Does anyone have any experience in racing their 4runner? I'm just interested if the autos are any faster than the straight drives or vise versa. Also does anyone know any of the 0-60 or 1/4 mile times for either one?
Thanks!

 

I have driven a few NA 3rd gen 4Runners and my 5 Spd is definitely quicker than the Autos. I don't want to say that I've won a whole bunch of drag races, but I have mystified quite a few Acura owners in stoplight racing.

My .02
Dr. Z

 

My dad has a 1996 4Runner w/5-speed. Stock
I have a 1997 4Runner w/auto. Not stock

When both of the rigs were stock, my dad's 5-speed was definately faster.


But right now, I could lay the smack down on it!!

Here is my race history in both.
I raced a modded out Subaru 2.5 RS in my dad's 4Runner (stoplight racing) and lost by 1 1/2 car legnth..

In my 4Runner, I have raced a 2001ish Expedition Eddie Bauer, 1997ish Ford F350 W/Powerstroke, V6 2000ish Mustang, Civic EX, V6 Accord, and raced my wife in our V6 Camry. Haven't lost yet!

 

Call me old fashioned...
I just want the thing to stay in the gear that I put it. Other than stop and go traffic, I can't stand autos. For me it's not about the racing at all. While some autos may shift faster than some drivers, I feel that exact shift control and timing are more important.

 

I had an Auto 3.4 Tacoma, and now a 5spd 3.4 4Runner. The 5spd is definetly faster.

Keep in mind, the 5speed is much faster if you really abuse the clutch on the launch. Otherwise, it is just a bit faster.

I like the 5spd because I am a control freak, which is 90% of the reason I sold the Tacoma.

 

Thats what i thought. I rode in my friends 2000 auto about 6 mmonths ago and then i got my 99 5spd about 3weeks ago and i thought mine felt a little faster. I dont think im ever gonna own an auto if i can help it. I just love the control i have with a stick and it also keeps driving from getting boring.

 

I prefer manual tranny and agree with dajabr about staying in the gear I put it in.

I seem to remember seeing a road and track or something that had a 0-60 time of 9-11 seconds way back in 1998 but I can't recall, maybe 9.6 seconds, I don't remember exactly. I thought that was pretty fast until I sat in the drivers seat of a freinds 2002 corvy z06! granted there is a difference between the two, like a bus and an F1! again I am not sure if I am accurate about the stuff I read 5 years ago so don't cuss me for it.

One more thing, the stick shift 4runner is like a good wife-beater shirt, I'll always own one to drive around in. Just kidding.

 

If it's not a sports car, I don't want to have to shift it. I prefer the auto in my truck. It is much better for wheeling and for towing my boat. Plus it is just plain easier to drive. I always owned 5 speeds until this truck. I will never go back (in a truck anyway).

With the supercharger, I certainly don't have to worry about the lack of power with an auto that some of you are talking about.

 

with a manual tranny, you need no supercharger. just trying to tease you.

 

lol.

I have to put my two bits in and agree w/Tomus. I have only owned 5 speeds until my 4Runner and I'm so happy that it's an auto. I only like 5 speeds for sports cars now. The everyday driving here and stop/go traffic have convinced me to stick w/auto unless it's a sporty little thang. I like the auto better w/offroading too, I just wish mine had Hillstart Assist & Downhill Assist Control.

Al

 

this is where a manual tranny is a plus.

 

For downhill yes, definitely. Totally agree. For uphill, no. I don't like doing the hand brake + clutch + gas + steering combo anymore.

 

i like my 5 speed. i'd fall asleep if it was an auto. but at least with the auto you don't have to worry about your clutch going :rolleyes:

 

True, but if its an auto you have to worry about your tranny going.
:eek:

 

I second that.

 

I love manual shift for the same reasons. But traffic, which I usually play in daily, can put me in a really bad mood when driving stick.
But nothing beats having both. When I drive the 4Runner I can relax and take it easy. But then I get into my trusty Honda Accord, and the thrill of driving a manual is back. Granted it's only an Accord, but when you go from sitting up high and taking it easy on corners to sitting inches from the ground and ripping around town, you learn to appreciate both equally. It's definitley the best of both worlds. I can't wait to replace the Accord someday with a real sports car. But it only has 199,000 trouble free miles on it, so it is going to have to blow up before we part ways.

 

Has any one swap a auto to manual or vs a versa

 

I prefer a 5speed. It's more fun to drive. Over the course of my 12 years of driving I've only had 2 auto's. One was a 95 Monte Carlo z34. Got boring after awhile. The second was a 90 subaru legacy which was my beater. It was ok but the damn tranny started going. I got rid of that and picked up a 91 s10 blazer sport with a 5spd. (try finding one of those!)

I figure a clutch is better to blow than an entire tranny.

Clutch: 240+labor average
Tranny:1000(give or take)+labor

 

I know my 2nd Gen would have more cajones with the 5 speed, but I spend alot of time in bumper to bumper traffic. Did that before with a stick - what a PITA!!! I'll stick with less power and an easier drive.

4 Low with the tranny in first ain't all that bad going down steep hills...

 

I'm doing that now in my 5 speed, thankfully for only 8 miles and no turns . maybe after a while I'll just buy a cheap little tercel to go to work in.