New 8 speed transmission... (2 Viewers)
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Even when accelerating from a near stop in traffic or after turning into a driveway or onto a street?
smooth on my 16LC in any situation after sw update.
Same here- smooth in all those situations post SW update. Also noticed smoother shifting while towing a 5500lb boat.
My 16 definitely has the hesitation from a rolling stop, but other than that I think it's great. It's smooth as can be at speed and, if push came to shove, I'd have to say that ECT Power actually increases my fuel economy for my driving style (speed limit in the right lane).
Hey, I thought I was the only person out there who drives the speed limit in the right lane! 
Seriously, I find that driving still makes far more difference with MPG than tires - for me.
Seriously, I find that driving still makes far more difference with MPG than tires - for me.
Taco2Cruiser
Crazy American Off Road
So the break-in process on my parents ‘18 is complete... and after some time with it, and comparing it to my ‘11, I’ve got some opinions. This being a transmission thread, I’ll stick to just that component.
The ‘18 transmission is smooth, really smooth. It’s also got a very, very positive engagement when WOT, it is nice and soft when driving normally. All in all, one heck of a transmission.
“A 16+ is geared like a 2008-2015 with 4.88s” No, not even close.
The 8 speeds first gear is low, and charts would make you feel that is the case, but put them side by side, and drive them back and forth, the 6 speed with 4.88 is far more raw slam you back and go than the stock 8 speeds.
In a 1/4 mileish street race, 6 speed with 4.88s (and 100,000 miles) is faster by a couple truck lengths than a stock ‘18 (1,500 miles)
The 8 speeds final drive is noticeable taller than the 6 speeds. With testing a 6 speed with 33.5” muds and now the same tire on a 8 speeds. The 8 speed has much more trouble staying locked in gear.
No that doesn’t bother me at all, as the 8 speed is designed more to jump around for the best gear. But, to actually get better fuel economy and reduce wear, you just need to find a gear, and generally stay in it for longer than the next small hill on a highway.
So I’m stock versus stock, yes the 8 speed has a wider range, but the real world feel if it versus a 6 speed makes them feel the same.
When modifying them, I feel when you put winch bumpers and mud tires on, both need lower gears, for different reasons, but your bank account won’t know the difference.
So, I’ve got a lot more, but I was kinda excited drive a 6 and 8 speeds back and forth over a thousand miles, constantly switching between them, and I wanted to share.
So like was mentioned earlier, don’t buy a 200 based on the transmission, it doesn’t matter, it really doesn’t, and I would consider total drivetrain gearing one of my strong points with quite a bit of prior experience.
Buy a 200 based on the budget, the condition (if used), and the overall look.
I would write much more, but I’m going to go drive both of these 200s through some sugar sand!
Side note, in two weeks we are heading to outer banks for this ‘18s maiden run, with my ‘11 and my brothers ‘17 Tacoma TRD Off Road. Come on out if you’re close.
The ‘18 transmission is smooth, really smooth. It’s also got a very, very positive engagement when WOT, it is nice and soft when driving normally. All in all, one heck of a transmission.
“A 16+ is geared like a 2008-2015 with 4.88s” No, not even close.
The 8 speeds first gear is low, and charts would make you feel that is the case, but put them side by side, and drive them back and forth, the 6 speed with 4.88 is far more raw slam you back and go than the stock 8 speeds.
In a 1/4 mileish street race, 6 speed with 4.88s (and 100,000 miles) is faster by a couple truck lengths than a stock ‘18 (1,500 miles)
The 8 speeds final drive is noticeable taller than the 6 speeds. With testing a 6 speed with 33.5” muds and now the same tire on a 8 speeds. The 8 speed has much more trouble staying locked in gear.
No that doesn’t bother me at all, as the 8 speed is designed more to jump around for the best gear. But, to actually get better fuel economy and reduce wear, you just need to find a gear, and generally stay in it for longer than the next small hill on a highway.
So I’m stock versus stock, yes the 8 speed has a wider range, but the real world feel if it versus a 6 speed makes them feel the same.
When modifying them, I feel when you put winch bumpers and mud tires on, both need lower gears, for different reasons, but your bank account won’t know the difference.
So, I’ve got a lot more, but I was kinda excited drive a 6 and 8 speeds back and forth over a thousand miles, constantly switching between them, and I wanted to share.
So like was mentioned earlier, don’t buy a 200 based on the transmission, it doesn’t matter, it really doesn’t, and I would consider total drivetrain gearing one of my strong points with quite a bit of prior experience.
Buy a 200 based on the budget, the condition (if used), and the overall look.
I would write much more, but I’m going to go drive both of these 200s through some sugar sand!
Side note, in two weeks we are heading to outer banks for this ‘18s maiden run, with my ‘11 and my brothers ‘17 Tacoma TRD Off Road. Come on out if you’re close.
Great run down. You're probably one of the few that's really had time between the 6-speed and 8-speed. With the experience to recognize the subtle effects. Appreciate the useful impressions.
One of noted marketing differences was shift time and engagement. Sounds like that bears out in your impressions. It's a closer ratio tranny, so I imagine over time it'll be less wear and tear as well as better performance. Though I do wonder if they reduced clutch/sprag sizes in squeezing in more gears. Nevertheless, I trust Toyota to move forward and onward!
I believe this. It just might be for a different reason than gearing. Toyota has been adept at programming their ECU's in a way that promotes smooth driving and durability since early 2000s. One mechanism they use is to software program the output of the engine, such that it limits torque in the lower gears. Or more accurately, it smooths out the onset of torque. This calibration is done with the specific transmission, and load/engagement/lockup of course. Because as we can see in this thread, customers won't have a 80k cars shifting with any uncouth manners.
I do wish that the aftermarket catches up and offers some various calibrations for our platform, such as the Jeeps have. Even with 33.2" tires, I can tell the shift patters in my 6-speed are not optimal. Especially when hauling serious loads.
I need to start a thread on the Aussie lockup kits.
One of noted marketing differences was shift time and engagement. Sounds like that bears out in your impressions. It's a closer ratio tranny, so I imagine over time it'll be less wear and tear as well as better performance. Though I do wonder if they reduced clutch/sprag sizes in squeezing in more gears. Nevertheless, I trust Toyota to move forward and onward!
I believe this. It just might be for a different reason than gearing. Toyota has been adept at programming their ECU's in a way that promotes smooth driving and durability since early 2000s. One mechanism they use is to software program the output of the engine, such that it limits torque in the lower gears. Or more accurately, it smooths out the onset of torque. This calibration is done with the specific transmission, and load/engagement/lockup of course. Because as we can see in this thread, customers won't have a 80k cars shifting with any uncouth manners.
I do wish that the aftermarket catches up and offers some various calibrations for our platform, such as the Jeeps have. Even with 33.2" tires, I can tell the shift patters in my 6-speed are not optimal. Especially when hauling serious loads.
I need to start a thread on the Aussie lockup kits.
Very helpful! I just bought a 16 LC, and it should arrive on Sunday. I’m looking forward to driving it back to back with my 08 LX and comparing mentally to my built 14 that’s home now. The plan is to build the 16 as well.
Just got the trans ECU re-programmed for the 2nd time with the just updated software and it fixed all my issues. My '16 had all the issues described - slow shift from 1 to 2, poor engagement below 20 mph, hard shift from coasting, etc. The new software appears to have fixed it all. I was told by the service advisor that a new upgrade was just released this month so if you have already done the upgrade once and are not happy - this is worth a shot.
Any chance you can share the service codes from your receipt? That would help us identify the update for our dealers. Thanks!
The invoice doesn't have the service codes, but I did not get the detailed service report. Supposedly there have been 3 software updates and 2 TSB's. The first TSB was issued for just the '16 model year with an ECU update. A 2nd TSB that expanded the issue to include '17 model years was issued in late 17 along with another ECU update and then according to the service advisor a new ECU update was just added earlier this month. I did the 1st ECU update after the 1st TSB was issued and it improved the shifts a little, but not much. I didn't know about the 3rd one until I took it in today based on the 2nd TSB. Hope that helps.
Please note that on both service trips I was told the transmission shifted "fine". It took going to the service manager and insisting that they perform whatever ECU update was available to get them do to it. Apparently you can't look up the vin to verify the software - you have to plug in TechStream directly to the vehicle.
Please note that on both service trips I was told the transmission shifted "fine". It took going to the service manager and insisting that they perform whatever ECU update was available to get them do to it. Apparently you can't look up the vin to verify the software - you have to plug in TechStream directly to the vehicle.
My 16 arrived today, and I hopped in it immediately from my 08 to go for a drive. I agree with everything @Taco2Cruiser said basically, but I have the "advantage" to compare since both my 200s are stock for the time being with the LX wearing 275/65/20 KO2s. The 6 speed is significantly snappier off the line and feels faster even though it has much larger and heavier tires. They both shift very smoothly, but the 8 speed gives the impression the truck is heavier because of the way it shifts and the gearing of the tranny (and likely the diffs too). I also drove a 16 LX, and it felt similar but even heavier/slower. I really enjoy the sensitive throttle response and off the line performance on the 6 speed that doesn't seem to be there in the 8 speed (even though I was in power mode), but I'm not complaining about the 8 speed. I'll have to weigh in more after I get some more miles on the new truck, but overall I'm extremely impressed with the 16 and very happy with it.
Markuson
SILVER Star
Yep 14 is gone as of October, but I bought an 08 LX as a DD days later. Just found a good deal on a 16 LC, so I bought that and will be building asap. Come on Mark keep up!
Markuson
SILVER Star
Yep 14 is gone as of October, but I bought an 08 LX as a DD days later. Just found a good deal on a 16 LC, so I bought that and will be building asap. Come on Mark keep up!
You have the fully built Taco too, ya?
I just got my 2018 last weekend, and I had a 4 hour road trip with it getting it home.
After all the talk about rough shifts with the 8 speed, I have to admit that I was a little concerned, but I guess the 18s already have the latest programing.
My 18 shifted very smooth all the way home, I think overall it is just as smooth shifting as my 6 speed in my 2011.
I think the 18 having more gears might have just a bit of an advantage in the acceleration department over the 6 speed 2011.
All in all just in normal driving, I think had I not know about the change, I am not all that sure I would have noticed it. About the only place I seem to notice much of any difference is when passing.
I do think my 18 is getting about 1 mpg better mileage then my 11, or any of the other 200s I have owned with the 6 speed.
After all the talk about rough shifts with the 8 speed, I have to admit that I was a little concerned, but I guess the 18s already have the latest programing.
My 18 shifted very smooth all the way home, I think overall it is just as smooth shifting as my 6 speed in my 2011.
I think the 18 having more gears might have just a bit of an advantage in the acceleration department over the 6 speed 2011.
All in all just in normal driving, I think had I not know about the change, I am not all that sure I would have noticed it. About the only place I seem to notice much of any difference is when passing.
I do think my 18 is getting about 1 mpg better mileage then my 11, or any of the other 200s I have owned with the 6 speed.
For now I do. Most likely going to sell it though because it's just not comfortable on my bad back, knee, and Achilles. Going to build the 16 mildly and use that for most everything.
When using cruise control does anyone with a 16+ experience rough down shifts when going down a small grade? I'm talking hills, not mountains. I live in the midwest where most roads are flat, but every decline poses this issue. In order to reduce speed the engine seems to slam down into 4th or 5th gear to slow. It's rather abrupt and revs the engine to 3000 rpm. The engine acts as if it's a run away train trying to slow down. My wife refuses to use the CC because of this. I cant say i blame her. I've been "living" with it, hoping that the trans learns not to do this. I'm wondering if the update fixes this issue or if others have experienced this.
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