Difference between 2nd and 3rd gen manual transmissions--lack of response?

When test driving a 2019 manual felt the transmission not as responsive when shifting compared with my old 2008.

Has anyone else experienced this, and does anyone know if they changed something in the system to create such an effect?

PS: I miss my 2008 manual tacoma. I have a 2012 automatic now because I was foolish enough to get rid of my 2008 for a better gas mileage vehicle only to regret it and go back to a tacoma.

 

My guess is you're experiencing the clutch damper/accumulator. Slows and numbs the clutch response

 

I had the same experience going from my 2013 to my 2018. The 3.5 had many point out didn't make the same power low like the 4.0 does.

A time, exhaust and some say an intake spacer make the 3.5 feel much better. Possibly better than the 4.0 you are missing. I'm now happy and like the way my 18 drives. I still want to do the ADM mod when I get time.

 

Search accumulator delete in this forum lot of people have done it and love the outcome . For me at first it was a bit strange coming form other manual transmission vehicles . Over time I have gotten used to it and doesn’t bother me anymore .

 

A tune for sure also changes the truck for the better. Can't comment on the exhaust and intake spacer though as I don't have either

 

Response ? What does that mean ?

 

Mine drive differently but also 5 vs 6. I haven’t yet driven a 2nd gen 6MT. I’d like to. The 4.0 is fun even with AT.

I find my ‘05 is a bit rough to shift but predictable. Whereas my ‘16 is smooth outside of mashing into 1st gear but no balls at all below 1500 rpm till I do some sort of tune. Granted my ‘05 doesn’t have balls at any rpm but it doesn’t cry like a baby about it the way my 3rd gen does at 1000 rpm.

 

Same. My last manual was my 2013 ford focus 5 speed, which was smooth as butter. Ford doesn't get many things right but that focus gearbox just got better and better the more miles I put on it. Tacoma 6 speed takes some getting used to, but I wouldn't change anything about it now.



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I suspect the real difference is the engines. The newer 3.5 has less torque. And it needs a lot more engine speed to get that torque. You're going to need to stay in lower gears longer before upshifting and downshift sooner.

 

Of the 3 gens, the manual first gens have the most "pep" of the 3 in my experience. The 3rd gens manuals are also a pleasure to drive.
All manuals are a pleasure to drive actually.