Frustrated with my 6 speed

I've put about 5,000 miles on my 2009 6 speed Tacoma, and my frustration is mounting. If I slightly let out on the clutch too much then there is a slight thud as if I'm dumping the clutch. I also struggle to achieve smooth shifting between some gears. It feels like there is a 1.2" gap where 3rd gear is and I'm blindly trying to put a 1" diameter rod into it. Sometimes I can get a very smooth bump free shift into third and other times it's like I was slightly off and the shifter doesn't glide in without the sensation that I bumped the edge while going into gear. I'm not grinding any gears, and it goes into gear, but it doesn't feel perfect. Am I putting too much thought into this? I can tell that I tend to shift better when I'm not thinking about it, and I just throw the shifter without any thought. I've driven everything from old Toyota 5 speeds to Corvette 6 speeds, and this is by far the most frustrating manual transmission I have ever driven. Anyone else shared these frustrations with this transmission? I want to feel like I'm driving a Toyota Tacoma and not an old dump truck. Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks for letting me vent.

 

It should be driven like a dump truck.

 

X2

 

Wonder if this would help or make it worse.

http://urdusa.com/store/Short-Throw-Shifters-URD-Short-Throw-Shifters/c106_73/p1230100023/URD-Short-Throw-Shifter-05&%2339+-Tacoma-4.0/product_info.html

I installed one on my 5 speed. Sometimes it's a bit tough getting into first from a stop (maybe 10% of the time) but it shifts very nicely while moving.

 

I thought the shifting was extremely sloppy and odd feeling when I test drove a 4.0 6 speed. When I test drove the 4 cylinder 5 speed it felt much better.

I have no words of wisdom but shift it like an old dump dump truck.

 

Bleed the slave cylinder and if that doesn't help, most likely it's the slave cyl.

 

Stop using the clutch to shift. You only need the clutch to start from a dead stop. I have always floated gears in my tacomas (1999, 2006 and now 2014) and have never had this issue, however my wife uses the clutch and I know exactly what your talking about...

 

Not everyone's born to drive the 6 spd.

 

I have some documentation at this link that may help
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/te...ation-your-6-speed-transmissiom-write-up.html
.

 

its the 6 speed MT.... its a meh transmission at best get used to it.

 

Yeah the manual transmission is my biggest problem with the truck. Been driving manual for years and I still almost kill it every once in awhile.

 

I never have a problem.

 

TRD Quickshifter FTW! Love my 6sp! No problems here!! It does take a little while to master smoothness .

 

trd quick shifter makes shifting more enjoyable. definitely worth it.

 

I love driving stick! That being said I am glad my Taco is a AT. I will keep the STI for a stick

 

It takes some getting used to. I never quick shift my truck. This transmission reminds me of the old Chevy 4 speed I used to have. If I think of it that way, I really like it. If I think of it as a modern transmission I am disappointed. The electronic throttle hang does not help either.

That being said, I rented a 2013 auto Tacoma for work recently. Did not like it one bit. I felt like I might as well be driving my wife's minivan.

 

It's crap, but it's better than a sloppo-matic!

Just bring it to the red line every time and it shifts great!

http://youtu.be/I6HsbROZJpM

 

Not as nice as the Austrian build Gertag six speeds our 08 Wrangler Sahara or the 07 Ram, but a whole lot better than the NP 420 we have in the two 62 Dodge trucks...

It just takes practice.

Howard

 

If it makes you feel better, the auto shifts harder as well...like its "dumping the clutch" kinda feeling lol

 

Yep, same here with my '14. It less clunky as it's been getting "broken in" but it will never shift like a sports car, nor do I expect it to. The difference is like night and day. When I alternate vehicles, I have to re-train myself.

Swapping the stock shift knob for a TRD knob was a surprising improvement. The knob is weighty compared to the stock knob and helps get smooth shifts. Use the palm of your hand to "push" the shifter into gear and let the mass of the knob and the transmission do the rest. Don't grab the knob like you would a baseball. Just "push" it in the direction it needs to go. Hard to put in words, but don't grab it tightly and force things.

Take your time; it doesn't want to go fast. I can't tell you how often people ride my tailgate from a stoplight and are surprised by the 1-2 shift. A lot of people have never driven a stick and don't get the slowdown during shifts. The Tacoma just exaggerates that effect with its ponderous shifting. I haven't been rear-ended . . . yet.