Hey!
Trying to decide between a 5sp and an auto for a 85-89 4runner. Don't know how sturdy and problem free the autos are for offroad. I'd prefer a 5sp but theyre a pain in the ass to find, planty of automatics though. Lemme know. Thanks
-T

 

Definitely get the 5spd, the autos are very slow.

 

ive used my auto offroad and it works very well. a few friends have gone to auto from 5 spd and like the auto better. less worry about mucking up the clutch in mud and water etc.

its pretty much a personal decision though, there are plenty of posts on here so do a quick search and talk with some of the members. im sure you will receive plenty of responses!!

lee

 

5spd 5spd 5spd 5spd......the auto's are rock solid as well as the manual's but the 5spds are better for power and gas mileage. you will thank yourself later

 

Thats seems to be the general consensus. Not to concerned with going fast but the gas mileage is kind of a pisser, I do alot of driving. How much of a difference is gas mileage between the two?

 

ive never had a auto and never will

 

Everyone seems to be pretty passionate about the 5sp. I think I have made up my mind. Thanks for the all the quick input.

 

will if im over in portland or anybig town i dont like clutching it in rush hour but i dont go over there much so its not a big deal

 

alot of people want a 5sp for wheeling, i prefer an auto, seems every time i wheel with people with 5sp.s i always smell a clutch, lol
ill stick to my auto, call me lazy

 

Yup, and I can't understand why.
We don't have enough appendges to drive 'em (manual trannies) in the big stuff

Never ceases to amaze me when I go out with a group (same when I had the Jeep) and watch the manual trannie people make the "easy" obsticles look hard and the auto tranny people (I'm one of them and I've had both) make the hard obsticles look easy, all things else pretty much the same.

The manual trannie herd is all herky jerky, cough, sputter, stall, sllliiiiiiipppp the clutch, what's that smell, etc.

There is simply no comparsion between the auto and manual tranny in the tough/big stuff (rocks). Auto's win hands down. They have the advantage over the manuals in the tougher stuff for sure



Fred

 

yea but i love going into a muddy field and putting it in first all the way to about 4500-5000 and then hitting second while my rear end turns and i can make near perfect donuts

 

to me, what would matter, is the auto tough like the stick, if so then its basically what you prefer, id trust my 5 speed and i also trust my c-6 tranny

 

maybe its just my newbie-ness with driving a stick but i dont like having to ride the clutch to go over something slower in 2 or 4 HI without stalling it and i dont want to let it out fully cuz ill have too much speed and bounce right over said obstacle. this applies for small obstacles off road or curbs in the mall parking lot where its not necessary to put it in 4LO to have that slow crawl speed. that wouldnt happen with an auto, however, i LOVE driving my 5spd around

 

I certainly prefer the auto for towing. Torque converters will let you move just about anything. Not fast, but you can move. An extra tranny cooler is needed if you are gonna play rough. I haven't driven a 5 speed Toyota truck, but I am sure it is more fun.
I gave up being fast when I bought a 4 cylinder truck, that was part of the reason to buy it. I don't expect to win any race, or get any tickets.

 

**************

 

My 86 SAS Runner is an Auto w/ 35s... 19-20 mpg. I thought it would be SLOW... but was pleasantly surprised, it has as much power as my old 5spd truck did. It holds speed on all hills too. I'm impressed with it. My last rig was a 83 Toy with 5.29s, EFI, Dual Tcases. I'd take this auto Runner 1000x's over the old truck. With an auto = no stalling off road, total control, and ability to bump over difficult obstacles. I showed up guys with dual lockers the last couple times out (I'm open F/R).

Manual Transmissions are fun on road, but I don't see much advantage off road. The whole "holds speed" down hill is true, but only if you have low gearing (ie dual tcases). Even so.... you can add a second tcase to your auto.

The main objective.... have fun with whatever you've got!!!!

 

wooow, are you really that closed minded ? thats a pretty bold statement.

 

Ha, I don't want a stick in the woods ever again. Drove one for years then had an automatic Scout II. Awesome trail truck the only thing i have driven that I liked better is my 4Runner.

 

5 speed all the way for me.. You can't hardly wear a manual out and clutches are cheap compared automatic transmisions

 

Aha, but my family run automatic transmission shops, dad, uncle, granddad, cousins, second cousins, etc. Only cost is wholesale parts. Plus I have built quite a few Mustang automatics that absolutely scorched other 5spd Mustangs back in their day.

I think ultimately this is basically an opinion type deal. Both have their positives and negatives but the biggest difference is personal style/skill of driving and preference.