Would this be doable and or worth the effort?

I have a 2001 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner, automatic with 293,000 miles. Is it possible to replace the automatic transmission with a manual? Automatic is fine but they do not last like the manuals.

Thanks for your time

Kevin S.

 

Yep there are a few people that have done it. @96_taco might be able to point you in the right direction.

 

MT for the win
30 years and running since day 1

they need to put MT in the new T4R (imo)

 

Some people prefer a manual and some an automatic, so to an extent it's really personal preference.

I do have to ask though, where did you get that the automatic won't last in our trucks?

A door handle or lower ball joint is more likely to break than anything else; powertrain in our trucks is solid.

 

Yes you can swap in a manual transmission with all associated parts and electricals.
Incorrect about the automatics not lasting like the manuals.

Edit: just saw you're brand new here and more than likely not experienced with these Yota auto transmissions. They are very stout and well built.
Now if you like manual trannies cause you prefer em, great. Cool, whatever makes you feel good. I just wouldn't swap it out for the reason you stated because it's just not correct in our application.

 

It also depends if you can do all the work yourself!!

Paying to have this done will get expensive real fast .

If your going this far why not go 4wd while you have things apart.

The best way is buy a complete donor vehicle saves hours chasing parts that get forgotten.

The other option is sell what you have and buy what you want.

 

30 years? My numbers must be waaaay off if your referring to your 1997.

 

No disrespect on the automatic transmission..its gotten me 293k miles. I've regular changed the fluid and maintained it religiously. To be honest I have heard that many miles is a lot to some. My thinking was if i ever needed to get work done on it or change it out would it be worth the $$$. If I can get several more 10's of thousand miles out of it i would be very happy. Thanks cruiserguy the Kwikvette. Perhaps i'm worrying to much.

 

cant just change the trans. the engine wiring harness and ecu has to be changed since the auto trans is controlled by the ecu and has a different plug

 

If you aren't having issues with it I'd keep running it

 

30 years since i got my drivers license and first used car which was a manual transmission until it died and got a truck and then another truck and who knows where the road ahead leads
i have driven automatics before but have never held the title to one

 

It is definitely not worth to replace the transmission if this is the reason behind why you are considering replacing it. No insult here, but this type of reasoning is also a reason to not own a car. A car, like anything else, will wear down over time and with use, so of course you will have some maintenance and repairs to do and it will obviously cost you money and/or some of your time. If you are dreading about this, it would be illogical to own something that can wear down with use and over time

but to go back on topic, there's a guy on here who had 988,000 miles on his truck, with original engine and transmission, apparently:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/going-for-a-million.462561/#post-13754525
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/going-for-a-million.462561/page-3#post-13774036

Yes, I think you are worrying too much... Take good care of the truck and it will not let you down

 

The swap itself isn’t too hard (mines a swapped 96 2.7). All my experience is with 4 cylinders, I have no idea about the 3.4 when it comes to harnesses and ECU but for the 2.7, unless you swap EVERYTHING from a donor truck, you’re going to have a check engine light and you’re going to have some hesitation mid RPM when the ECU tried to force a shift. If you’re truck is nice and well taken care of, I would keep the automatic. If it’s a beater like mine then it won’t hurt as much to have a huge bundle of resistors and crossed wires under the truck and a check engine light. Another note, the automatics in these trucks are stronger than the manuals. They just suck on gas, and aren’t very fun to drive IMO.

 

So technically not 30 years being the orginal owner with original manual transmission.

 

Lol... Where do you get the idea the Auto wont last as long as the manual?

My original trans had 280,000 miles on it. The ONLY reason I swapped it out was I converted my Prerunner to 4x4. My original auto never missed a shift, never gave me one single issue. I'm still running an auto. Just now it's an A340F instead of an A340E.

 

The 1st gen section is way friendlier to the swap/conversion threads then the 2nd and 3rd gen sections. It’s all your an idiot and it’s way to expensive, just sell it over there.

 

Absolutely right! If it's a Prerunner and you're going to swap transmissions... the ONLY way that makes sense is to 4x swap as well.

 

Technically just need to change ECU and change pin outs on about 30 wired and it’ll run fine. Or wire the park/neutral switch in constant park. Or get fancy and wire it the clutch switch for park with clutch in and reverse with clutch out

 

true but less work to just swap the harness. having a parts truck is ideal