I'm looking into getting a 3rd gen 4runner and am wondering what peoples thoughts on the auto tranny and standard tranny are. What do you guys recommend?

 

I prefer a 5-speed manual for performance, fuel economy and driving pleasure. I also prefer it for offroad use, until I get to really difficult obstacles where an auto would make it easier.

I shopped for a long time to find a late model 3rd gen 5-speed, they quit making them after 2000 and probably well less than 10% of them were sold with this configuration, so you'll have to look a little longer if you want one.

 

i learned to drive with an auto and i drove an auto until about 3 weeks ago when I learned how to drive the stick in my Taco. I really love driving the stick, its a lot of fun. i havent taken it off-road yet, but i can imagine its going to be more difficult to learn to control off-road...

 

I love driving my manual. It is way more fun to drive on and off road! It can be hard to drive offroad but if you know how to drive stick by instinct on road then you shouldnt have any problems with it offroad. you just use your 4H and 4L more than someone with an auto. mostly to get the crawl ratio lower so you arent on the clutch all the time.

 

yep 5speed and a locker is fun

 

I looked forever for a 4runner with a manual transmission... After months of searching for one I gave up and bought an auto, and it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. In the long run look for one that runs well, don't get to caught up in the configuration.

 

It really only comes down to what you like more. That is really it.

 

would the auto handle a small lift 2" or so and 33 x10.5's as well as the standard would?

 

Standard for me. I like to be able to use my brakes as little as possible, and downshifting is one of the best sources of slowing down. I also like to have control of how much my tires spin on ice, and you really can't do that with an auto (unless you drive like a grandma during the winter, or if you are really good at predicting when your auto tranny will shift).

I imagine that the auto will handle that.

 

the only thing that sux about manual shifting is you can't hold a cup of coffee and drive at the same time when your city driving...

 

I looked for 6 months for a 5speed with locker.... then gave up looking for the locker and drove 5 hours each way to go get a 5speed 4runner. As they said before, 5speeds have better performance, fuel economy, and are more fun to drive, but you'll have to be willing to put a LOT more work into getting one

 

I love my Auto!!! Soo much more control off road. Shifts faster (valve body mod)... Great in traffic. Manual is fun. Off road you really need dual t-cases to be in control (unless you like to burn clutch).

 

Would have bought 5 speed if they offerd it on my truck. Now I'm glad I have auto. I'm lazy that's why.

 

Both work fine and if your into shifting all the time then the manual is the way to go.I know some guy's still believe that they get better gas mileage with a manual but that doesn't seem to be the case anymore.
Some people think you just put a auto in "D" and go but it's a little more complicated than that when off road or large hills . You can shift up or down just like the manual and at times you will have to. Many professional off road drivers now have auto's for trail and rock crawling .
It all comes down to what you like and if shifting is it then go with the manual if relaxing and enjoying the ride is your thing then get an auto.

 

well my old 2nd gen was a manual and it was fun and more interesting to rag out but in off road situations i love my auto 3rd gen

 

if your going to be towing, id say 5spd.