6 speed very frustrating!

I have the 6 speed trans in my Tacoma and I have always owned manual transmission cars. First gear in my truck is very frustrating. I have to take off perfect in first gear from a stop to avoid chatter, or bucking while building rpm's to shift into 2nd gear. It is very difficult to drive smoothly and I am getting very tired of it! Every gear/gear change once out of first is awesome.

Do any of you with the 6 speeds seem to have the same problems?

Thanks guys....Oh, and this is my first post.

 

This was my first manuel tranny in a vehicle. I hated the shift knob, I always seem to keep my hand on it while driving and when I was really getting after it, my hand would slip off inbetween gears. So I got a chrome B&M T-handle shifter, and I must say it has made the driving that much better, its very comfortable, looks great and performs a lot smoother then shifting with that stupid plastic knob I had before. My only complaint is the funny position you must make to put it from 4th-5th its just an awkward shift. But I agree about first, its a total granny gear and likes to chatter with the slightest press on the pedal.

 

Just wanted to welcome you to TW. I have the auto so I can't help you out.

 

Hmmm, chattering kinda sounds like your clutch may be going out. Mine is super smooth in 1st so much that i can let the clutch out with out giving it any gas.

 

I must say, 1st Gear is hella short. I hate to stay in it, dont feel good til Im in 2nd and up.

 

Can you not just start in the 2nd hole? I drive a big truck (18-wheeler) seasonally, and I never start in 1st unloaded.

 

I can let my clutch w/out any gas as well, and then I give it gas w/out the clutch to overcome the chatter. The chatter comes with the slightest bit of gas with the clutch engaged. But...when I go to give it gas, I have to be very sensitive or it starts to buck up and down as I go through first. Like when you drive through a parking lot slow in first and modulate the throttle just a little bit.

It's not quite torquey enough to start in 2nd comfortably. It will though.

I dont know. I just need to drive another one or something and see how it drives. Mine has been this way since I got it used with 2,800 miles on it. It now has 37k or so.

 

I have a 6 speed. I havn't noticed any issues, however I drive like shit and rarely use the clutch except for starting or in traffic. If it's not grinding, I'm not concerned. I think you must find a shift point that works for your style of driving. I go completely by feel. I rarely look at the tach. The tach represents the past and I'm not going there.

 

It's almost to that point. If im in first I basically just ease off the clutch No Gas... unless I need to take off. 2nd really can take you off the line, but dont want to stress out the trans. So I stick with first and learned to drive it with no probs

 

Yeah, drive another one if you can and see if it's the truck or your driving style...sorry couldnt be any more help.

 

Yeah but it's great when hauling a trailer. I really like the close ratio of it. My only gripe is that 6th could be a bit taller for the highway.

 

My 6speed is totally smooth taking off in 1st, no chatter. it did it about 2 weeks ago for a few days when it was raining out but it hasnt done it since then and that was the only time its ever done it. I got a little rough with it and slipped it a bunch a few times taking off and that seemed to make it stop for me. a friend has an 08 dodge ram 1500 with the 4.7 and a manual and it chatters ALL the time! be glad you dont have one of those!

+1 my thoughts on it exactly

 

Bigger tires make a difference. I put 285s on mine and first is a little more usable.

 

I love manuals, but I must admit after driving them all my life the 6 speed Tacoma is not smooth at all, and I wish that 6th was taller also. I pull a 24ft trailer and have burnt my clutch a few times, mostly in reverse.

 

+1 did the same

 

With my 285/70/17's (taller tires affects the gearing), I found these shift points work very smooth, and yes, this is a slow driving style but it works for me because my rig is an off road machine, not a racer. The engine rev low points seem to be right on for each shift point, at least for me. If I need the speed, I'll run each gear out faster, but most of the time, I'm shifting nice and smooth, like this:

1st- 0-15 Shift to 2nd.
2nd- 15 -25 Shift to 3rd.
3rd- 25 - 35 Shift to 4th.
4th- 35 - 45 Shift to 5th.
5th- 45 - 55 Shift to 6th.

For the chatter, you might be trying to ride the clutch too long, starting out in first. You really don't have to pause on the clutch very long, if at all, if you develope the technique. I sometimes give the engine a slight rev just before I let out the clutch for 1st and I sometimes let off the gas about half a second before I shift 2 through 6. You have to work out a feel for it that works for you but maybe this will help you out.

 

I think its just your driving style how long have you been driving a manual? I test drove the xrunner with the 6sp no issues, but iv been driving stick 10years. lol

 

I have been driving manuls for years. I have never had a problem with the low first gear in this truck. It is really short but its good if you are towing or need a grunt gear. I wish they would of made reverse about the same as first. You just need to pratice it a bit till you get use to it. When I first got the truck I was torn between starting out in 1st or 2nd. I only use first from a dead stop.

 

I know exactly what you are talking about. I don't think its the clutch chattering...pretty sure its the drive shaft center support (or lack of sufficent support) flapping around. See the video here:

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/5806-take-off-shudder.html

Some seem worse than others. I test drove 3-4 trucks before I bought mine and they all had some amount of this.

After 1000 miles, I have learned to use less gas on take off and it's not as noticable...still there tho. Annoying on a brand new truck? VERY.

I'm thinking about welding extra support to the cross member to stiffen it up. Seems crazy on a new truck...but I don't have any confidence that toyota will do any thing about it. Other people claim a one piece drive shaft or traction bars will help too.

 

That is a great video...props to that guy for going thru the trouble of mounting a camera under his truck. Good info there.