how smooth is your taco? "six speed"

Hey, welcome to TN!

It's probably a combination of a couple things, but it's mostly the truck, imo. When I first got it I thought the truck was a little torquey feeling..or a little jerky on the shifts. But after a few more days of driving and better feathering on the clutch and accelerator things are all good now.

It just takes more driving and practice. have fun.

Its all about the fun!!!!

I work on a farm and all our tractors/trucks are manuals. I've driven everything from motorcycles to large Internationals with 2 speed axles. My Tacoma is definitely different than every other manual I've driven. I'm getting the hang of mine (purchased new 1 week ago) but I still make rough shifts at times... so don't worry, you're not the only one experience the same problems.

much more torquey than my wrx...probably because it has much more low-end torque than my wrx :dunno:

do you think a short shifter would help?

my 6speed is just fine. maybe you should learn to drive better.

ya thanks for the tip mike. that's what I am trying to do. I can drive standerd but I am finding it hard to drive smooth like an automatic. maybe the travle in the gears? (short shifter) The cluch needs to be popped or let out slow? Maybe may cluch need to be fixed. or...does it drive like a truck. what works for you ????? I try to keep around 2000 rpm maybe 2500 or 3000 max befor I shift. first is aways 3000rpm then second is 2000 and so on.

mine is mostly pretty smooth.

but i've drivven aroudn teh earth a few time in manuals

81shark said:

mine is mostly pretty smooth.

but i've drivven aroudn teh earth a few time in manuals

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I've put just about 60K (in almost 8 years) on my first and only manual.. so I'd like to think I'm fairly good at it. There is always a learning curve with a new to you car. No clutch ever engages at the same spot off the floor.

Haven't gotten around to shaving it lately so its kind of stubbly

-Mike said:

my 6speed is just fine. maybe you should learn to drive better.

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As sarcastic as this may seem, it is true.
I don't think it matters what RPM you are at, it all depends on how you shift. I can shift at 2000 RPM and 4500 RPM and still be pretty smooth.

A short shifter won't help, but a URD CAI and a URD MAF as well as Doug Thorley long tubes and a TRD SC will definitely make a difference. You should also try 97 octane..makes a huge difference.

Good luck and here is a kitty for you :Bruce:

I've driven sticks exclusively for better than 35 years and I thought the RAV4 was slicker than snot until I got the Taco. It's a really easy stick and clutch. You just have to get the hang of it. 3000 rpm sounds high for 1st unless you have a load or a hill. If the truck is rolling at all I don't even use 1st. Keep at it.:thumbsup:

aaronk said:

I work on a farm and all our tractors/trucks are manuals. I've driven everything from motorcycles to large Internationals with 2 speed axles. My Tacoma is definitely different than every other manual I've driven. I'm getting the hang of mine (purchased new 1 week ago) but I still make rough shifts at times... so don't worry, you're not the only one experience the same problems.

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I would have to agree, I too grew up on a farm, also in the National Guard. My experince with manual trans is pretty extensive and would have to agree that the Tacoma six speed is different than every other manual I have ever driven. There always is a learning curve with each manual trans. but it seemed to take me longer with my Tacoma than must other manual trans. There is times I am in fourth gear and on any other trans. I would maybe just be reaching third. I will say though I am overall very happy with my six speed and would not trade for an automatic. It just takes some time, it is just different.

-Mike said:

my 6speed is just fine. maybe you should learn to drive better.

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Seriously dude? thats a great tip (not) I have to agree its ALOT harder to find the "sweet spot" on these six speeds i think it just takes practice/time to get use to don't forget these transmissions have a very tight clearance around the syncrho's

Rev Match!! I have to give it some gas while letting out the clutch after it's in the new gear. Working out the balance in that eliminated my shift shock.

For the most part, you just haven't got the hang of your new taco. Let the clutch out smoothly will help, don't dump/pop your clutch while you start to feed it some gas. First gear is very low (4.10) so it take some getting use to. I usually shift out of first around 10 mph. As you put on more miles, it'll become second nature.

Another thing is to avoid 1st unless at a complete stop. If you can keep rolling for a stop sign, redlight, etc, just leave it in 2nd.

Yes, that's an important one: do not shift into first unless you are at a complete stop.

I recently had an alignment done, and the tech did a test drive (me as passanger). Before every stop sign, the idiot slammed my truck into first at about 5 mph. I can tell you that was a painful 5 minute ride for me! It's so useless also to do that! :ahhhh:

I drove a manual Ranger for 7 years. The manual Taco shifting seemed jerky and unrefined compared to the Ranger so I went with the automatic.