Ride from hell

OR17TRD said:
I’ve had mine shift as low as 3rd and hold it for miles going 70mph running 4500 RPMs up hwy 26.View attachment 18088 I just kept thinking it’s got to down shift some time. It can’t keep holding 3rd gear until it peaks the mountain. It proved me wrong and held that MF until it peaked. View attachment 18089 I didnt start documenting for the first few miles I was just watching it thinking this is crazy. View attachment 18090 after 12 miles or so I finally took CC off. SMH haven’t used it since.
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Which argument one uses about this transmission and its constant shifting proves many owners are not satisfied with either its design (gear ratios) or its programming. I will take the stand that running 4500 rpm to ascend a hill at 70 mph is ridiculous. OVTunes has proven the drive ability of this truck can be greatly improved through programming. Those who have installed the program are very satisfied and love their Tacomas.

I spent time reading Tacoma World and this forum last night about the transmission. I started searching for a new GM twin but they don’t compete with the Tacoma on so many levels. I am sure the eight speed transmission will downshift to climb long grades but not so low to cause the 3.8 to run 4500 rpm.

My remedy will be to research the OVTune. I don’t want to spend $800.00 but I will before I go to a GM twin.

For those who aren’t experiencing the constant shifting....I believe you and am glad you don’t. I do on the turnpike to Tulsa.
 
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OkieCowboy said:
Which argument one uses about this transmission and its constant shifting proves many owners are not satisfied with either its design (gear ratios) or its programming. I will take the stand that running 4500 rpm to ascend a hill at 70 mph is ridiculous. OVTunes has proven the drive ability of this truck can be greatly improved through programming. Those who have installed the program are very satisfied and love their Tacoma.

I spent time reading Tacoma World and this forum last night about the transmission. I started searching for a new GM twin but they don’t compete with the Tacoma on so many levels. I am sure the eight speed transmission will downshift to climb long grades but not so low to cause the 3.8 to run 4500 rpm.

My remedy will be to research the OVTune. I don’t want to spend $800.00 but I will before I go to a GM twin.

For those who aren’t experiencing the constant shifting....I believe you and am glad you don’t. I do on the turnpike to Tulsa.
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Can't relate to the shifting issues but OV seems to make a lot of people happy. I've done some deep reading about them and their 3rd gen Tacoma tunes and I like what I see. They also recently released a new version that seems to be dialed in pretty well. It's a little spendy, but what's $800 compared to the price of your truck? Well worth it in my opinion. I'll be jumping on the bandwagon soon myself but for the manual tune. Good luck!
 
OR17TRD said:
I’ve had mine shift as low as 3rd and hold it for miles going 70mph running 4500 RPMs up hwy 26.View attachment 18088 I just kept thinking it’s got to down shift some time. It can’t keep holding 3rd gear until it peaks the mountain. It proved me wrong and held that MF until it peaked. View attachment 18089 I didnt start documenting for the first few miles I was just watching it thinking this is crazy. View attachment 18090 after 12 miles or so I finally took CC off. SMH haven’t used it since.
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Same problem with the 2nd gens. Not sure why they can't just apply more throttle before calling for a gear change.

Crawdad said:
3rd peddle life ... [emoji41]
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Until the shift forks bend, throw out bearing dies or you shift into reverse with that tall ass reverse gear.
 
whippersnapper02 said:
Same problem with the 2nd gens. Not sure why they can't just apply more throttle before calling for a gear change.



Until the shift forks bend, throw out bearing dies or you shift into reverse with that tall ass reverse gear.
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I've had to change a shift fork in my old X-Runner. It wasn't complicated. Lol
 
I have not had my Taco on a real road trip yet. I am looking to make a run for Southern California to Chicago and back. I think/hope I have become numb to the constant gear seek of my transmission. Either way....... Satellite radio and cruise control should make the trip a breeze.
 
Ok. I just test drove a new Colorado. Loved the Bose. The eight speed transmission downshifted almost as much as the Tacoma on an eight mile test drive on I 40. It downshifted to seventh and a couple of times sixth at 75 mph never running more than 2,800 rpm. The downshift to sixth happened when I would accelerate to pass going up a long grade. It did it much smoother and quieter than the Tacoma. It would also hold a speed much easier and constantly than the Tacoma. The ride was stiffer.

Even with the Bose and leather power seats, it still doesn’t have all the amenities my Tacoma has. I have the premium and tech packages without the JBL.

I never talked price with them. I got back in my Taco and drove it home noting all of the pluses. My ONLY negative is the way the transmission operates. I think I am going to start researching the OVTUNE.
 
Bogunn said:
Uh-oh. Now you’ve had it. The cartel have been trying to track him down for that $50 he owes them. They’re probably watching his transaction history and now they’ll be after you.
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I'll give 'em a cut of the sock order!.......even the cartels wear socks I reckon!
 
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