I went to the local dealership today and drove a 2000 4Runner on my break. It's a 5 spd, V6 4x4 with 88k miles. I have some questions about the 5 speed. It had a funny feel to it (hard to explain).
1. First gear felt real real low.
2.When I put the clutch in... it felt like the gas was sticking for a second or something... It would take a second to rev down when the clutch was pressed.

I was driving it pretty hard to test out the power. Acceleration didn't feel quite as impressive as I thought it would be but power was still 100x better than my badly geared 22RE truck. It's nice to be able to tell that you are accelerating. I did notice that when I looked at the speedo it was going a lot faster than I thought so maybe it was just the smooth ride fooling me.
Any comments on my observations? I remember reading that the auto has a real deep overdrive... does it get better gas mileage on the freeway? Anyone know how many RPMS at ~80mph? I think the 5 speed I drove was at about 3000. I am not totally decided whether or not I want a 5 speed or an auto. I usually don't like autos that much. I need to go back and drive some.
Thanks in advance

 

My auto '98 V6 runner usually hovers near 2700rpm at 80mph. As for the standard, i drove a 2000 Taco at a stealership that was the v6 with man. trans. and I noticed it felt funny too, kinda like what you are describing. At the time, i just assumed that it was because it had been sitting on the lot not being driven for a while. First gear did feel really low, but it had big tires, so i assumed it was from that.

 

80mph with 31" tires and 4.10 rear should be...

2532rpm 4ECT
3010rpm 5SP

 

I dont understand what you mean by the idle changing upon depressing the clutch??

That's a fairly rare find. The big question is: Does it have a locker?

No matter what, get it checked out by an shop before you buy it.

 

DrumheadAR, btw, your 2WD should have 3.7 rear, which SHOULD put you at 2300rpm @ 80mph. Converter not locking up?

 

I think what he means is that when he hits the clutch, and even though he's no longer on the gas, the computer is keeping a lot of fuel going to the engine so the RPMs don't drop immediately. Not sure if this is happening or not, as I have an auto. I have driven some late model vehicles that do act like this though, with manual tranny's. Bugs the crap out of you if you're trying to shift fast.

 

The throttle staying open temporarily is for emission purposes. The ECU reacts slower than your foot, so the throttle is simply not allowed to snap shut. If it were, there would be an excessive amount of fuel going in, but little air, thus resulting in higher emissions.

3000 rpm at 80 is normal for my 5 speed.

Before you buy this '00 4Runner, check to see that TSB EL-010 (defective fuel gauge) has been done. Otherwise you are looking at a $400+ job.

 

Thanks for the replies. Will this emissions thing Unhappy99 is talking about burn up the clutch faster? Is it only when you are driving hard/high RPMs that it does this? I didn't notice. I find it annoying.

From 4RUNR's numbers:
2532rpm 4ECT
3010rpm 5SP
If all things are the same, won't the auto get better mileage if you were to maintain a constant speed? I'm sure that the stick would get better in town, but from these numbers it seems like auto has it beat for freeway driving mileage.
Keep 'em comin folks

 

Clutch life is not affected by throttle delay. The delay happens anytime you lift off the gas quickly. Throttles have been built this way for a long time, including my 87 22RE. It just wasn't as noticeable. And no, its not Toyota specific, all manufacturers do it, some just respond quicker than others.

Given the same rear end gearing and driving style, the manual will get 1-2 mpg better than the auto. There are less losses in the manual, and it weighs less.

p.s. mine has 4.10 rear end with 16" wheels. 265/70/16 tires

 

My dad's 96 5-speed 4Runner gets 25 mpg 265/70/16 , not sure the gearing
My 97 auto 4Runner got 19 mpg (when it was stock no sc, and 265/70/16)


I think that the 5-speeds get better gas mileage.

 

The 4ECT 4Runner is rated by the EPA as 17/20, where's the 5SP is 17/19. So even if the numbers are bloated as some would like to believe, the 4ECT relative to 5SP is marginally better as far as MPG go.

 

I average about 15-20 more miles per tank with my 5 speed than my mom get's in her '99 Limited auto,it could even be more but I certainly drive mine harder.

 

Checked again today, and it was hovering at 2400, so i assume it's locking. Will definitely keep an eye on it.