It adjusts the program based on how you drive. So - dealership flashes your computer for a new transmission update. Everything works much better for about 3 months .....then the truck adapts the program and you're back to the way it was initially.

You think the Tacomas were rushed? I think GM had also rushed. Why would you change the engine & transmission after only 2 years after the opening year? The 2015/2016 have 6 speed tranny's. The 2017's were given an 8speed tranny. I'm pretty sure the 2017's don't have the same tranny issues as the 15/16's do - almost like they rushed to use what they had at the time.....and for whatever reason, didn't think about waiting or putting the 8speed in from the beginning.

Sorry...on a tangent. Some of your posts in here sound strangely familiar of the discussions going on over on the Colly/Canny forums.

 

The transmission in the Tacoma is a dud. I wouldn't be surprised if they stepped up and started ordering the A760 that's in 4.6L V8 products.

I'm no fan of the Ridgeline but it's the same size truck, same displacement, same speed transmission yet shifts better and gets much better MPG.

But the fanboys continue towing the Toyota line, "my Tacoma shifts like shit for MPG reasons". Yet it gets WORSE mpg than everything except the frontier..

 

My solution was weathertech mats

 

I have Weathertechs and the grommet/ fasteners on order from Amazon. The passenger mat slides around too much, so I am going to clip it down just like the driver side mat- a $5 fix, well worth the coin.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B012VO5XI6/ref=ya_st_dp_summary

 

I guess I'm the luckiest owner out there. I don't have shifting issues, don't have howling, didn't get mis-matched paint on my MGM, my radio doesn't inexplicably shut down, my power doesn't suck (not as powerful as my supped up Z71 was, but hella better than my Nissan Frontier was), and..... it hasn't spontaneously combusted.
Literally, my only complaint on the truck so far is rock chips. (Aside from a dealer screwing up a service, but that's not toyota's fault)

I bought the truck because, aside from a Jeep, there is no more versatile or mod'able offroading vehicle on the market. These trucks are frickin adult legs sets. I can do ANYTHING with it I want to.... add anything to it I want to. The aftermarket venders are endless.

If I had bought it for MPG, I would have gotten a Prius instead. If I had bought it for towing, I'd have bought a super duty duely. I may be a "fanboy" but this is my 3rd vehicle from my 3rd makers in 14 years. 6 months in, and it is exactly what I bought it for.

 

You won't regret. My OEM passenger side mat slid some, but the weathertech is rock solid. If you didn't get front AND back, I highly recommend it.

 

Husky Xact Contour over Weathertech. Softer rubber feel instead of the slippery plastic feel of the weathertech

 

Just to be clear, since I wasn't- I put the Weathertechs in Feb last year and like them. Passengers tell me the Weathertech mat slides around too much, so I ordered the grommets from Amazon to fix the "problem".
This solution has been kicking around TW for awhile, so I wanted to pass it on.
Cheers!

 

isnt the Ridgeline built on same chassis as the honda minivan? IE not a truck? Not trying to hate... honestly I think i saw that on a youtube review clip.

 

Most of the Ridgeline reviews say it isn't a truck but more of a crossover with a bed. Which is 100% correct.

 

I think he though your comment about

Toyota if your listening I have the solution to your engine & transmission problems. Go buy your engine & transmission from Honda. The Ridgeline driveline is perfect and gets better gas mileage. But seriously all you people who think the Taco engine & transmission are just fine need to drive a Ridgeline and see what a minivan and or crossover should drive like.

Honda is lighter and much lower to the ground, of course it gets better gas mileage, it is a car/minivan and has a better drag coefficient.

Nothing wrong with the Ridge line if you need a car to be able to carry some flowers or mulch from Lowes. The Ridgeline is not a truck, it is a modern day EL Camino, and nothing wrong with that. The Ridgeline should be in a separate class of vehicles because it is.

 

Well hold on there buddy.

El Camino was body on frame so it's closer to a truck than the Ridgeline. At least in that aspect. Also they typically came with a big V8 motor too!

 

Very true!

 

Except GM switched to the 8 speed in 2017, and the complaints have stopped. Toyota needs to do the same in 2018. Talked to a Toyota salesman today and even he admitted a lot of his customers complain about the AT hunting for gears. Like others here, he suggested the S mode.

 

My dealer says the same thing. Howling rear diff and shitty auto transmission are the top complaints