What have you done to improve your 6-speed manual?

The best possible mod for the 6 spd? Learn how to drive it.

 

X2

 

This has probably been covered but it's a truck transmission. It's not going to shift like a honda civic. It's designed with towing stress and abuse in mind. Ever driven a big truck with a diesel and 6 speed? It doesn't shift smooth at all. Just my opinion, stop complaining unless it's a real issue or buy an auto.

 

Your exactly right, but the six-speed in these trucks shouldn't be dropping synchros like its going out of style either.

 

This is true. I would consider that an issue that should be discussed. People bitching about how it's not silky smooth between shifts should buy a car.

 

Thought you'd agree. I didn't expect silky smooth, but I didn't expect to replace my trans at 130k miles either, it's a TOYOTA.

 

To self: sell truck by 130k. Check.

I put 80k on a Honda Civic. It was a great car. The Tacoma shifts better. (it's not that hard to beat when it's a 3' rod going from the shifter to the back of a transmission that moves back and forth with the motor)

However it has nothing on the Fit. That tranny in the GD3 was the epitome of stick shift design. I swear the case was filled with greased monkey snot.

 

Installed TRD Short Shifter while I was at it, I drained original fluid and put in Redline MT-90, this was when my Transmission had 10,000km on it.

 

Drained the fluid at 5k and filled with BG Syncro Shift II and a tube of BG MGC. Doesn't feel like the trans is filled with sand anymore.

 

Redline MT-90

 

4th to 5th grinds like a bitch at higher RPMs. Shit syncro. Replaced about 1k miles ago with MT-90, seemed to help some but still happens a little. 60k miles. OH WELL.

 

exact same thing..............once in a while at higher revs 4th to 5th. Dont bother me to much. When I do a fluid swap maybe Ill do the redline.

 

I used that in my Mustang and it made a huge difference. I'm not experiencing any problems with my transmission other than it shifting like.... wait for it....... a truck

 

It's thin like MTL, see that 75w80 on the bottle.

In general, if all else is equal the thinner the fluid the easier the shifting, but the less protection for the gears under high torque at high temperature. That's why a cold transmission doesn't shift as well as a warm one.

That's why I say if using thinner than 75w90 it might be best to keep the towing down to a minimum. I'd postulate that an 85w (and maybe a heavy 80w) filled tranny would be at the same viscosity driving unloaded as a 90w filled one with a camper behind it, and as long as the lowest viscosity your tranny heat produces is acceptable than you're golden. Remember this transmission has somewhat small gears for the torque rating so it's relying on fluid strength and you don't want to be too thin.

I'd even go so far as to say that even if you have bigger than stock tires then 80w may not be the best choice. That added drag inevitably raises tranny temp somewhat.

That's one reason why Hondas can use MTF-II tranny fluid thinner than MTL, have awesome shift quality, and have the gearbox be the last thing that ever fails on the car - there's no long duration load to get that gearbox hot, even on the 6 speed V6s that make more power than the 1GR.

Then there's the warranty fun if Toyota ever wants to blame you for their 6 speed falling apart.

Wanted to say that before everyone goes out and fills their tranny with 80w... personally I think 85w is the thinnest you should ever have to go on this tranny, should the need arise.

 

Had a TRD Quick Shifter installed on my 2013. Super short throw, quieter shifting, better geometry and is like shifting a sports car!

 

Manual calls for a GL4 or GL5 in the 6MT. Plus I mentioned the MGC additive pack which should increase the viscosity and lower operating temps, not just straight Syncro Shift II.

BG also carries their own warranty on vehicles running their products, unlike Redline, Royal Purple or the like, so I'm sure I won't have a problem even if Toyota decides not to cover it.

http://www.bgfindashop.com/bgprotectionplan.htm

 

Don't get me wrong, I wasn't knocking your choice of tranny fluid. I just wanted to point out the whole viscosity vs temp relationship (which I inevitably screwed up anyway) because it will apply to some people and not others.

Short version, 85w unloaded and 90w with heavy trailer, likely going to be somewhat close in effective viscosity because the loaded tranny will be hotter. That's how you can get away with thinner stuff on a daily driver.

Want to drive Texas freeways with that sweet new travel trailer? Use 75w90.

What I find funny is that for cars like the yaris or corolla, they spec 75w90 and they don't shift so well. Some literally feel like a truck, but you can't blame it on being a truck. But, look back to their joint venture with GM - the matrix/vibe that got the same engine as the corolla - and what did it get for tranny oil? You (almost) guessed it, GM 12346190: 75w85 GL4!

 

Kinda late for me to be replying to this, but you couldn't have said it any better man. Automatics are pushing hard to get the manual transmission headed in the same direction of the dinosaurs the way I see it. I was more than happy to get a manual truck for college and that is exactly what I did, I wouldn't settle for anything else. Even my dad encouraging me to get an auto for resale value, fuck resale value. I use my stuff til it don't run anymore, my Tacoma will be driven til it quits running or for some reason it gets wrecked in an accident. Hope it can last for most of my adult life since I take extremely good care of my things. Some kids are so dang picky these days, I know a couple at my college that are so pro automatic they have even gone far enough to start bashing manual drivers, and saying how superior they are with their autos, really? Haha wow, kids don't know what they are rambling about. I only own one automatic vehicle, and that is because said vehicle was passed down to me from my grandfather when he passed so it is sentimental, otherwise I wouldn't have one.

 

Roadhead from S.O. will improve any problem with any truck any day of any week of any year. Typically it costs less too.

 

Agreed. It's a truck, albeit a sporty one. My 6 speed feels no worse than my wife's 2008 Volvo S40....which isn't too bad.