Manual Transmissions

[bryancostanich]

ok all, i have another n00b question.

in my search for a stick-shift T4R, i'm considering picking up an automatic and putting a manual transmission in. i'm having a hard time finding a manual transmission rig that isn't a million years old and a piece of ****.

questions:
-> if i picked up a 3rd or 4th gen, does someone make a decent manual transmission for it? how much? is it an easy drop in, or would it be a pain in the ass, given that a clutch pedal (+ clutch cylinder, etc.) will have to be added?
-> does the 4th gen represent a significant upgrade from the 3rd gen? i read the wiki page on them and it seems that other than the fact that they'll likely have less miles and wear and tear, they're not significantly better vehicles.

 

[Doozi]

I had a '98 with a 5-spd manual and loved it, but I love my '06 with a 5-spd auto even more! It's quieter, more comfortable, more powerful, and gets better mileage. I know that they didn't make too many Gen3's with a manual transmissions and I have never heard of a manual Gen4.

I think that converting a Gen3 auto to a manual would be the only way to go as there are actually parts available to facilitate the conversion... clutch pedal assembly, master cylinder, tranny with bellhousing, slave cylinder, flywheel, ECU, interior trim, etc. Converting a Gen4 would be pretty custom... probably a Tacoma tranny and bellhousing would bolt up (to the 4.0L V6 4Runner) and I would think that you could use the Tacoma ECU, but I think you'd need to do some fab work to get it all mounted up.

I'd keep searching for a manual Gen3 if that's what you really want... they're out there and I've seen some really nice ones. Mine was very nice... '98 5-speed, TRD clutch, OME shocks/springs, lots of the little mods and it had about 98k miles on it when I sold it three years ago. '97 and '98 would probably be your best bet to find a manual... I think that those were the biggest production years for the manual transmission. And don't worry too much about mileage... if it was well cared for, you'll know it and it'll run for a long time!

Good luck,
~Doozi

 

[gm350reratliff]

I think it would be easier to find a manual 4runner with a million miles on it, rebuild the engine, trans, x-fer case, and whatever else than to swap in a manual trans. I have never owned a 3rd gen runner but I have always liked the look. We all know they last forever. That being said, I love my '08 SR5. The 5-spd auto behind the V6 made me forget about the whole manual trans thing (I used to be a manual only kind of guy).

 

[SCRunner12]

Where are you located. The only way to get a 5 speed is to get a 3rd gen 96-00. Or you can go earlier but I don't recommend it. They are hard to find but they are there if you are patient. Here is one...1997 Toyota 4runner

 

[chaz]

:iagree: get a 99-00, putting into a 4th gen would be a pain not to mention cost. http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/41720-tacoma-manual-4th-gen-4runner.html http://www.toyota-4runner.org/general-discussions/40579-manual-transmission-availability.html

 

[JohnsD90]

If you bought a 4th gen 4runner, although they didnt not ever have a Manual, i would assume the 6 speed they used in the FJ would be able to work with the V6 in the 4runner.

The 3rd gen's on the other hand, did come with a manual, and lucky for you even though the manual was fairly rare, they used the same transmission for the 2nd gen v6 as they did for the 3rd gen v6 its code is a R150f and ive seen them on craigslist for $200. I hear you can use the R151f which was an extremley rare manual transmission and i doubt you will find one.

If you truly a manual tranny guy, than the 4th gen's "smooth" and "effiecent" auto wont do much for you, and you gotta have to have that 3rd pedal and a real shifter. Stick with it you'll find a 5 speed 3rd gen, or a way to make one a manual.

 

[bryancostanich]

Thanks all. Good points. I'll check out those other threads, and also, that t4r in san fran looks good, i've already contacted the seller. i'm in LA and i haven't seen any of those down here.

 

[fourwd1]

The 3rd gen's on the other hand, did come with a manual, and lucky for you even though the manual was fairly rare, they used the same transmission for the 2nd gen v6 as they did for the 3rd gen v6 its code is a R150f and ive seen them on craigslist for $200. I hear you can use the R151f which was an extremley rare manual transmission and i doubt you will find one.
.

Sorry, that's not correct. The R151F came behind the 22-RTE (turbo 4 cyl), and is not interchangeable with the R150F.

The R150F came on the 3.0 and 3.4 V6 equipped mini trucks, 4Runners, and Tacos.

 

[JohnsD90]

Sorry, that's not correct. The R151F came behind the 22-RTE (turbo 4 cyl), and is not interchangeable with the R150F.

The R150F came on the 3.0 and 3.4 V6 equipped mini trucks, 4Runners, and Tacos.

I know exactly what year it came off of, i was specifically told by Darkrunner/Matt Star that he had the R151f transmission in his truck, he said it was hard to find and that it had a great gear ratio. But that is his word, and many of you guys don't believe him. But he said that it worked in his supercharged V6 2000 4runner, so thats all i can say. That is also why i didnt say it worked for sure and i only "heard" that it worked.

 

[bryancostanich]

Found one. a 2000, fully loaded, power everything, leather, etc., that was absolutely impeccable. not a single scratch on the under-carriage, etc. had to fly to virginia to pick it up, but it's a great ride.