3rd Gen Tacoma 2.7L ECU Tuning

So you have an Automatic, put it on “S” mode, then put it in 5th? I did that on my V6, for a bit, and it actually did improve the downshifting issue.

 

That is what I do. There is also a weird shifting point that seems like it holds a gear until you let off the gas peddle. It will then drop down in RPMs and shift.

 

Finally someone with my same exact issue. I also drive in S5 on the interstate. Sometimes you get stuck in 4th, gotta accelerate beyond the desired speed, stick it in cuise control, and decelerate with the cc paddle until it shits up. It's annoying as fuck, but that what we got.

 

Here is my 2.7, oh forgot to mention 2wd.

 

Looking good. Same thing here, 2wd. Not sure what Toyota was thinking. Don't get me wrong, 6th gear is perfect for cruising at 55 mpg and get 22-24mpg, but anything above that speed it can't hold its own weight and turns the tranny into a cracked out acordeon.

 

Honestly, it was just the transmission... The automatic for the 2TR is the same build they mate to the V6, which is overdriven to the moon and not exactly a forum favorite around here (although I'm a biased and unabashed manual fanboy).

On the other hand, the gearing for the the 5 speed is pretty spot on. If nothing else, just compare the 4th-to-5th gear shifts between them. It's pretty stark..!

A6:




M5:



(and for the record, I did drive both the auto 2GR and 5spd 2TR before ordering my own)

 

All that tells me it that the 6th gear on the new 2.7s is friggin useless lol

 

This is why I avoid the highway unless I have to. I get better gas mileage on back roads it seems anyways and I don't have to deal with the gear hunt.

 

We’ve all seen that as time progresses, transmissions are getting more and gears. My 2nd gen 2.7 was a 4-speed auto, the 3rd gen is a 6-speed. I think that is a large part of the problem. Given more gears choose from, a LOT more gear changing takes place. But I’m sure that could be tuned to be much better.

 

It’s not necessarily the number of gears, but the gear ratios.

The 6spd manual (for the 2GR) has two overdrive gears like the automatic, but the ratios are pretty much the same as the 5 speed above, just with an extra gear on top.

An easy way to think of the auto-box is as if Toyota removed 5th gear and then added a 7th (1-2-3-4-6-7). Not literally of course, but you get the idea...

 

Sooooo....

 

I think a better route at this point is to regear. If you go to 5.29, 6th gear is almost identical to the current 5th gear, but now you have 6 usable gears, and almost a necessity if you go to taller tires, tow, or drive in the mountains. Also, while you have it cracked open, it would be the right time to add lockers if desired. If you plan to stay with stock tire sizes, then a 4.88 would be feasible.

 

This.

Running 31s on 5.71. Best upgrade so far for the 2.7L 6A. After the re-gear, 6th actually works on the freeway...even can accelerate in 6th up a grade.

 

I barely know how to install a dash cam. There’s no way I could do this on my own, nor do I know who to trust in the area to do it right for me at an affordable price, nor do I love the idea of voiding the warranty at 16,000 miles. It’s an expensive risk on my end. Gf is already annoyed that I dropped 3 grand to lift it and put it on 33s. That was a tough battle to win as it is.

 

If you lifted it, then I don’t understand your concern about warranty, because that would do far more to F up a truck than gears. But admittedly, a lift is likely easier for a dude at home with a tool box, than tearing into the pumpkins. Sadly, the regear should take place before the lift and 33’s. I can’t imagine what a dog that would make, and frankly a $700 tune isn’t going to do much solve your problem. You need 5.29s at least, because as it stands, I doubt you can use but 4 gears, maybe 5th on flat interstate, 6th only if flying down a mountain.

 

You’re speaking chinese to me, but you’re right. S5 on flat interstate, and it holds as long as I’m going under 80. 6th gear holds for 3 seconds then downshifts to 4th to make up for power loss but here’s the kicker, it’s been behaving that way since I left the lot on factory suspension!

 

This must only be a 3rd gen AT thing.

I have lift, cap, armor, 33s, 2.7 5spd MT, and 4.88 gears. If I went to 5.29, I'd be spinning 3k rpm in 5th at 50mph. Rough guesstimate.

 

With 33's and 4.88's, what are ya turning in 5th gear around 65/70mph?

 

Little under 3k rpm, downhill