Manual transmission Fan Club and BS thread (All Generations Welcome)

My current Tacoma is my first ever automatic. Not bad for these days and this period in life, but I do miss shifting my own.

Definitely curious how recent Toyota manual transmissions and gearboxes are. The first Tacoma I had was not up to the (admittedly high) standard that my Hondas and Audi were, but it has been a long time.

 

Because of the increasing scarcity of manual transmission Tacomas, even on the used market, a year ago I bought a 2007 Access Cab, 2.7L 5MT. I took a hit trading in a newer Honda CR-V. I've put money into the Tacoma since, most somewhat common items like air conditioning compressor, tires, brakes - and maybe not so common a differential U-joint and sway bars. Around 155k miles now.

No regrets at all. I enjoy driving the truck each time I do. Fuel economy not great, but now that the weather is warmer I've been averaging about 20.8 mpg. Not ban IMO considering the size and utility. I've heard the clutches in these trucks tend to be somewhat more durable than a typical clutch, and that a truck clutch is typically heavier to operate. I've never noticed that in the Tacoma.

Part of the reason for getting the Tacoma was a job change and retirement not too far off. I've also had an older full size pickup truck, when retired I'd prefer not to have to pay insurance, taxes, etc. on 2 vehicles. Good to know that if I won the lottery a new Tacoma can still be had with a 6 speed manual. Thanks to Toyota for that - so many manufacturers are only automatic now. I get the fuel economy requirements - and that modern automatics typically do better than a manual, but it shows some consideration for the customer, and those who aren't mainstream like me.

 

I like it

It's a truck transmission so it has longer throws and lacks the distinct engagement that a sporty car would have. However for a truck transmission it's pretty good, solid engagements, downshifts well (except first, which still isn't bad), the clutch is neither sloppy or too grabby.

The ADM does cause some issues for some but doesn't ruin the clutch or transmission.

I do wish first and second were a little different, right now I feel first is halfway between a "normal" first and a granny gear, and second is JUST too tall to start out in.
Reverse is crazy tall

 

It seems thats gettting common. My 11 JettaSportWagen 6sp manual will make a veteran 3 pedal driver look foolish.

Hate it, delete it

 

I remember test driving a 2012 gti a number of years ago, where the clutch engagement was so exact and so abrupt that you felt like a fool when first trying to drive it lol

 

Can't order through Toyota. Haven't been able to for years.

Best you can do is a dealership "allotment" list, and hope they call you when they find something close to what you're looking for.

That being said, the 23 MTs are pretty neat. More tech standard than the pre facelift (pre 20) so they'll cost a tad more on average.

 

My '08 135 had something similar, they called it a Clutch Delay Valve.

 

How much was it? I was quoted like 38k for the trd OR.

 

Teach her (clutch use) in 4x4 low.
Makes it very simple and almost impossible to stall. She'll soon be comfortable using it and then it's just a small step from there to be smooth in 2x4 high.

 

Learned how to drive using a manual transmission and still drive one to this day. I’m not a hater on automatics, there’s a time and place for both

 

Agreed - my older full size truck has a 4 speed automatic. That's matched well to the V8. Same with a luxury vehicle (which I don't have) - an automatic would be appropriate.

Nice truck! Wow that's in good shape, especially for an '86.

 

$39,400 after delivery. Truck has LED headlights and about $500 in port add-ons. 38k is about for right for something that actually has zero options.

 

Thank you, yes I bought in new in 1986, it was on sale for $5,500, it’s as basic of a truck as you’ll ever find, I added a back bumper right side mirror and like a 20 year old that doesn’t know any better I bought the $800 warranty. So after everything I think I financed about $7,000. The reason for the black hood and you can’t see it but the right fender is black as well is in 2011 I rear ended a big Chevy and didn’t fair so well, I was in the middle of moving and actually tried to sell the truck for $300 with no takers(thank goodness) probably because it had 345,000 miles lol, but I knew the maintenance was always done on it. I had it parked for nearly 10 years, two years ago I got it road worthy and it now has 357,000 miles on the original motor and trans, I did the clutch at 200,000 and am getting close to doing it again. This truck holds a lot of memories for me and I’m glad I still have it

 

Wish I still had my 85, for all of those reasons and more.

 

Holy smokes, 357,000 miles! It looks just about brand new! And the '86 is such a clean/sharp design. Basic is good, and thankfully you didn't sell it!

Is it a 4 or 5 speed manual? I had a 1980 Dodge D150, 225 cid 6 and a four speed manual. Back in that era 4 speeds were still common on the base models.

 

So it is a 4 speed, super basic, when I got it no floor mats, radio, tachometer, power steering, AC and it came with bias tires Lol, like I said I added the bumper and right hand mirror before I drove off the lot. Thinking about not much to go wrong with it because there wasn’t much

Here’s when I added better rims and tires as well as side molding

 

Didn't even consider no power steering! But I had a believe it or not 1980 Ford Club Wagon like that. A full size passenger van, no radio, power steering and 4 speed on the floor. As expected not easy to park!

As for things that couldn't go wrong because they don't exist - I had a power window stuck halfway down on a former pickup truck. Those rims are nice, basic but good looking and go with the truck well.

 

It was a good balance between price and functionality. Its half the price of the B&M option too and I didn't feel that B&M would be twice as good.

 

Over the weekend I did a oil change on my 21 offroad. Replaced the diffs with mobile 1 75-90 gl5, and put amsoil 75-90 manual transmission oil gl4 in the gearbox. It's not huge.. but there is a noticeable improvement in smoothness when shifting.

 

Whats your mileage?

I am coming closer to my trans oil change but I have come across conflicting info about if/when to change manual transmission oil. Some folks claim that the metal shavings give grip that would be lost with the change and then you can have slippage etc.