3rd Gen 4cl auto

Hey guys
Have a question for the guys that have a 3rd Gen 4cyl auto 4x4 access cab. I have a 17 SR 4cyl 5speed 4x4 and finding being 53 and drove manuals most my adult life, might be time to change things up. Had a 16 SR 4 door 6cyl auto 4x4, had all the TSB done, never was satisfied. Won't be hauling much and will stay mainly stock. Question is does the 4cyl auto act as crazy as the 6cyl auto.
Thanks

 

No complaints here. I've got an '18 SR5 4cyl auto 4x4 access cab. It only has 4000 miles on her, and I drive in "S" mode with the ETC button punched most of the time. I'm 61 years old, been retired for a couple of years now, so I'm not in a big hurry to get anywhere. I tow a small boat once in a while. I got the 4WD mostly for the snow in this neck of the woods, and for the wet boat ramps. I don't do the Off Road thing, but sometimes while hunting or fishing I'll get into some deep mud and steep terrain.

 

Sounds like i just need to go drive one and see if it's worth it.
Thanks

 

Have a 2019 access cab 4x4 automatic 2.7 liter. It has a slight hesitation when first taking off after sitting all night for around 5-10 seconds. After that its quick and responsive, power is very good. Yes there is some hunting for gears on inclines but not bad. There is so many different opinions, so try one yourself

 

They have the 4x4 in automatic for the SR now? Never knew that...

 

Yep, 17 was the last year for the 5speed manual

 

Sad. I wouldve got the 5 speed manual but they had none in stock at my Toyota dealership and wait time would've been crazy long (live in Hawaii). Just needed a work truck for point A to point B anyway, but as soon as I got the truck, it was begging for some mods.

 

You satisfied with the auto

 

Yes. Same transmission as the 3.5L! I got rid of mine for exactly that reason. I hated making left or right turns and the truck being in 3rd instead of 2nd gear. It just always seems to be on the wrong gear and only way to get it out is to manually shift it or jam on the gas to get it to kick down. There's always a hesitation and reverse hesitation is much more noticeable. Keep your manual! There's no transmission TSB for the 4cyl.

 

Thanks, was afraid it would act like the V6. Still plan on driving one soon to see for myself.

 

I don't think anyone who's had a manual transmission before would ever be satisfied with an automatic transmission. There's no connection with you & the car with an auto trans. All my other cars/trucks had manual 5 & 6 speed transmissions. If I could go back, i would've just waited for the manual. It's just me being impatient. Don't get me wrong, i love my Tacoma, but if it was manual, I would love it even more.

 

Well went an drove used SR 4x4 with the 4cyl auto. Was the utility model, would rather find a SR5 but it was the closest to me. Didnt hate it but didnt love it either. Remembered why i hated the v6 auto and traded in or the 17 I have now.
Thanks for all the advise

 

Can't say about the 3rd gen. I have a 2nd gen. 2.7 4X4 auto., I'm not sure if eng. is too weak, or auto trans. makes it feel weak. I had a "98" Taco 2.4 4X4 5 speed manual, the 2.4 was rated at 142 HP & 160 lb. ft. torque, my 2013 Taco 2.7 4X4 auto is rated at 159 HP & 180 lb. ft. torque. The old "98" seemed stronger, going over hills without needing to shift. This 2013 has more HP & torque, but on nearly any hill it's shifting, usually 2 times. It nearly always unlocks the converter then shifts down a gear, rarely it will only unlock the converter, but usually it's both. At 65 or 70 the old 2.4 seemed to be just cruising along, the newer 2.7 at 65 or 70 seems to be kind'f straining just to hold it's speed. I sure wish my 2013 felt as good as my wife's 2010 Rav4 3.5 auto, It rarely shifts on any of the hills that my taco is constantly shifting on. Oh yeah, her Rav4 also gets appx. 4 to 5 mpg higher than my Taco. I would like to drive a 2nd gen 2.7 4X4 5 speed, just so I'd know if the eng. was the problem, or the auto trans. made it feel that way. I love my reg. cab Taco, but sure wish they had offered a V-6, of some kind in them, It'd sure be a much nicer truck.