Manual transmission impressions at 220 miles

I'm still not used to this transmission, almost like I feel I only get "perfect" shifts half of the time. The others being acceptable, but not seamless if that makes sense. First to second if not taking 1st gear gear up in rpms, it seems clunky going into second. Normal?

Also, it may be because I'm a hesitant right now, being a new truck and haven't driving manual in 20+ years, but it doesn't seem to like 2nd gear at slow speeds. Like say if I roll a stop sign at 5mph, it's like it was a mistake to stay in 2nd gear but shifting from 2nd to 1st rolling has always been a no for me. I don't remember my 91 22re 5spd like this, but again it may be because I'm somewhat babying this truck. Opinions?

 

You have driven it a half tank of fuel. Come back in a year or two and let me know your impressions.

 

Part of the second gear at 5 mph is that this engine has the off idle torque of a riding lawnmower.

The transmission does seem to take a long time to break in, that said this is the most difficult vehicle I have ever had to be smooth with 100% of the time.

 

Sounds like every manual I have ever driven.

There’s a reason I don’t like the manual in these 3rd gens. Many do, but I find it clunky.

 

Stop insulting my lawnmower. Geez

 

At least I didn't say moped...

 

I think my 2nd gen was worse. I actually like the 3rd gen manual.

 

I don’t know if you have the v6 and 6 speed or the 4 and 5 speed, I have the latter, but I get what you are saying. I drove an 88 22r 4 speed mt almost 500k and I did some unreasonable towing and bogging(I was 16 at the time) with it and the clutch and transmission were solid for what it was. I bought my 2017 mt 2.7 2 years ago, like you after 20 years of not having one, and it was an adjustment. At first I thought it was me being rusty, I even stalled at a couple red lights, but a lot had changed in 20 years. They do things now for newbies like make the clutch soft and forgiving and it’s not the same. I know even then it was a hydraulic clutch but you still had more “feel” of where it was. I have put almost a 100k on it now and what I have learned is to drive it like you stole it. I also added a pedal monster to help reduce the factory mpg delay on throttle, apparently a cable worked too well so they made it by wire, and that helped as well. If you have the 4, it’s stronger than the 22r but they also made the Tacoma heavier than what my 88 was. Over time, I have found the sweet spots to shift and do so almost not thinking now whether accelerating or decelerating. Whether you have the 4 or the 6, I think you may just need time to get acquainted.

 

This thread seems to praise the effect Redline has on the MT. Might be worth a consideration.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...-manual-transmission-6mt-fluid-change.481719/

 

He has to have the V6 6 Speed, 2017 was the last year for the 4 banger MT.

 

As long as we are praising products, here is my endorsement:

Motorcraft XT-M5-QS, it meets the Toyota specifications and has a reputation as a "problem fixer" fluid for balky manual transmissions.

I changed to the Motorcraft at 30K. On the first trip around the block I was stunned at the improvement in smoothness, the transmission felt instantly "slicker".
I had experienced occasional first gear blocking and also the "crunchy" second gear shift, I don't shift (or drive) very fast.

Previously I was frequently conscious of the syncromesh working when shifting, I could feel it in the stick, it wouldn't grind but you knew it was there, after the fluid change the sensation was gone.

Motorcraft data sheet:

https://www.motorcraft.com/us/en_us...ull-synthetic-manual-transmission-fluids.html

Rock Auto had the best price.

https://www.rockauto.com/en/parts/motorcraft,XTM5QS,transmission+fluid,13630

 

In my experience, as long as it has the accumulator you'll rarely get a smooth shift out of it. A tune and accumulator delete does wonders.

 

I found that I need to wind it up a bit more than you'd think to get a smooth shift.

 

Did you just cut and paste?!

 

Been driving manuals my whole life and this one is a strange bitch. The first 1000 miles I thought there was something wrong with me.
Now @ 5000 miles I roll through it naturally, but it took some getting used to.


.

 

probably has accumulator

 

My ‘20 is nearly out of warranty. The accumulator delete is high up on the list of mods to be performed.

 

Coming from sporty cars it was very odd to drive, but 5k miles in and I don't even notice.
Check out this thread here on the Accumulators that are in the manuals


https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/mt-accumulator-delete-mod-adm-and-bs-thread.568303/

 

I highly recommend the accumulator delete disk, motorcraft unicorn tears synth fluid, and vf tuner. I waited over 95,000 miles to do the accumulator delete. Don't do that. It really works nice after it is eliminated.