2019 Tacoma V6 Transmission Fix

Can't quite imagine what another 12" would gain that would be worth the additional cost.

There has to be decent alternate solutions to whatever you're trying to use the bed for.

 

Again, i am in the market for a 2018 (or 2019) Tacoma V6 TRD LB 4x4 but would really like to be certain that Toyota is not going to re-flash or re-engineer software for the transmission for 2019 after all the shifting issues (understand it was to improve gas mileage). Is there any way to get advance insight into changes for the 2019 TACOs? Is there a magic date when Toyota releases specs on the new models? Dealer does not seem to know anything. If everything is down pat the way it is set-up, I would perhaps (still need to drive then 2018) go ahead with a 2018 purchase (with discounts for year end from the dealer).

 

@R Powell How many of the same threads are you going to create? I just responded to the other one and then saw this one. Step away from the keyboard and go test drive.

 

Why not go and test drive a Tacoma instead of complaining about how it shifts? Sounds like a Ridgeline might fit you much better than a Tacoma.

 

If you just need another foot of bed, get a bed extender.

 

Only if you know an insider at Corporate.

Yes. But only they know what it is. That's why it's magic.

But it should be close to them advising the dealer network when initial materials will be arriving.

Either way, you'll never really know about the depth of detail for transmission programing until you test drive one.

Not all units behave the same way now. So a test drive in a truck you are not buying should be considered 'generic'. As far as a variety of quirks, noises, vibrations and shifting go, ONLY the truck you are purchasing matters.

My guess? At the end of the day that extra foot of bed is going to cost you $10k.

 

All those complaining about drums are silly . My Tacoma stops firmer and with less effort than my 4 runner with those disc in the back. To be honest the drums are better for the truck. Disc would be silly

 

You need to start your own thread on this topic, 'cause it can totally derail this thread.

And if you really want it to blow up, tell folks what kind of oil, filter and change frequency to use too.

 

I have a 17 OR auto and have experience with the older 4.0. There’s nothing wrong with the engine or the shifting in the 17. It is different. The engine will wind up if you stomp on it, but you’re not going to hurt the 3.5. I just use the ECT button occasionally. Sometimes I think what needs to be retuned is our expectations. If that doesn’t work, and sometimes it doesn’t for me, then get OV tune. I don’t expect Toyota will be changing the platform much. They are aware of the pros and cons with the old vs new platform.

 

I regularly get 25-26 mpg for segments in mine cruising at 55-60

Tank average at work is normally 23 doing oilfield roads and pavement

No issues with the way it drives. It goes faster if I push the pedal down and it sips gas if I am gentle.

 

Over the years I have driven a number of pickups off road on a regular basis. Rear disc brakes collect debris, especially in wet, muddy conditions. I don't plan on driving my '18 TRD in those conditions. Would be nice to have discs but the drums work fine.

 

Pretty sure you typed every word I would have said. Honestly if I had taken it overnight, would have never bought it. 8 day owner and its going to the shop for the second time this Wednesday coming. The transmission has me wore slick. Not trashing the truck, however when a truck makes 21 shifts in a 6 mile stretch of road I drive twice daily, something needs to change. No its not hills up and down, just slight grades. I have been on this road average 5 days a week since 1976 and never had any vehicle do this. :/

 

I keep hearing these issues about the auto trans on the 3rd gens and no one has addressed the bigger problems with the manuals. I can't text, eat, or hold my lady's hand without having to shift everytime. And those 6k rpm shifts. I hate that it just feels right. Oh, and my younger buddies just don't wanna borrow my truck.

 

I hope this guy does us all a favor and buys a ford. They can deal with him in their forums

 

I rented a 2018 Ford F-150 and drove to Yellowstone from Phx. It is a perfect truck. That 20 speed transmission or whatever it has was always impressing me. It had like 4 or 5 modes: sport, haul, economy, red, blue, green. Idk. It was really nice. The eco-tec engine was powerful and the only issue I had was that everytime it shut itself off I panicked that it wouldn't start because I'm used to old cars that suck.

So if he bought the ford he'd probably like it. Just sayin.

He should rent both and drive cross-country and make his decision after that.

 

I bought a 2019 Tacoma TRD Sport over Thanksgiving week. I owned an '05 Xterra up until this point. I have not owned many vehicles and don't drive all that much.. so take my findings with a grain of salt. Over the years, I got used to the quirks of the Xterra including the transmission, and I can say there is definitely a difference between the Tacoma and the Xterra (obviously)

Every time I put the Tacoma into a different gear - P to R, R To D, the thing just CLUNKS into the gear. It shakes the entire truck. It's not a fast CLUNK either. Then when I am trying to pull out and make a fast turn, I am finding that I cannot do it like I did with my Xterra. I have the V6. I know it will give me the power eventually, but it just takes soooooo long from when I press on the gas to when I actually get the speed I want. You know how the transmissions will go through the gears as it speeds / revs up. Well every time the Tacoma goes through the gears, its a noticeable fraction of a second engagement each gear with a nice CLUNK.. that rocks the vehicle.

The transmission is not as responsive as the 05 Xterra.. which has to be saying a lot about almost a 15 year difference in tech.

I am going to be bringing the truck into the dealer in the coming weeks to get the underside.. treated I guess (truck is kept outside, I live in an apartment). I intend to ask them what's going on, but I suspect it will be the "as designed response" I knew that a new vehicle would have its quirks, and my intention is to just learn to live with this "quirk" if it is one.

 

Mine does not clunk. The shifting between D,N,R etc, and throughout the gears, feels very solid on my auto. No complaints, but I don’t have a lot of experience with Nissan so I can’t comment on whether they have a softer touch.

 

The new trucks are awesome after OVtuned. Good before Ovtune

 

With the Xterra you felt nothing. It would just seamlessly flip into and out of gears without any delay. With this Tacoma, I feel every gear change rock the vehicle with a noticeable engagement delay. However, like I was alluding to, this could be normal behavior and me just not being used to a Toyota.