Replace 2015 automatic transmission with manual

For 35 years, I have driven a manual transmission in my trucks, but the 2015 4x4 I am buying comes with an automatic. I do love the overall sense of driving a standard, so much that I am actively considering the large project of replacing the automatic. How bad is it to retrofit the automatic with a manual? Obviously I need to add even a clutch pedal and replace the center console, but how much work is it overall, and where did you find a useable procedure and maybe even a kit?

 

If you don't want an automatic hold out and buy a manual.


I've been driving for 50 years and more of the trucks/SUV's I've owned were manuals than automatics. They can be fun to drive, I get that. But modern automatics do everything better. Better fuel mileage, more durable, literally everything especially if you tow or carry heavier loads.

There is more to it than the transmission. The engines and axle ratios they use in modern trucks are designed around an automatic transmission. Toyota is just about the only manufacturer still offering a manual and it's in only 1-2% of the trucks made. It's just done as an afterthought anymore.

 

Manuals are usually a little more expensive used from what I’ve seen so you might be able to save a little bit doing a swap if you got a really good deal, however if you haven’t done anything this advanced before it’s probably not the best idea to try it on what I assume is going to be a fairly expensive purchase, your best bet in the end is probably to find one that already has a manual and save yourself a lot of headache

 

You'll need a Manual ECM, and a Manual 4WD ECM too.

Not really worth it. It's doable, but it's not just "bolt it".

 

I did it and you can read about my swap in my signature.

Not cheap, not really easy but now that the kinks are mostly worked out, it's pretty sweet to row through the gears and to have one of the only manual trans DCLB's in the country.

I found you also need to have the ABS module from the same truck you got the ECM from. There's 8 or more different ABS modules for the various cab configurations and packages for every year and I found it's just easiest to grab the ABS module and the ECM from the same truck. Definitely $300 or so I didn't budget for.

 

Wants manual, buys automatic. WTF am I missing here....

Dude, this ain't the 70s, when you and a couple of buddies could swap out the power-glide for Muncie in an afternoon. Whole lot more to it nowdays...

 

ddddddrrrrraaaammmmmaaaa......

 

The AT in my truck is the first automatic transmission vehicle since my first car that I purchased just after the Battle of Gettysburg. Big, expensive job changing to manual transmission. If you want manual, buy a manual. You'll get used to automatic transmission. Way easier and cheaper.

 

talk to me about that AT in the gen2 single cab 4wd
the 3 with the D...
the refusal to automatically downshift smoothly into 3 when you need to pick up the speed and not impede

 

OTOH, I'll talk to you about the joy of having a manual in a 4X4 access cab with a lowly 2.7!

 

Is it the same issueer?
2,7 seems to have ok power in 3rd at higher rpms

 

If one does not have a Tacoma
And wants a manual Tacoma

they would buy a manual Tacoma
and then deal with the throwout bearing crap

that is coming from someone who has manual converted an automatic “complicated” German car

 

Nope. Just relating the point that the 2.7 gets along quite well with the manual!

And I've towed with it too...

 

I would have happily bought a DCLB with a manual transmission...if Toyota offered them. Easy enough to find a 6spd access cab, though.