6 Speed Manual Comparison (2nd vs 3rd Gen)

Has anyone gone from a 2nd Gen 6 Speed Manual to a 3rd Gen 6 Speed Manual and have any feedback/pros/cons that you could share? I am thinking of selling my ‘15 PreRunner automatic - but would like to know which manual feels better for a truck mostly used on road. Thanks!

 

I have had all 3 generations of Manual Tacoma's, the 3rd Gen's gearbox is buttery smooth compared to the previous ones. I would suggest test driving as the powerband is quite different from a 2nd Gen which you may or may not like.

 

Had over 200k on my 2nd gen 6 speed manual, and while it was great, my 3rd gen is much better. Has a better shift feel for sure, and it compliments the engine’s powerband much better than the 2nd gens IMO. I’m nearing 30k miles and will be switching out my transmission fluid soon, and I imagine it will only improve. Redline MT-90 or Ford Motorcraft

$33 XT-M5-QS Full Synthetic Manual Transmission Fluid - 1 Quart , black

XT-M5-QS for me. I did have a clunky clutch pedal assembly. Easy 5 minute fix lubing it up with synthetic brake grease.

 

I don't own either but I've driven enough mt 3rd and 2nd gens and man the 3rd gen mt makes the 2nd gen mt feel like a dump truck.

 

Thanks for the replies! My only experience with manual Tacoma’s is a 2009 5-speed 4 cyl (very fun to drive) and a short test drive with a 6 speed 2019. It sounds like the Gen 3 is the way to go over the Gen 2. Thanks - of course I welcome anyone else’s thoughts but I appreciate what you guys have already shared.

 

Thinking of upgrading my 6 speed 2009, is a 2020 a worth upgrade? I didn’t know the trans was a different model

 

Go take a test drive and see what you think, you can still get a MT on the Sport, Off Road, and Pro.

 

the 3rd gen also responds super well to tuning while staying naturally aspirated. go to ~300hp without a blower, $700 instead of $7000 or whatever it is.

 

FWIW I've learned on my 19 to keep on the gas as normal until about 1/3 of the way through the clutch pedal travel for a much smoother clutch engagement as you upshift. Sort of an intentional rev hang if you will. I'm sure it sounds weird and I'm more than prepared for the hate that may come my way for saying that but it works for me. Also make sure you ditch that clutch accumulator if that's not already on your radar.

 

i do this. it changes everything, and you'll never get the torque hole under load at low rpm if you do. and depending on how you do it the power delivery can seriously come strong. for any MT i would personally vote for the ADM and OVT (the aforementioned tune). although i didn't stop there, it's a good place to stop the mods unless you like going nuts on your truck.

 

ive had 3 tacos all purchased new; all had the manual 6spd trans and short shifters equipped. my 08 xrunner with a coupe modded trd felt really good, but i really wouldnt expect nothing less coning from a sport truck. my 13 trd or had just a regular trd s/s and that one also felt alright nothing special. when it was stock you could really feel the slop in the shifts. the trd s/s really cleaned that up. my or had a lot of suspension work done to it and at one point it was lifted 9", so you really didnt see the true benefits of having a short shifter. my 19 sport probably the worst out of the bunch when it was stock. the throws is really long and feels like youre rowing a boat. i threw on a custom core short shifter as soon as i could and that changed the dynamic of this truck 1000%. it really is a night and day difference with a short shifter and weighted shift knob. i will say the 3rd gen manual trans is more "forgiving" in clutch play vs the 2nd gen. one thing you will have to address (via sprint booster or ovt) sooner than later is the throttle lag because thats pure garbage.

 

Never owned or drove a 2nd gen but I’ve always drove manual trucks and cars. I love the feel of the 2020 double cab trd off road 6 speed manual. Not a stiff clutch. Easy to drive. 6 speeds is great. And it has a botton you can press and start truck without pressing your clutch in neutral—So you don’t have to hop in and pop clutch to start it

 

OVT is way up there on my list. I'm gathering I'm like you in the sense that I can't leave well enough alone on literally any vehicle I've ever owned. I just haven't gotten around to it yet partially out of laziness and partially because if you don't know much about it it can be an intimidating process. On my old 07 Silverado there was a Mat-esque fellow who wrote custom tunes for each individual truck with the Diablo Intune programmers. Interestingly enough I noticed the biggest difference with that tune when I flashed it back to stock right before trading it in on the taco to sell the programmer to a buddy. As soon as I drove it after flashing the stock tune all I could think was "man this thing sucks to drive now." I'm curious if I'll feel the same about OVTune.

 

As a 2.7 guy, I can say this holds true for the 2TR-FE + R156F combo in the 5 speed as well.

Not nearly as smooth if you cut the gas prematurely. Learn what rpm your truck likes to shift at per given gear, and you’ll love these manuals.

 

Clutch start cancel is a wonderful button I use literally every time I turn my truck over (I park in neutral unless on a hill).

 

I know this has risen from the dead but I got two questions for you, if you do not mind.

I found this thread b/c I just ordered the TRD Shortshifter and was poking around the subject matter.

I have never owned an automatic automobile and I am not trying to be a jerk or anything just wondering:

1. Why do you leave the vehicle in neutral when you park [lest the hill thing]?
I always leave mine in gear b/c I fear the parking brake will fail/slip - mostly b/c I had one not hold the best in the past.. and I don't want to ding the walls in my garage or whatever - -

2. Clutch/Start/Cancel - you are not the 1st person I have seen that says they use it alot but the manual etc. says "NO" - why does Toyota want you to only use it in niche situations? is there any real risk of damaging anything, IDK ?

 

I think one concern is that you may think you are in neutral and you are not and then you hit something.

 

can't speak for anyone else, but I leave mine in neutral when I want to set my remote start. It won't set when the truck's in gear.

has to be a liability thing.... if the truck's in neutral, it won't move when the engine cranks up. The switch on the floor that is normally pressed when you put the clutch to the floor to start the truck ensures the transmission is separated from the engine and that the truck doesn't move (because it could still be in gear). The CSC is technically made for starting the truck IN GEAR so you can move the truck without having to balance the clutch (like in a situation where you'd want to avoid rollback on a steep incline while off-roading). It does that just great. If you use the CSC while in the mall parking lot and you're in gear and not paying attention, off the truck goes. The CSC won't hurt the truck but the truck might hurt somebody else.

 

In all fairness however, you did ask the 3rd gen forum, so your responses might be slightly biased. I have a MT as well, but didn't come from a 2nd gen so i dont have a dog in this fight per se, but compared to some other manual cars i've had, its a smooth gearbox