Why are people complaining about needing an 8 speed

[CajunMikeR]

I was given a RAV4 as a loaner while my 4runner was in for warranty work. Hated that transmission. Constantly up shifting and downshifting to save on gas. Really annoying and couldn’t get out of it fast enough and back in the 4runner.
Having said that, the 4runner gas mileage is awful:shocked:

I feel the same way when driving my wife's 19 Taco. The 6spd shifts up & down too much for my liking.

 

[Gamma Ray]

My 5th gen hit the red line today. I wasn't even in S mode. I wasn't going to floor it for so long, but I had loads of road in front of me and no places for cops to hide. I was wondering when it would shift. It was quite :rockon:

 

[Jetboy]

I feel the same way when driving my wife's 19 Taco. The 6spd shifts up & down too much for my liking.

I think that's a shift logic issue. The 6AT in many other Toyota models is quite good. The tacoma is... a fawking mess. I have no idea why it's so poorly tuned. But it's not the 6AT that's the problem. It's the software. Toyota can - and should - fix it.

The newer GM and Ram 8 and 10 speeds I've driven are great. They feel like they've gained 50hp just by having a better ability to match the engine to load. It really shines when towing heavier trailers on long grades.

 

[mcaninch35]

Having driven a couple vehicles with newer 8 speed transmissions, I wouldn't be against a couple more gears. I also tow though, so my opinion might be a bit different

 

[SpeedyKevin]

I think that's a shift logic issue. The 6AT in many other Toyota models is quite good. The tacoma is... a fawking mess. I have no idea why it's so poorly tuned. But it's not the 6AT that's the problem. It's the software. Toyota can - and should - fix it.

The newer GM and Ram 8 and 10 speeds I've driven are great. They feel like they've gained 50hp just by having a better ability to match the engine to load. It really shines when towing heavier trailers on long grades.

I tried the 8 speed...real nice....reaalll nice. Wouldn't mind having more gears for all the mountain driving I do. Definitely feel like there is a missing gear between 4 and 5

 

[blschaefer1]

The ZF eight speed that is in many vehicles (including JL Wrangler) these days is amazing. Engine is always in the sweet spot of the powerband and shifts are quick and seamless.

Toyota would never source this unit, but they could replicate it. It would be transformative in the 4Runner.

Better performance and better gas mileage. Win win.

 

[Jernik]

I expect no less than 12 gears in the next 4Runner and Tundra models. If they do 8, 9, or 10 they will simply be following the pack. It's been so long since the last update they can't simply match the competition, they MUST one-up all others in every way!

I also expect it to drive itself, have a 50" infotainment screen, 25 speaker cinema surround sound, built in mini-fridge, microwave, and La-Z-Boy reclining seats!

 

[rdruss]

Let's just lobby Toyota for a Fuller 18-speed Roadranger and we'll really have something!

 

[Jetboy]

Let's just lobby Toyota for a Fuller 18-speed Roadranger and we'll really have something!

10 speed plus 2 speed transfer = 20 gears! We'll have 2 more!

 

[RichinRidgewood]

Should have a CVT. Infinitely variable belt drive they you can have all of the ratios you want and it would be the most awesomenessly awesome transmission ever. (sarcasm)

 

[JLTD]

Agreed. Never have had a complaint about gears in the 4R transmission. Durability/reliability is king in my world.

Hear hear.


I think in some cases it's "well THEY have an 8 speed, I want one too!"

 

[RichinRidgewood]

With a CVT you could have preprogrammed selectable number of "gears" that you could pick on the infotainment system.
For example:

2 Speed "Chevy Slush Box"
3 Speed "Old School Small Block"
4 Speed "Ford Fairmont"
5 Speed "Normal"
6 Speed "Millennial Douche Bag BMW"
9 Speed "My Mom's Minivan"
11 Speed "Eleven"
18 Forward Speeds and 6 Reverse Speeds "Over the Road Big Rig"
27 Speed "Obsessive Compulsive Disorder"




How much fun would that be?

.

 

[Jetboy]

Hear hear.


I think in some cases it's "well THEY have an 8 speed, I want one too!"

It really is better. It's not just more for the sake of more. There's a point of diminishing returns, but having a few close ratio gears for varying highway speed conditions makes a big difference. So does a 50% lower first gear ratio.

Once you add hybrid drive it kind of all goes out the window though. Honda is doing hybrids with a single direct drive gear and all other driving conditions are EV. Toyota is doing everything from 8 and 10 speeds with hybrid drive to 2 speed CVTs and hybrids. And pretty much everything in between. But only in a few models and in limited quantities. Nothing for people who want performance or utility vehicles. Ford's hybrid F150 has 10 gears and the hybrid drive in a combined transmission assembly. And it can make a pretty great generator too - 7.2KW for 35 hours on a tank of gas. At 3.5kw it'll run 85 hours on a tank of gas. It's a campsite power dream. Not to mention 570 ftlbs and 24 combined mpg. Damn I wish Toyota would get its shit together and build something comparable for us.

 

[LandCruiser]

Putting aside the obvious fact that we are using a six speed automatic transmission as a five speed because reasons, having a dedicated low range first gear and an extra highway gear or two wouldn’t kill anybody.

The five speed is fine on flat surfaces at low elevation.

 

[John in NC]

I am a very leisurely driver. I wish it had a tad more low end torque and the shift points were a little better, it falls flat when it early shifts into second and third for me, with a light touch on the gas pedal.

Can’t complain too much though, just routine maintenance so far to 130,000 miles.

 

[joshsonofjohn]

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[RichinRidgewood]

With a CVT you could have preprogrammed selectable number of "gears" that you could pick on the infotainment system.
For example:

2 Speed "Chevy Slush Box"
3 Speed "Old School Small Block"
4 Speed "Ford Fairmont"
5 Speed "Normal"
6 Speed "Millennial Douche Bag BMW"
9 Speed "My Mom's Minivan"
11 Speed "Eleven"
18 Forward Speeds and 6 Reverse Speeds "Over the Road Big Rig"
27 Speed "Obsessive Compulsive Disorder"




How much fun would that be?

.

To answer my own question....
“Fun” it would be no fun because belt drives (aka CVTs) blow goats.

 

[Packpride85]

Also depends on the power band of the engine, tire size, etc....

 

[rblt]

For me it's also perspective.
I bought the 4runner one year ago for more comfort, and to go 4-wheeling. Previous to the 4runner I've been driving a 68 F100 for the last 35 years. Before that I was a passenger in it since my Grandpa bought it new. (I've had it longer than him).
240 cu/in (3.9) engine, 1 bbl carb, points ignition, "granny-low" 4 sp top-loader manual transmission, no power steering or brakes (drum), no A/C, crank windows.
I chuckle at every complaint about the 4runner. I have zero complaints about any aspect of my 4runner. (well ok, the oil filter)
I still regularly drive the 68.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

That 68 looks to be in awesome shape.
I am in the process of settling up my Dad's estate, including a 92 minivan with only 53K miles, garage kept for 28 years. Drives well, but yeah, crank windows and no ABS.

 

[Montego Murph]

...Putting aside the obvious fact that we are using a six speed automatic transmission as a five speed because reasons...

...our 5AT is actually a 6AT but only shifts through 5 gears, so there's literally no reason to think our 5AT would become less reliable if it could also shift into 6th gear that it has.

OK -- this is new info to me. What's the story on this?