Gen 3 - gear ratios in the manual tranny look better for towing.

Comparing some specs 4x4 AT vs MT, the AT has bigger jumps from 3 through 6, and a taller final drive ratio. Unless there is some torque converter slip magic happening, the MT would give you closer spacing in the top gears and higher overall RPMs for more gear choices and overall better towing heading down the road.

Here are the final ratios for gears 1-6 given 4.30 rear end in the manual and 3.909 in the auto.

MT AT
1st: 17.114 14.04
2nd: 8.686 8.151
3rd: 5.676 5.811
4th: 4.3 3.9
5th: 3.655 2.691
6th: 3.053 2.262

Thoughts?

 

Don't all weigh in at once, now!

 

I think the takeaway is 4.3 swap the auto!

1st: 17.114 14.04 15.48
2nd: 8.686 8.151 8.987
3rd: 5.676 5.811 6.407
4th: 4.3 3.9 4.3
5th: 3.655 2.691 2.967
6th: 3.053 2.262 2.494

 

4.3 swap the auto? Sorry I don't follow. Is that 3rd column of numbers for a different auto tranny?

 

No, swap a 4.3 third member into the auto.

 

Ah re-gear the diffs. Got it. That still leaves you with a larger jump gear splits from 3rd through 6th for the AT. The MT is closer ratio and will give you finer control.

And we're saying that a stock truck with MT will give higher highway RPMs than AT that has been re-geared? I'm feeling better about towing with my MT all the time

 

Well depending on weight or grade you won’t be past 4th gear so may not be too bad of an issue anyways. Plus autos always have the advantage of hillstarts, which feels terrible on your clutch. But for everything else or lighter loads, yeah I’ll stick with my manual.

 

I've been happy with the gear ratio in my 2nd gen manual transmission for the same reason, better ratios for towing. Also no worries about overheating transmission fluid in a manual.

For hill starts if you're worried about that, use the handbrake.

 

I finally got a chance to do a quick shake-down tow with the manual transmission. Pulled my 4000 lb travel trailer on the freeway through the hills south of town. The freeway on-ramp is a long uphill grade (city street that turns into an on-ramp). On the steepest part of the hill, I ran WOT in 3rd turning around 3000 RPMS. I hit the bottom of the hill doing about 45 and was doing 60 by the time I merged into light traffic at the top, which is great. On the other hills I was in 4th holding 60 and gaining speed in 3rd. On the flats the rig towed just fine in 6th gear at 60 to 65. I did have to anticipate the hills, though. I needed to downshift before the rig began to slow or else I'd lose 5 mph very quickly.

 

Very nice info....I’m debating between Tacoma or a bigger truck now for getting camper

 

How big of a camper? What sort of camper? The Tacoma seems well suited to tent campers and small to medium size travel trailers (~4500 lbs or less) but I think it is not really enough truck if you're over that.

 

Probably in the 35-4500 range. Small 18-22’ maybe slideout. Maybe a hybrid with popout ends? Can’t decoded just like I can’t decide on a truck. I’m goin to look at a truck tomorrow it’s a 17 model trd off road with 6 speed. 7k miles salvage title.

 

I just pulled my 3900 lb (dry weight) camper over the coastal mountain range (750 foot summit - big whoop) and back for a camping weekend at the OR coast. In the hills, the Taco definitely had to work to keep speed. Steepest hill had me in 3rd running 3000 rpms for 40 mph. But it did it.

On the flats I could easily drive in 6th.

MPG on the way out was 11.5. On the way back was 13.1. 150 Miles total. I was pleasantly surprised my the MPG; I expected 10. I wonder if perhaps the MT is more fuel efficient than the AT when running 40 to 60?

 

I too was surprised by the fuel economy when towing, expecting much worse than reality. Being a Canadian, my numbers are in L/100K, which is typically 14.5 ish, mostly city driving. When I head out for a road trip, which is usually hilly terrain around here, I would get 11-12 L/100km. Towing a 3400lb Rpod same conditions I am getting 18L/100km. Not great by any stretch, but really not nearly as bad as I had thought it would be.
Tomorrow I'm heading out for 9 days camping trip with 3 stops. I'll see how she does this go.

2013 6spd Manual