Truthully ive driven mine (4runner) 50 yards, so i dont really know how well the tranny is, is it a fun to drive 5 speed or is it one of those really tight gearboxes that is a ***** to shift.
I actually find it to be a nice shifting transmission. Not too smooth and mushy like some vehicles I've driven ('98 Montero felt like I was stretching rubber bands while I shifted), and not hard as a rock.
Shifter has nice throw, smooth positive feedback of engagement into the gears; keep in mind this was after I replaced my shifter seat bushing and shifter socket, before that it would be a PITA to get into gear and constantly pop out of gear. All in all for what a normal person would use their 4Runner for (pavement and weekend offroad sessions), the shifter is a perfect fit.
Well what sucks is i learned to drive stick on the D90 and i loved it, people didnt even know i was shifting, and then i get into my sisters 5speed saturn vue and i cant shift it for my life. so im just hoping it shifts good.
P.S. Only my father and i could drive the Defender properly no one else could shift it correctly so i hope that didnt set me up for disaster.