swampy_swimmer
New member
Why newer Tacomas have 6 speed transmissions and T4Rs still stuck on 5?
Random Question: Tacoma tranny vs T4Rs
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mteolus
New member
Because the 4Runner hasn't been refreshed since 2010. The Taco was refreshed in 2015 (or 2016, can't remember). Be careful what you wish for as the new transmissions are much more complicated with more moving parts and computers. Taco owners have complained about trannies that search for gears. More complicated means more problems than the old school trannies. I'm good with my 5 speed. Not sure what it will do to highway speeds though when I go to 5.29s though.
Ellis_McPickle
New member
This.
I drove a 3rd Gen Tacoma for a year before getting my current 4Runner and the transmission was one of the worst I've ever driven. It would hunt gears constantly at cruising/highway speeds. The biggest issue with it in my opinion was the gearing. Tuned entirely for fuel mileage, and seemingly forgot about driveability. 5th and 6th gears were essentially both overdrive gears, and not really practical for maintaining speed on even the slightest incline.
Jetboy
New member
Toyota doesn't care. The A750 and A760 are basically identical internally. They have the same internal gear set. The 5at is really a 6at where 6th gear is disabled. So Toyota built a 6 speed, but took the extra step of building a version for us that doesn't shift into 6th gear.
The 1gr doesn't have enough power to run in 6th gear with 3.73 differentials. Toyota would need to offer a lower gear in the differential to make the 6th gear functional. Toyota apparently decided that instead of a new gear ratio for the axles and use the 6th gear in the transmission, they'd just eliminate the extra gear in the transmission by not letting it shift to 6th gear. So you can't have a 6 speed. The solenoid body is missing some parts so it can't shift to 6th, so it's more than just software.
The 1gr doesn't have enough power to run in 6th gear with 3.73 differentials. Toyota would need to offer a lower gear in the differential to make the 6th gear functional. Toyota apparently decided that instead of a new gear ratio for the axles and use the 6th gear in the transmission, they'd just eliminate the extra gear in the transmission by not letting it shift to 6th gear. So you can't have a 6 speed. The solenoid body is missing some parts so it can't shift to 6th, so it's more than just software.
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progress4m
Member
Because old 5 spd in 4runner works better than 6 spd in Tacoma
Jokes aside: third gen of Tacoma has completely new powertrain: 3.5 V6 and 6 Spd tranny
As many have pointed out before, that combo is not as good as older power train used in 5th gen 4Runner (4.0 L V6 and 5 spd), let’s just hope that new power train will improve before it will make its way into next gen 4Runner.
I know I am dreaming here, but it would be great to see 4.0 L V6 with DI and 6 spd trany in the 6th gen 4Runner… and of course an optional 4.6 V8 (from GX460)… LOL
swampy_swimmer
New member
I know it hasn't been changed since 2010. But my question is exactly WHY? I refuse to believe that for 10 years toyota didn't change the tranny on the 4runner just to save $.
I currently drive 3rd Gen w/ 4 speeds and can't say that I experience such an issue with gearing.
To the comment about gearing problems with 6 speeds: what about cars with 8 speed transmissions then (not Toyota)?
I currently drive 3rd Gen w/ 4 speeds and can't say that I experience such an issue with gearing.
To the comment about gearing problems with 6 speeds: what about cars with 8 speed transmissions then (not Toyota)?
Toffees
Member
Check out the Taco forums and I think many drivers would gladly swap with the 4R transmission
Because it works. That seems, at least to me, to be the fundamental design principle of the 4Runner. Build what works consistently.
Jetboy
New member
The Taco transmission is a fantastic transmission. The diff ratio is all wrong. As a comparison the Lexus RX350 with the same transmission ratios has 4.40 diff ratio. And it's just right. The Tundra has roughly the same transmission ratios and 4.30 diffs. Even with 5.29 diffs in an automatic tacoma, the final drive is still higher geared than 6th gear in the MT version stock. The automatic tacoma would probably be fantastic with 4.30 diffs from the MT version. My parents have a 19 Tacoma and IMO it's just fine in stock form. I don't think it would like larger tires or any significant additional wind resistance (racks, etc).
Finally - you're not supposed to stay in the highest gear up hills. That's not how automatics with overdrives are intended to function. They should only stay in the highest gear during flat or downhill sections and should - by design - be down shifting as you go up hills. What they shouldn't do is constantly hunt around for the proper gear. The big tacoma shift issue is a software problem more than a hardware one. And other Toyota models like - basically every other vehicle they make with the 3.5l 6at combo are better. Why Toyota wants to fawk up the shift logic for the Taco - I have no idea. Anyway - if your automatic doesn't down shift up hills - that means the ratios are wrong and you should have a taller gear as the final over drive. If it constantly jumps around - then it's a real issue.
The correct solution for the 4Runner is probably the 8 speed transmission and 4.30 or 4.56 diff ratios. And probably a turbo 4cyl...
also fun fact - the 5AT is 187lb wet. It's among the lightest weight 5 speed automatics ever made for a BOF vehicle. The A760 was the lightest 6 speed ever made when it was introduced. It's also very durable. So it's not without some merits.
Finally - you're not supposed to stay in the highest gear up hills. That's not how automatics with overdrives are intended to function. They should only stay in the highest gear during flat or downhill sections and should - by design - be down shifting as you go up hills. What they shouldn't do is constantly hunt around for the proper gear. The big tacoma shift issue is a software problem more than a hardware one. And other Toyota models like - basically every other vehicle they make with the 3.5l 6at combo are better. Why Toyota wants to fawk up the shift logic for the Taco - I have no idea. Anyway - if your automatic doesn't down shift up hills - that means the ratios are wrong and you should have a taller gear as the final over drive. If it constantly jumps around - then it's a real issue.
The correct solution for the 4Runner is probably the 8 speed transmission and 4.30 or 4.56 diff ratios. And probably a turbo 4cyl...
also fun fact - the 5AT is 187lb wet. It's among the lightest weight 5 speed automatics ever made for a BOF vehicle. The A760 was the lightest 6 speed ever made when it was introduced. It's also very durable. So it's not without some merits.
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Mutant138
Banned
Jetboy
New member
LC trans, 4.20/4.56 gearing, and...
Sort of - but the R2.8 is sort of a dog - and doesn't have a very good reputation for reliability. What we really want is the 1VD.
Or actually GM's new I6 diesel is really promising. Lots of reports of ~40mpg in a full size from early tests.
For me - I'd take an LSx. The last suburban I drove for a week got 22mpg. In the mountains. In a 4x4 suburban! The rest of the car was trash. But I'd take the engine in a heartbeat.
Whippersnapper02
Senior Member
Same reason Toyota slowly updates their vehicles...we keep buying them as is so there's no need to update.
From all the complaining that I have seen, the 6 speed auto is hunt city anyway. I'm ok with the 5 speed.
From all the complaining that I have seen, the 6 speed auto is hunt city anyway. I'm ok with the 5 speed.
Mutant138
Banned
Sort of - but the R2.8 is sort of a dog - and doesn't have a very good reputation for reliability. What we really want is the 1VD.
Or actually GM's new I6 diesel is really promising. Lots of reports of ~40mpg in a full size from early tests.
For me - I'd take an LSx. The last suburban I drove for a week got 22mpg. In the mountains. In a 4x4 suburban! The rest of the car was trash. But I'd take the engine in a heartbeat.
I mean yeah LSx would be my first choice if I was doing a swap. Best bang for your buck by far. Something tells me toyota won't be into it as much as us tho. Just a hunch.
Jetboy
New member
Seems unlikely. What happened to the Toyota that sold a 550hp tundra that could do a 4.4 0-60? Where's the Toyota that sells a "335hp" BMW that's faster than a 460hp Mustang GT?
Mutant138
Banned
Did they tho? I thought it was a supercharger kit for the tundra.
Toyota lying about supra numbers is what makes it extra supra ish. I'm a fan. I don't care that it's a bmw parts bin vehicle. Looks fantastic and those engines take well to power. Still sounds like a supra too (very 1j 2jz ish).
I don't think the 4runner line up will ever get the power treatment from yota. No reason to.
BobsTrail
Senior Member
You will not have any highway speeds.
mteolus
New member
Yea, after doing a bunch of searches, seems like 4.56 is good for 285s.
