yota_boy

ok so im looking for a 96' four runner and I cant find any V-6 models with manuals? am I stupid and they dont make a manual for the V-6 or what......anyways shouw I jsut go wit han automatic with the V-6, but I will probably do some 4 wheelin so would it be hard to 4 wheel wit han automatic

sorry im 16 im still researching everything dont know much about 4runners right now

toy283

Automatics can be easier to wheel with but I don't like them. If someone would come up with a manually locking torque converter so that it would act like a manual at low rpm, then I'd be sold.

deathrunner

Honestly I think it is easier to wheel with an automatic...You won't stall out as much.
Maybe I'm just terrible at driving stick...but some times I stall out on tough obstacles. I think the lack of grunt from my 4 banger might be part of the equation though.

As far as I know there is a manual 6 out there. For some reason I seem to remember seeing that Toyotas get better mileage with an auto.....It seems to be the other way around with other makes...But that's just what I read. For the 6 I would be happy either way, but if you plan to offroad a 4 banger, get manual by all means.

deathrunner

I find that it doesn't matter what transmission you have.....as long as you have another yoda with a winch.

Just kidding...boy I'm gonna get flamed for that

mike_d

my uncle did this in his camaro. i'm not an engineer, but apparently it's fairly easy. all you gotta do is override the circuit that controls the auto lockup of the torque converter and put your own switch in it. he just had a switch on the dashboard that controlled the locking of the torque conveter. it's really cool, if you flip the switch while going down the highway you can watch the rpms change between locked and unlocked. and it's really good at holding speed down hills.

i was thinking about this the other day, i hate autos, and only drive sticks, but it would be nice to have an auto for the denver traffic. i just want to have control over it, so that when i'm not in traffic, i can lock everything down like in a stick.

CTB

Nah, they made them, but they are just hard to find.

DavidA

I bought the only manual V6 1999 4Runner they had in the area. Had to settle for the metallic Green color because of it. Luckily my wife hates automatics and she loves it.

rimpainter.com

I had to fly to San Diego from Phoenix to get mine. They are fairly rare.

It is far easier to wheel with an Auto - especially for beginners. I had an 98 Taco LTD (Auto) before my current rig, and it was a blast to wheel in. My problem is that I do 95% of my driving on the street, and it is down right boring with an auto. Plus I like to smoke ricers every now and then, and I can really get them off the line with my 5 speed.

For all around "SUV" use, I vote 5 speed. Hang in there and keep looking. Dont settle for something you dont really want.

Jonathan

I accidently ran across mine a little over a year and a half ago. I love my 5-speed and wouldn't trade it for the world.

george16

Check this rig out. it's only 182 miles from your place. It's a 5 speed. I personally like manual transmissions better than automatics. There's no fun/challenge in autos for me. Besides, I've driven manuals all my life. Just one of the reasons I'm taking care of my rig cause Toyota doesn't make manuals anymore. Be patient. You're going to find one eventually.

George