Considering getting a 2023 TRD pro w/ 6 speed manual

I just took a look-see at the latest KissMyGrits spreadsheet and see there are only 72 TRD Pros inbound at the moment, and of them a whopping 38 are 6MT models; that equates to 52.777% with manual transmissions!

 

5th gives you better torque without needing 4th too often.

 

The TRD Pro knob is actually shaped like most knobs on big commercial trucks with Eaton and Spicers

 

Sort of. The ones I've driven still had a more pronounced knob than the Toyota. I never thought twice about them. The Toyota feels like a block comparatively. It's a truly minor annoyance but it's an easy enough swap.

It's also ugly with needless designs on it. Ha.

 

I ordered a TRD knob off an FJ. Light grey, TRD on the side with the shift pattern in the top. Just a nicely weighted big round cue ball of a knob.

 

Doesn't change my opinion that it's a terrible knob shape, and know I know two other transmission manufacturers that don't understand the human hand.

 

Do you actually have $60K to blow on a pickup?

 

How does 4H help tho ?

 

16k on mine now.

A bit noisy, almost sounds like a rear end whine. Only happens occasionally and I don't mind it. If it's bothersome for some reason usually just a different throttle position or slightly different speed has it go away.

Get the aclutch accumulator delete, really smoothes out the clutch feel, big improvement.

You do feel how crappy the engine tune is though. Toyota really screwed up here and the power delivery is chunky and throttle response is inconsistent. You really feel it with the manual.

Reverse is tall. Fine for day to day use but if you tow or use reverse for more than your average parking lot or driveway then get the 2lo mod.

 

I've only got 600 miles on my Pro 6MT and it's all smiles every time I drive it. The clutch engagement is vague but bypassing the accumulator should fix that. Clutch effort is light and I never have to think about it. It's very easy to drive and I don't mind the shift throws; after all it's a pick-up. I enjoy heel/toe downshifting (apparently a sensitive topic here) but the pedals aren't spaced appropriately for that. There's a forum member makes a spacer kit that brings the gas and brake pedals closer together.

I found the gearing between 1st and 2nd to be too far apart, just means you want to rev out 1st gear a bit longer if you don't want to bog 2nd gear too much. Like others have mentioned, reverse is too tall but all the other gears seem fine for normal use. Some don't like the shift knob but it works for my shifting style. Some use the same grip no matter what gear they're shifting into or from. My grip changes from 1st to 2nd to 3rd, etc.

 

It gave some extra pushing power and grip while backing up the slope. I was on grass so there was slipping along with useless reverse gearing

 

So far w/ my pro I find shifting into 2nd at about 15mph is the sweet spot, about 30mph for 3rd..... Generally shifting at 2500-3000 rpm gives the best shifts and no bogging it seems.

 

OP, I have a '16 6MT and an '05 5MT. They drive differently. I did own a 2000 5MT for 2 years before getting my '02 Tundra. I remember hating the suspension but enjoying the shifter and transmission.

My bro in law who owns a horse farm and drives lots of machinery including a 10 spd Freightliner when hauling horses prefers the '05 which I find interesting.

I like all 3 of my trucks for different reasons. As others have said, finding an MT Tacoma is hard enough, finding a Pro is harder, but at least if you do find a pro, 50/50 chance it's MT. Good luck to you.

And, yeah, you'll want to consider 2 low and accumulator delete, then if you don't manage to get a pro, replacing the stock OffRoad suspension. Of all the mods I've done, getting Fox 2.5's with DSC is the most enjoyable.

If you can find one, get behind the wheel. I didn't before buying (since I bought out of state and had it shipped) but now that I can drive mine back to back I really notice things. Third gen is just different. Not in a bad way.

 

Buy one and you won't regret it. You can always find/buy an auto especially as we go towards electrification.

 

I had a first gen 2.7 5 speed about 10 years ago, and drove it for quite a while. I've had a myriad of manual cars since then (WRX, GLI, Si, GTI), and just recently got a 22' OR manual. Obviously it doesn't drive like a sports car, but i find the clutch engagement and shifting to be just fine for a truck. Reverse doesn't seem too tall to me, and i tend to shift pretty leisurely so the light rev hang suits me just fine for day-to-day driving. The AT tune in this truck is trash (had a 17' AT), so the manual was a must when I was thinking of getting back in one.

My only gripe so far is how prominent the farm truck rattle is. I don't recall my first gen exhibiting the same behavior. There's a lot of slop somewhere in the driveline that causes a pretty noticeable rattle/clunking when going over bumpy terrain in neautral or while the clutch is down. Doesn't seem like a reliability issue, but it is annoying.

 

I'm reading the online specs for the 6MT pro in Canada, and there's no sign of the locker or atrac. Anyone know if these have been removed in 2023?

 

Anyone know the "brand" of the MT in these trucks. Is it Toyotas or do they use another brand? Like how the Tremec is used in some mustangs, Dodges, etc...

 

It doesn't, 4WD low does I use it alot with my camper and the 6 speed.

 

TRD cue ball shift knob is so much better than the stock knob.

 

I got the same one. Love it