The feel of a first gen manual transmission?

Would you guys describe the first gen manual transmission as being kind of a "rough" shift?

I don't know really how to describe it other than that it isn't smooth, certainly not as buttery smooth as my previous scion tC was (I don't expect it to be, it's a 12 year old truck) but I'm a little concerned that it might be an issue related to the transmission.

It's more clunky, if that's a good way to describe it. I don't hear or feel any clunking coming from beneath me in the transmission, it's felt more in the shifter itself going from gear to gear. First to second, sometimes to third takes a bit of concentrated effort. I don't ever have to force it into gear, but at times it doesn't feel like I'm far off from having to do that.

'04 4x4 5speed with 25k miles so the tranny is still a youngin' mileage-wise. Dealer did all the general maintenance prior to putting it up for sale, oil change and fluid check.

I could just be over-thinking it but since I have no experience driving a manual Tacoma prior to this one, I wanted to get some opinions if I could.

 

An 04' with 25k ??? The whole truck or just trans ??.... you MAY be over thinking issue

 

But def. not a "rough" shifter

 

Truck mileage is 25k....she's a unicorn

 

I probably am....been driving manuals exclusively for the last 12 years but they've all been coupes, just getting used to the feel of the Tacoma. "Rough" is probably the wrong word.

 

Lets see pics of this unicorn! And you could try replacing the shift bushing and replace the shifter ball with some oil on it, would help!

 

Probably is since your comparing it to cars w/manual trans you've had... Now a "hard" shifter would be my old 72' power wagon....haha

 

This is a pretty good idea, check all points of connection shift linkage wise & replace hardware as necessary..

 

thanks! I'll definitely look into that

I started a thread with pics a few days ago here: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/pics-of-my-new-to-me-04-finally-got-to-bring-her-home.425217/

 

I had a 2000 tacoma that was a 5-speed. Having driven other manual vehicles (cars, not trucks), the transmission on the Tacoma was certainly more "notchy" feeling. A fluid swap for a GL-4 fluid, such as Redline MT might be in order. I did that and it helped smooth things out nicely. Though, to be fair, I had far more miles on my truck than 25k haha!

EDIT: Congrats on the truck, by the way! Awesome rig. I read through your other thread...

 

WOW what a beautiful truck, I would venture to say one of the lowest mile first gens on the site. And all the right add ons! And yeah looks like your rubbing on your pinch weld weld you turn, new struts would fix this, but add lift. If your really really worried about it take it to a shop and add a 10mm spacer to the top plate. Cheap no hassle problem solved.

 

Kinda notchy but very solid, you know when your in gear.

 

I went from a Tc to a manual taco. It's most likely just the transition between car and truck tranny. I was wondering the same thing on a brand new 15!

 

Thanks! Yeah I believe the pinch weld is what it's called, it's the flimsy, plastic "flap" part inside the wheel well. When I make a hard turn the tire pushes past that and makes a real loud rubbing sound; sound a lot worse than it is lol.

I was thinking for the time being I might just trim that part back, it's not visible from the outside anyway. A lift is definitely in the future, but not for awhile

 

25,000 miles?

I hate you already.

My manual has always been a bit notchy, but nothing "rough" ever.

I might switch back to Toyota recommended tranny fluid. I hear it's thicker than synthetics and it might help with the notchiness.

 

Redline MT 90 - trans fluid. I found it made a very big improvement in shifting. Much more smooooooth.....

 

That's what I'm running now.

Made a little difference at first and now, over time, it's feeling pretty notchy.

 

have you checked your clutch fluid level

 

I've had a similar experience with it. It still goes into first and second better when cold which is nice. But the overall feel of all the gears has remained notchy.

 

Mine shifts like butter... strange /shrug

Notchy was my jdm spec c 6speed in the wrx. Do you have decent clutch travel? Maybe youre shifting too fast remember we have hydraulic clutches they are going to feel different than a brand new coupe.