What I have learned about 3rd gen transmission.

A stiff headwind will cause downshifting/hunting. Use S5. Hills will cause transmission downshifting/hunting. Use S5. Big hills (mountain driving) will cause downshifting/hunting use ect and whatever gear appropriate for the terrain. If I follow these things I seem to have zero complaints. I'm just wondering if others with complaints have used S-mode and ect when needed?

 

Sixth works for me, holds just fine.

 

I just want to put it in Drive and have it perform/behave normally with decent power, smooth shifting and with timely response of power upon demand.

I do not want to have to shift manually, implement shift limiters, push Turbo buttons, etc.

I don't want to have to run down a Preflight checklist to get my truck rolling down the road with "normal and reasonable" driving characteristics.

 

left and back is hardly a checklist. Hold a piece of plywood in front of you in a headwind. Now you see why the trans is shifting blame the EPA.

 

If I wanted to worry about shifting I would have bought a man trans. Nice to hear you found a way to enjoy the way your truck drives.

 

Honestly, if this was just a 5 speed transmission without that overly tall 6th gear, nobody would complain about this truck. I use S5 exclusively 75mph+ and a lot of the time 70mph+. Truck isnt shifting all over the place and gas mileage is comparable or better. Take 6th out and I am happy. Although a 6th gear with the 5th gear ratio and a 5th gear somewhere between where the 4th and 5th is now would make for a damn good transmission.

 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't the 2nd gen a 5 speed with very similar gear ratios to 1-5 on the 3rd gens? Because that would explain a lot. The problem everyone is having with the 3rd gen is that it's shifting into 5th and 6th way to early. 2nd gens didn't have 6th so that's half the issue right there.

 

Exactly. Plus the last time we discussed this. It doesn't stop the truck from buzzing like a angry bee in 4th gear when the wind is blowing and you are trying to maintain speed. Maybe if S mode was a gear selector not a gear limiter.

 

Oh and FYI, I drive exclusively in S5 (unless I am going 60+, then I go to S6). I have 20,000 miles on my truck and am averaging 19mpg in winter and 19.5mpg in summer on DCLB Off-Road.

 

idk how close the ratios are, but it was definitely a 5 speed. I mean dont get me wrong. I like having the 6th because under 70mph the truck gets great gas mileage because that 6th gear keep revs so damn low. But 70+ it doesnt give the engine enough juice and then it waits too long to downshift into 5th and then to get back to speed it shifts into 4th. Dont ever let it be late to shift into 5th and all is good. at 70-79mph in S5 from richmond out through the mountains into WV it shifted into 4th i think twice.

 

Ditto. I also use S5 on the highway sometimes if I don't want to use the skinny pedal more. Wife likes the way it drives out of the box. I'll eventually re-gear (since we'll be on 33s and big heavy tires), and 6th gear should behave like S5.

 

Man this discussion is so

The complaints on the transmission are not just limited to 5th or 6th gear BTW.

Kickdown delays (when you need to accelerate), low end torque, shift flares/slips, etc. are all annoying characteristics of this transmission that many people driving 3rd gen autos have flagged repeatedly. There are probably over 100 threads on Transmission complaints alone in this Third Gen forum.

 

I hate checklists!

 

Beaten to death unless its a Tacoma trans flame thread and then you are ready to virtue signal.

 

SMITTY'S BACK!!! (Welcome back bro...you were missed).

 

Given that I have a way to drive it that doesnt bother me....i still plan on trading for a M/T. When it is cold, the slamming downshift into 1st is concerning. So I understand completely.

 

That's his version of the "bat signal"

 

I like it.

 

Wow 166 posts in ~10 years and I earned one of them. I truly am flattered, wise one.

 

Ive found that if I turn the stereo up loud enough and smash on the throttle I hardly notice my transmission down shifting/hunting.