Shifting problems??

Bought a new 2017 Tacoma 4dr 4x4 that had the 3.5 motor and 6 speed transmission. Got so frustrated with the constant downshifting and up shifting I traded it on a 2020 4Runner that still had the 4.0 liter and 5 speed transmission. Have had the 4Runner 26 months now but I am missing the pick up and was wondering if the new Tacoma’s still had the shifting characteristics that I traded to get away from. Any thoughts??

 

It's the same.

 

There is the ect button. Or a tune will help is what I have read

 

I bought one too without test driving it.
You should not lug low rpms with this high revving variable valve timing V6 engine!
When you do, well you found out what happens.
Let this engine rev!

 

You have to understanding the power band for the 3.5V6 vs the 4.0V6. It's at a higher RPM band combined with factory tuning to satisfy the EPA.
It's a case of:
Get used to it
or
Don't buy it
or
Buy it and try a tune to see if it'll meet your preference.

 

several tunes available that fix all that, and the tuners will often accommodate various shift points and the like to suit your preferences. the shifting characteristics that you and most around here dislike are mostly from software, so it's easily improved. and by the way, many of the tunes are not performance oriented, but rather simply for driveability.

 

I picked up a 2020 DCLB 3 weeks back or so and have not experienced the dreaded hunting everyone keeps talking about.
We are going to take a shakedown trip close to home soon, as we bought the Taco to specifically tow our off-road treiler and I will see if we get the hunting behavior when towing.

 

I bought a 2020 new and it’s not as bad As I was led to expect. It’s the first AT I’ve ever owned. I’ve had 2 1st Gens and being in the military lived and traveled a lot. The 3.4 liked a certain range and if you didn’t stay on top of it, it would dog. I bet if you were to drive a MT and kept it in the optimal RPM you might be surprised how often you would shift, if driven with that in mind. The AT had a computer to do it and honestly it sucks but it’s smarter than us. The 3.5 is no torque monster much like otherV6s, ride in a Ford and watch that sucker search gears! What bugs me more is the 11-1200 shudder when the torque converter can’t decide if it want to lock up or not!

 

Get one with MT, you can shift when you want.

 

oh yeah.

 

I got the KDMAX Pro tune and its perfect! Also got the KDMAX tune on my Wifes 4Runner Limited and its impressive, so much more low end power and torque.