way to soften manual 6 speed clutch?

Just wondering if anyone knows of a DIY, or some mod that can be done to soften up the clutch on a 2nd gen manual (2006) tacoma. I am faced with potentially having to trade in my tuck for an automatic. Due to physical injuries while in the military, it's increasingly difficult to engage the clutch.

 

I don’t think you will find a proper solution. Trade for automatic. I would hate my truck if it was auto, so I understand your pain in that regard. but you may spend hundreds if not thousands trying different things and still be in the same place or maybe slightly better and it’ll all be an experiment.

Thank you for your service.

 

Do it for your own good. There is nothing wrong with an automatic transmission and in many respects they are better than a manual.

All the dick waving by others with respect to driving a manual transmission is nothing but BS.

I too used to be a hater until my arthritic knee changed my mind. Haven't looked back even after my knee was replaced.

It seems like these days manuals have more issues than automatics.

 

I tore up my clutch foot in a motorcycle accident in the early 70s. As I aged and rush hr. traffic got worse, I had to throw in the towel and buy an automatic. I don't miss it.

Another thanks for your service to our country.

 

Hmm, really no way that I know of to "adjust" the required foot pressure of the clutch. Although, for the sake of conversation/experimentation, it can be altered by changing components:

1) Changing the pressure plate to a lighter one. I wouldn't recommend that though, because it'd be a lower-performance clutch and have less clamping force, and most likely start slipping/wearing very prematurely. Wouldn't hold up to the truck's demands unless you drove it very gingerly and never towed anything.

2) Maybe finding a larger slave cylinder that fits, or modifying yours to take a larger piston. The laws of hydraulics would dictate that it would require less force to actuate, but at the expense of longer pedal travel to do the same job. The pedal should be able to be adjusted to keep the "grab" zone where it should be though.

3) If you wanna get really creative, maybe retrofitting it with some kind of electric servo or solenoid to actuate. Same concept as the electronic throttle, just have a position sensor on the pedal and an actuator in place of a slave cylinder. Or maybe some kind of pedal assist or foot switch to actuate the master cylinder for you.

If all else fails, before considering trading for an auto, maybe try talking to some companies that retrofit vehicles to be handicap-accessible. If they can figure out how to put a whole wheelchair lift where the driver seat goes, I'm sure they may have some kind of easy, if not affordable solution to your problem.

Hope you get it figured out man. I'm not one of those chest thumping manual elitists, but I love my truck for what it is, and would hate to HAVE to trade it in for anything, especially an auto.

 

Alot of great and useful advice. I greatly appreciate the assistance from all comments! Doing alot of research and it doesn't look as if I'll be able to find any middle ground to keep my truck. Looks like I'll be finally trading in the same truck I've owned for 14 years..Crap!!
Have a Merry Christmas all and thanks again for the help!

 

It's not dick waving, and it's not BS. And it's not hate. Get over yourself and simmer down!

If I had an arthritic knee, or a stop'n'go commute, I'd want an automatic I guess. But I really don't care for automatic transmissions, and have never owned a vehicle with one. I will probably not be able to drive for other reasons before I need one. But for godz sake, just use whatever transmission works for you. Sheesh!

 

Before I started this thread to ask for FRIENDLY advice, I wondered how long it'd take before someone responded who was overly emotional and rude would chime in.
Take a chill pill dude. Relax. tomorrow is Christmas. Enjoy the Holidays before you give yourself a heart attack from being such a drama queen.

 

Look at the post I was replying to. I am a mellow man. How was I a drama queen? I was just saying use whatever tranny you like, and don't call people who prefer manuals 'dick wavers' and 'total BS'. That's all. The person I was replying to was the drama queen/emotional/rude person. I didn't call anyone any names, nor ridicule anyone's choices. I really don't know what you are talking about. Merry Christmas!

 

Looks like I touched a nerve.

Get over myself and "simmer down". I'm not upset, so I don't know what you are talking about. You seem to be rather upset about my opinion. So maybe you should relax and not allow someone else's opinion to upset you so.

I am just voicing my opinion on the subject. You are entitled to your opinion as well. We don't have to agree.

 

Mfg. makes both MT & auto. because some folks like MT & some like auto. Neither is better, it's just so you can choose what "YOU" would rather drive. A lighter clutch is kind'f unheard of, most want OEM or heavier. This OP is different & for a good reason. Usually clutches have multiple springs, if the OP uses his Taco for commuting, no heavy loads or towing, it should be possible to remove or disable some of the springs. I know the Taco is not a motorcycle but I do know my wife rides a bike. She couldn't pull the clutch with the 6 OEM springs. I removed 3 of the springs & now she's riding it fine. After removing the springs I rode the bike up to 125mph. just to check it out & felt no slippage. Her bike like a taco used for light duty should do fine for a long time with lighter springs. I would Recommend a trip to a reputable private transmission shop for suggestions. Good luck Jake, & hope we all thank him for his service.

 

Yes I’ve had both and I’m actually glad I got rid of the manual. I had a x Runner w/ 6 speed. Left foot stayed busy all the time and then there’s the quirks associated with this particular standard trans in gen 2. You know the chirping TO bearing, quill shaft that wears a groove, notchy shifts and synchronizer problems. I did like having more control with the manual and the performance aspect that allowed me to control the shift points but. But since I got older and 99% of my driving is in town on paved roads I got an automatic.

 

Not me, 2 1/2 yrs. ago, I just figured at 64 I was ready for an auto. Traded my "98" 4cyl. 4X4 MT, that I'd been driving for more than 10 yrs. with absolutely no problems, for a "13" 4cyl. 4X4 auto. I ain't been happy since. Like I said, it just depends on what "YOU" would rather drive.

 

You are talking about a totally different gearbox the 6 speed has known issues

 

??? mileage

Ur increased difficulty could be the clutch/slave cyclinder is worn
resulting in it taking more effort
either could need attention................worst case scenario both

on a 15 year old vehicle that clutch has been thru a million cycles

im not a physical therapist ( down 5 knee surgeries )
so i wont comment on Ur injuries................ hope U maintain

good luck

 

I actually have both, one 5 speed in the Tacoma and an automatic in the Tahoe.

I get tired sometimes of using the clutch, traffic in particular and then get bored with the automatic always in high gear lacking power to get better mpg.

I like them both and then dislike them both too.

 

The Clutch Delay Valve (CDV) delete mod made my clutch much lighter and better acting. I also replaced the slave cylinder while i was at it.
I have a bottle of DOT4 low viscosity fluid that I'll be trying soon to see if it makes it any lighter and better acting. Cold mornings have my clutch acting very resistive and heavy but once warmed up its fine.

 

The clutch pedal is a 4 bar linkage. We could design the pedal linkage to lower the force without sacrificing clutch clamping force. You’d probably have to lengthen the pedal travel.

An easier solution would be to weld something to the pedal to make it longer (while being careful to not interfere with the floor at the bottom of the pedal stroke). It might change the direction of force (you might be pushed down to the floor instead of straight to the firewall).

 

I bet you could find plenty of people that would swap you the 6 speed for an auto here
And no money out of your pocket

 

I didn’t read this but it seemed like it might be helpful.

https://www.ijsr.net/archive/v6i7/ART20175083.pdf