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Manual or Automatic 4X4 ?

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TacoKevster320

TacoKevster320

2️⃣ Bronze
I'm torn between an automatic 2X4 or manual trans in a 4X4..... I have a 2017 AUTO TRD Off ROAD 2X4, There is a TRD SPORT 4X4 but its MANUAL that I can swap into....AHHHH idea's !!! My 7 day return period ends in 2 days
 
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So I would want an offroad 4x4 over an offroad or sport 2x4, but I would take a 4x4 sport over a 2x4 offroad.

As for manual versus auto that's up to you. I have an auto and I have learned to live with its quirks. That said I regularly think about what it would take to convert mine to manual. And yes, it's be easier to convert this truck to a manual than swap everything over to a new truck. Plus mines a long bed.
 
Depends what you want to do, a 2x4 Off-Road seems like an oxymoron but at the same time I very rarely engage my front axle, even when off road.

Manual VS auto seems to be less of a big deal on the more recent Tacos. The first couple years of the Gen3 it seems like the manual was the better choice as the auto was constantly hunting for gears but it sounds like they've worked out the bugs a bit? I have a manual and I'll be the first to say it's got a weird cadence to it. I've been driving manuals my whole life and it still took me the better part of the first thousands miles to get a decent feel for it and the first 10k before it felt truly natural.

I'm not sure if any of that is helpful in your decision making process.
 
Personally, I would never buy a truck known to have great 4x4 capability, in a 2x4 version. I would never buy any vehicle that isn’t 4x4, but that’s just how I grew up and where my taste will always be. Cars and fast trucks are cool I guess, but not for me. Maybe you’ll never need the 4wd, but maybe you’ll regret not having it at an unexpected time.

As for standard and automatic, that is usually personal preference. It’s obviously a big commitment to opt for a manual, and it can eventually get tiresome (especially in traffic). But some people don’t care and are diehard manual. If they offered a manual for the longbed, I would’ve done it. Performance-wise, both transmissions seem to have their quirks and both seem to be improved on the 2020 and/or if you install OVTune.
 
Go test drive the manual and see how you like it. Do you drive in traffic a lot? Do you plan on getting into wheeling?

Honestly a 2x4 is more than enough for most people and is a very capable truck. However, any amount of wheeling outside of fire roads/light trails you'll probably want a 4x4 at some point, especially if mud or soft sand are in the mix.

Also a 4x4 will likely hold value slightly better long term.
 
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Hey TacoKevster320, keep in mind that your MPG will never be as good as the auto's. My best MPG is 19 Highway and City driving, I have yet to do a full tank on the interstate but I doubt it would do any better than 19, I hear auto's get 22 on the interstate but I'll keep my manual.
 
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