auto or manual with TRD

nation · 11-05-2005, 04:25 PM

well since i picked one up my buddie started looking.whats the better set up for trails and mud(no rocks)which will give a better gear ratio?also,just how well does the auto stand up to things like headers,S/C and ect?my jeep was a auto and did great for me.

SAR_Squid79 · 11-05-2005, 04:47 PM

Both transmissions are good sturdy transmissions. I like my Automatic, and as far as how well they fare with mods - I know of guys on here that have been running the S/C for a long time without modifying the auto tranny, and have not had a problem. I just did the Valve Body Upgrade for the performance gain and the peace of mind of not worrying about stripping a gear. The S/C is going to be the only mod where you'd need to worry about the tranny. You won't have to worry about it with headers or any of that other stuff.

A lot of guys will probably tell you that the manual transmission is better, but I have been in situations on the trail where I have had to be hanging out my window watching my line, with one hand on the steering wheel, one hand on the e-brake, my right foot on the gas, and my left foot on the brake. It would complicate things that much more if I had to worry about a clutch and shifter.

I would say the bottom line is going to simply come down to personal preference. My truck is a Supercharged automatic, and I love it!

Kamr0n · 11-05-2005, 04:49 PM

If you SC an auto, you'll really need to get the valve body upgraded so it shifts when you need it to. Also I've heard of problems with the torque converter slipping too much. personally I had an auto, and its way easier on a hard core trail, but, but now that I have a manual, both 3.4L different trucks though, power transfer is much better on the manual.

nation · 11-05-2005, 06:11 PM

is there a difference in what gear ratio they come with?mainly with the TRD
hes wondering cause hes looking at the DC and wants to do the same as me 3" and 32" tires

Kamr0n · 11-05-2005, 09:52 PM

if he gets a DC, then it only comes with an auto... so he doesn't really have a choice. unless he plans on some serious work.

Jester · 11-06-2005, 03:58 AM

If its going to be a daily driver along with a trail driver I would go with the manual transmission. I have found in the past that you get better gas milage and you have more overall control on fuel economy management. With gas prices they way they are when i get back from Iraq I am getting a manual.

nation · 11-06-2005, 08:51 AM

yep daily.also,is there different ratios on the auto vs manual?or did they both come with 4.10 gears??

SGMongoose · 11-06-2005, 04:45 PM

what off road situations would one tranny be better then the other?

Paul · 11-06-2005, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SGMongoose

what off road situations would one tranny be better then the other?

In the rocks you don't have to worry about burning the clutch with an auto. I'd rather have a manual with a crawler though.

SGMongoose · 11-06-2005, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaulW

In the rocks you don't have to worry about burning the clutch with an auto. I'd rather have a manual with a crawler though.

whys that?

Paul · 11-06-2005, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SGMongoose

whys that?

More control of the vehicle. More gears to choose from. Going slow rules.

mikep · 11-08-2005, 04:53 AM

i have 3.4 trd pkg auto tranny and like it for the most part but as said for crawling a manual would be nice somtimes even in low i find myself wishing for a manual just my opinion wich isnt much

TacoDell · 11-08-2005, 07:35 AM

If you spend more time on the road an auto is convienent. Manual might get better fuel economy (depends on your driving habits). My favorite thing about the manual is the compression braking... Much better than an auto when going down a slope... That said I have always had manuals in every car or truck I've ever owned... But years of commuting have tired me out... And now I wish my truck was an auto... That said... it's time to get a new truck as my daily driver. And put the Taco on a trailer to the trail... Thinking about one of those Titans... Seems to be a better towing truck then the Tundra... And an auto makes for easier towing as well... But I'm sure I'd get a lot O' crap for showing up in camp with a Titan pulling a Taco... LOL

Full_Tilt_Fud · 11-08-2005, 08:16 AM

I have an automatic in my 97 and a 5 speed in my 85. There are times and places where both have an advantage but, at the end of the day my nod goes to the auto. In a perfect world I would have an auto with a manual valve body so that i was still in control of the shifts but there was no clutch to mess with.

11-05-2005, 04:25 PM	#1
nation i am the nation Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: vacaville,ca Posts: 985	auto or manual with TRD well since i picked one up my buddie started looking.whats the better set up for trails and mud(no rocks)which will give a better gear ratio?also,just how well does the auto stand up to things like headers,S/C and ect?my jeep was a auto and did great for me.

11-05-2005, 04:47 PM	#2
SAR_Squid79 SoCal Vice Pres. Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 5,134	Both transmissions are good sturdy transmissions. I like my Automatic, and as far as how well they fare with mods - I know of guys on here that have been running the S/C for a long time without modifying the auto tranny, and have not had a problem. I just did the Valve Body Upgrade for the performance gain and the peace of mind of not worrying about stripping a gear. The S/C is going to be the only mod where you'd need to worry about the tranny. You won't have to worry about it with headers or any of that other stuff. A lot of guys will probably tell you that the manual transmission is better, but I have been in situations on the trail where I have had to be hanging out my window watching my line, with one hand on the steering wheel, one hand on the e-brake, my right foot on the gas, and my left foot on the brake. It would complicate things that much more if I had to worry about a clutch and shifter. I would say the bottom line is going to simply come down to personal preference. My truck is a Supercharged automatic, and I love it! __________________ ~Jamie 2000 Tacoma TRD 4WD PreRunner Supercharged. Locked. Armored. Mountain: She can crawl it. Ass: She can haul it. *"Roads? Where we're going we don't need . . . roads."* ~Dr. Emmett L. Brown My Rig My Trailer 4xInnovations Last edited by SAR_Squid79; 11-05-2005 at 04:56 PM.

11-05-2005, 04:49 PM	#3
Kamr0n Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Diego Posts: 1,084	If you SC an auto, you'll really need to get the valve body upgraded so it shifts when you need it to. Also I've heard of problems with the torque converter slipping too much. personally I had an auto, and its way easier on a hard core trail, but, but now that I have a manual, both 3.4L different trucks though, power transfer is much better on the manual. __________________ don't worry about it.

11-05-2005, 09:52 PM	#5
Kamr0n Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Diego Posts: 1,084	if he gets a DC, then it only comes with an auto... so he doesn't really have a choice. unless he plans on some serious work. __________________ don't worry about it.

11-06-2005, 03:58 AM	#6
Jester Newbie Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Shaw AFB, SC Posts: 17	If its going to be a daily driver along with a trail driver I would go with the manual transmission. I have found in the past that you get better gas milage and you have more overall control on fuel economy management. With gas prices they way they are when i get back from Iraq I am getting a manual. __________________ "Don't be so open minded that your brain falls out"

11-05-2005, 06:11 PM	#4
nation i am the nation Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: vacaville,ca Posts: 985	is there a difference in what gear ratio they come with?mainly with the TRD hes wondering cause hes looking at the DC and wants to do the same as me 3" and 32" tires

11-06-2005, 08:51 AM	#7
nation i am the nation Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: vacaville,ca Posts: 985	yep daily.also,is there different ratios on the auto vs manual?or did they both come with 4.10 gears??

11-06-2005, 04:45 PM	#8
SGMongoose Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 83	what off road situations would one tranny be better then the other?

11-08-2005, 04:53 AM	#12
mikep Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: kailua kona hawaii Posts: 31	i have 3.4 trd pkg auto tranny and like it for the most part but as said for crawling a manual would be nice somtimes even in low i find myself wishing for a manual just my opinion wich isnt much

11-08-2005, 07:35 AM	#13
TacoDell truck ~n~ tow Join Date: May 2005 Location: Hemet/SoCal Posts: 8,430	If you spend more time on the road an auto is convienent. Manual might get better fuel economy (depends on your driving habits). My favorite thing about the manual is the compression braking... Much better than an auto when going down a slope... That said I have always had manuals in every car or truck I've ever owned... But years of commuting have tired me out... And now I wish my truck was an auto... That said... it's time to get a new truck as my daily driver. And put the Taco on a trailer to the trail... Thinking about one of those Titans... Seems to be a better towing truck then the Tundra... And an auto makes for easier towing as well... But I'm sure I'd get a lot O' crap for showing up in camp with a Titan pulling a Taco... LOL __________________ '00 Taco SR5 V6, 5-SP, 4X, and some extras... My Garage Last edited by cbrRRman; 11-08-2005 at 07:37 AM.

11-08-2005, 08:16 AM	#14
Full_Tilt_Fud Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Battle Creek, Michigan Posts: 2,526	I have an automatic in my 97 and a 5 speed in my 85. There are times and places where both have an advantage but, at the end of the day my nod goes to the auto. In a perfect world I would have an auto with a manual valve body so that i was still in control of the shifts but there was no clutch to mess with. __________________ ~ Todd 96 Tacoma.......1 locker, 2 transfer cases, 4 tires

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
is it worth going from auto 4x2 to 4x4 manual?	balco	Newbie Tech	10	11-04-2005 01:13 PM
2001 tacoma x-cab trd sr5, auto v6 = FS	trdtacostand04	Rigs/Trailers For Sale	4	10-04-2005 02:09 PM
Auto to manual conversion	Bones	PreRunner Tech	22	07-20-2005 06:33 AM
AIC: Diff Between Auto and Manual	themariachi	Performance/Engine/Exhaust	7	03-05-2005 10:41 PM
manual or auto??	toubabokoomi	Off Topic	7	01-05-2005 11:16 PM