3rd gen tranny

Hey guys I'm interested in getting the tacoma I love the versatility, reliability of the tacoma and love the interior/exterior of the 2016 but I've heard the transmission constantly is shifting trying to find the right gear. I do alot of camping in the mountains and this would be extremely annoying for me. Has the issue been fixed is it really as bad as people say?

 

Depends who you ask... From my experience in my particular truck, shifting seems normal to me. Others will tell you it's complete shit...only one way to find out, Buy one and let us know how it shifts.

 

It's just different. For that reason, you hear a lot of complaining because the motor/AT combo in the 2nd gen was really solid. To many of them, the 3rd gen motor/AT seems like Toyota took a great thing and F'ed it up. Myself, I don't really see what all the fuss is about, but that's me. I have a 4th gen 4Runner that has the same 4.0L motor/4-speed AT that is in the older 2nd gens and, yes, it pulls better at lower RPMs and doesn't hunt nearly as much. However, I still have to come out of D and into a lower gear when pulling steeper grades, otherwise it will hunt all day long. I'm not really sure how the 3rd gen is much different in that respect. I've no experience with the 4.0L/5-speed AT that is in the newer 2nd gens, but I doubt it is any better than the 4-speed (seems to me it would be more inclined to hunt, but that's pure speculation on my part). If you're coming from a 2nd gen, you'll likely be disappointed with the 3rd gen unless you get a MT. If this is your first Tacoma, then you'll likely love it and shrug your shoulders about all the complaining.

Despite the negative opinions of a few, the '16 Taco really is an awesome truck. I've owned a lot of Toyota trucks over the years (not a 2nd gen Taco, though - see my sig) and I can tell you that I'm extremely pleased with my 3rd gen.

 

You'll have to drive it and see for yourself. Maybe drive multiple trucks.

Consider a 2016 4runner too. It may be the last model year of it before they screw something up like go away from BOF or put the 3.5L Sienna motor in.

4-speed auto was never available in the 2nd gen V6. And we all know the A340 4-speed is a great transmission, after all it was behind a 2JZ-GTE with much more HP and torque than a 3.5 L van motor Tacoma.

 

Works fine for me.

Today was the big test for me. Just went from NH to VT and back and it was fine. Not a ton of gear on board but many hills.

390 miles round trip. 20.4mpg for the first 355 miles then 24mpg for the last 35 miles home.

 

I stand corrected. For some reason I thought it was in the earlier 2nd gens before they moved to the 5-speed, but that was just an assumption not based on any real information. I do agree: the 4-speed AT in my T4R seems to be damned near bulletproof.

 

3300 miles on my 2016 TRD OFF ROAD, AUTO, DCSB and had no issues with the Transmission. I live in a hilly area to and the rest of the truck has been perfect none of the other Issues people have complained about !!!

 

Its those 2 model years that it came in the 4.0L V6 4runner, in 2003 and 2004.

280k miles on brother in law's 03 4runner with 4-speed. No trans issues or shift issues yet.

 

240K on mine, shifts like it did when it was new, and it's never been serviced. Been thinking lately it might be about time to do a flush, though.

 

If you don't need a double cab long bed, do yourself a favor and go for the manual.

 

I got 3k+ on mine and have to go up hills no matter what direction with speed limits of 50 and 65 and no problems with mine on the hilly highways here.

 

I think some people have no idea how to drive!

 

Im thinking its the person driving the truck specially since most you have no problems and some say its "Constantly searching" my truck now has a shift kit is constantly kicking down on hills for the most power so im sure driving the new tacoma will feel super smooth to me.

 

A better description would be to call it the WHORE motor.

Not like my 2.7, which is a proper lady, only associated with one vehicle. And that has NOTHING to do with the fact that it couldn't safely accelerate a Yaris.

 

But seriously, check around and you should be able to find a super clean 2014 or 2015 used. You'll save on it, you'll have factory warranty, and you'll have a truck that has a proper truck/SUV transmission.

 

The more the gears the more it will shift Dodge has an 8 speed. They are smother (less transition between gears) and more efficient. It the same as a Tundra trans.

 

Go drive some one else's truck Dodge, Ford etc. they all shift a lot it's not just Toyota you will notice it more in a lighter truck.

 

Yea, I agree with maineah. I had a 2006 Silverado and it was so high geared it shifted out of Overdrive all the time. They gear them high to get more MPG at crusing speed. Most people don't even notice their car shifting around all the time, only us OCD sh*theads on this forum do. But we got other problems too. I'm sure the 3rd gen auto tranny is a fine product and will last a LONG time like everything Toyota makes.

 

A proper lady. Classic