6MT in 3rd Gen. MTF Choices

When I bought my 18 Tacoma, it didn't take long to figure out that it's pretty notchy from 1-2 and 2-3 (No grind, just crunchy). Switched to Redline MT-90 at 3k miles, with a bit of improvement. Read a couple of threads talking about Motorcraft

$34 XT-M5-QS Full Synthetic Manual Transmission Fluid - 1 Quart , black

XT-M5-QS (Syn 75w90 GL4) in the taco trans. Ordered some from RockAuto and put it in today. Initially, it does seem quite a bit smoother than the redline mt-90.
Anyone else try this oil? Surprised to see so little talk of it on here...

 

Awaiting arrival of my 6MT, and obviously need to do a little more reading on this stuff. I test drove a different 6MT and didn't notice anything odd, and purchased the new one sight unseen from a dealer 3 states away. Should I be looking into this oil change?

 

Worth reading on this, but don't be discouraged about the 6mt... I'd still take it over automatic any day!
It seems many people have the same issue. Fine on downshift, notchy on upshift between 2-3k rpm. No grind, more of a "feel" issue, like you're afraid to be hard on it. Below 2k rpm and above 3.5k are smooth.
I would stick with the oem oil if you don't notice anything, and if you find the same issue, I'd try the sythetic motorcraft oil before amsoil or redline. It's only about $50 bucks for the change out, and it's definitely smoother than oem oil.

 

Thank you. I'll definitely look into this if I have any issues. Just swapped my Auto for a Manual. Couldn't handle the issues anymore.

 

No issues with mine. I like a bit of notchiness as it clicks into gear.

But I’ve used Redline in the past with good results.

 

Welcome to TW. Most people here realize that components (engines, transmission, diffs) don't fail because of brand of fluid as long as it's a quality brand meeting OEM specs.

 

If you have owned a Manual Tacoma prior to a 3rd Gen then you will appreciate how smooth it is and how easily it shifts.

 

Funny, I've read that a lot, so most manual Tacomas probably do shift smooth through all gears. For me, my first gen 5-spd shifted smoother than my new 3rd gen 6-spd. I never gave any thought to what oil was in my first gen tacoma; there was never any crunch or question going into any gear. (Or maybe I just got used to it?)
Maybe these are just one-off's that have the crunchiness into 2nd and 3rd (There's been other prior posts regarding it). Either way, I want it to feel as smooth as possible, so experimenting with oil is a cheap and easy thing to do. Just looking for input from others who have tried oils other than oem and redline.

 

Mine is a 5-speed, but I've always had a bit of a notchy shift from 1st to 2nd. Mostly the first 10 minutes or so of driving, then only occasionally.

I did all 4 fluid changes at 30k, and honestly the trans and t-case looked like they had been poured out of the bottle. I put amsoil

$30 75w-90 Synthetic Gear Lube - 1 Quart (Pack of 2)

75w-90 MT fluid in the transmission, and it shifts pretty much the same as it did before.

 

I highly recommend any 6MT users with notchy shifts to adjust their shifting technique. I recommend quick shifting with finesse. Move the shifter into the next slot before the engine RPMs drop more than 200-300 RPMs. The synchros will have to spin less and will make less noise. I also run redline MT90 and highly recommend it for this transmission.

 

Haha very true.

I've got no issue with mine. 30k and it finds it's gears just fine on the upshift and down.

 

How many miles do you have on it?
I’ve got 21k on mine and the shifting is WAY smoother than it used to be.

 

All I know is that the issue has to do with the clutch accumulator and the friction modifier or lack thereof in the MT fluid.

 

Good to hear. I'm only at 4k, so maybe some more time to wear in...

 

Um no. Put 5K on the ass and you appreciate the accumulator lol. I pulled a scissor lift on a tilt trailer a few times last week.
Friction modifier lol. Marketing buzzword.

 

mine as well. once you learn its quirks and get your aim correct and habitual, then there isn't drama with this gearbox unless yours is faulty or something. I changed from stock to Royal Purple at around 15k and it's been just perfect since. now at 37k.

 

Lucas made mine feel better.

 

I'm curious... why do you say that about the accumulator?

Are you saying it makes manipulating the clutch while towing easier in some way?

 

With regards to the "chunkiness/notchiness" of this gearbox, well it just gets better the more miles you put on.

Getting into reverse was a bastard at first, and 2-3 resulted in a chunk most of the time. I just took it easy, didn't force anything. Later I added a weighted shift knob.

No gear oil change.

 

Ya, I'm due for all fluids. Trolling the shyte outta these threads to figure the best goo to go with