Manual vs auto trannys in the snow

**Superstar Punani** · 05-23-2005, 12:23 PM

Stupid question, but I prefer stickshifts for more fun and control. All the cars I've owned have been sticks.

I've looked long and hard for a 2000 4runner in stick shift but am not finding shit in 5 months. I'm this close to just giving in and getting a late model one, but with AT (2000 was the last year they made stick shifts). So my question is, if you guys have driven manuals and moved over to automatics, is it hard tpo adjust to driving an AT, especially in the snow? I've stories from buds driving ATs andf the pieces of shit shifting when they shouldn't shift and causing slide out (even on luxury poser SUVs like Benz ML POSs).

Fuck these late model AT-only SUVs. I'd pay extra just to get an 05 4runner in a stickshift.

And if anyone knows of a 2000 4runner V6 stick shift 4wd black XXXXXL lemme know.

**lemon boy** · 05-23-2005, 12:28 PM

1. Nobody I know who's gone from toyo p/u to 4runner has been happy with it. They're heavier and quite a bit slower.
2. AT = Deathtrap POS that you have no control over.

IMO unless you just have to have a vehicle that doesn't come with a manny the only reasons to have a slushbox are:
1. Amputated left leg
2. Vagina packed FULL of sand.

**Core Shot** · 05-23-2005, 12:36 PM

Its prolly more dangerous to go the other way (AT to manual) for most folks.
Starting from a stop is much easier and smoother with AT.
That's one reason most offroad beasts are AT.

If your truck is in 4WD and downshifts on an incline, spinout (if any) would be 4 wheel spinout and controllable. If you are in RWD, it can be more of a problem. When the road is snow covered, you should be in 4WD anyway.
On the downhills, you have less engine braking and need to use the brakes a bit more.

YMMV, and apparently I have sand in my vagina

**cj001f** · 05-23-2005, 12:38 PM

The only people I know who've had problems with AT's downshifting on them are morons who don't know the vehicle.

**Viva** · 05-23-2005, 12:50 PM

I run an auto on my Taco, and have never had a problem. Toyota ATs have good gear ratios, so first, disable OD- noticable shift- then go 2nd for bigger downshift. You can go up to 60 or 70 mph in second, so keep it there when on a snowy incline. The 4-Play should have the same or similar shift ratios.

Now the 96 ranGer I had years ago be another story. In that POS, there was no discernable difference between 1st and 2nd, not to mention disabling OD.

**Dexter Rutecki** · 05-23-2005, 01:44 PM

Don't know much about them in snow, but I can tell you that I've heard of problems with overheating running AT 4WD in sand, which doesn't happen with manual. I'm guessing that wouldn't be nearly as much of a problem in snow. Shouldn't be any harder to start from a stop with MT, as long as you're not a JONG.

**MOHSHSIHd** · 05-23-2005, 01:49 PM

never any problem with my 2002 taco auto....as long as i have a decent amount of weight in it for traction i can drive 40 or 50 mph uphill in 8 inches of snow....

**Evil E** · 05-23-2005, 01:50 PM

i have a 96 4runner with 137,000 miles and its a stick. Ive gone for rides in others 4runners that were autos and didnt like the way they performed at all. Just felt momish. I heart my 4runner.

Runs just as great now as it did when i got her with 30k on it. No probs, no leaks, just solid driving goodness. I should be able to get 200+ miles out of her and then some. Im driving this one into the ground.

Punani, just get a 98 or something, theyre just as good. Plus the new 4runners interiors look like they were designed by marker, all plasticky gadgetry and no function.

I might just put the supercharger and a k/n filter on the truck this year just to get some better HP out of it.

**Idris** · 05-23-2005, 03:02 PM

Originally Posted by Core Shot

Starting from a stop is much easier and smoother with AT.
That's one reason most offroad beasts are AT.

Only in America, look at what most of the world drives and won't find AT.

I would much rather have MT over AT. But I'd rather drive my AT Subie (gave up searching for MT after 4 months on none) with maual lockout (you can lock it in any gear, up or down). Than a 2wd MT anything in the snow.

**MOHSHSIHd** · 05-23-2005, 03:07 PM

Originally Posted by Core Shot
Starting from a stop is much easier and smoother with AT.
That's one reason most offroad beasts are AT.

thats cause most americans suck at driving stick.....

**lemon boy** · 05-23-2005, 03:10 PM

Idris- I think coreshot's talking about the rock crawlers. Those guys almost exclusively run ATs for control (in their application) and torque multiplication.

**Superstar Punani** · 05-23-2005, 03:29 PM

Thanks for your 2cents maggs!

I'm keeping my 99 Taco Turd with 199,000 miles since the mileage kills the resale value, plus I've taken good care of her.

4Runner seems good for moving people around, since any passengers stuffed in the Xtracab tend to complain loudly after being cramped in there for a more than a couple minutes. IMHO any double cab truck is gat.

Gat:

**Core Shot** · 05-23-2005, 03:33 PM

Originally Posted by lemon boy

Idris- I think coreshot's talking about the rock crawlers. Those guys almost exclusively run ATs for control (in their application) and torque multiplication.

'xactly what I was saying.

Even for mud and sand, most offroaders are AT.
As for snow, if you are at full stop on a very steep snowy driveway, you can ease an AT and slowly turn the wheels with ZERO wheelspin.
On a manual, it can be done if you got skillz, but it takes lots of spinning of the clutch plate, which is wear and tear on the clutch and shortens its life.

**Meathelmet** · 05-23-2005, 03:34 PM

Originally Posted by cj001f

The only people I know who've had problems with AT's downshifting on them are morons who don't know the vehicle.

Well, i have a backpack full of anecdotes of people that are NOT using auto trannys on saabs,mercedes or volvos up here in scandi.

Have taken a lot ( i mean lot of autos,front and rear drive, 2wd and 4wd) up for a ride in the snowy situations around here, and unless forced with gunpoint, i personally would not ever,ever, ride a auto unless, well, being forced with gunpoint.
They are acceptable to certain levell (4wd, volkswagen,audi,subaru) but if you have a bad autotranny (usually american vehicles...) coupled with full time awd, you might end up in intresting situations.

Now we are not talking about rearwheel drive vehicles with a auto..

I managed to do a 350´ with a volvo 240 with a auto tranny on a uphill, 90kmp/h, section of a road.
I just didnt believe that a old swedish diesel could do it.
It did.
With an ease.

**lemon boy** · 05-23-2005, 03:34 PM

The Obvious Solution

4wd - check
diesel - check
supercab or crew cab - check
manny tranny - check

**lemon boy** · 05-23-2005, 03:36 PM

of course then you'd have to get one of these

**Superstar Punani** · 05-23-2005, 03:37 PM

Originally Posted by lemon boy

The Obvious Solution

4wd - check
diesel - check
supercab or crew cab - check
manny tranny - check

Found On Road, Dead

**lemon boy** · 05-23-2005, 03:40 PM

First On Race Day

**Viva** · 05-23-2005, 03:43 PM

Originally Posted by MOHSHSIHd

thats cause most americans suck at driving stick.....

You know, I'm inclined to agree with this assessment. I admit that I'm terrible at driving manual.

I converted fully to auto many, many years ago because, as a beginning teenaged driver, it was such a pain in the a$$ to drive stick in Los Angeles freeway traffic. And I did a lot of Freeway driving when I was young.

**lemon boy** · 05-23-2005, 03:47 PM

Seriously, why don't you just get the 80s cabrio and stop deluding yourself?

Can you get a year or two old taco doublecab (BTW- you're gonna fucking hate the tiny bed bullshit) with the manual?

And after years and years of pretending it looks like toyo is set to come out with a "real" truck (3/4 - 1 ton) with a diesel engine. We'll see if it fails to suck or not.

**snwbdrhoon** · 05-23-2005, 03:51 PM

i am a lazy bastard. i go tiptronic... so i have auto for those long traffic jams and stick for the snowy conditions.

**natty dread** · 05-23-2005, 04:33 PM

Drove a rental AT 4runner in the mountains and it sucked. Slow as shit up hill and always shifting when you didn't want it to. Good choice Pu, stick with the stick. A powerstoke on the other hand, I might go AT because it has some muscle. Had a 5 sp cummins in the mid-90s and gotta say rowing thru that NV4500 tranny in the city was a pain in the ass. Toyota manuals are much easier.

**Superstar Punani** · 05-23-2005, 04:50 PM

Originally Posted by lemon boy

Seriously, why don't you just get the 80s cabrio and stop deluding yourself?

Can you get a year or two old taco doublecab (BTW- you're gonna fucking hate the tiny bed bullshit) with the manual?

No I'd never get those. The double cabs suck ass for that reason. You can't even get a surfboard/skis/mountain bike in that tiny-ass bed. Then there's this monstrosity here- the double cab w/ standard bed.

I heard a rumor (...I heard a rumor...they say you've got a broken heart) that a Hybrid Taco is in the works for 06/07.

Thanks for the info Natty. That's what I was concerned about with ATs in general.

**basom** · 05-23-2005, 04:57 PM

pu, the tundra access cab is a lot bigger than the taco, with out the quad cab look.

this is an '04, 5 speed, v8. there are also lots of 5 speed v6's around.

of couse its in nashua, and a sweet purple color. but i bet they have them in california too, and possibly gayer colors.