2020 Tacoma, improved auto transmission?

I have a 2018 Tacoma and never liked the auto transmission with the constant shifting at highway speeds and dead spots in town. Yes, I had the TSB preformed that’s supposed to fix this, but I never noticed an improvement. Last week I viewed a YouTube video where they were talking to a guy that helped develop the upgrades on the 2020 Tacoma. He said the transmission has been reprogrammed to do away with the busy shifts at highway speeds. I believe the transmission is the same as my 2018 but with updated software. I hate the way my truck drives now and would love to have the 2020 fix. So, do you think this refash will be available to us?

 

Sure would be nice...

 

I love my 2019, but despise the constant shifting as well. If only there was a fix...

 

OV Tune might be worth looking into. It made my MT 100x easier to drive and way faster. I think the AT guys love it even more.
https://youtu.be/M-GfsUFw9oo

 

My truck only has 10,000 miles on it but trading it in for a 2020 is a consideration at this point. I’m glad they have great trade in value.

 

I'm pretty laid back so the shifting doesn't bother me as much as it could but it is kind of a pain, I'd be interested to see if it gets fixed or if the software fix is available under warranty. The shifting issues were fixed up until a couple months after having larger tires installed - stock to 33s. If anything I'll probably leave it for a regear to 4.88s or OVTune, or both. Probably both.

 

Get a stick and quit ur whining!

 

The chief engineer of the Tacoma recently said the auto trans was re-programmed to try and mitigate the gear hunting, based on customer feedback.

 

If that info is true, I don't see why there wouldnt be a new TSB to address the shifting. Assuming the trans is the same which I'm sure it is. I just purchased OVTune so i'm not too concerned anymore

 

It's a good chance some of the shift points and power has been crippled so Toyota can meeting their EPA targets for the fleet.

Just get an aftermarket tune on the truck you already own (unless you have cash to burn.)

 

I think that was the TFL video if I remember correctly. I believe they also said that the before mentioned trans software for 2020 had already been included on the 2019. Comparing my 2019 to my 2016 both V6 2wd autos, the 2019 shifts way way better and holds gears much longer. I used to keep ECT on with the 2016 but don't with my 19.

The only hunting I've noticed is when taking off from a stop light and getting up to speed, if I don't give it enough gas it will go into 5th/6th too quickly and then have to go back to 3rd or 4th before I reach 55mph. A second minor one is on the hwy, cruise control may only need 5th gear but will go to 4th first then to 5th before it holds the gear.

By contrast, cruise control was unusable in my 2016, it would downshift and get to speed then upshift and loose speed repeating the process over and over and over.


EDIT: Found it, start at 13:05 if your interested.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hELXIudcew0

 

I'm happy with the transmission honestly. The only thing I wish they would improve is the rear diff.

 

I believe he means that the 2020 will come with the TSB with the torque and transmission reprogramming, which you appear to already have received.

 

^^^This is the take away that I got from the video that i saw.

I should have my truck paid for by the time the 4th gen. comes out. I would consider a trade-in if they offer a twin turbo inline 6 from the Supra.

 

The 4th gen will be out sooner rather than later. If the TNGA-F (Body-on-frame Toyota New Global Architecture) on the Tundra is already getting leaked along with camo-pics, then it’s coming out soon. When the TNGA trucks/SUVs start to roll out, it won’t make sense for Toyota to operate two separate lines just for the Tacoma. The 4th gen will share the same TNGA-F platform as the Tundra. The cost savings of a shared platform will probably force an early release of the Tacoma 4th gen.

 

So I'll show my ignorance, but I assume this means the Tacoma would get even bigger? If so, why would it even make sense to build a Tundra and a Tacoma?

 

My understanding is that the Tundra, Tacoma, Hilux, 4runner will all share the same architecture but different length cross-members and axles, and different wheel bases would result in different sized trucks.

 

I interpreted the engineer's comments as saying Toyota has worked on the tune specifically for the 2020 Tacoma. In other words, an updated tune separate from the TSB's.

That's just what I felt, not based on any facts.

 

Me too. Never had a complaint about it.

 

That’s my understanding also.