Double Cab Tacoma - Auto trans ???

[cruiseroutfit]

I'd love to hear from owners of a Tacoma dbl cab that have the 3.4 (V6) and the auto, especially if you have driven a 3.4 5-speed manual too. Gutless? Heat issues? Anything?

I am getting really serious about selling (trading in??) my 96' ex.cab Tacoma for something newer, lower miles, and most importantly a double cab. However as the double cab only comes in an auto configuration... I'de have to live with that. I've driven quite a few of them, and my mother has a 4Runner with the 3.4/auto... they have always felt "sluggish" compared to my manual... is it just my perception? Obviously they won't have the "drop the clutch" feel of a manual, and they do rob a bit of power... but is it enough to make you think twice. On-road they seem to be great, I'm worried about they way they feel with some slightly larger tires (32's) and offroad. Does it feel like your killing the trans?

Thanks for the insight!

 

[Brett]

Dunno if this helps, but I never felt like my '00 Extended cab was slow with an auto was slow...till I road around in your Taco. But, as things were, I was always happy with the auto in mine.

Not much help huh?

 

[Greg]

Catherines '00 4Runner has an auto & it does feel slow compared to my old Taco w/ the 5 speed. The tranny has been great though, we've done a fair amount of offroad travel in it & I like the auto. It engine brakes on decents, stays in the gear you select & has never had an issue as far as heat. We're running a set of 265/75/16 BFG A/T's and the mileage isn't that great. I'd love to step up to 285's, but I'd be afraid that would kill the mileage. I think it would need atleast 4.56's to work properly. As of now, we're getting about 220-240 miles out of a tank. My 5 speed Taco would get 300. That's a pretty big difference.

Anything else I might be able to answer? If we bring it to the U4 event, you're more than welcome to drive it.

 

[I Lean]

Supercharger.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Catherines '00 4Runner has an auto & it does feel slow compared to my old Taco w/ the 5 speed. The tranny has been great though, we've done a fair amount of offroad travel in it & I like the auto. It engine brakes on decents, stays in the gear you select & has never had an issue as far as heat. We're running a set of 265/75/16 BFG A/T's and the mileage isn't that great. I'd love to step up to 285's, but I'd be afraid that would kill the mileage. I think it would need atleast 4.56's to work properly. As of now, we're getting about 220-240 miles out of a tank. My 5 speed Taco would get 300. That's a pretty big difference.

Anything else I might be able to answer? If we bring it to the U4 event, you're more than welcome to drive it.

Thats somewhat my worry... I'm getting ~250 miles versus the 300 I was getting before the bigger tires. I've heard that auto will get as low as 200/tank running heavy tires (Maxxis Bighorns for example).

There are actually a bunch of newer ex-cabs with low miles for a decent deal... I might be satisfied with one of those again too. While the double cab has alot more usable interior room, you do lose quite a bit of bed space. Oh the decisions...

Thanks for the offer, we'll have to grab dinner in Moab and chat some more

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Supercharger.

As much as I like the feel of the supercharger, I think I'm going to pass, they have a tendancy to "wear" out other parts ie: rear ends and such

 

[Verceingetorix]

double cab

The double cab tacoma does come in a 5 speed manual on the newer body style with the 4.0. They are alot nicer and roomier than the older body style with the 3.4 and auto. I like would not buy the older body style double cab with the auto they are too slow. I would look at the newer body style if you have to have a double cab but they are more money.

 

[notajeep]

If it helps any... My Father has an 02 4 runner witht the 3.4 and the auto. I's not much of a drag racer (then again neither is my father), But he does do alot of towing with it. He did add a cooler but other wise it is holding up just fine to 5000lbs of truck and trailer 10 -12 times a year.
But that streatch from Moab to Delta over I-70 kinda sucked.
Dan

 

[O'neal]

I had that red 03 quad cab taco,gutless and bad on fuel.Could'nt haul anything in the bed let alone tow anything.Traded it off for the tundra I have now...much,much better.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

The double cab tacoma does come in a 5 speed manual on the newer body style with the 4.0. They are alot nicer and roomier than the older body style with the 3.4 and auto. I like would not buy the older body style double cab with the auto they are too slow. I would look at the newer body style if you have to have a double cab but they are more money.

I'm honestly not even considering the 05' & up Tacomas... There are several things I don't like about them, the biggest being the size... just too big from my tastes, I might as well wait for the new 5.7l Tundra if I am going to go with a bigger bodied truck. I'm looking for a direct replacement for my current truck... which will once again get used for all sorts of "expedition" type trips as well as my DD needs.

 

[monobeam94]

My daily driver is a 2004 Double Cab. It has the supercharger, so it has more than enough power. I do have to agree with you on the auto trans, it is a bit sluggish but it sure nice when you are driving or offroading. I average about 16-17 mpg city driving (I have a lead foot). I did Hell's Revenge with no problem. It has 265/75 R16 Nitto Terra Grappler (All Terrain) tires, they are a little bit heavier cause they are a 10 ply tire. I've had no problems with it and have been extremely happy with it. If you are looking for a 4-door truck of that size, the Tacoma is the way to go. Just compare other 4-door trucks of the same size and year. I am also thinking about selling this truck. I have to get a full-size truck to haul my Black POS around.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

....I am also thinking about selling this truck. I have to get a full-size truck to haul my Black POS around.

What are you looking to get out of your truck? Probably a bit out of my range (I'm looking to sell my truck & pay cash for my next one $13-17k range)... but I would like to know anyways...





The more I think about it the more I think I am satisfied with my ExCab... I really don't if I need the DblCab.