Transmission shifts a little rough between 1st and 2nd a low speed

I just purchased my first Tacoma! I bought a used 09 Tacoma sport pre runner with 83k. I love this truck,but the transmission shifts a little rough between 1st and 2nd gear at low speed almost like it lunges a little. I've changed the Fluid with Toyota WS and didn't help. I've read online that this is normal? I've also read There's a TSB on this O703-10 but those people transmission problems seemed a little more severe. Is there a way to fix this or do I have to just live with it????

 

Welcome to TW!

Yes, the 1-2 shift is & always will be horrible. Other than getting a manual transmission, learn to live with this

 

Huh, never knew this was a problem, I have an 06 4.0 auto with 138k and my shifts are all very smooth.

Might want to specify your transmission model #, or at least if your a 4.0litre or 2.7 and im assuming auto?

 

Thanks.
So you don't believe the ECU re flash would fix this problem?

 

Yes 4.0 auto

 

Not sure if you have seen this thread yet but tons of good information in here:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...th-pics-for-second-gen-4-liter-trucks.289913/

 

Anyone else experience the noticeable 1-2 shift at low speed?

 

On my "new-to-me" '09 4.0 DC the 1-2 upshift is at times (lower speeds as you describe) noticeable; not horrible or jarring, just noticeable. I have attributed this to the relatively wide gap between the 1st and 2nd gear ratios

Here are the gear ratios for all 5 gears:

• 1st: 3.52:1
• 2nd: 2.04:1 (a 72.5% "higher" gear)
• 3rd: 1.40:1 (45.7% "higher")
• 4th: 1.00:1 (40.0% "higher")
• 5th: 0.72:1 (38.9% "higher")

You can see the ratio difference between 1st and second is 72.5%; that's a pretty big jump from a lower to higher gear. Combined with the engine's high torque at low rpms (see dyno chart below) and "largish" mass of the driveshaft, axle and wheels/tires it is inevitable that it will be noticed.

Tacoma 4.0L:


FWIW that is a pretty damned good looking torque curve for a V6...

 

^ JEZUS, never knew the v6's torque cuve was THAT flat. damn, no wonder why it feels like it has much more balls than my dads 3rd gen 3.5L at low to mid rpms.


Also, yeah the 1st to 2nd shifts can be a little abrupt at times, especially when cold, no way around it but its FAR smoother than my old 2001 chevy... that thing would chirp the tires between first and second it shifted so hard.

 

Thanks, for the info it's just like you described more noticeable than anything. Seems like its normal and I don't need to bring it in. I was thinking of having Toyota reset the computer on the transmission,but I think I'll just let it be. I've had this truck about 3 months and I'm loving it!

 

There is a 2009 TSB for a/t shifting issues Http://www.paladinmicro.com/images/Tacoma/TSB-0373-09.pdf--however it references the 2-1 downshift. This was performed on my '09 by the Toyota dealership from which I bought the truck (they made sure all TSBs an recalls/etc had been done), so I have no idea how it would drive without the update. The TSB makes no mention of the 1-2 upshift...

 

The 2-1 shift on my truck seems fine. The TSB I was reading about was 0703-10 I think this one was more related to the 1-2?

 

There is an old transmission TSB for 09's for a lag or hard shift between 1st and 2nd , I had it done on my truck . I believe the tranny reflash was subsequently included with the brake override reflash so if your truck has had neither of those done that may solve it

 

Mine dose it

 

Not bad tho

 

Mine can have a rough shift, especially when cold. These transmissions are very reliable though. Very few problems ever happen.

 

Same^^

 

Mine (05) shifts smooth.

 

Thread revival!

So I've noticed here in the past 2-3 weeks, I've been experiencing similar symptoms with my 2015 V6 Auto. Transmission is smooth as butter in 1,3,4,5 & is great from 5 all the way down to 1.

I've noticed lately that on acceleration when the transmission shifts from 1st to 2nd there's an ever so slight hesitation, and then the first few RPM's of 2nd gear are slightly rough. It feels exactly like a manual transmission feels if you shift to a gear too early with that kind of seat vibration you feel in your butt. It's not jarring, doesn't rattle the whole truck, but it's noticeable to me. Happens most under light to moderate pedal, only in 2nd gear.

Is it generally accepted that this is fairly normal on the 2nd Gen autos?

Not sure if related but I did install a 3-Leaf AAL a few weeks back. I realized after the install that I forgot to re-install the factory angled shim between the bottom leaf and the axle. Took everything apart, re-installed with the bottom angled shim, and feel like that's when I noticed the 2nd gear roughness the most. Wonder if re-installing that shim with the AAL may have thrown some angles off? But like I said this only happens in 2nd.

 

Revived again! Any updates on this condition and any fixes?