I am starting to look at possibly replacing my auto 4Runner with a manual version. I love driving a stick and a lot of times wish i had never bought an auto. My question is (having never driven a stick 4Runner), do you like the 4Runner as a stick, is it better as an auto? how long does the clutch usually last, is it really worth it to sell the auto for a stick runner.

 

WAAY more power with the stick. you'll notice a difference. im going on wat i know of the old 4 runners, ive driven a auto p/u w/ 22re, a stick, an auto 3.0 p/u, manual 3.0 4runner. stick is deff better. easier to maintain as well

 

mines an auto and it BLOWS lol. my GF's 90 runner is a stick and is was more fun and better. its more good. deff go switch. no seriously I am.

 

I've got a 94, but the clutches last a long time. I love my 5 speed, it saves gas, it's quicker, and it's easier on the brakes, and more fun on hills/windy roads. It's hard to find a 3rd gen(which is what yours is, mine is a 2nd) with a stick. If I was you, instead of selling the whole car, maybe you would want to consider a 5 speed swap. It is relatively common to do this, and if you run a search on 5 speed swaps, you will find more than enough information to guide you through it, and if you get stuck, there are always people here, who have done it, or have knowledge of it, that can help.

 

i wouldint trade my 5 speed for a auto

 

Me neither.

 

I personally think they need to pass laws that all cars and trucks are manual transmission this would cut back on bad drivers, it is harder to drive and talk on a cell phone, driving a manual you are in control and have to pay closer attention to what you are doing.

driving is a privilege and automatics make it where anyone and everyone can drive and not always is that a good thing.

I say get a manual I had a automatic for a few years and it sucked the whole time I had it I was always cursing the truck wishing it was a manual that and I was stepping for the clutch pedal all the time when stopping even though it did not have one.

 

Good posting!!! I agree with this.

 

as for the life span of a clutch that depends on your driving habits I think on a average from peoples posts over time on here the factory ones seem to get around 90K up to 140k but it really depends on what kind of driving you do.

 

i got about 157k on my stock clutch and about 170k on the last two trucks ive had and my moms truck just had the clutch replaced at 200k or some where around there the clutch it self was fine its just the springs failed

 

my 4runner had 160k on it when I replaced the clutch and it still had plenty of pad on it, the pilot bearing had gone out and was missing 5 ball bearings out of it.

 

Some people on here have 225,000 miles and the original clutch.

 

also i never cared for autos much always in the wrong gear or they hunt around for the right gear and when u try to pass someone theres that delay .... and the only reason i would have to get one is if i lived some place where traffic was bumper to bumper

 

I too love being part of the manual club!

 

I have an auto and I like not having to shift but then again sometimes i really wish i had a manual so i could control the shift points because the auto seems like its kinda random sometimes especially from 2 to 3, idk if anyone else has this issue.

 

I almost got car jacked until the car jacker relized he could not drive a manual that in it's self makes it worth it.
Besides that every vehicle I own is a manual you could not give me an auto

 

i have almost 300,000 miles on my FACTORY CLUTCH! beat THAT!

 

You only have 256,000 miles

But that is something to be proud of. Mine chatters, and it was replaced 25K miles ago.

 

I love my 98 v6 manual. I have driven friends 3rd gen autos, and they just dont compare IMO. Much more usable power with the 5spd. My only complaint is that while the clutch still feels great, I'm getting some chirp when its in neutral with the clutch pedal out. Damn throw out bearing I suspect...

One thing that surprised me is how easy the clutch is to work offroad. I have driven stick all my life, but I imagined a 5spd would be a challenge in the sand and mud... not so with the 4runner, it must be its solid low end...

 

I love my 99 5speed. I drive in Washington DC traffic almost everyday and wouldn't consider tradeing it for an auto. The 5speed can be tough to find but are worth the wait if you enjoy driving a stick.

That being said, at 118K my clutch chatters and I had to replace the clutch master cylinder.