auto love?

I have to agree. My auto is just fine. I test drove a '17 last summer and hated the auto in that one. Thankfully, I tried again and loved it. I didn't want another manual. They're going the way of the dinosaur anyways.

 

Is transmission overheating really a problem of autos while off roading? Anyone ever have any issues? Seems many MT guys use this as an excuse against autos in off roading. But judging from the amount of autos on the scene, what’s the deal? Sorry for any noob-ness

 

In the past couple of years I've been in a couple situations where someone's automatic trans in a Taco started overheating and we had to stop for a bit, one was a 2nd gen and another was a 3rd gen (offroading). Autos are just more prone to overheating than manuals, that's always been an issue with autos especially for people that tow a lot or offroad heavily.

 

Is it usually during hot temps and more long serious sessions? At what level of wheelin does one get a aftermarket cooler?

 

Overheating an auto is like burning a clutch plate, typically it isn't a problem if you drive right. Not saying it doesn't happen, but my crew doesn't seem to have problems. I've never seen an auto trans overheat. Plenty of radiators spewing their guts, but never a trans overheat. (I typically wheel in Moab during the summer, so it's hot as hell.) As for what level of wheeling causes trans overheating, well it's going to be far beyond a stock vehicle. And once you jump on the off-road mods bandwagon you'll never be finished. By the time you reach the point of needing a trans cooler it will seem like a simple, cheap project.

Bottom line - if you move beyond the auto and manual fanboies, transmissions are boring and have the least impact on off-road capabilities. Tires, suspension lifts, flexibility, axles, lockers, skid plates and driving ability are far, far more important. My advice when someone asks "what kind of transmission should I buy" is, auto. If you think the big boys on the playground will kick sand in your face because you have an auto all I can say is when they make your truck payments they can have an opinion on the transmission. Till then they can go fuck themselves.

But, If you want a manual, then buy one. IMHO the question of which is better, auto or manual is kind of like asking what color is better. The correct answer to transmission or color questions is, what do you like? (insert your answer here (Mine is White Auto)) go buy that.

 

Both times I recall were during summer, so it was hot out. And both rigs were definitely heavier than stock (armor and bigger E rated tires). And now that I think about it, both trails involved a lot of 4lo climbing that led to the trail breaks for the trans to cool down. Won't see that happen to a manual, but manuals have their own offroad challenges (burning the clutch being one of them).

 

This!

 

Yes. I think it’s a lot of old school wheelers that preach manual. My buddies who wheel ... 2 have manuals, 3 have autos.

 

I've burned up 3 automatic transmissions, but they were old 700R4s without any electrical components... nothing but a throttle valve cable. If a guy preaches manual over auto because of this, it could be his only frame of reference.

Sign of ignorance in our times. "It's not a sports car... it doesn't need a manual." It is a TRUCK. Trucks are meant to pull heavy and carry heavy loads, which is precisely why manual transmissions were still offered in trucks long after cars were only offered in automatic. Sports cars, likewise, have high power demands and, therefore, still have manual transmissions. "Fun to drive" has nothing to do with why manuals are offered; once upon a time it was all they knew how to do and therefore the only option. As technology evolved and autos started proving their worth, vehicles that were more utility than transportation still used the old technology because it was tried and true under extreme conditions. Why does a semi have a manual if autos are supreme? Because look at what it's used for.

Hands down, no matter what you're doing with it, (off roading, hauling, or towing) an automatic will ALWAYS be easier to drive. People enjoy easy and that's why manuals get phased out... nobody can drive stick anymore because nobody HAS to drive stick anymore.

In the case of the Tacoma, the only real advantage the manual has over the auto is gearing. If identical gearing had been placed in an automatic transmission with a 4.30 rear end, I wouldn't have even needed to consider a stick. But the Tacoma ATs are just geared too high, so I didn't even consider one because I use my truck like a truck.

 

Ha, good post but bet you'll get flamed for this one. Because these AT's can't be used as a truck, right? Breh- its still a tacoma. You want a TRUCK, this is the wrong vehicle lol.

 

So what does this mean, older autos had heat issues over newer modern ones I assume?

 

No that's not what I meant to imply. It's not my intention to offend. The high gears in the AT are useless for anything besides A to B driving, and since I don't just do A to B driving (hence using it like a truck) I like the lower gears of the MT.

I drive a Spartan 1500GPM CAFS pumper for work. It's got an automatic. Doesn't make it any less of a truck, but it's also geared for its job.

 

In my experience, yes. Haven't ever heard of any new vehicle (post-2000) burning up a transmission.

 

But again, you're basically saying the AT is useless for anything but driving from point A to B on the street. All because of a transmission. Don't a lot of people wheel and tow with their ATs no issue? Not trying to be confrontational, just clarifying.

 

I'm saying the high gears in the AT are useless because it's geared for low RPM operation behind a motor that makes all of it's power at high RPM. Guys who "off-road" aren't driving at 70mph, so moot point. Guys who tow with autos have to use S4, which is direct drive. That's fine too if you want to listen to your motor scream. With a manual I have two additional high gears that I can still use when I tow. Remember the AT 4, 5, and 6 gears are 1:1, 1:0.69, and 1:0.55. The MT is 1:1, 1:0.85, and 1:0.73.

I can, and I do, tow light loads in 6th at 70mph no problem. The AT can't do this, nor will the ECU allow it.

 

OK so you weren't saying AT is useless off road, more that a MT really shines for towing. I get that.

 

Exactly. As a matter of fact, if I were an off road guy I would PREFER an auto because it's easier and I wouldn't worry about burning up a clutch.

 

For me in the sport, I'd want MT. I think for the OR, I'd want auto, solid snake.

 

I really don't think this can be said enough. The more I learn the more I realize its just one big beautiful money pit.

 

I often wonder if people will recognize my avatar. I was 14 when that game came out in 1998 and thought it was the best thing ever. After college I pretty much grew out of playing videogames, but once every couple of years I'll drag out my old PlayStation and spend an evening back on Shadow Moses Island...

Ah, nostalgia.