Jim_Chow
V8_Fan
It's also a lot easier & cheaper to replace the manual tranny fluid vs. auto tranny fluid...just drain & fill.
6 speed vs Auto - What's the real difference?
- Thread starter woooody
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If you do a lot of off roading, particularly stop and go on hills/rocks, get the AT. Otherwise, the 6mt is generally just more fun to drive all around. Just imo.
Yes but are you able to drive on dry pavement in the Auto in 4HI without drivetrain damage?
I have an 07 4runner V6 with the"multi-mode" 4WD that allows you to drive it like a fulltime 4WD. Does the Auto FJ still allow you to drive this way?
I ask because my girlfriend is looking for a smallish SUV and I think an FJ would be perfect for her as long as she can keep the truck in 4HI with the auto (cant drive stick). We live in Boston so this would be ideal for wintery situations without having to constantly switch from 2HI to 4HI.
I have an 07 4runner V6 with the"multi-mode" 4WD that allows you to drive it like a fulltime 4WD. Does the Auto FJ still allow you to drive this way?
I ask because my girlfriend is looking for a smallish SUV and I think an FJ would be perfect for her as long as she can keep the truck in 4HI with the auto (cant drive stick). We live in Boston so this would be ideal for wintery situations without having to constantly switch from 2HI to 4HI.
you can drive it on the pavement in 4wd however, on dry pavemnt there will be more stress placed on the driveline, thats not my opinion, its just physics... there is no milti-mode type option, however it is possible to shift on the fly from 2HI to 4HI safely up to i think 40mph (i'd have to double check the manual) no need to shift into neutral or anything, just let off the gas and tug the stick (by way of reminder, especially considering that it would ostensibly be a girl driving the truck, the first dozen shifts or so will be very tight, it may be helpful to throw it into 4HI a couple of times just to get the feel for it, rather than getting into a situation where its snowing and dangerous out and she dosent realise how stiff the lever will be and is afraid of messing somthing up and leaves it in 2wd)
Why would you want to drive in 4HI on dry pavement? This is a semi hi profile vehicle so any cornering advantage you might have with all wheel drive is nagated with the hi profile. this is not a sports car, so for the auto verse manual question I think it boils down to what is the majority of driving you are going to experience. I too am about 80/20 commute/offroad so this was a no brainer. auto. This is from someone who hates autos as well! Had the manual not been f/t 4x4 I would of considered it more. No matter what you choose...just have fun!!!
Dog
Dog
My Two Pennies:
IF when I get an FJC, it will be amannual tranny.
I keep vehicles for a long long time. (My 21 yr old FJ60 , over 400K miles)
Most vehicles dumped after 4 or so years is cause the auto tranny poops out and the owner doesn't want to pay 4 grand to fix.
In the manual, vehicle failure is clutch: a grand if ya have Toy do it, less if ya do it at home....
Again, the above is IMO . . .
IF when I get an FJC, it will be amannual tranny.
I keep vehicles for a long long time. (My 21 yr old FJ60 , over 400K miles)
Most vehicles dumped after 4 or so years is cause the auto tranny poops out and the owner doesn't want to pay 4 grand to fix.
In the manual, vehicle failure is clutch: a grand if ya have Toy do it, less if ya do it at home....
Again, the above is IMO . . .
I want full time 4wheel drive. If that doesn't matter to you then get which ever you like to drive more. I can wheel pretty good with a manual because that is what I have always had. I took my brothers 100 out and embarassed myself because I had never wheeled with an auto. Both are will last if you take care of them. If you are worried about the auto tranny, an aftermarket tranny cooler or synthetic trany fluid go a long ways in keeping your tranny cool and is cheaper than a rebuild. I don't think you will have problems either way.
I have done a lot of wheeling with a manual and it is a blast; however, in reality, I spend much more time on the pave than off-road. I eventually tired of the up and down shifting required in traffic so I went auto. The FJ is a Toyota and quality built. You can't go wrong either way.
I agree, the MT is way fun to drive. Raised on manuals, owned an auto for four years. Now back to a MT with my FJC and lovin it. Trail riding is all new to me anyway. I now have a vehicle I can have fun with — anywhere.
Case in point … driving back from a work meeting the other day. Said to my passenger as I'm driving at speed "you know what's awesome about this rig?" "What?" she says.
I put in my clutch, lay off the gas and shift. "Sixth gear!"
She rolls her eyes, and my grin just gets wider.
Case in point … driving back from a work meeting the other day. Said to my passenger as I'm driving at speed "you know what's awesome about this rig?" "What?" she says.
I put in my clutch, lay off the gas and shift. "Sixth gear!"
She rolls her eyes, and my grin just gets wider.
It's a matter of personally preferenceo. AT definitely has an edge over MT when it comes to rock crawling but, I still went with the MT over the AT.
One trivial fact about I found about trail riding with the MT is that your trying to do the opposite that you do on the road. On road you want to give it gas so it doesn't stall. Off road you use a combination of brakes/clutch to go really slow to the point right before stalling out.
One trivial fact about I found about trail riding with the MT is that your trying to do the opposite that you do on the road. On road you want to give it gas so it doesn't stall. Off road you use a combination of brakes/clutch to go really slow to the point right before stalling out.
Each has it's advantages and disadvantages. I've always enjoyed the feel of the manual but recently my SO has come up semi lame in her left knee and may need a replacement soon (we're older than semi-new dirt), hence my choice of the auto. Actually it ain't all that bad. IMHO. FWIW (not much I suppose....)
....Dusty
THE 6-SPEED JUST KICKS THAT MUCH MORE ASS THAT IT'S KRAZZY............I'm not even joking it really is that good. I love it and if you really want to go offroad manuel is the only way to go.
The real difference is "control." I like to control the vehicle, not to mention coming down steep hills in dirt, mud or snow. The 6 speed has a much lower crawl ratio. Good Luck!
The six speed is AWESOME. I can't begin to tell you how fun it is to drive this truck. Superfun in traffic and even better on the trail. IMO you ride in an automatic, but you DRIVE a manual. I've found that I develope a much more intimate relationship with MTs. You become an active participant in the driving process....you become part of the truck. I've got a TRD CAI and JBA headders, JBA Catback exhaust, and URD short-throw shifter are being installed this wedensday. I can't wait! I talked to a guy with the URD shifter and he said it is one if the best upgrades he has installed......and this dude's truck is tricked out for real. He said it makes him feel like he is shifting a ferrari instead of a truck. I'll let you know what I think on thursday!
I have the auto and the ONLY disadvantages IMO are the usual auto tranny complaints:
"Lurches" when shifting...can burn up with heavy towing (towing being the only reason to add a cooler IMO) and the typical lurch forward when the A/C compressor kicks off while idling.
I've done some VERY steep rock crawling and I've found the ratios very adequate.
I'm also old, like carrying beverages and now like spending my concentration on control of the vehicle (ie: not worrying about my left foot & hand) since I drive on road more than off.
And servicing the auto is no big deal...fill hole & drain hole just like the manual. Toyota don't need no stinkin' filters! Just keep the oil clean
"Lurches" when shifting...can burn up with heavy towing (towing being the only reason to add a cooler IMO) and the typical lurch forward when the A/C compressor kicks off while idling.
I've done some VERY steep rock crawling and I've found the ratios very adequate.
I'm also old, like carrying beverages and now like spending my concentration on control of the vehicle (ie: not worrying about my left foot & hand) since I drive on road more than off.
And servicing the auto is no big deal...fill hole & drain hole just like the manual. Toyota don't need no stinkin' filters! Just keep the oil clean
ZARDOZ
It won’t say no wherever it goes.
My '08 Sand Storm is the first Auto 4x4 I have owned. I am still learning how to wheel it, but it seems to rock crawl just as capable as a manual and lets me concentrate on my line more. I don't miss the rowing down the road of a manual trans.
MT is the real FJ the designers had in mind.
^^^I have no evidence for the statement in the title but it's just what I believe.
I guess many people don't realise the MT drive system is completely different from the AT drive system.
I opted for the MT, and if you don't mind the constant attention required from your arms (it helps if you don't smoke) and the substantial decrease in fuel efficiency I believe it's the better drive system overall.
It KICKS on gravel, I am sure it would make a great rally vehicle if not for the high center of gravity. I also hear that the VSC system is better matched for the full time four wheel drive configuration than the 2WD.
I cannot wait to be confronted by snow because I am sure it will KICK ASS then too.
I am sure that the AT FJ is also great, but I think the MT system is truly unique and befitting of inheriting the Cruiser tradition, more so than the AT system.
That is my admittedly biased opinion.
^^^I have no evidence for the statement in the title but it's just what I believe.
I guess many people don't realise the MT drive system is completely different from the AT drive system.
I opted for the MT, and if you don't mind the constant attention required from your arms (it helps if you don't smoke) and the substantial decrease in fuel efficiency I believe it's the better drive system overall.
It KICKS on gravel, I am sure it would make a great rally vehicle if not for the high center of gravity. I also hear that the VSC system is better matched for the full time four wheel drive configuration than the 2WD.
I cannot wait to be confronted by snow because I am sure it will KICK ASS then too.
I am sure that the AT FJ is also great, but I think the MT system is truly unique and befitting of inheriting the Cruiser tradition, more so than the AT system.
That is my admittedly biased opinion.
6 MT is a blast
The FJC Trail Teams guys say they love the Autos. I'm pretty sure they know what they're talking about. They're pulling a trailer also and have no overheating issues.
I've talked to others with the Auto and they absolutely love it.
I guess it boils down to a personal choice.
Synthetic fluids cannot be beat in either transmission.
I drove both, opted for the 6 speed. I can't remember driving anything that was more fun. I've driven all kinds of transmissions. Autos, Tiptronics, 9's, 10's, 13's (my favorite), and 18's. All the FJC needs now is an after market splitter/OD for the high end and we'll be able to get 40 mpg.
When I selected the 6 speed I was planning on 16 to 19 mpg based on the sticker.
I try to keep my foot out of it for the most part (it hard to do sometimes though, it really is fun to drive), shift efficiently around 2 grand and viola, I'm getting between 22 and 24 on the highway, about 21 in town and traffic. 19mpg was the least I've gotten and that was with a 50 mph crosswind.
I've had it two months, put about 8200 miles on it so far and I really can't complain about the mileage or the shifting even in heavy traffic. Some offroad trails are rolled in there but no HD crawling.
The full time 4wd sticks like glue to the highway especially in less than perfect conditions.
Overall this thing is just freakin' awesome and a blast to drive everyday.
The FJC Trail Teams guys say they love the Autos. I'm pretty sure they know what they're talking about. They're pulling a trailer also and have no overheating issues.
I've talked to others with the Auto and they absolutely love it.
I guess it boils down to a personal choice.
Synthetic fluids cannot be beat in either transmission.
I drove both, opted for the 6 speed. I can't remember driving anything that was more fun. I've driven all kinds of transmissions. Autos, Tiptronics, 9's, 10's, 13's (my favorite), and 18's. All the FJC needs now is an after market splitter/OD for the high end and we'll be able to get 40 mpg.
When I selected the 6 speed I was planning on 16 to 19 mpg based on the sticker.
I try to keep my foot out of it for the most part (it hard to do sometimes though, it really is fun to drive), shift efficiently around 2 grand and viola, I'm getting between 22 and 24 on the highway, about 21 in town and traffic. 19mpg was the least I've gotten and that was with a 50 mph crosswind.
I've had it two months, put about 8200 miles on it so far and I really can't complain about the mileage or the shifting even in heavy traffic. Some offroad trails are rolled in there but no HD crawling.
The full time 4wd sticks like glue to the highway especially in less than perfect conditions.
Overall this thing is just freakin' awesome and a blast to drive everyday.
