4.0 / 6-Speed Opinions

I had a 2013 trd sport 4.0 auto and it didn't really do anything for me... I now have a 2014 trd off road 4.0/manual and I LOVE it! I'm keeping this thing till it dies or I die. I'm only 31.

 

I love the hell out my six speed. Only complaint is that 6th is a bit too low and the reverse is a bit too high other than that it has been amazing. I enjoy it way more than an auto and I can't see how you could possibly stall in first it's geared so low which is great for off roading and towing.

I love that lotus btw my dream set up a lotus and a taco

 

Switching out the gear oil to Redline MT-90 helped a little on my '06 6-speed, but not enough. I swear it felt like every time I shifted it would be a little different, especially at take off. I learned to drive stick on a '57 Chevy 1-ton stake bed, and that thing was more predictable and had a better feel than the Tacoma 6-speed.

For those that say the lackluster qualities of the Tacoma 6-speed is acceptable because it's a truck, you're in denial. My '77 Toyota pickup (pictured below) felt better. My '98 Ford Ranger felt better. My dad's '64 Chevy 1/2 ton feels better. My dad's '96 Chevy 3/4 ton feels better.

 

Not denial on my part. I've mainly driven manuals over the last 40 years and I think this one is by far one of the best in a truck for me. I've had cars that were slicker shifting but never any 50's thru 80's truck. I find in most situations I don't need to feed it any throttle as I release the clutch when starting in 1st and a lot of times I'll start in 2nd. In traffic I can run at a crawl without having to ride the clutch or brake. Everyone has their own opinion on what works better for them and this works great for me.

 

It's not very smooth, but still pretty fun. I bought a tacoma because I could get it in a manual. One of the last trucks left that you can actually get a manual.

Glad I bought a manual over the auto.

 

There is never a time when I want it in auto...

 

Yah especially since the elise has a celica engine and tranny. But it may still be a cable throttle which is the main reason that the tacoma manuals are hard to rev match and shift smoothly. I would hate the drive by wire if i didnt have an auto.

I got the 5spd bug out of me with my 99 civic si. Socal traffic with a stage 2 clutch is just not as relaxing as my auto prerunner... And i can still select a gear if need be.

 

I wish there were an open source ECU reflash with drive by wire throttle adjustment. I started a thread about this but I was told the best option was to convert to a cable throttle. I like DBW and all the safety features it offers. I have a feeling that the factory settings are designed for what Toyota thinks most people want and/or CARB/EPA requirements. I know this was the case with my last car. I bought an open source ECU reflash which included some adjustments to the throttle sensitivity. It made a huge difference. So far I haven't found anyone doing open source ECU reflashes for the Tacoma, which is surprising considering that there are many with super chargers.

 

Toyota has been fighting the ecu reflashes tooth and nail.

As for the manual tranny the only major issue i've heard about is the throwout bearing going out. What steered me away from the manual is I like to offroad and even in 4lo it is EXTREMELY lacking in torque.

 

Elise does not shift any better. it has a shorter throw but a more linear change in gear ratios (torque feel)
Elise has a mid engine and is a cable connected shifter and does not have that direct positive feel in shifting and feels sloppy.


Not all manual shifters are created equal

 

2012 6SPD and I love it!!! I would go with 2012 or newer if it is in the budget.

 

The 6-speed is OK. I bought a 2012 4Runner with an auto and hated it. All I can say is the 6-speed in my Jeep makes the Tacoma 6-speed feel great by comparison.

 

I think it's a fair assessment to say you'd be hard pressed to find a less aggravating transmission amongst the passenger cars and light trucks sold today.

It is very sensitive to fluid type and honestly doesn't perform well unless fluid thinner than its specified viscosity range is used;
It has synchronizer issues and gear grinds plague many owners;
It has a quill wear problem;
The factory clutch is prone to bad chatter in the cold and rain;
Its overdrive is way too short and its reverse is absurdly clutch-smoking tall;

Then, as if to throw flame on the fire, Toyota programmed the computer as such:
There's a delay on the throttle closing so it revs the engine with every shift;
The fuel cutoff won't happen unless the engine is spinning at least 1600 rpm before letting off the gas, after a 1-2 second delay, and it starts fuel again at 1200 rpm (contrast with the 4 cylinder's 1000-2000 rpm zero delay window)

That said, if you could put up with the transmissions of yesteryear, the six speed isn't intolerable. Just think of it as a Mack truck.

 

I compare mine to driving a dump truck...wouldn't get another one. Shifts are blocky and can't be done quickly. 61k on my 09 and 5th gear syncro is going out. Trying to accelerate quickly to merge into traffic is almost impossible since you can't shift quickly.

 

This is a solid spot on answer. I love driving manual. I love my taco. The tranny... It's a solid tranny, not the smoothest fastest or most fun to drive. But not a bad tranny by any means. If you love driving stick. Get the manual. If your expecting it to be fun and sporty. I would consider something else

 

I also agree with the above posts. This is a transmission to get if you must save the $1000 or whatever is the difference between manual and automatic AND/OR if you still prefer to shift your own gears at any cost even despite its numerous shortcomings. I got it for the second reason and don't regret it, but certainly it could be designed much better.

I don't like:

• the rev hang
• tall reverse and short 6th gear
• geared are too close together (might as well skip gears)
• worse fuel economy out of all drivetrain combinations
• squeaky pedal (sometimes in hot summer days)
• TOB problems, although mine is fine so far with 90k miles.

Longer throw does not bother me too much as it is a truck after all and also because it replaced my 5spd F150, so in comparision it is still feels car like, but the pedal feel is stiffer however.

 

So many mixed opinions haha... a manual would definitely be by choice for the fun factor. Did Toyota ever fix the "rev hang" into the next gear, or is that still an issue for quick shifting on the brand new models?

 

I love mine! Great power for climbing hills but hums along nicely at 75. No way I'd go for an auto!

 

Pretty much exactly what I was thinking. I highlighted the part I agree with most.


$500 1990 beater cars are WAY smoother than the 6 speed. I've never met a manual transmission I can't drive smoothly. The taco 6 speed is a pain



Anyone else have this ---- when I shift from 2nd to third, no matter how slow I do it, I can ALWAYS feel the dog teeth in the synchronizer lining up. It's like a very small grind you can feel when pushing it into third. Only on the 2-3 up shift.

 

I get the grind really rarely from 2nd to 3rd. My biggest gripe is the reverse gearing really a pain the ass sometimes.