Undriveable 2021 TRD-OR - HELP WANTED

I've typically been using the 'manual mode' set in S5 to lock out 6th. It definitely helps, but it is still unlocking the torque converter every time I go up a hill (or dropping to 4th if I have a headwind). Again, I really believe that the problem is not that the truck can't hold a gear, it's that the computer won't let you move the throttle at all without a downshift event occurring. I've got 3" of pedal (75% of the throttle) at the ready, but the computer will only use it in a lower gear.

 

I think you are confusing torque with horsepower. Horsepower is dependent on RPMs. The HP equation (if you don't already know) is torque x RPM / 5252 Yes this engine can make 280 horsepower, it uses the RPMs as a significant factor in making that 280 HP. It's downshifting to give you access to more of that horsepower that you paid for.

If you come from an old school v8 truck this behavior feels odd because they had torque at low RPM and didn't need to downshift. These use higher RPM to achieve the same end goal they just need to shift to do it.

Also these engines has relatively high compression for regular gas. It might also be downshifting to prevent detonation and knocking which is harmful to the engine. I have found that my truck downshifts less if I run premium. Not worth it $$$ but does make it run smoother.

 

Yeah, I was really trying to pull at the heartstrings of the tacomaworld audience...

 

Even with a manual Taco I get no acceleration on hills in 6th gear. I usually have to go to 5th to accelerate.
That's with 32" tires, KDmax tune, and about 400 extra pounds over stock.
Now the hills I'm talking about are midwest hills so not pancake flat but it ain't the Rockies.

The Tacoma is a v6 not a v8. Don't think of it as driving a truck but driving a brick shaped minivan.

 

Well it didn’t work, sorry
Sell it, be sure to test drive next vehicle and enjoy life.

 

I'll try the 'magic button' again next time I'm on the highway. I've tried it for the pedal response issue, and it certainly didn't help things. Honestly, after the tune, I'm not even sure what it does...

 

Regardless of what you think … no mod will “fix”this.

Given your mods and the power delivery of this truck. I’d cut my losses and start test driving other trucks that may suit your preferences better.

the shifting was the reason I sold my first pro and got a manual one instead

 

Let's see you put 33's on a truck that already hunted for gears and you are being cheap and trying to tune it instead of doing it right and re-gearing your truck.

 

I'm in the Midwest as well, so I'm definitely not going up any steep grades over here. I appreciate hearing the experience of a manual owner. I think I'm ready to accept defeat on the downshifting issue. Sounds like my expectations are way out of wack with reality (well, Tacoma reality, anyway). I'm sure a set of 488s would help, but I'm still not convinced it would hold gears even with those.

 

Any recommendations? I don't think they make a manual in the access cab (I need a 6' bed), so I think new Tacoma is probably not in the cards. I've looked for used Rangers, but those seem really few and far between. Maybe I need to go back to full size.

 

The last of the 3rd gen access cabs can be purchased stick shift but in the Sport trim and not off road trim.

 

fwiw, with stock power and bigger tires my 6speed did not perform well in 6th on any incline at any speed. i was manually downshifting to 5th or even 4th all the time. overdrive is really only meant for saving gas when stock power, i.e. long, flat, smooth driving.

magnuson fixed that

 

Fair enough. I definitely should have driven it more during the test drive (lesson learned), and I'm certainly going to put smaller tires on when these wear out (assuming I get that far). Funny thing is, I put 35's on my F250 XL and it had NO impact on anything other than the speedometer and the gas mileage. I think that was what I was basing my experience on, but again, apples to oranges...

 

Welcome to the forum

I just spit my tea on the keyboard...

 

Good to know. I'll keep my eye out.

 

What are people shelling out for a supercharger for these things? Is that a better option than a regear, in your opinion?

 

a lot. i bought it from magnuson's website. i'm keeping my truck forever. also the 6speeds have a shorter rear ratio.

with the automatic the best results are with both the SC and a re-gear. there's no cheap way to fix what you're experiencing if you just don't like how it's designed.

there may be an hptuners trans reprogram available? but even that would be a band-aid solution instead of just fixing the root issue.

rest assured though that a supercharger and a regear will 100% fix your problems. just a question of $. it's going to be close to $10k which i personally wouldn't spend on an automatic. just get a manual if you are extremely picky about the gear selection.

 

Your "solution" is to buy a 2nd gen with the 4.0L V6 and 5-speed auto. This engine has a lot more torque is is "drivable" without having to downshift 2-3 gears on the highway.

 

That's pretty much the exact amount I was estimating...

 

I'd also probably be putting about $20k in my pocket, which would be a nice byproduct of this 'upgrade'... What are the chances I can find a Gen2 in Wisconsin that's not rotted to shit?