Is 5sp much better?

[RiverRat37]

Other than the milkshake factor - In any circumstances does an automatic do better than a 5sp when 4wheeling? I've only owned autos but right now I have the opportunity to buy a 1997 5sp with 171k miles for around $2600... Thanks

 

[masphx]

Buy it and let us know

 

[RiverRat37]

I'm trying to... convincing the wife that we actually "need" another vehicle is another story. I told her if we got the 5sp that she could have my 99 Limited. I'm trying to make her understand that every couple needs at least 2 3rd gens LOL

 

[masphx]

Haha, same with me. My gf does not like driving the 5speed around town so now we are thinking about another 3rd gen (an auto). The 5speed is fun. If u are doing technical offroad a auto is less stressful.

 

[masphx]

$2600 is a steal if 4x4 and good condition. E locker? Seach auto vs 5speed for the different opinions on that subject.

 

[RiverRat37]

I'm not sure about a locker I've only seen pics of it so far. If it DOES have a locker I'm buying it whether she likes it or not.

 

[RiverRat37]

Damn check this out... the guy just texted me and told me he sold it today. Just my luck... Oh well that just means more money going into my 99 LOL

 

[KidVermicious]

Stock for stock, the only thing a 5speed has over an auto when wheeling is better compression control, which is useful for controlling your speed. The advantage the auto has is the torque converter, which lets you nose up to an obstacle and just throttle up until you get over it. If wheeling was the only criteria and a crawl box or doubler wasn't realistically going to happen, I'd take an auto.

But if you want the best of both worlds, go with the five speed and add a doubler or crawl box (or both). Crawling with super-low tcase gears is heaven.

 

[RiverRat37]

Around here where I live we don't have any really rough 4wheeling like we used to. Our best places in the mountains are now being made into "real" roads and houses are being built by rich Floridians...

 

[99ToyoRunner]

I have a 99 V6 5speed...and the only disadvantage to owning a 5speed is not all your friends can drive a 5speed so if you're doing a long distance drive...chances are you'll end up having to all of it yourself because your friend can't drive a standard...that's my only problem owning a 5speed haha

 

[RiverRat37]

I've owned 5 straight drive vehicles and loved driving them all but I have never owned a 4wd straight drive. Manual is definitely funner to drive IMO.

 

[MyHigh]

I have a 99 V6 5speed...and the only disadvantage to owning a 5speed is not all your friends can drive a 5speed so if you're doing a long distance drive...chances are you'll end up having to all of it yourself because your friend can't drive a standard...that's my only problem owning a 5speed haha

Haha that's exactly the reason why I like my 5-speed....no one knows how to drive them anymore. Hell just a couple weeks ago in Washington an old lady almost got her car stolen by three thugs, until they realized her car was a manual and none of the pieces of sh...t knew how to drive it away. Lol gotta love it!

 

[MTD]

Gas milage would be my biggest blessing with the 5 speed. I got 14-16 with with my old auto and the way my truck is set up now, but with the 5speed and the same setup I get 17-20 mpg which is awesome!

 

[99ToyoRunner]

I get pretty good mileage with my 5speed...I average 21mpg highway when I do my trips to NY every now and then. It sucks how manual transmissions are being phased out...I really don't like driving automatic cars...they aren't fun in my opinion. You have so much more control with a manual car

 

[LittleCaesar]

When my auto craps out for one reason or another, I'm swapping it out for a R150.

 

[JohnMc]

We have 2 5 speed 4Runners, my wife's '96 and my '99 Highlander.

I like the manual 99.5% of the time. That remaining .5% is when offroading on big rocks and ledges. Sometimes 1000 rpm in 1st gear/low range is still a bit faster than I'd like to go, and I either end up doing a frantic 3 pedal dance and getting the clutch a bit toasty, or just hammering over stuff.

A crawler box would solve that last 0.5% though.

 

[MTD]

Sometimes 1000 rpm in 1st gear/low range is still a bit faster than I'd like to go, and I either end up doing a frantic 3 pedal dance and getting the clutch a bit toasty, or just hammering over stuff.

A crawler box would solve that last 0.5% though.

I did notice this being an issue this weekend...

 

[pluton]

AT can completely fail without warning.
MT usually starts making noise long before it needs service.
I buy used cars with 100,000 miles on them.
I get MTs...that's the only reason.
If I were buying new, I'd get AT.
If you never travel 100 miles from the nearest paved road in your 100K or 200K miles vehicle, then you're probably OK with an AT.

 

[RiverRat37]

HAHA I've never traveled off a paved road that far and don't even know anywhere in the NC mountains that you could... Thanks for the replies

 

[T4R2014]

The automatics are far from unreliable. The are probably one of the most reliable as long as the fluid is changed often. With that said, the auto sucks a lot of power compared to the manual. It all depends on your needs.