Have things gotten better?

OP, Mx400ex72... it sounds like it would be worth your time to test drive a 2019 model. Maybe more than once, drive different vehicles from different dealers just to be sure it's consistent.

 

Cool, wasnt really asking why you liked your 3rd gen though.

 

2019’s are not much different based on your description. Love the look of them the way they have them setup is a disappointment from a driving perspective.

 

Having had all generations, the 3rd is my favorite by far. I can only compare manual transmission models though, and I will say that it’s a much more enjoyable vehicle with the manual, if you can go that route. If you can take the auto out of the equation, then you’ll likely be ok. Little has changed though from a couple of years ago. I personally have had zero issues with my 17.

 

Rolling along in 6th gear is where i notice the most difference, when approaching a hill in the 2nd Gen l simply rolled into the throttle a little and it scooted right up. In the 3rd I have to get a running start and hope there is enough momentum to make it, or downshift to 5th and some days even 4th just to make it. Out on the interstate doing 75mph my 3rd Gen honestly feels fantastic, would never go back to my old 2nd Gens as this one is way more comfortable and practical.

 

There is a TSB that makes the transmission logic same. Nothing mechanically is different between them.

 

Yeah pretty much this. It just always felt that it was in 1 gear too high and when you went to ask for a little more power it like bogged down before it shifted down. Maybe the gen 2 just held in the lower gears a little longer. I take it, that this had to do with meeting some mpg requirements while increasing the HP.

 

So I'm running ovtune 91octane, and my 3rd gen will put you back into the seat when you decide to gtfo. It pulls so much harder than the 2nd gen ever did, even when stock. What everyone seems to forget is where the power band is on this motor.

 

True, but you have to realize the gearing in the trucks are different. 5th gear in a 3rd gen is close to 5th gear in a 2nd. 6th is really an OD for MPGs so when your truck shifts down to 5th on the hill it should be like the 2nd gen truck.

 

Gauntlet tow test video doesn't reflect that. It leaves 2nd behind by 45 secs with a 5K load up the hill.

 

I have a Manual, the gearing works out to be pretty similar as before, I'm not bashing on my truck, love it but would not mind a little extra grunt down low.

 

Right I am aware of that brother, was just talking about normal day to day driving

 

Not a single problem with mine and very satisfied..and I have owned an '03 Tundra and '16 Tacoma...both terrific.

 

I love how the 2nd Gen owners always have to jump in & say how much better there trucks are over the 3rd Gen LOL.

 

It's also reving a bit higher to pull that load. If I were going to regularly tow a load, even a moderate one, up that kind of incline, the 3.5l v6 would not be my first choice...but then again neither would the 4.0l v6 which preceded it.

That aside, a higher top-end speed and horsepower does not necessarily equate to a better towing experience. It's how that horsepower is delivered that matters more...the 3.5l v6 is a high-reving engine, which is not necessarily what you want for a towing/4x4 engine.

 

No one said that, LOL.

 

Revs have little to do with longevity or reliability if that’s what you’re getting at. Having pulled with both engines, I think the 3.5 is far more predictable and controllable in a manual transmission setup.

 

That is a good point, someone mentioned something similar in another thread the other day. An Eco-boost was faster than the diesels in the Gauntlet towing test, but that certainly would not make it a better towing rig.

 

Outside of Reverse I think the Manual does a pretty good job of towing too.

 

Yeah backing with a loaded trailer isn’t much fun. Especially if at an incline. Luckily haven’t run into that scenario too many times