outahere

What do you see as the pros/cons for the 2 transmission choices for the 2005 Tacoma V6 when used offroad/onroad?

The auto will have hill descent and ascent control, but not sure if the locking rear diff will be available for it. It will have the TRAC system, which uses the brakes to get a pseudo limited slip effect. Presumably it will also have a Torsen center diff, which will allow use of 4WD on pavement in the snow, and will have VSC as an option. Towing capacity will be higher for the auto than for the manual.

The 6 speed manual will definitely have a locking rear diff available, and a very low first gear.

Personally, even though I have driven nothing but sticks for the last 25 years, the auto trans in the new Tacoma looks like the superior trans for onroad use and towing.

But for offroad use, will the 6 speed manual be superior?

kyle_22r

all preference, i will never own an automatic truck.

i'd love to see a 6 speed manual with a granny 1st and an overdrive

CynicX

i like auto for offroading and manual for sports cars.....its user preference though....

the hardcore rock crawlers i've talked to (all jeep guys) that have manual trannys wish they had an automatic and some have even converted, but a few just prefer a stick because thats the way they learned and enjoy....

automatic gives you a little more control and does require burning the clutch....

and you said a automatic give good hill decent and ascent, but down gearing a manual in 4 low will decend really nicely.....sometimes when climbing a very steep grade it requires some skill and experience....

its really a toss up....i got an automatic because i like to talk on the cell and sometimes i get stuck in heavy traffic and i'm glad i did....last 3 vehicles were manual and now i'm automatic i dunno why i didnt go this route sooner.....

toy283

Having driven my truck offroad with both an auto and a manual tranny, I prefer a manual. Granted, neither had an overdrive and my manual does have a granny. I too would like to see a 6-speed with a granny first an overdrive. I see no real advantage to more gears than to take advantage of a narrow torque band, I'd rather have a wider band and fewer gears myself.

outahere

The 6 speed box in the 2005 Tacoma will have a 1st gear ratio of 4.17:1 and a transfer case ratio of 2.566:1. Are these ratios numerically higher than those in the 5 speed box on the 2003 or 2004 Tacoma?

The 6th gear ratio will be 0.848:1. Not sure what the rear end ratio will be in the 2005 Tacoma.

outahere

The new 5 speed auto was supposedly designed to provide more engine braking during offroad driving, according to what pickuptruck.com reported.

Only one drive report I saw stated that the Tacoma would have a Torsen center differential, like the 4Runner, but I do not know how reliable this info was. It would be cool if it was true.

outahere

Is an auto trans prone to overheating in offroad use?

rimpainter.com

I would get the 6 speed. I love that truck!

kyle_22r

4.17...now just to make that bolt up behind an R engine! only thing that ever made lower than 3.95 in 1st was the R151F with a 4.31 first gear. 4.17 would be great for 4.56s, but it also has a deep overdrive to consider...

CynicX

i know....you can also down gear it like a manual...i was just stating that during a decent a manual is just as nice as an auto.....

CynicX

not really....at least if your careful....usually overheating come from towing uphill for extended periods....usually from excessive weight.....but it wouldnt be a bad idea to have a tranny oil cooler i guess....