Re-gearing a 2020 Tacoma w/Auto

While waiting for my Tacoma to arrive I thought I’d ask if Toyota has done any work wrt the 2020 auto transmission constantly hunting for the right gear? Is re-gearing still required ? When I move to larger tires, 33’s, I expect to re-gear. Looking for information while it’s in stock form.

 

The (debatable) problem with hunting gears was more of a software issue than an actual gear ratio issue. It was since fixed in some software updates a few years ago, and anything coming out now should be fine. Also I think its a bit debatable whether you need to regear on 33's. I see most regear on 33's (and definitely 35's) who are also fully armored, carrying a bunch of weight, racks, gear, etc.

 

Welcome to TW! On other threads you could find that the ECU tune that dictates the shift points has been updated over time but those updates are not only for the 2020 MY only. The hardware (aka gearing) is also the same the 2016's and Toyotas updates are "very similar" in regards to shifting for all 3rd gens. I recommend considering OVTune which will only improve stock and re-gear needs. I am stock with OVTune (VFTuner) and kept stock tire size and it's SIGNIFICANTLY improved drivability and hunting. Adding a larger tire would certainly make the experience less enjoyable without that regear you have in mind. Enjoy your new rig!

 

I’m about to regear because I am adding a lot of weight to the truck. However, I haven’t had any issues with my 19 with 4K miles on stock tires and 14k on 265/75/16s. (Other than the occasional diff whine that was supposedly fixed lol). I’m also mostly on flat terrain.

You probably won’t notice anything stock (I can’t speak to people’s experiences at higher elevations) unless you read TW posts about it every morning.

welcome to Tw. Prepare thy wallet

 

My 2020 V6 doesn't hunt for the right gear like the older models. The only "issue" I have is when going up any sort of incline, the trans shifts back and forth between 4th and 5th gear. I solve this on my own by always driving in "S" and limiting it to 4th gear around town and going up hills. Once I get back to level ground, I'll bump it up to 5th or 6th and it drives just fine.

As for re-gearing, I'm on 33s and the only difference I've noticed is a drop in acceleration from a dig. Other than that, the transmission acts the exact same as it did before I lifted it with bigger tires. If anything, I'll retune before I re-gear.

My differential also whines like others have stated, but it doesn't bother me.

 

This is the truest thing I've read in a while lol

 

My truck is fairly stock still, and I've already spent more in mods than my entire track set up for my previous mazda...sometimes I hate this truck. Other times I come off a trail thinking how else I will spend my money to beat on it harder. Makes absolutely zero sense lol

 

Hunting isn't a problem as others have stated, but it's still geared poorly from the factory.

 

I used to spend a stupid amount of money on Harleys, now I have a Tacoma and its just as bad lol I also have the same relationship with my truck, sometimes I'll hate it and want to sell it already. The very next day I'll fall in love with it all over again. It's just the way it goes!

 

Yeah...I tell myself as long as I can afford it and I'm having fun, why not. Life is short, do cool things

 

I chose not to regear my truck with 33's since I'm not running steel bumpers or anything that really adds a lot of weight to the truck aside from the larger tires. Honestly, I'm not noticing a difference with how the truck shifts while driving since I've added my lift and tires. I feel like the automatic trans always had issues shifting to the correct gear, and even when my truck was stock, I found myself manually shifting up while driving on the highway.. I don't plan on going full armor and I think 33's are the perfect size for the truck. I'd first look into OVtune before I did anything with the gears.

 

Just curious, but what are you all paying for regearing?

 

Isn't that what gear hunting is?

 

I was quoted $6,000 (parts and labor for all) for regearing to 4.88s, front and rear ARB lockers, and an arb dual compressor(and all necessary attachments for the lockers).

the labor for the regear install was 750 per axle

 

shhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!

the truck is perfect in every way!! How dare you!?

As people have mentioned, tune sounds like your best bet. Mine hunts too on long hills

 

Software is part of the issue but IMO the software updates are just masking the issue. The real issue is the engine doesn't have the low end power to pull the stock tall gearing. Toyota did this to get a high MPG rating for the window sticker but it hurts more than it helps in the real world.

 

Depends where you drive too, if you spend a lot of time at high altitude or in hilly terrain it becomes more worth it to regear. I'm running 4.88s with < 100lbs of extra weight and the extra RPMs have really cut down on highway shifting. The truck has a lot more get up and go with a reagear as well if you like a slightly sportier ride (it's still obviously a truck but it can pull a lot harder on freeway onramps and the like).

 

Pretty much. Lol

 

I agree. My all stock 2017 always acted like it was under geared. It's not like the mpg was all that good either.

 

I agree it's not the best driving truck in terms of gearing, but IMO it's not too different from any other car I've driven or been in with a similar v6 powertrain. I just did 5500 ft to 11,000 ft pass climb this weekend to camp. Between a full bed, RTT, rack, water, coolers, and all the crap in my back seat, I'd say I'm hauling an extra 5-600 lbs had to hit ECT and ran the truck around 3500-5500 RPM's the entire climb...but hey its do-able lol.

Edit: also my RTT is above the cab and a god damn wind sail so that doesn't help either...