Frustrated with my 6 speed

When towing heavy, like more than 5k I run 5th on the highway. Truck loves it, rarely have to downshift and get better MPG than 6th.

I towed 1200 miles last year on one trip, with a lot of weight (like more than most would consider) ran 55-60 mph in 5th the whole way and averaged 10.5 over the whole trip. Lower in the mountains when the truck saw a lot of 3rd gear.

All in all, the 6spd is wonderful for towing. I can't help but think that with the exception of reverse it was designed with towing in mind..

 

Adjust the nut between the steering and the seat lol

 

^^ yep.. that was pretty awesome.

 

X2

 

The most frustrating manual I have driven. not including broke ones, is a 1970's case loader 5spd. Pretty sure it has no syncro's and there is definitely not a hope of any kind of speedy or thrilling shifting. Being said, it is buttery smooth when you get it right and impossible if you don't.

 

Smart Ass!!!

 

I noticed this as well. I didn't try it until towing, because going from 1st to second (around 3,000 rpm) left the truck absolutely struggling in 2nd gear. I ran it up to 4,500 rpm in 1st after that and the shifts were great.... started running it up the same way without a load and things were much smoother.

I was just getting on the highway today with my auto and noticed how much I don't miss dicking around with shifting in this truck. It would be different if it was powerful, but with a lack of power I found I was frequently shifting to optimize power output. Slower shifts really made it feel much slower in general too.

 

I've got over 200k on my 6speed. Its not THAT bad. I rarely use 3rd or 5th, even when I lived in the foothills. 1-2-4-6 virtually every time. I mostly use 3rd and 5th in 4WLo. Skipping 3rd solved a lot of my bitching about this tranny.

 

3rd comes when you tow and 5th is perfect for cruising while towing

 

I picked up my new truck about a week ago. It took me awhile to get the hang of the shifting too. I finally got it down by the time I was in 3rd gear.

Joking aside though, I read a bit about this tranny after I ordered the truck and was a bit nervous about it. The dealer didn't have a 6 speed on the lot for me to try so I went in blind. I didn't bother finding one to drive because I had no interest in an auto and hadn't yet read about the "crappy gearbox." I almost ordered it with the short shift kit but decided to hold off. Glad I did because I think there's absolutely no need for it. After reading about the "insanely long throws" I wished I'd got the short shifter factory installed and almost ordered the kit before I even got the truck. Turns out the throw length is EXACTLY what I would expect for a truck like this. People talk it up so much that I was expecting something along the lines of my buddy's Ram 2500. I find the shifting to be positive and it couldn't be easier to hit the right gear. There is some minor notchiness sometimes but certainly nothing I would go out of my way to complain about on the internet.

The only thing that can be a little touchy is waiting for the heavy flywheel to wind down between 1st and 2nd. Maybe the complainers don't understand the concept of matching revs before letting out the clutch. The "I've been driving stick since I was in diapers" crowd will scoff at that comment, but the vast majority of people who I've been in a car with do not properly match revs upshifting or downshifting. A lighter flywheel is more forgiving when you do this.

 

Glad to hear you're enjoying your new truck. I agree with everything you've said, but the flywheel comment. The problem on these newer engines is not the flywheel but the throttle hang that is programmed into the fly by wire throttle system. The manufactures are doing this to help reduce emissions, but it takes some of the fun out of a manual.

 

Ah good to know. I read the comments about drive by wire being annoying but wasn't sure what exactly they were referring to. Maybe flywheel effect is a better way to say it. Flywheel or drive by wire, proper shifting goes a long way. Just felt like chiming in because the 6 speed haters had got me worried about my decision to special order so I could get a manual. Now it seems like they're probably a vocal minority. I'm going to change the fluid to redline this weekend. I ordered it before I got the truck. If I'd driven the truck first I probably wouldn't have bothered, but now I've got it so I might as well try it.

Either way I'm definitely happy and I'm glad Toyota continues to offer MT. Now I can't wait to start modding this truck. This forum is a great resource!

 

Woah just realized you have a pro and are in seattle. Come visit us over here! http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/north-west/224544-nw-wa-meet-thread.html

 

Sweet I'll check it out.

 

I like the comments of "my Honda did shift like this" Well of course it didn't smaller gears front wheel drive with the diff in the trans case (no back lash) much lighter vehicle etc.etc.You'll find any rear drive truck to be clunky after driving a front drive car.

 

No trouble with my 09 6 speed. Around town typically shift around 2500rpm, very little stop and go traffic, average 18-20mpg winter/summer with about a 50/50 mix of streets and freeway and usually skip a gear or 2. Love the 6 speed especially on vacation (Rockies or Ozarks).

 

I learned quickly these 6 speeds are the strongest trans when my 3rd scyros went out. Besides that the trans is nice to drive I feel. Good for towing and mountians. I wish 6th was longer for better mpg on the highway but it works fine for my needs.

 

I run 5th when I tow heavy. A taller 6th for empty highway may be nice.

Maybe we could call a gear company, send them the 6th gear gears and have a custom set cut with a taller ratio.. Would depend on the clearance available in the trans..

Has anyone had one apart to look?

And the 6spd is awesome for Towing. To me it is worth the MPG loss empty.

For one thing, towing heavy I have had high temps on the auto, even with the cooler. And the auto shifts like a mad man, sometimes with the auto I felt like it was going to explode the truck when it would slow and downshift twice until the RPM's were in the stratosphere.

The 6spd, towing heavy has never been an issue. Even did the touch it on the stops checks to make sure it was not burning hot and it was much cooler than I expected.

 

Any one know what parts are required to swap the FJ 6th gear into a Tacoma - basically the same transmission, only different is 6th gear - .79(FJ) .85(Tacoma) - all other gears are the same.

 

maybe easiest to fj trans and taco transfer?