Shifting Advice

Hi guys, I'm still adjusting to shifting my new tacoma 1st gen V6 4x4 TRD year 2000. I don't drive too much so it's just been a few drives so far. Sometimes the shift isn't perfect, so I'm wondering if there's anything I can do to improve. So far it seems like shifting at 3000 RPM and finishing the shift by 2000 RPM is good as it seems to want to be at about 2000 RPM. It seems like if I'm accelerating faster maybe up to 4000 RPM, I might have to wait for the engine to slow down before the gearbox seems happy shifting into the next gear. Basically the odd feeling I get is that the gearbox isn't always totally happy to go into the next gear, so I move it partway there, wait for the gearbox to be happy to move, and it will allow me to finish pulling the lever into the gear. Also it can be pretty hard to pull into reverse all the way. It'll stop like halfway there and I have to retry pulling it or pull harder. Does all this sound normal? The transmission fluid was changed just 500 miles ago so I doubt that's an issue there. It often shifts flawlessly, and it seems like it might be better when it's warmed up. I just wanted to make sure I'm going to be ok transmission-wise.

 

I have a 1998 TRD with a manual transmission. If I had a penny for every time I shifted the thing I could buy a new TRD and pay cash. No problems shifting.

Sounds to me like the clutch is dragging, or (less likely) you may have a problem with the tranny sycncros. When was the clutch last replaced, and how many miles are on the truck?

 

My 2004 4cyl 5 speed shifts similar to what you are describing, I have had many manual transmission vehicles and this is by far the notchiest trans I've ever had.
What you are describing is common, search the forums and you'll see lots of other complaints.

 

Thanks I was hoping it was normal. There is never any grinding or failure to get into gear. It's just not always a smooth effortless process to get it into another gear. 150k miles. I'm not sure if the clutch was ever replaced.

 

Sounds normal, the 5 speed in these first gens is notoriously "notchy". That being said, there should definitely not be any grinding or the need to 'force' it into gear. But that notchy feeling is normal, I was concerned about it too when I first got my truck a few months ago so I had Toyota check it out just to be sure, and everything was normal.

I assume you had the regular fluid put in when you got it changed? A lot of people on here swear by the Redline MT-90, 75w90 GL-4 fluid for these transmissions. Supposedly helps the shifting feel much smoother. I ordered some recently and plan on switching my fluid out myself here in the next week or so to see if it helps.

 

The previous owner changed the fluid. Maybe I'll call the shop and see what they would have used. If it's not Redline I'll probably try it. One question for you guys: Does the shifter work smoother after the truck warms up? Also do you sometimes notice that the shifter happily slides into gear with minimal force, and sometimes the transmission seems to say "hold on a split second" and then it will slot into gear with minimal force. If I would want it to shift faster in this scenario, then maybe I would have to force it harder.

 

My 4 cyl likes 3k rpm shifts the best. Doesn't like down shifting if I push in clutch and don't shift right away, I.e rpm's come down to idle. I replaced trans fluid with penzoil 75w90 GL4