Buying a 2014, Help me decide on trim and auto or 6spd? Snowy conditions

The manual is not as slick and smooth as i would have hoped, however I'm still very happy I chose the manual. It's fun to drive, plain and simple.

As for snow handling vs an autobox: you can gear down vs breaking in either tranny of course, but you can feather that in a manual by riding the clutch. This can be a benefit in icy conditions.

Good luck in your decision.

 

I recommend Auto Sport. If you aren't going to be using a locker in 4Lo, you're better off with the Sport which gives you the Auto LSD which the Off Road does not have.

The only reason I can think of that a manual transmission is better in snow, is that an Auto can gear down unexpectedly and cause you to lose your back end. With the new traction control I wouldn't worry about that - as soon as one of the tires slips it cuts power to prevent you from going sideways or backwards after an accidental fishtail.

I have the Auto Sport and love it. I also find the auto handles hills well - there's enough torque in the 2nd gens to keep it from dropping gears unless your foot's really into it.

 

all the newer truck have auto lsd in them...
and theres a mod to use the locker in 2hi (if he where to want it)

 

hmmm… that changes things a bit. I still hate the chrome bumper and grill. (not that they couldn't be painted)

 

i agree with you on that...he can trade someone or just buy the colored matched parts...

 

I've got an '09 TRD 6sp.

Had the TOB/ clutch, flywheel replaced, turned. Some sort of package Toyota had. Basically, everything but the pedal was replaced from what I understood.

This was a few months ago and I had to pay about half even with the warranty. Drives about the same without the squeak, not a real smooth shifting transmission.

Fuel mileage is so so , I average, (using fuelly) anywhere from 15 to 17 MPG. I got the same owning 2 Ford F 150's both with V8's. I expected better.

I like the manual transmission but, to do it again I'd probably get the auto.

 

No one ever mentions this - Buy a Tacoma with Final Assembly done in TEXAS USA. Not MEXICO.

I've heard people say that some of the problems inherent with the driveline vibrations and shudders are more prevalent on the MEXICAN trucks. Not to mention cabin rattles and just overall crappiness of assembly. I wouldn't buy a MEXICAN Assembled Tacoma - That's like buying one that was Assembled in CHINA.

My .02 but do what makes you happy.

oK Guys go ahead and give me a hard time now. . . Sorry for not being PC. . .Not Really.

 

aren't all the DC's now made in Mexico ?

 

ive got a 2013 trd sport dc 6spd, made in texas. the easiest way to check is the 1st digit of the vin. 3 is mexico and 5 is texas. I drove the auto and didnt like it, and am happy with the manual, even though I dont think its as good as some of the older 5 speeds. Even with my supercharger im averaging about 18.5 mpg. unless I give it some welly of course.

 

All of the Auto's I looked at were. All of the 6-speeds were made in TX - as of this weekend - don't know if that's the case everywhere though.

 

Oh and to your post about issues with the US / Mexican trucks. , there is a thread on that here somewhere

 

No doubt. I'll have to try to find that one.

Did you ever try a single piece double cardan driveshaft for your vibes?

 

No

 

I can say I've personally owned both the 6spd and auto now. Both were trd sport dc short beds. I HATED the 6spd especially if you plan on ever going bigger on tire sizes. Its a total PITA unless you want to dump some cash to make it right..gears, clutch, flywheel, URD TOB upgrade etc..Otherwise go auto IMO. When I bought my 13' I went auto this time and never looked bad. I love it my truck 10x as much offroad. No more baking the clutch and searching for gears. Im a manual person all the way but, in this case the 6spd was more hassle then enjoyable for me. And you'll be very pleased and impressed by the auto. They feel strong and the shifts and fast and precise. No looking back! Best of luck

 

If you expect to run 75-80 a lot the auto is going to do a better job on mpg, but if you are more in the 65 mph range the manual will do about the same as the auto.


A simple switch to a better OD gear would fix that, but Toyota chose not to.

 

X2 that was something else I left out was mpg difference

 

I don't think anyone's calling out the Tacoma specifically for having a bad auto trans, its just some peoples opinion that all auto trans are junk.


...

 

If you drive in stop and go traffic daily, you may be happier with the auto - I definitely am. I also really like the way my TRD Sport handles versus my 5spd SR5.

 

I would get the auto just so I could get the DCLB

 

But it'll be made in Mexico.