Considering getting a 2023 TRD pro w/ 6 speed manual

Hey guys, currently I have a 1st gen 5speed that I love but looking to get a new Tacoma.

I’m curious as to anyone on here with the 6 speed manual in the 3rd gens.
Mainly just curious as to anyone with high mileage and how the manual has been. I’ve heard stuff about the manuals whining but that’s about it.
Also just any common issues with the 3.5 as well.

If anyone has experience with the new 6 speeds I’d love to hear your opinion on how it’s been over the years.

Thanks.

 

79k here.

The only whining that I have seen noted is the diffs early on and the MT when folks install the Core short shifter. Mine is quiet, even with an aftermarket shift boot. My diff had a subtle whine with the stock suspension, but threads about that have dropped off with the newer model years.

 

Don’t own one but have friends that do and have driven them a few times. It’s not a sports car transmission by any stretch. It’s more fun then the auto. It’s pretty forgiving for people like me who rarely drive manuals anymore. If you can even find a Pro period never the less a manual one, go for it. The price will be silly. I wouldn’t shy away from the auto though, it’s just fine in the later model years. No one in my circles have had any issues with their manuals over the last 3-5 years, seems solid.

 

Reliability wise - they seem to be pretty much "forget about them" - assumes you know how to drive stick and understand that clutches are wear items and eventually do need replacement. That's not a fault of the trans.

The only real concern I've heard from people is rear gear being a bit too high and if you back up heavy trailers - it's accelerating that clutch wear/shortening the lifespan. YMMV

 

Rolled over 149,xxx miles on mine this week ('17 TRD OR). Original clutch, 1 fluid change. Going to Colorado next summer, will be replaced before the trip. Just started noticing a little bit of whine, but nothing alarming. Pulls an 18' trailer and Polaris Ranger quite a bit. Doesn't like it very much, but it will do it.

 

Just noting that there is a mod for that:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...-2wd-low-range-for-the-3rd-gen-tacoma.614743/​

 

That’s what I was looking for, someone with over 100k experience especially towing. Sounds like it’s treated you pretty well so far. I appreciate the input

Yeah I’m well aware it’s no sports car Lol, my 3.4 5speed double cab is not fast by any means but the r150f I put in had 300k miles and after another 15-20k it’s been doing great still no issues. I just love the control of a manual and hate the AI of autos trying to decide what gear based on how you drive and all that. Hence the reason I swapped the manual into my 2001.

Yeah I don’t tow at all, maybe the occasional 8x10 trailer for stuff that wouldn’t fit in the truck but that’s rare. I only care about how bulletproof they are compared to the OG’s.

 

I had a new Toyota truck before they named it Tacoma. Pretty sure that was the original. New the suspension was so stiff you could lift a wheel driving over a curb.

 

Do it if you can find one! (It took me a while - and even after placing orders, it was lady luck who really came through!)
Soon there will be no more manual gearboxes...
I'm still pretty low on miles - but no whines and no issues. The manual makes driving the taco good fun - even if you are going slowly.

 

Do it while you can, l have a bad feeling 23 will be the last year of the MT Tacoma.

 

It's weird, but I'm not even hearing a rumble about the 4Runner. I wonder if the 4th Gen will get pushed back again?

 

Just will chime in that the TRD OR is usually easier to find than the Pro, is still offered in the 6MT, and dealers are less likely to mark-up the OR as opposed to the Pro. Do you REALLY need the Pro....

 

Less than 10k on my '19 but so far no issues. I use a lot of clutch when I go offroad and get into places that I shouldn't be..stinky..but otherwise it's great fun. Will be a sad day when manuals are no longer made that's for sure.

 

I share the sentiment - I sold a really nice diesel Colorado just so I could get back to rowing my own gears. My hope is that the Pro and OR will still have a manual for the upcoming 2024 4th gen launch but it's getting less and less likely. One bit of hope we have for manual trans in the upcoming electric world is the Jeep concept where they had an electric motor paired with a manual gearbox (I know, most electrics only have 1 gear). The rationale was that when off-roading you need much more control of torque applied at the wheels than an electric motor can give you. One can hope that concept keeps living on...

 

With how supply chains have been screwed up it wouldn't surprise me. You are right on the next 4R too as it's been pretty much silent on info.

 

Cheers!


Definitely the likely reason. Wild times!

 

Reverse gear is pretty tall, if you do a lot of towing or reversing up steeper inclines I’d probably suggest the 2LO Mod. I use it only occasionally, but glad I have it when I need it. That being said you get used to it, and other than that I love it.

 

50k dollars for space age drum brakes

 

reverse is super tall.

I love my manual. It's really fun to drive, forgiving and solid. I got 5000 mile on my 22. So smooth. Works great.

 

You ain't lying. Just a few hundred miles on my 6MT so far and I could tell right away reverse was way tall. Well today I had to back up to my porch to unload something. My front yard is sloped and I had to reverse up the hill. The truck barely made it and the valves were clacking and rattling at almost full throttle. Ended up putting it in 4H to help. It was really sad and I'm thinking something might be wrong with the reverse in my gear box. I can only imagine how useless reverse is off roading...