Real world Differences in 4spd VS 5spd tranny (1 Viewer)

[lockd-97]

So I'm looking at 2004-2006 era 4runners (4x4.) I've figured out that Toyota started with 5spd's on the V6 and V8 in 2005. My question is, say I find a pristine 2004, am I really shooting myself in the foot not having the 5spd? How does one more gear affect actual driving / mpg?

Thanks!

 

[meigsrock]

I am guessing you are talking automatic trannies right?

More gears probably means better performance and mileage as they can keep the truck in the power band for a longer period of time and still have an overdrive.

They both should have overdrives I would think, but I really don't know too much about the newer trucks and autos.

I know that in my older pickup with a manual tranny where a 4 speed is 1:1 with no overdrive, that the overdrive 5th gear drops your RPM's by 500 making it more comfortable and economic for highway driving.

 

[Haggis]

My Dad bought an 04 for his vacation home and it has been great. The V6 has plenty of power to pull his boat, no issues. Aside from the styling, I find his superior in every way over my 01.

 

[ken_79-fj40]

I believe the tranny used in the early 4th gen 4runners is the same one used in the 3rd gen. And the 5 speed auto is the same as in the tacomas and some tundras. I have an 05 tacoma and a 00 4runner and the tacoma transmission does shift a bit nicer. I especially like the way it downshifts when braking down hills. I looked at newer 4runners to replace ours and I believe the MPG difference is like 2 on the highway. So it adds up. And the 4.0 does have plenty of power. I've towed a few car trailers behind my tacoma and it handled it far better than I expected.

 

[Duane]

Extra gears allows for maybe better start off, maybe lower engine rpms at highway speed or maybe just smaller steps between gear changes. All can provide better driveability or better economy.
Every engine has a given torque curve related to engine rpm. What is done is to utilize the curve with the gear selections to minimze excessive engine rpm.
For instance I think a newer Lexis car has 6 or even an 8 speed possibly. It will just keep shifting gears at the lowest possible engine rpm that it's torque curve will pull
, depending on the load on it to achieve better efficiency.

I try to drive everything at the highway speed you will drive at to see what engine rpm it operates at. normally less rpm is more efficient for the given engine displacement unless it is lugging trying to pull the load to the point that it will burn more fuel.

Say for a "tow mode" on an automatic I think it does 2 things. 1..it may increase system oil pressure in the tranny to force the clutch packs together to prevent slipping from the added load and possibly a quicker/harsher shift and secondly it should delay the upshifting rpm to a higher gear so that the engine can pull the upshift/gear change when it happens.

 

[phsycle]

Shouldn't be any big difference in MPG. It is better from performance standpoint, though. Both acceleration, and also, when wheeling, the 1st gear has a lower ratio on the 5-sp. I'd definitely try to find a 5-sp.

Also, just FYI, V8 4Runners have always had 5-sp (03+). V6's got them in 05.