Reverse gear next to first for std shift? WHY?

I've had my new 2008 Taco for many months now but from the start have always been concerned about the idea of reverse next to first gear. My worst fears came true the other day.

Tried to exit my garage the other morning. I live in Vancouver Canada, so real estate is a premium and the garage opening is quite thin. With door mirrors as normal, I have about 1-3/4 inches on each side to get in and out. Missed the mark this time.

Came about a foot away from the wall opening and knew I had to stop and go forward for another try. Stopped truck and went to place in 1st, only it went into reverse again and hit the gas. Nailed the wall opening and blew the mirror completely backwards. Amazing it did not break. In fact, this is how I found out the mirrors sway fully in both directions. Good on toyota for thinking ahead. However, a few beeps to tell me I'm in reverse in a serious situation doesn't cut it.

I'm often up in the bush on very high, death quality, dirt roads. On occasion, you meet an ending and can't move any further forward. Fallen tree, wash out etc. Backing down the road is simply not an option. A turn around in a very tight space is all that is available. On one side is the mountain, the other, a rock face hundreds of feet or more below. Back and forth by mere inches until the truck rounds and is facing downward.

With the gears the way they are, it seems very easy to slip up and hit the wrong gear causing lights out. What the hell was toyota thinking on this one?

My opinion is if they thought that 1st and reverse should be closer together for faster shifting action, then the shift should have been over left and down beside 2nd gear, not first. This way they are closer and faster then a traditional shift pattern but not in the same area - side x side. The warning beeps just don't cut it under a stress situation.

Any thoughts or comments....?

T

 

Sorry to hear about your luck. I have the 6 speed manual and the reverse is next to first gear as well. However, I think it is very easy to tell when you are in reverse, as you have to push harder to get it to the far left to access reverse and there is also an audible indication (beep) from the truck when you have selected reverse.

You will get used to it.

Welcome to TW!

 

Have to admit I did have the stereo on at the time. Instead of a beep, perhaps an electric shock through the seat would have produced better results. Just the same, I miss the old shift pattern.

Tyler

 

I think that having the reverse right up near first is a great idea. It enables much faster shifting between reverse and 1st, which is especially important if you are in a rut or mud, etc... and need to rock the truck. It is also handy for turning around on dirt roads / embankments when you don't have lot's of room and need to shift quickly. I have been driving my 06 Taco for almost three years and have never missed a gear. Reverse is fairly far over to the side and you have to muscle it a bit to get her over from neutral. I Use my truck for work and drive it in the bush almost every day and quite honestly I wouldn't have it any other way. Quite a few other makes (volkswagon for one) have had reverse up beside first for 25 years already. Ford also has reverse close to first on several models) But I guess if you are used to (the majority)American trucks it might be a jump or run against your natural instincts but with some practice I bet you will find the bonuses to it as I have.

Peace,

knotty

 

Fair enough, you've both made your case on this one. Don't get me wrong. This Toy is a pretty solid truck all around. I'll give you an update on this topic when I'm back up in the bush this season fishing. If one did not ask questions, there would not be pennicillin!

 

Having reverse in that pattern sucks...but what is realy cheesy on my truck is the parking brake. I feel like I am starting a lawnmower.

 

I've had a couple cars over the years with reverse near 1st. It just takes a bit of getting used to.

 

Yeah I had a v dub, it was the same on it. I like it next to first, that way I can quickly do burnouts in reverse then quickly switch over to first and do more burnouts.

 

I love that emergency brake, would you rather it be like most trucks with the emergency prake on the floor, gotta hit it with your foot, and release it with your hand! Nothing to say on the shifting though, my reverse is by 5th, although never had a problem rocking it out, but Im really quick with my hands!

 

The reason that first is next to reverse is for the ease of placement when building the transmission, and for the synchromeshing. I love the "old school" E-brake, I am just that way.

 

i have owned (and still own) vw's all my life and i guess i am just used to reverse being in the same spot. i do agree with the e-brake location. i always have to double check to see if i engaged it.

 

or worse, on my wife's 4runner, you press it with your foot then press all of the way to realease it. That sucks!

 

I hated the old E brake position. Don't know why just me I guess.