2006 6spd manual transmission recommendation

Hello, I am new to the site but not new to the love of tacoma's, I recently had a terrible divorce from my first generation 2001 3.4 double cab TRD with 213,000 that ran beautifully, and now my love is for this 2006 double cab 6speed trd. I have read all the horror stories about the transmissions in these second gen and fear mine will be the same. I purchased her with 116,000K and to my understanding with a fairly new transmission replacement. There is noises that come from her I do not like and shifting feels like im in a bumper car. So my Question is if I were to get it rebuilt then after market parts should Use to fortify the tranny to get the mileage and worry free diving i was so used to. I am goin to try the redline mt90 before i do anything, but regardless I want to get something done mechanically to help out on shifting and and the longevity. What Parts or set ups do you all recommend. Thank you for responses

 

Some like them some don't the ones that that complain the most are not the ones to talk to. It will be expensive to rebuild best to let some one that owns one drive it and see what they think probably not much wrong with it. They did have issues with the release bearing set up but with the miles it has on it it's most likely been fixed or that is your noise. I have no issues with my 6 spd. at all shifts fine tows fine and does what it supposed to do it is not a 5 spd. and does not shift the same.

 

Thanks I can feel the six speed is real different than a 5 speed, I have never owned a manual tacoma but only jeep wanglers 93-95 4.0 and could wail on those gears and it felt good, but once i got a tacoma i was hooked especially the double cab with kids and hunting, fishing, road trips etc. it has been a life saver. It was an automatic 3.4 and a damn good truck. But I missed shifting and seen these trucks with the 4.0 double cab 6speed and fell in love despite all this I hear. I just hope the maintenance is as easy as it was on the 3.4, like with timing belts and stuff.

 

I think the transmissions are pretty good you just have to give it time to get used to the shifting. There is definitely a big difference in the way the second gen trans feels. As far as shifting, you should look into a URD short shifter. I've heard nothing but good things about them and that's next on my list

 

I've had my stock 2010 -6 speed Off Road for almost a year now, and I have to say that it isn't as bad as it's reputation. Is it a BMW M3? No, but if you feed it some MT90, and shift it like it wants to be shifted, you'll be happy and so will it. One thing I like to keep in mind is "Quick hands, and slow feet". Oh, and yes, first gear is a stump puller, and second is a bit of a stretch to start off in, but I like it.


I take mine with a custom made cue ball shift knob, thank you...

 

it can be awkward, but its decent. as stated the throwout bearing can be an issue, but i have only heard of one transmission that grenaded. it sounded like he was hard on it anyway. i believe it to be a pretty strong unit. look at torsp's truck, i dont think he has modified the tranny (aside from clutch) and puts close to 500 ponies through it.

 

whoops, sounds like he runs a t-56 now. pm him and ask about it though

 

I used MT-90 in my 2004 Tacoma, and now use it in my 2013. And I use Redline 75/90 for the diffs. The MT-90 makes a noticeable improvement.

 

I've got mixed emotions about my 6spd taco also. Just broke 100k the other day but, it drives really great for a truck with that kind of mileage. I have a lot of issues with reverse and 1st. The gear ratio's are horrible if you do some re search on them. (i didnt before i bought mine) I live in the mountains so road are rough and hills are steep. Backing up my girlfriends drive way is impossible without roasting the clutch. When its wet I just put it in 2lo. I've learned to live with it now..Im also running amsoil mt in it which seemed to help with smoother shifts. Next is urd short shift with a weighted knob to help with better shifts then a lightened flywheel along with a new clutch and urd tsk. Other than that there isnt much to do with it but drive it really. I dont Toyota would make a crap truck with such a great reputation with the 1st gens. Hopes this helps you out. Goodluck

 

Wow You all have been a Great help I am definately going to try the redline products and look and try the short shifter, but has anybody ugraded to a urd stage 2 clutch and if it is worth it. Also for the tranny fluid, do I need to flush it or just drain it before i put the mt-90 in it. I believe lucas synthetic is what is in it right now. Nevermind I am jsut going to flush it. I just hate takin to the dealership because they seem to be the only ones with these flushing machines, and they dont let you talk to mecahnic or watch the work being performed. Its like giving you girlfriend to some guy and saying go ahead behind those close doors, I know you just going to play clean board game.

 

Nothing to flush and flushing machines are only for automatics pull the drain plug put it back in fill it up. Do you need a stage two clutch? Short shifter that's up to you many like it, me I don't see the need.

 

^^this

^^and this.

 

I have heard some rave about the Frontier's 6 speed and how much better it is then the Taco their first gear is even lower! My drive is about a 1,000 feet and climbs 150 feet I back my trailer up it. I owned one automatic in 51 years of driving hated it.

 

the guy that sold me the truck strongly suggested the frontier next to it, if driving a manual was completely necessary. . . . i wish now that i would have at least test drove it, but the taco no longer gives me any grief. just had to learn its habits.

 

I run Redline MTL in mine and like it better than MT90, says it better for the synchros also.

I would run the TRD shifter instead of the URD one, just personal preference. The TRD is one piece and replaces the entire shifter.

 

Yeah i've driven the frontier and its far better. Problem is finding a 6spd 4wd one is very difficult..I had a auto frontier before my titan then ended up with the tacoma becuase I wanted a mt truck and the tacoma's are much easier to find in the 4wd option...but, oh well theres a fix to everything i guess..lol

 

Im on the last 400 km of a 3400 km move across canada, towing a 20' cargo trailer, loaded at 6500 lbs. This taco has earned my respect. It has performed flawlessly, even pulling up steep hils, in north ontario, in a snow storm, in 4x4, thru snow and slush covered roads. I also own an Xterra, and agree with others that the ratios, and the feel of the trans is better in the X, but the Taco just takes some getting used to.