Manual vs Auto

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I made a thread a while back about wanting to find a shitbox 1st gen Tacoma that I could be mean to instead of ruining my 4Runner. Since then I've been keeping an eye out for a truck that fits my needs and budget. Well, I found one that is almost exactly what I'd build, is priced reasonably, and looks to be in much better shape than I've seen around here.

Only problem is it's a 3RZ/5 speed (W59), and I want an auto. I can drive a manual trans, but I've never wheeled one and can see how it'd made things a lot more difficult on technical trails. I'm having a hard time with this because assuming the seller isn't a total liar, it's pretty turn key and I am SUPER short on free time for wrenching these days.

Y'all have strong feelings about manual vs auto one way or the other for a truck that'll be somewhere between a dedicated trail rig (rocks, mud, no desert) and a back up to my 250k mile 4Runner?
 

snowtank

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Start off by saying I prefer a auto in my daily. But manual offroad is great. There is the option to turn off the start with clutch compressed in first gen tacos and 3rd gen runners. (Like if you're on a step incline or something) something to think about.
 

AssBurns

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I’m personally not a huge fan of manuals, but something that makes a manual significantly more manageable on the trails is dual cases. Especially if you get the 4.7:1 ratio in the front case. If this is built to be more of a rock crawler than you’ll want dual cases either way.
 

snowtank

Where the fuck did my beer go!?
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I’m personally not a huge fan of manuals, but something that makes a manual significantly more manageable on the trails is dual cases. Especially if you get the 4.7:1 ratio in the front case. If this is built to be more of a rock crawler than you’ll want dual cases either way.
Ain't fucking wrong! I love auto's now. My daily is also my wheeling rig but I don't rock crawl. Its much easier to hold my beer and the steering wheel and not worry about shifting. All my Toys are manuals tho. But thats just cause 2 wheels....
 
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OH JUST FUCKING GREAT NO CONSENSUS

Yeah dual cases would be on the list, but definitely not right off the bat. It’s already got 5.29s in it, so hopefully that’d help.

Got some thinking to do, but please feel free to continue making arguments. Thanks all.
 
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I had 1999 4runner with 3rz, manual, dual cases, and 5.29s on 37s. Reduction box had the 4.7:1 gearing. It was awesome - the 3rz's will lug down quite nicely.
 
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I had 1999 4runner with 3rz, manual, dual cases, and 5.29s on 37s. Reduction box had the 4.7:1 gearing. It was awesome - the 3rz's will lug down quite nicely.
Not to derail, but I'll miss seeing photos of your rig with the COL crew snowbashing. You really put that beast through its paces. What's next for you?
 

AssBurns

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I had 1999 4runner with 3rz, manual, dual cases, and 5.29s on 37s. Reduction box had the 4.7:1 gearing. It was awesome - the 3rz's will lug down quite nicely.
I've seen it in action. It handled things great.

@thezentree, if you are wanting something that is mostly geared for technical trails, then go for it. Don't worry about the manual trans or the 3rz motor not keeping up. Just make getting dual cases high on the priority list.
Now if its a desert truck where you are building it to go fast then maybe the 3rz isn't the best. However you can always pull a @madtaco461 and throw a spoolie boi on there for all the horse powers you'll need.
 
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Not to derail, but I'll miss seeing photos of your rig with the COL crew snowbashing. You really put that beast through its paces. What's next for you?
Sad to see it go - but life changed and it wasn't getting used. Went to a good home in Reno where it can get out in to the wild more frequently.

I bought a 1998 3rz/5speed at an insurance auction and just building it to be wheeled a bit and driven back and forth over the mountains to Salem for work. Currently fixed the issues that totaled it and it is on 33s with manual hubs and the same lift (without the body lift) as the 1999. E-locker rear going in soon. So I will still be out with the COL folks just more pictures of me getting stuck.
 
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@thezentree Wheeling the 3rz isn't too bad. We have 100% technical driving on the east coast, no fast/race truck driving. Ultimately with a locker, 4.56 & 1st Low, there isn't much that the 3rz couldn't do within reason. Stacking a second case behind it with the trail gear DIY kit makes it a very affordable option all things considered.


3rz FTW
1638382349428.png
 

HavingaGoodTime4x4

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I made a thread a while back about wanting to find a shitbox 1st gen Tacoma that I could be mean to instead of ruining my 4Runner. Since then I've been keeping an eye out for a truck that fits my needs and budget. Well, I found one that is almost exactly what I'd build, is priced reasonably, and looks to be in much better shape than I've seen around here.

Only problem is it's a 3RZ/5 speed (W59), and I want an auto. I can drive a manual trans, but I've never wheeled one and can see how it'd made things a lot more difficult on technical trails. I'm having a hard time with this because assuming the seller isn't a total liar, it's pretty turn key and I am SUPER short on free time for wrenching these days.

Y'all have strong feelings about manual vs auto one way or the other for a truck that'll be somewhere between a dedicated trail rig (rocks, mud, no desert) and a back up to my 250k mile 4Runner?

All of my auto's since I started driving have been manual. My next auto will be an automatic because of traffic!
If you're going to do rock climbing I do not suggest a manual it's really sketchy when you have to push in the clutch and the truck rolls backwards on boulders\rocks
, I know pull the e brake and let it out slowly at the same time as the clutch.
Believe me I've been in the situation many times but not having to think about that and just being able to enjoy yourself would be better imo.

Does great on trails does great out in the desert does even better in the sand it just does not do well on boulders
 
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All of my auto's since I started driving have been manual. My next auto will be an automatic because of traffic!
If you're going to do rock climbing I do not suggest a manual it's really sketchy when you have to push in the clutch and the truck rolls backwards on boulders\rocks
, I know pull the e brake and let it out slowly at the same time as the clutch.
Believe me I've been in the situation many times but not having to think about that and just being able to enjoy yourself would be better imo.

Does great on trails does great out in the desert does even better in the sand it just does not do well on boulders

Did you have dual cases? Crawling in rocks I never had to use the gas pedal to start out.
 

4runner DOA

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Don't think so as in you don't think you had dual cases?

As in he's a big ole stoner and doesn't wheel like the majority do here so it's probably not something he's ever looked into. I still kinda want dual cases, but I'm gonna need to LT my Tacoma first before I dedicate the runner to more crawling. Haha.
 
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