• Welcome to Tacoma3G.com, a free resource for 2016-2023 Toyota Tacoma owners!

    Tacoma3G is a beginner-friendly 3rd Generation Toyota Tacoma (2016-2023 model-years) forum. We are a community of people who are focused on good information and good vibes. T3G is the passion-project of a USMC/Toyota technician.

Manual shift knob

Great question, I’m along for any responses (y)

FWIW, I remember seeing a post (somewhere) about the Getta Grip adapter, that allows you to fit a mountain bike grip as a shifter.
 
I usually have the best luck with the sportier version of an OEM knob as far as fit and finish goes. On my 14 tC I grabbed the leather wrapped knob and to my surprise it weighs 340g (about as much as a full 12oz can) - shifting is extremely smooth especially paired with bushings and a shift spring.

On the Taco though... unfortunately I can't completely recommend the mtx version of the TRD Pro knob because it looks like it only weighs about 200g. MTX is all about feel so I prefer a heavier knob, but maybe being a truck with a taller shifter the 200g will be enough to counterbalance better. The stock knob is 184g from what I've been able to find, so not much difference if you want a weighted knob.

It's hard to completely recommend a knob because they are so user preference specific. I will say that on my truck (ATX) I love the feel of the Pro knob, but that could be because I restitched and repainted it to match my OR interior color scheme.
 
Last edited:
drizzoh said:
I usually have the best luck with the sportier version of an OEM knob as far as fit and finish goes. On my 14 tC I grabbed the leather wrapped knob and to my surprise it weighs 340g (about as much as a full 12oz can) - shifting is extremely smooth especially paired with bushings and a shift spring.

On the Taco though... unfortunately I can't completely recommend the mtx version of the TRD Pro knob because it looks like it only weighs about 200g. MTX is all about feel so I prefer a heavier knob, but maybe being a truck with a taller shifter the 200g will be enough to counterbalance better. The stock knob is 184g from what I've been able to find, so not much difference if you want a weighted knob.

It's hard to completely recommend a knob because they are so user preference specific. I will say that on my truck (ATX) I love the feel of the Pro knob, but that could be because I restitched and repainted it to match my OR interior color scheme.
Click to expand...
This is interesting. I never thought about the weight of the knob affecting the feel of the MT shifting…
 
ct__tacoma said:
This is interesting. I never thought about the weight of the knob affecting the feel of the MT shifting…
Click to expand...
Every transmission guy I talked to when I had my shifting Blockers / Brass Syncros replaced told me to try to never rest your arm / hand or pull on the shifter other than the task of shifting itself.
The gears and blockers will last longer with a "natural" load against them (which is no load).

If you watch the shifter while driving it moves quite a bit when going over bumps and rough roads.
It even vibrates on the pavement at times.

Placing unnecessary weight on the shifter during its "natural" movement is placing stress on the Blockers / Brass Syncros.
I trust their opinion rather that assuming, because the shifter is never totally still while in motion down a road.

Common sense would tell me that no weight is best,.... but you must have a shifter so..................... the lighter the better.
BTW I had to replace my stuff because of "forced speed shifting" ................... doing the spirited driving stuff when younger :cool:

Its best to press the clutch completely to the floor when shifting and never rest your foot weight on the pedal of hand weight on the shifter when you are not using them.

But that's only important If you want them to last and stay smooth during their natural wear lifetime.

AND don't hold the clutch in at red lights or while idling for extended time,... use neutral it will save wear on the pressure plate and throw-out bearing and other parts in the system,... life lessons can get expensive.
 
Tomahawk Dog said:
Every transmission guy I talked to when I had my shifting Blockers / Brass Syncros replaced told me to try to never rest your arm / hand or pull on the shifter other than the task of shifting itself.
The gears and blockers will last longer with a "natural" load against them (which is no load).

If you watch the shifter while driving it moves quite a bit when going over bumps and rough roads.
It even vibrates on the pavement at times.

Placing unnecessary weight on the shifter during its "natural" movement is placing stress on the Blockers / Brass Syncros.
I trust their opinion rather that assuming, because the shifter is never totally still while in motion down a road.

Common sense would tell me that no weight is best,.... but you must have a shifter so..................... the lighter the better.
BTW I had to replace my stuff because of "forced speed shifting" ................... doing the spirited driving stuff when younger :cool:

Its best to press the clutch completely to the floor when shifting and never rest your foot weight on the pedal of hand weight on the shifter when you are not using them.

But that's only important If you want them to last and stay smooth during their natural wear lifetime.

AND don't hold the clutch in at red lights or while idling for extended time,... use neutral it will save wear on the pressure plate and throw-out bearing and other parts in the system,... life lessons can get expensive.
Click to expand...
My brother just had to replace the clutch in his (my old) Corolla. He recently told me the same thing about keeping your hand off the shifter to not wear out the synchro. I had absolutely no idea about any of that stuff. I was totally freaked out when I saw how much the shifter moved during normal driving when I first got the truck. Reassuring to hear that that’s ideal. Appreciate your wisdom!
 
Tomahawk Dog said:
Every transmission guy I talked to when I had my shifting Blockers / Brass Syncros replaced told me to try to never rest your arm / hand or pull on the shifter other than the task of shifting itself.
The gears and blockers will last longer with a "natural" load against them (which is no load).

If you watch the shifter while driving it moves quite a bit when going over bumps and rough roads.
It even vibrates on the pavement at times.

Placing unnecessary weight on the shifter during its "natural" movement is placing stress on the Blockers / Brass Syncros.
I trust their opinion rather that assuming, because the shifter is never totally still while in motion down a road.

Common sense would tell me that no weight is best,.... but you must have a shifter so..................... the lighter the better.
BTW I had to replace my stuff because of "forced speed shifting" ................... doing the spirited driving stuff when younger :cool:

Its best to press the clutch completely to the floor when shifting and never rest your foot weight on the pedal of hand weight on the shifter when you are not using them.

But that's only important If you want them to last and stay smooth during their natural wear lifetime.

AND don't hold the clutch in at red lights or while idling for extended time,... use neutral it will save wear on the pressure plate and throw-out bearing and other parts in the system,... life lessons can get expensive.
Click to expand...
I mean... I've been daily driving manuals for 15+ years with heavy shift knobs and never had an issue. The counter weight makes it pop into gears much easier. And I rest my hand on it all day. As long as you're not moving your hand around and putting pressure on the synchros you'll be fine. This is an old way of thinking. Keeping the fluid fresh (changing every 30k) and knowing now not to grind the gears should keep newer mtx transmissions happy.

I agree with not keeping the clutch pedal pressed for extended time, but the OP wasn't asking how to drive an mtx, just looking for knob info.
 
Just bought Trd pro manual shift knob. Surprised it’s quite a bit lighter than the stock off-road one, plus the shape is bizarre. Going to take getting used to
 
I have seen many things used for a shift knob,..... 8 Ball, Q Ball, Fake Tennis Ball, Golf Ball, Football ,,,,,,,,,,, you get the idea
So did they,.... yeah.
A Mini-Bubble Gum Machine, Revolver gun grip, Fishing Pole handle..................

Best one,...... millions of hours of research,,,, even more reviews,,,,,, made of real leather,,,,,,,, fits in the palm of your hand!
The winner,.... the stock one.

They made two models that I know of non "Pro",.... top one is a 2022 from a Sport
1730646106932.webp

1730645837030.webp
 
Back
Top