I just found a 88 4x4 truck with 22RE and automatic transmission. All vehicles I had/have were/are manual transmission. Automatic transmission is unknown territory to me.
So questions: What do you prefer in our trucks, auto or manual transmission? Why?
Thanks!

 

I should use the search box before creating a thread:

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f115...s-auto-255911/
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f120...manual-253738/
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f212...l-swap-297912/

 

My trucks have all been stick. In fact i only ever owned 1 Toyota automatic in a 78 Celica. But in a 4runner i would not shy away from an auto if the rest of the truck was nice.

 

Having had 2 - 88 4runners with manuals, a 91 4runner with a manual and an 87 with an automatic, I don't think the automatics are as bad as a lot of people make them out to be. If you're using it as a full time commuter, it is kinda nice in stop and go traffic to be honest.

If it were me, and the truck is in good shape and has been taken care of, I would never let it having an auto stop me from buying it.

All that bring said, now that my 87 is not my daily commuter and is just my project/weekend truck, I plan to swap a manual into it at some point.. because well, they are a lot more fun to drive!

 

I learned on a manual, a '57 Chevy step-side mt father owned (trashed 2 clutches ), and all my vehicles since except a '78 Pinto (yeah, I know), have been manuals. Even owned a '68 VW Bus for a while that was a manual. Of course, all my motorcycles were manuals. Pedals? You know what I mean.
But I will always prefer the manual transmissions.

Just my personal preference, though.
Pat☺

 

like said above if the truck is well taken care of its worth putting up with the a/t. Ive had a few and the get up and go factor is non existent. I mean literally it can barley get out of its own way 3.0 and re versions. There is some upside to the a/t : can easily be used by elders in the family or significant other, some may say they are rare/hard to find if you do prefer the press and go.
But we are getting to a time where finding these trucks in nice condition is harder to do, go test drive it see what you think. That would be the best way.

 

Granted I have not driven an older one with an auto, but I do have a 93 Cherokee that's auto, and I'd say go for a manual on these slow old trucks. Much easier to get what little power you have when you need it.

 

Thank you for your answers, guys.
I have 2 4Runners 1988 with 22RE engines and W56B transmissions, one of them is in very good shape, I would like to keep it in that way, the other one needs body work, I could swap that manual transmission if the automatic transmission of the Xtra Cab doesn't convince me. No idea how to do that, I need to read about that subject, anyway, do you like the plan?

 

That sounds like an excellent plan. From what I've read having a full donor vehicle with the manual is the easiest way to do it, all the parts and pieces are right there ready to go.

 

I like both the automatic and manual transmissions. I like the automatic transmission for daily driving but would like a manual transmission for weekend road trips.

I thought about doing an automatic to manual transmission swap in the past but decided against it.

My Truck is a daily driver and an automatic transmission is nice for the increasing traffic where I live.

Some people like the automatic transmissions in these trucks and others don't.

Everyone has different expectations of what amount of power is acceptable so you really need to drive one with an automatic transmission to see if you like them or not.

The automatic transmissions were well built. The major problem with them seems to be the shift solenoids failing with age, but otherwise they are just fine.

 

I prefer auto although I believe manual is more durable. My current '91 Toyota is manual however my '95 4Runner was auto and never any issues with transmission.

 

Thank you for your answers, guys!

 

i still enjoy driving a manual transmission vehicle, but i don’t mind automatics. both of my volvo 240s and my ‘89 camry are autos, and have been good vehicles. the ‘97 corolla that the volvo replaced was an auto with 275k miles on it, and i never changed or added fluid to the transmission. it worked flawlessly.

 

Learned to operate a motor vehicle on a surplus WWII Jeep around 1954. Got driver licence w '53 Plymouth "three on the tree". Many different American cars w/ two and three-speed autos, three and four-speed manuals. Every foreign car I've had, VW, Mazda, Toyota has had manual trans. My '89 pickup has the 5-speed manual.

Bought the '08 Corolla new. Had to go out-of-state to find a stripper model w manual trans. Can't beat the reliability and durability of standard transmission. Don't abuse it and maybe change the lube every 100,000 or so, it will last forever. Only downside is stop 'n go traffic. There is always a price to be paid for convenience.

 

You have automatic and manual transmission 4Rs. Is the automatic one good off road?

I have never driven an automatic transmission vehicle, thank you for your answers, guys.

 

can’t really offer an opinion on my ‘88 4runner, as i haven’t used it offroad. it is a parts donor for my ‘87s; frame is bad.

 

My current rig is a 91 4R 3.0 automatic, previously had an 81 pickup 2wd 5spd. I take my 4r on trails fairly often and an occasional hill climb, it's been nice having an auto but I sometimes wish for a manual for its reliability. I never took my 81 off road or have driven an auto 22r but I feel the 5spd helped it get a little more power. One complaint I've heard with the 3.0 auto is power loss vs a manual. My 3.0 auto has been a bit of a gutless dog but I recently adjusted my AFM and advanced my timing and have a bunch more power coming out of it. Manuals are arguably more reliable but I haven't been too nice to my auto trans and it's strong as ever.

In the end I would say it's preference, what trade offs you're comfortable with and what kind of trails you do.