Is manual trans on a 3rd generation lovely?

I have to be slower with the clutch compared to my 85 22re. I am happy with the truck. It shifts really smooth at higher rpms.

 

Haha!

I know, sounds crazy. The buddy at the brewery bought a 99 lowered E43 and let me drive it. I was soooo happy to get back into my taco.

 

I'm the same nowadays just because you can't be 20% of the limit in those, even a shitty one.. but i can toss the Taco around at or close to its limit every day all day and that's where my fun is... scrubbing E range tires.

 

It doesn’t hurt to ride the clutch when in reverse if you need to, it is not that delicate. I’ve only replaced the slave cylinder in the 85. That clutch has been abused like a rented mule. I taught my wife and 5 kids how to drive it and loaned it out countless times.

 

What happens when you load your truck?

 

Yep, exactly.

The only time I miss my e load tires, is when taking corners at higher speeds, haha! C loads are so much softer.

 

Coming from tractors and older cars/trucks with sticks? It's the best manual I've driven. Yes, the throw on the shifter is long. You won't shift quickly by car standards.

Some upsides; the manuals are geared lower from factory. So if you're thinking about putting (slightly) bigger tires on, you might consider a manual as a starting point, IMO. I've heard a lot of complaints about tacoma performance, and a lot of them revolve around shift points. You avoid all of that with a manual so to me, it's definitely a win. All of the usual manual upsides about roll starting, a more fun and active driving experience, etc, still apply.

Downsides: It can be a shaky ride if you're not on the ball. I've had passengers who didn't care for it. Riding the clutch at slow speeds is probably gonna catch up to me. The shifter knob rattles around a lot and you don't want to hold onto it, so if that's a habit you're in, get out of it ASAP, you will screw up your transmission doing that. Most aftermarket floor mats and center console accessories only fit the automatic model. I've ground gears going into 2nd a few times, for some reason that one is iffy.

 

Long shift throw? Hah, I had a 73 Suburban with a 4 speed box with a granny low 1st gear, 3rd gear (which was functionally second most of the time) was literally by the glove box, I shit you not.

 

I laugh too when people say it has a long throw. Go drive a 2007 ranger and report back, haha.

My buddy’s 1990 4 spd f150 was pretty ridiculous too.

 

I remember all those middle bench seat rides in OG MTs. "Son, you're gonna need to move when I shift into 2nd." Hahaha!

 

Or a 1989 Supra.

 

I come from driving 3 generations of BMW M3's in manual tranny. My advice, keep the RPM's between 2500 and 3500 for city driving. And don't expect to beat any 4 banger off the line from a stop light. it's the reality of this truck. The sweet spot for shifting is between 3200-3500 RPM. And don't be thinking about saving on gas mileage because that will just be a boring ride. Unless you're on the highway and ride in 6th gear at 2000rpm.

 

I just test drove a new automatic. It was very pleasant and comfortable. I tromped on it and it goes. I might be leaving the MT behind.

I'm sure once I get through all the tips and tricks threads, there may be other things I can focus on?

 

I don't think this truck has long throws either, can do 1st thru 6th without ever taking my elbow off the arm rest.

 

Yep same here, I don’t even move my forearm most of the time. Just shift with my wrist, love it!

 

2 of my buddies have AT tacos and they all drive fantastic. This transmission complaint is definitely overblown. Aisin transmission in the Tacoma’s are great.

 

It's very convenient right now, and it may be nice to have an automatic for awhile. I didn't realize how tired I'm feeling towards the WRX.

I need to see what COBB has for this.

I big thanks again to everyone with friendly and detailed replies!

 

We all love pictures, manual or not....

 

There's some weird stuff with the 6MT but there's a fix for pretty much all of it. Toyota kind of fucked up a lot of stuff on these things, but I still like mine haha.

ridiculously tall reverse gear: 2LO mod

inconsistent clutch engagement: Accumulator delete

rev hang making rev matches difficult: tune

throttle response sucks: pedal commander and/or tune

2nd to 3rd shift is rough in the cold: fluid upgrade

Sticky clutch pedal in the cold: let it warm up? I guess?

weird rattling sound when driving over bumps in neutral: remove/insulate the shield covering the clutch slave cylinder.

Long throw complaint: Go drive a manual F250 or RAM 2500 and then drive the Taco...

I did just have a 2020 automagic for a rental the other day and it actually seemed a little bit quicker than my 6MT, but it was pretty shift happy on the highway.

 

Automagic was quicker than the MT!?