Atkinson Engine

Coming from a 5th gen 4Runner to my current 2017 last winter I was like WTF just about every time I drove it. 15k miles later it just seems normal. However I will likely tune it. I like the idea of the gear lock tunes so you can keep it from downshifting. Most of the 17 Toyota 4x4's I owned in the past were manuals. But since the second gens I just don't like the ratios of the six speed. I had an 05 2.7 I bought new with a 5 speed and loved it. Every time I drove a six speed V6 I didn't like it. And I really would prefer a manual. But you can't buy a DCLB manual anyhow.

 

I don’t understand - why are folks against the automatic trans downshifting and why do they want a gear lock tune that keeps them in a taller gear for passing? Isn’t that the whole purpose of the automatic, to choose the gear that hopefully makes the most sense for the scenario? My frustration with automatics comes from them not wanting to downshift when I need them to.

The automatic Tacoma has a very tall set of 5th and 6th ratios combined with a motor that makes very little power down low….it needs to downshift. I just can’t imagine getting a gear lock tune that keeps me in 5th or 6th when the motor is struggling and needs to go to 3rd or 4th for the situation.

What am I missing? Keep in mind I have absolutely no experience behind the wheel of an auto Tacoma so besides the complaints here (which are all over the map), I have no idea how they drive.

 

Some people (not you) assume gear hunting equates to downshifting. So when they hear about it on here they pay attention to their next drive uphill and see that it downshifts. They then believe there's an issue when in reality there isn't any problem at all. The exception being early 3rd gens having actual gear hunting where cruise control is set on the interstate and the truck will constantly upshift and downshift. That was pretty much resolved via TSB's.

My biggest complaint are tunes that separate the downshift at interstate speeds so much that it takes a lot of pedal input to maintain speed up step hills or to even gain speed when traveling on the interstate, just to "eliminate" "gear hunting". *Insert air quotes here*

 

Thanks, that’s about what I figured. Hunting is annoying, downshifting for a reason isn’t. Factor in how tall the ratios are and it just makes sense. I’d regear a stock auto if I had one just for much better drivability but I’d guess they don’t really have programming issues like the TW masses seem to think.

 

I smiled.. Didn't I ask for early downshift on WW?

 

My 22’ has just over 1000 miles now and it’s fine. I am used to the ZF 8HP in my M340i and also the 5th gen 4Runner. Initially, I disliked the 6AT due to it shifting too early and then having to downshift immediately, and also occasionally hunting. But after driving it a while it really does modify the shift pattern. It doesn’t shift too early anymore and is totally fine. It’s not nearly as fast or as smooth as the BMW (obviously) and is similar to the 4Runner.

 

Sure did! But my goal isn't to just make you smile Vlady, I want to bring tears to your eyes while you smile. It'll happen one day.

 

Looking forward..

 

The new f150s have had a 10 speed trans since 2017/2018...

 

I have a hard time understanding these automatic transmission complaints. My truck performs smoother than some in the past with perfectly timed shifts when its needed, even the cruise control works exactly like the one did on my tundra ....no complaints there either.

 

Same here no complaints at all about my Taco AT but I will tell you that when I do boot it she goes crazy, sometimes very scary.

 

In the commercial F250 line, the 6-speed is still standard, the 10 is only in the fancier lines. Should have specified I guess. The 6.2L V8 engine config still comes with the torqshift-g 6-speed automatic even in 2023. It does the job.

 

I’d rather just have the 6 speed automatic than a 10 speed or whatever the next trend for auto trannies is. All the people who complain of this trans shifting too much with 6 gears, how do ya think it’s gonna shift with 4 MORE gears, lol? And say goodbye to S mode with a 10 speed (which I love and use all the time on my truck). These aren’t school buses or 18 wheelers, they don’t need 10 fugging gears in a mid size pickup. It’s all becoming like men’s razors… how many blades can we fit onto one little razor to shave the same face.

 

…but its a Ford…

 

Buy a manual.

 

I wish I bought a manual… that is until the other day when I threw a set of 255/75/17’s on, night and day difference in overall drive-ability. I do have the OTT tune but didn’t seem to help my ‘21 TRDOR much, shifting was still erratic.
The change in tire size (SL load Duratracs) seemed to nail the sweet spot for my truck.

 

Shifting still bad with OTT? Wow.

 

Talk to ur tuner. My truck with OTT shifts perfect

Glad to hear this tire size works well

 

I did talk to my tuner, we tweaked it twice. All OTT seemed to do was hold the shift points longer. That being said it felt like an overall improvement immediately after the tune, but it seemed to revert back after a few weeks! I do live in a hilly area with very windy roads so the shifting issue is very noticeable.
Honestly this tire size + tune combo is perfect for me. I was seriously considering selling the truck due to how poorly it drove.

 

Glad to hear

Any photos of the rig with the new tires installed?