If you could do it over again MT or AT?

Won't be long and they'll phase out 4Lo. We already lost nuetral in the transfer case.

 

As someone has been driving a manual 15 years ever since I was 16. I chose the AT because I was tired of being stuck in Houston traffic for all those years. I’d probably pick the AT every time but driving a manual Tacoma seems like a lot of fun and wouldn’t mind it if it wasn’t my DD. Maybe one day I’ll be super rich and have two Tacomas, one of each.

 

Not to offend but I dont buy “there is too much traffic” excuse from people here. I live in literally the worst place for commute and driving MT is easy and effortless, as a matter of fact a lot of people still drive standard around Toronto.

 

Just different strokes for different folks I guess. Same here with driving in Boston. Also drive in cities with traffic jams on 15* road because they historical.

 

I can see 4lo being replaced with something like “automatic low crawling assist mode”.

 

Probably be an electric motor assist.

 

It took me 1hr 40min to get <15mi today. Usually takes about 45-60min.

I’d buy my MT again all day.

 

For me, off-roading, AT all day, driving around everywhere else, MT.

I was torn, but limited in my choice as well. The model I have is not available in MT in Canada (TRD OR DCSB) so Toyota kinda made up my mind for me. I couldn’t do (afford?) the Pro, and didn’t want the Sport (these are the only 4-door MTs you can get in Canada) so ended up where I am.

In challenging off-road situations, I never once regret the auto. It is more capable and safe, no question. When I’m driving hilly highways, or feel like blasting the music and ripping up a logging road, or just bored, I long for a MT to give that added dimension.

Can’t have it all. Next time out, I may go manual, but know I might also regret that choice in certain situations. Ugghhh

 

That's funny. I'm the exact opposite when it comes to wheeling. I'd much rather have my MT. There are certainly tradeoffs though, no doubt.

 

I love my manual Tacoma offroad, with the locker and A-trac it seems like cheating. only situation I think i would prefer the auto is on downhill sections, I feel like the auto/crawl control would have better control in that situation.

Auto or manual, these trucks are awesome!

 

4HI is a liability. I haven’t wheeled since the TSB update, but crawling in first in it on any incline is gonna be a bad, gutless, clutch slipping time.

 

I mean I just did 2300' with sections over 20* , mostly rock gardens. Pretty common this way. Probably gave about 200 miles of terrain like that and +2k off-road in general this year. She goes pretty low without bogging out and still can pull out with power

 

No way. The last thing to do on a down hill is touch the brakes if you have to. Low range and 1-2lo engine braking and maybe light brakes all day no questions asked. You can spend all day watching runway trucks with "crawl control" and descent modes almost driving off mountains. There was a good one of a raptor almost sending it a good 800' off a cliff if he didn't save his ass recently

 

No offence, but you know not of what you speak. Crawl Control is an exceptionally powerful, useful, and extremely safe decent/ascent tool. I’ve driven MT off-road for years, and there is no comparison. It is not anything like crawling down in 1st/4lo in a MT, which I have lots of experience doing. If my life depended on it, Crawl Control every time.

YouTube will tell you whatever you look for. I could find just as many videos of MT guys rolling their trucks after stalling out, or clutching at the wrong time in a descent.

At heart, I’m a MT guy, but can swallow the pride of “being an experienced driver” and give Toyota full credit for an amazing piece of technology.

 

While I will admit, the auto was my first choice, and part of me (especially since ovtune and the new toyota TSB)wishes I had one, I do like the manual.

 

Ha!!! Auto again for me.
Do not have the patience or desire to shift.
Just lean back and cruise ....

 

Interesting. What about the Auto makes you want one? I only ask because your opinion is rare among the MT crowd.

 

For my 1rst Gen I would keep the auto but get a looser stall lock up converter , preferably a 10" 3k stall . Then have the valve body reworked so it's a full manual valve body For more crisp instant shifts

 

Really. One is electronic. The other is mechanical. And yes. There are plenty of cases where on a descent where crawl control has slipped allowing momentum to be created where it cannot. Seeing as you'd most likely contest me saying "I've seen it in person" as comment like that normally don't hold water online, I simply just refferenced something anyone could look at. Of course they'd have to use their own discretion on validity.

Is it a good tool, certainly. Just as A-trac, multi terrain, locking diffs, experience, ect. But for consistency I performance, and safety, in the places I personally wheel, I would not lean on crawl control.

 

What's the gearing like in both??

In seconds gens the auto transmission blew the manual one out of the water in terms of towing, off-road, acceleration (partly due to gearing) and also longevity - so pretty much across the board. I've had both, still have the auto