I finally got to drive the manual tranny today, and I'm not sure I'm as excited about it as I was. This coming from a guy who would drive anything manual just because it was manual. I can't beleive how low the first gear is, and unfortunately, second is just a little too tall to like to start in either. Sure, you can do either, but DANG! I'd hoped for a '04-like 5 speed with a tall top. Nope.
Shifting quality is fine though, and while I could understand the complaints about getting into reverse, I'm sure it would either improve or I'd get used to it. Didn't bother me though. I am amazed at how long the engine revs take to die after clutching. They just hang out up there forever (unlike our 1.5L Civic, go figure). It did take a while to get used to the timing for the clutch to minimize the harshness, but that's a me problem, not a Tacoma problem.
Interestingly, I have read a bunch about front end wobble/shimmy. The truck I drove was a 4x4 double cab SR5, but ended up with the wheels/tires off of a TRD Sport. (Sport customer wanted 20" BBS). YES it had a BAD wobble. I felt it before the salesman in the back seat did, but at 60mph, it was dreadful. I assume it's just a balance thing, but hey, why so many friggin' Tacos with the crappy balance? Is this indicating some kind of extra chassis sensitivity to perfect wheel balance, or did Toyota just screw this up somehow?
When I was shopping around a couple weeks ago, Elmore Toyota in Huntington Beach had a black access 6spd that I test drove as well as the X-runner at Carson Toyota. I too was set on a 6 spd mainly for towing but after driving it, I wasn't sold on it anymore. The reverse is like any standard 6 spd-like most european cars but I found getting into reverse easier than a BMW,Audi or even a G35. The G35 tranny, you have to kind of push down then left and Bimmers, it's more like push left, click, then throw it into reverse. And if you think the friction point on the Tacoma is bad, you'll hate a Bimmer's 1st gear.
About the wobbling issue, I've read of two other '05 owners who had to bring their trucks back to the dealer to have the tires rebalanced. I have just over 500 miles on mine and don't notice any wobbling at all.
I drove the X-Runner twice, once on hills then another time ripping it into 4th gear...
I have to say the gear box wasn't clunky or balky at all... Getting into reverse was no problems whatsoever... I had to get into reverse maybe 5 times getting in and out of parking spots... Everytime I did it, it went in without a fight better than a brand new WRX (which I owned)
First gear was surprisingly short, and second like previously stated was not strong enough to pull a rolling stop sign... However the truck's weight and the generous clutch made it easy to roll in 1st...
I took the truck to a hair under 4K going all the way to 3rd and the truck does have a sort of wobble (maybe vibration) while pulling into the higher revs, however it wasn't a feel of unstableness... I think it's just the 4.0L engine doing it's thing...
I didn't get a chance to go into 5th or 6th, but theres never any fun after 3rd anyways... (3rd in this truck wasn't all that fun either, and 2nd was just like a 3rd gear in a mid grade car... I guess I'm spoiled by the WRX)
its not faulty tires, its just the wheels outa ballance, its amazing how just a small amount of missplaced weights or lack of one (when they fly off) its especially hard to keep the weights on aluminum or painted wheels, they have a tendancy to fall off under high speeds or hard jolts. I threw a wheel weight on my old ranger when i swapped to larger tires 3 times over the course of a month, finally epoxied the fudgers on there and never had a problem after that.
I drove a 6 spd manual access cab offroad TRD today. I found the shifting smooth. First gear is pretty low, good for creeping around parking lots or a worksite. In normal driving, I would expect to start in first and make a quick shift to second. With 6 gears, you have more shifts to play with, which is okay with me since I get way too bored driving an automatic.
Very little effort to push in the clutch pedal compared to my 97 tacoma, but about the same as an 04 I tried the other day. I kinda like the feel of my old truck clutch pedal better - feels more like a truck should.
Once I knew I had press a little harder to the left to get in reverse it didn't bother me making that shift.
Don't think much of that switch on the dash for 4wd, compared to the real transfer case lever in my old tacoma, but I guess that's where all 4wd's are headed.
Do you really need 6 speeds? well, the first truck I ever drove was a 3 speed Ford - that was too few for fun. The four speed cars I had were adequate. The last couple trucks I had with 5 speeds were perfect. Is there a design intent behind 6 speeds, other than sounding cool? Having both closely spaced gears and a big engine (compared to my old 4 cylinder!) seems redundant.
Bottom line, I would buy this truck with a manual transmission since I like manuals and this one works well enough, but try for yourself!
6 speeds usually become a gimmick unless you're taking a road trip and want to squeeze every mile out of your tank...
I don't even think I'll be in 6 often when I get my truck since I drive mostly local... So I'm not really sold by it to begin with...
I'd still say it has one of the best shift feel of any car, ranks right up there with your 25K - 30K sports cars... However everyone has to wish for a more brawny clutch in the future because these new sponge clutches make me puke...
Oh, one problem I did encouter tho is the clutch takes a while to travel all the way to the floor and shifting fast into 2nd made the tranny clank a few times too many for my likings... Shifting into 3rd with the exact same rythem didn't show any signs of clanking... Hopefully this dosen't transfer to the tranny in my truck...
I test drove the auto and the 6 spd. Auto is smooth, but I like manuals and was happy with its performance over the 35 miles I drove it. Hit everything from hills, twistys, and highway up to 80. Couple things I noticed: First is the 1st gear is indeed low. It'll tow great. I found on flat or uphill starts from a stop were fine in 1st. I used 2nd for rolling takeoffs (yields) or on downhill starts. This is no different than how I drive my 4.0 v6 Ranger now. At 70 mph the auto purred at a little lower RPMs than the manual in 6th. I didnt find reverse hard to find. Since truck has lots of power, easy to just skip gears if you want, 4th to 6th good example. Since I never spend time in "traffic", and love the control (especially on snow and when towing), I ordered mine with the manual. For you guys who have to spend time in stop and go, or if you dont like to slap her through 6 heel/ toes, the auto is nice too.
Are manual transmissions more reliable then autos or is that a thing of the past? I never hear of anyone having problems with manual transmissions, unlike automatics. If I do buy a Tacoma in few years (want them to work the bugs out of them, if they have any that is ) I'd lean more towards the manaul I think IF they are more reliable.
Yet again too early to tell... Every tranny is different... However, if you know how to drive stick comfortably... Then you should probably do so unless you have a good reason not to...
Stick shift usually provide more precise control over any vehicle... Also you usually save $ enough to change the clutch out once during the life of your truck over buying an auto... So if you're generous with your clutch, you can ride it the life of the truck and have however much you saved towards other fixings...
I bought my 05 TRD extended cab the day after thanksgiving and i have almosk 1k miles on it and i absolutely love the transmission. Personally i just love driving a stick, with the extra controll that it gives, and i like the six gears. Of course the last stick i owned was a 66 mustang 4spd, so i think the extra gears are great and its insanely easier to controll than that quirky old car, although that thing was soo much faster than the taco. but anyway the way i see it everyone should opt for the manual unless your just lazy like my roommate who uses cruise controll in stop and go traffic.
Thank God Toyota came out with a 6 speed. I use to drive an old 4runner 5 speed and loved the extra power you can get outta it going up hills, through corners etc.. As far as smoothness goes, all I have to say is wow, smooth like butter going in and outta gears, clunky footbox, not a spacious amount of room for a guy 6' + I have to agree with the 1st gear being too short, yes it is quick off the line, but after 20 mph you have to throw it into 2nd. other than that Im extremely stoked on going 75 down the freeway in 6th and revving 2500 RPM This trip from S.D. to CO next week is my true test for getting the 22 mpg and 400 miles to a tank!! keep on rockin yota fans!
05 6 speed manual
) I'd lean more towards the manaul I think IF they are more reliable.
This trip from S.D. to CO next week is my true test for getting the 22 mpg and 400 miles to a tank!! keep on rockin yota fans! 
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