bittersweet new truck day

I recently totaled my beloved 2nd gen taco in an ice storm, but from the ashes of loss comes new truck day!

I ended up finding a '21 TRD OR dcsb manual, and im so excited. My last truck was at 170k, so this new one at 75k feels like it might as well be fresh off the lot. I am just waiting on bed stiffeners to show up before I put the old bed rack on the new truck. The new one actually came with a Prinsu roof rack, which is perfect since my rack height bed rack is CBI (same manufacturer), so it should look really well integrated once it's all together. I'm also planning on removing the side steps and putting sliders on, but im not in a rush. Learning to drive stick has been nerve wracking but fun. Managed to get it home without stalling after a short lesson from the salesperson (though I did later stall it 4 times in a drive through because I thought I was in 1st but I was actually in 3rd).

 

Driving a manual will become second nature in a short time. I like to make fun of people around here who have three legs to operate a manual but in reality I went to automatic transmissions when my ankle would bind up and pop every time I dumped the clutch. Enjoy your new ride.

 

You will sort out the clutch thing…..
Congrats on the new truck, but sorry for your loss. I felt the same way when my 1st Gen was smashed

 

I give you credit for buying a manual without knowing how to drive a manual...

Enjoy the truck!

 

My 2023 AC is my first automatic in over 40 years of driving. It sucks the biggest donkey d&*k this side of donkey kong. I am gonna give it some more time, but I truly dislike losing the freedom of rowing the gears with a 3rd pedal.

 

agreed! ballsy as hell!

but yeah, OP, you'll get it in no time!

 

Sport mode! At least it let's you stay in gear/power range longer kinda like a manual

 

Sorry about yer old truck, but big congrats on the new one!

 

There were stick lessons available near me but they all seemed so expensive. I knew if I could just figure out how to get rolling from a stop, I could get it home and thankfully that was the case. I also carefully chose a route home that avoided any lights/stop signs on hills lol. Now it's just practice practice practice!

 

Been doing that... its just not cutting it. Will see what the next couple weeks bring...

 

find an empty parking lot and just learn where the clutch catches. once you get a feel for that-- it'll be smooth sailing.

 

Get a feel for letting the clutch out with no gas. Once you’ve done that a few times, you’ll pick it up pretty quickly.

 

Congrads on your new ride. You will get the hang of a manual transmission. Haven't had one for years but used to drive one all the time.

 

Hardest part for me with my Corolla that’s a manual , is hills . Once you get the hang of starting out on hills . Everything else will be easy . Just don’t get in congested traffic until you get the hang of it.

 

Nice looking new truck. Enjoy and best wishes during ice storms.

 

Gratz on the new one.
Give it a few days and you won't even have to think about how to shift anymore.

 

You’ll get used to it. All it takes is practice to build the muscle memory.

Using the handbrake would be helpful on steep hills for the first few times.

Other then that, congrats on your truck!

 

I think driving stick is all about finesse. you need to master feathering on and off the throttle without the truck bucking, especially in 1st gear. Dont be afraid to use the e brake on hills; pull it, give it some gas, and let out the clutch slowly, once you feel the truck pulling a tiny put the ebrake down, and off you go. if you ever start bucking, or burning the clutch, just put the clutch in, foot on the brake, and reset and try again. these trucks need some rpms to get going, so make sure you give it some gas to get going. you got this!

 

Out with the old, in with the new. MGM sure is pretty when it's clean. The rest of the time you will miss that silver truck.

 

Find open grassy field someplace, put your 2021 Tacoma in 4 Lo, try practice driving manual, one way to learn.