Manual or automatic?

I like the simplicity of the 6MT and the potential longevity over an automatic. I have replaced a couple of auto transmissions over the years, one before 100k and another at 225k, but have driven a few MT vehicles to 300k+ and not had an issue with the manual trans. In fairness, they got a little notchy towards the end and could be stubborn at times, but they never let me down.

I also like the fact an MT vehicle can be towed without worries, bump started if need be, easier to work on, and cheaper to maintain. I have only replaced 1 clutch in 48 years of driving and that was at 275k miles on a Mitsubishi Montero.

With respect to the Tacoma, the auto will cost at least $1,800 more (if you can find one without additional packages that seem to come with autos), and if you believe everything you read on TW , it will require an ECU reflash ($400-500) to make it run/shift correctly, and then need a regear (5.29's if you are "serious" ($2250 -$2,500) so you can sit at a better RPM for more torque and efficiency and something closer to the stock MT gearing.

If you tow or hard core wheel, then the auto has some advantages but the above listed mods then become more important. Everything's a compromise and every buyer/use case is a bit different. In the end it's your rig that you drive and are responsible for so take all our comments with a grain of salt - just coat that frame early so no salt can get to it and enjoy your choice.

 

I’m in the “manuals are fun but unnecessary” camp.

 

Been all over the east coast with my camper and 6 speed I hate a transmission that can't make up it's mind. Much better towing control. Parking, low range great control first gear. I would fall asleep with an automatic! You haven't lived until you have driven a Mack triplex!

 

^this^. He's posted this same post, almost verbatim, in the last couple of manual vs auto threads here.

 

I wouldn't be driving a tacoma if it didn't come in manual.

 

Manual cars and manual trucks are two different things. I think its a valid query as they drive much different and you don't often tow with a manual car.

 

If the RC series manual transmission was designed for sports cars why was it never used in one? They've been exclusively used in their trucks and SUV's (Tacoma, Hilux, HiAce and Furtuner). Many industries have switched to automatic due to having to attract employees, many of which cannot drive manual. What does old trucks with manual locking hubs have to do with the 3rd gen 2LO mod? Your post is nothing but opinion and misinformation. Perhaps you should co-host with Scotty Kilmer!

 

I mean, he’s not wrong and does have a point about the hubs. Going into 4LO with hubs unlocked will allow the same amount of carnage as one can do with our 2LOW mod. But people who are dedicated enough to do the 2LM probably are capable of also understanding the risk and acting accordingly. But, he isn’t wrong about the risk, should someone somehow not understand that risk.

I don’t agree with a single thing he said about automatics being better or the way to go. I will never understand that line of thinking, ever. An automatic can be beneficial offroad so you aren’t working a clutch on rocks in tight situations. Otherwise, there is nothing on the road an auto really does better than anything else. The only reason modern manuals suck is because the manufacturers want them to.

 

I’m not sitting in Bay Area traffic with an MT.

 

My first 3 Toyota trucks had manual hubs and transfer case. 2lo wasn't a mod back then, it was a factory option.

 

I will never understand the line of thinking that says that there is no reason to choose a manual except a sports car, autos are better, yada yada. Why? Tell me exactly why? What is better? Isn’t that an opinion? The ONLY place I see where autos are the “way to go” is on super tough rock crawling and even that can be mitigated with super deep gearing on a manual.

As for towing or general daily driving, why is an auto better? Autos like to be in the highest possible gear at any given moment and with modern programming they refuse to downshift until I floor the gas pedal or at least go to 60% throttle or so. Then because I’m using the throttle so much, it wants to haul ass up to a higher speed when all I really wanted it to do was drop a gear and speed up moderately instead of just lugging in the gear I was in. What part of any of that experience is good? The people who like autos are the ones who don’t care how the drive goes. And that is fine, but that doesn’t make them a no brainer choice to buy or the “go to” transmission.

Traffic is a poor argument to me as well. Traffic sucks, but your right leg is still busy with an auto. And I hate having to hold the brake to not creep. Traffic just sucks regardless of transmission.

It comes down to personal preference, plain and simple. There is nothing that makes a manual “only for sports cars”. That is just a personal opinion like any other. Personally I think autos are “only for lazies or disableds”, but I don’t go around touting that as fact. Get what you want, but it’s all a preference and opinion thing, not fact. Manuals are fine and if it’s what you want, get it. If you want the automatic, get it. If undecided, drive both and compare specs. Just the gear ratios of the Tacoma automatic make it an absolute no-go for me. Add in the fact that it’s an automatic and I dislike them and it’s not even on the table as an option for me, at all.

 

Yep, I wish those days came back. I’m going to convert my Jeep to hubs Within the next year. Mainly to stop some front driveline vibes on the road at high speed but a big benefit will be the 2Low capability.

 

I understand that but if traffic is moving at all I still fine with idling speed. I'm also so glad I live in the boones of western Maine!

 

My solution for traffic is gear it low and creep in my low 1st as long as possible.

 

^^this^^!!!

 

Nah, you just put it in your descriptor. Like meeting someone from California. You always know they are from California, because they tell you in the first 2 minutes of conversation.

 

Yep.

 

My 2021 is a 6MT, and wouldn't want it any other way. My only gripes are:

1. It only comes with a short bed
2. That shift into second gear is super jumpy (probably just the way I drive it)

 

Any risk running 2low in any combination depending on configuration is no different then the risk of running a selectable 4wd truck in 2wd. There are cog locked to the engine/tranny output fractions of a millimeter from another cog that is locked to the driveline. The potential for false engagement is always there, whether it is a module glitch or accidentally bumping a shift knob. If the system is truly understood, then you would know there is inherent risk just getting into your vehicle... why start worrying about the 2low mod... life is too short. Enjoy your vehicle, risks and all...

 

I agree completely. The risk is no reason to shy away, it’s just a reason to use some common sense and caution. The 2LM is great and one of the most useful changes you can make.