4th gen will come with manual

I would seriously doubt the veracity of the source of that information. Plugging in a different transmission and some different electronics doesn't even remotely rise to the level of "retooling the assembly line". That said, could Toyota build them in batches for logistical reasons? Yes, but I doubt it. When mine was built back in September I was tracking the influx of new Tacoma's via the Kissmygrits spreadsheet and there were no more 6MT models that week than at any week I have tracked before or since mine was built.

 

Curious, is yours a ‘22 or ‘23? Mine is a ‘22, also last September build. Arrived at the dealer in November (allegedly on a truck full of other 6MT’s), I believe fairly well after MY23 started hitting the lots which I thought was kind of unusual timing.

 

Mine was scheduled as a Week 34 build (which should have been in August) but it wasn't built until the second week of September; if I remember correctly, it was the penultimate week for the 2022 model years. I took delivery in mid-October and when it rolled off the truck with four other Tacomas, it was the only 6MT.

 

Lol... a manual transmission is probably 2 to 3 times as expensive to install... it's just as complicated to install and manufacture as an automatic. Except toyota can't buy them in the same volume so they are actually much more expensive then an auto. Then you have the plant assembly line. Seperate installers testers, downtime while switching ect ect... we only make up 5% of products. In a manufacturing world that is a major headache. That's why they strip things from the MT PRO to recapture some of the cost off set.

In 1950 thru about 1970 an automatic was more expensive to build and install. No longer true

 

The current MT runs $1830 less than it's AT counterparts, can't see it swinging the other direction for the 4th Gen.

 

It’s not that different but I guess I’m used to it (backing up that is).

 

That's fair and Toyota is fairly hush hush about the whole process but when I was buying my pro they seemed to come out in certain batch intervals even the color spread seemed to be by region. I really wanted a manual in the calvary blue but every one I was finding were in the northeast and gulf coast regions. The might also have to keep the numbers low to qualify for EPA mpg averages or something who knows.

Counterpoint: it's not only the transmission though its getting into the engine bay with the brake booster pump, the ECU's are different, removing crawl control, different audio speaker setups, and ignition keyed vs push button, the gearing in the auto vs manual is different. The list goes on...

 

The list goes on, but they are relatively trivial on a modern production line; absolutely no need to retool the line to intersperse AT and MT models on the same line.

 

Agreed but when you have 400k produced a year and they are running over 100% capacity every minute counts. If they're following Kaizen or something similar for production they want it to be as efficient as possible.

 

If retooling were the case, I guess my question would then be what is Toyota doing to screw up this process when nearly every other car maker has no issue pushing sticks and autos through on the same line?
It really makes no sense to do a shut down and retool just for a transmission option.

 

Call me crazy, but I have a hunch they might even use the Toyota Production System…

 

Kaizen is one of the core components of TPS. Without Kaizen TPS wouldn't be what it is.

• 5S – Cleaning up to make problems visible and getting organized.
• Kaizen – Continuous improvements through acting on suggestions.
• Kanban – Demand pulls products through the production process, resulting in a just-in-time system of inventory and production.
• Poka-Yoke – Mistake proofing.
• TPM (Total Productive Maintenance) – Proactive and preventative maintenance done in a way that maximizes the productive operation of machines and equipment.
• Visual Factory – Using visual labels, signs, tags, and other cues to improve communication

https://www.graphicproducts.com/articles/toyota-production-system/

 

If it makes you feel better, I just got more than I paid for my 22' manual OTD in trade towards my 4runner. Got similar offers from Carvana to buy it. No seed to sulk. Get rid of it if you dont like it.

I'm glad Toyota is keeping the manual. Hopefully they do a better job with the 4th gen powertrain and it's more of a pleasure to drive. I dont know if I'm getting old, lazy, or both, but I'm happy to be back in an auto. I don't think I'd buy another manual truck.

 

What are do you live in? I have gotten quotes out of curiosity of the easy out option, for my truck with all of 2,600 miles, they are offering $5-10,000 under sticker. This was an outright buy quote though, but I wondered if it might be regional influence as well since I keep hearing people get good offers through them.

 

A manual 4Runner would be a dream though...

 

Interesting. Anticipated lack of a manual in the 4th gen. was certainly part of the reason I bought a '23 instead of trying to eek out another year with my ailing van. Another factor was not wanting to deal with "bugs" that can accompany the first model years of a refresh or redesign. But, I've had my truck since December and have no regrets after reading this news: good on Toyota for keeping a three-pedal truck on the market here! Now, if the 4th gen. gets 30 mpg (or whatever) with the manual . . . there might be some crying in my cornflakes.

Like others, I am curious which configurations will offer it. I was set on the 6ft bed with a manual, and the only option was the Sport AC (I "only" had to go two states over to find one), but I would have loved a DCLB manual.

 

I’m in the south east. Mine were buy quotes as well not trade.

 

Odd. How long ago was this? I am getting the sense that the market is softening a bit, but the $10k under MSRP offer had me spitting the proverbial coffee out of my nose. I was expecting to be at least a little tempted to do it. I wonder if I can offer it in different markets, or if they have the VIN locked in their quoting system now..Michigan is pretty domestic dominated but the Toyota dealers here still don’t seem to have any problems moving their inventory, nor pre-selling most, if not all, their MT’s while in transit.

 

Just a few weeks go. I’ve checked a few times over the last month. Fist offer was good, second was less, third a few weeks ago was best. It fluctuates for the online buyers.

 

So all this bullshitting here for months from "insiders" proved that it was all a farce. Gotta get it from the horses' mouth.