4.0 / 6-Speed Opinions

Hey guys it's been a while since I've been on here, but I'm back on because I'm thinking of getting another Tacoma. Looking for a 05+ model with the 4.0 and 6-speed manual. Really would like to settle with a 2012 and up, but can't decide. My last 3 Tacoma's were 3.4L Manuals. What is everyone's opinions on the 4.0 with manual trans??!! Thanks and Merry Christmas!!

 

It's a perfectly mediocre setup. IMHO, Toyota really dropped the ball with the 6 speed on the Tacoma, and I've owned/driven a lot of manuals, including 2 other Toyota's. The gear ratios make no sense and even after a URD short shifter, it never was smooth or predictable, especially the 1st - 2nd shift.

 

Love it.

 

I know a couple people with the 6-speed and they really like it. I'm just for of an auto guy when it comes to trucks.

 

I traded my in 2007 Civic Si for a 2014 DCSB 4x4 in the 6-speed and I love it. It's not the same as driving a sports car, but its smooth and works for me. The only other manual truck I've driven was an old Ford Ranger one weekend years ago at my old job, and the Tacoma is much better.

 

I have a 6 speed. I prefer it over an automatic, but that is just me for reason unnecessary to get into. Toyota's standard 6 speed does need to be addressed. The top gear needs to be a little higher with 5th being what 6th is now. The rest of the gears are fine, but not always needed without a load. I only use 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 6th shifting at 1500 RPM unless towing or carrying a heavy load. When 3rd is used it does not shift smoothly into 3rd as it seems to always clank, not so much a sound as feel, a little into gear. I am guessing that they skimped on the synchronizer for that gear. Also because of the gas pedal not being mechanical, but electronic, the electronic unit is not responsive enough when taking off or letting off the gas when shifting, and can cause a stall or over rev in between gears. You don't catch this except on vehicles with manual transmissions. I have three Toyotas, two with standards, and both standards do this. It is something to get used to.

 

Driven 5 and 6 speeds for my past 8 cars.

This setup is by far the worst. It will be my last 6 speed.

 

I love mine. I skip shifts when running unloaded 1-2-4-6 or 1-3-6. Sure it doesn't shift as smooth as a car but it's a TRUCK. Smoother shifting than a 1969 C60 Chevrolet.

 

I bought a used 05 Tacoma with 48,000 miles. On the test drive I didn't notice anything weird. It just felt like a normal stick shift vehicle. After I had it for several months I noticed it making a "clunk" noise in the drivetrain when shifting from 1st to 2nd, and sometimes when downshifting from 3rd to 2nd. It also seemed excessively stiff in the bottom 3 gears. I switched the oil to Amsoil GL-4 manual transmission oil, which is nicer to the synchros than GL-5 gear oil. It immediately started shifting much, much better. I was reading in the cheap mods section when I discovered Tacoma World, and found a cheap mod for axle wrap. It dawned on me that the torquey 4.0L combined with the close ratios of the 6 speed were just brutalizing the wimpy, floppy stock leaf springs. I did one of the cheap axle wrap mods and it got rid of the clunking noise and made the truck shift even smoother. Now it shifts as good as my wife's broken-in Honda, where it's smooth but still has that "good" notchy mechanical feel to it. 1st gear is pretty low, so I don't downshift into 1st unless I'm already stopped. Now my truck has 62,000 miles and the 6 speed still has that new, barely broken-in feel. I find it fun as shit to drive every day. I also think the mpg advantage of the auto is somewhat exaggerated. On my last long trip, I averaged 22.5 mpg on mostly 2 lane highway, with a little bit of in-town and 80 mph freeway cruising mixed in. When I care enough to keep my foot out of it I can reliably get 18-ish mpg in mixed driving, but I'm on stock tires without a lift kit. Hope this info helps!

 

+1

Ive own manuals mostly with the exception of my 2001 4 runner.
I agree with the gearing all F****d and i tend to skip, over rev, and stall on occasions Its a truck and manual so figure it out and adjust your revs accordingly.

After 3000 miles in a week on my 2014 DCSB TRD OR i sometimes wish i got the auto but my wife wanted a manual(go figure it out). However, I plan to keep this for a long time and tow stuff and occasional off roading. If i break the tranny/clutch, Ill be able to deal with that.

My 2001 4runner, if my tranny craps out its going bye-bye. 190k miles on the counter and so far so good…

If a want to hammer the shifting i'll take out my car.

 

I have a 2010. The manual isn't bad, it's not great either. I'm kinda tired of mine though. Just getting older, so it isn't as fun as it used to be.

 

So your saying the Elise shifts better? How can that be? They are both manuals and should shift the same, after all this is 2013 Toyota should have addressed this by now.

 

Love the 6 speed, 1st gear is a little short, meaning you have to shift into 2nd soon. I also skip gears when not under load. Rarely ever use 5th.

 

The 6 speed is not really that great or bad. Unfortunately, due to reliability issues, I'd stick with the auto. Never thought I'd say that.

Overall the clutch and throttle play feel ambiguous. If you slip the clutch too much it shakes so getting perfect take offs in tight situations requires a little extra finesse. Just my $.02.

 

So I'm guessing the 6-speed has been unchanged since 05? Guess I really need to think on this one haha. I never had any problems out of my 95-04 manuals... I do however dislike the drive by wire set-up (vs mechanical throttle) on the new ones, I can see how that would be annoying when trying to get used to shifting patterns or an occasional roll race down the highway haha

 

It's great once you 1) get used to it and 2) accept that it isn't perfect.

 

I love the 6 speed! It hear a lot of complaints, but really its a truck, its not gonna shift like a little honda. I had a 1990 toyota pickup with the 3.0 v6/5-speed and compared to that, my 2006 shifts like a dream! No complaints here! I say stick with the manual

 

A manual trany is fun but, the only problem is if there is ever a time you just want it in auto you still have to shift.
For that reason I went with the 5 speed auto.
Merry Christmas to you too.

 

That's what I wanted to hear haha. Now as far as 2005-2014...are there any years "better" than others?

 

Thanks! And yeah it can get tiring in horrible traffic but It will be a weekend truck only. I have an old automatic accord to beat around in for comfort haha