Pros & Cons: Auto vs Manual

[cfryback Find all posts View Profile Close cfryback]

I have a 6 Speed '06 GX D4D, wouldn't at this stage trade it for an auto.

Though my first beach going (up a sandbank), I did learn that 4L is the go in 3rd - along with jandle (or berries as some call it).

[JoshF Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close JoshF]

Let me tell you that its all a waste of time and money.
I got one of the above's valve body's kit with lock up switch at a cost of $2400
I explained to them that i was here because i wanted more control on downhills because the auto in 1st was fine but 2 was way to fast on the average hill
They said that the above would give more engine braking and 100% torque converter lock up.
Tried it, and found it slowed it down in 1st but nothing in 2nd.
Asked them why and they said that to get more engine braking in 2nd you need to be at, at least 2500-3000 revs for there to be enough back pressure to slow you down.
Dam you would be going like a cut cat at those revs in 2nd
Made a huge difference with the cruise control and holding 5th at 100-110kmh though.
But a waste of $2400 i think

$2400 for a $400 part fully installed, or did I misread what you got??

[Jon Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Jon]

Has anyone ever, in the history of humanity, owned an auto Prado and replaced it with a manual Prado?
I doubt it!

I have.....
First Prado 90 series auto; second Prado 120 5-speed manual; 3rd Prado 120 6-speed manual; 4th vehicle auto FJ Cruiser - ok now that I live in Sydney. Miss the manual, left knee appreciates the auto.
Note , my first 4WD was a 5-speed 60 Series Cruiser, apart from poor fuel economy, was the best 4WD in the bush. Happy to do the steepest tracks in the High Country (30 degrees)

[Beach Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Beach]

I hate autos - they are for women only and are boring to drive..... I like to drive my car. (Owned one once and never again, such a boring car and my biggest regret ever)

There I said it.

A diesel manual is so nice to drive - even in traffic.

Lots of valid points for Auto's, and I can't argue against them, but personal preference is manual.

Talk about a topic for creating a war of words - this is like an apple vs PC discussion, it can go south very very quickly.

Mick

You say auto is feminine and for girly man???

[mjrandom Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close mjrandom]

My wife only wanted a manual when we changed her manual 90 for what would be her 120. I wanted the full safety suite so that dictated the automatic. It took some convincing but we bought an automatic D4D 120. After six years of ownership and realising that the auto and D4D are a very good match for 99.9% of our 4wding and general driving we never thought twice when it came to the 150. Automatique all zee way!

It comes down to how smart the auto box is too, the Aisin five speed box is a good match, the four speed boxes in others not so. We have five cars at home, three manuals, all diesels but only two are 4wds and two automatics, the 150 and that thing what is my avatar.

[azzss Member Find all posts View Profile Close azzss]

A vote for the cog swappers! I have a ssv wagon and the prado, both 6 speed manuals I'd just prefer to drive manuals. Reason? Don't have one and have nothing against autos I just like manuals

[SimonW Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close SimonW]

I have.....
First Prado 90 series auto; second Prado 120 5-speed manual; 3rd Prado 120 6-speed manual; 4th vehicle auto FJ Cruiser - ok now that I live in Sydney....

That auto FJ must feel sweeeeet!

[kav Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close kav]

sorry to harp on about this subject guys . but thought I would share this . I see that you live in shitney , hoonboy as do I . my missus has always been a manual driver . in 2008-2009 she wiped out her 5 speed corolla and so had to order a new one , she was avid that the new one had to be manual despite my arguments to the contrary . if she wanted the new 5 speed auto she would have to wait 3 months , but she wanted the 6 speed manual . she had to drive my auto for three weeks while waiting for her new car . one week after getting her new 6 speed man , she wished she bought the auto . she only drives 15 minutes to work each way . as an aside , the 6 speed corolla goes like the clappers and is fun to drive , but that's only if you can find somewhere to let it rev and do its thing . manuals have their place , but not if you live in Sydney and have to deal with the @#$%^&*()_+!@#$%^^&&*()_)_@#$%%^&&*(() inattentive stupid !@#$%%^&&*(*())_+ morons that have managed to get a license and a vehicle and are out there on the road . for the record , im a professional driver and have been for 30 years and drove manuals for more than 20 of them and still do . get the auto . cheers . better still get the petrol auto

[hoonboy Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close hoonboy]

As said earler the 6 speed man, that is connected to d4d engine, can have issues with thrust bearing & alloy snout.
I think if its kept on the blacktop it will likely be ok. If its going to get dusted & mudded not soo good.
The 5 speed auto with the d4d is a top transmission.
So on a 1kz you go the man. Best engine & gearbox.
In a 1kd you go the auto. Time bomb & great tranny.

Thanks ####. Plan is to use the Prado for everyday use plus camping and moderate 4WD tracks. No mud if possible.

Must admit I'm really still a manual fan, but happy to take advice on making a potential mistake and glad you (and D4Dforme) pointed out the bearing issue. Any ideas about cost of the repair of that issue?

[Anth120playdo Banned Find all posts View Profile Close Anth120playdo]

Clutch kit is very expensive on the 6 speed $800+ or - a hundred or 2.
Lots of work about $500+ to r&r box.
Machining flywheel $50
If shaft cleans up ok that's it, but if it needs to be sleeved, $200+ ish.

Total for a clutch job around $1500+ or - $200ish.

[SimonW Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close SimonW]

Rather than auto vs manual think of torque converter vs clutch. No brainer. Torque converter wins hands down!

[Graz Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Graz]

@ JoshF

Yeah you miss read.
It a full valve body change over, lock up switch and temp gauge

[hoonboy Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close hoonboy]

Clutch kit is very expensive on the 6 speed $800+ or - a hundred or 2.
Lots of work about $500+ to r&r box.
Machining flywheel $50
If shaft cleans up ok that's it, but if it needs to be sleeved, $200+ ish.

Total for a clutch job around $1500+ or - $200ish.

Thanks again for your input

[Ghostriderhusky Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Ghostriderhusky]

Auto no way you have so little control compared to manual it's a joke. You guys say going uphill it's easier in auto? Ever tried anything hard enough that your lifting wheels , or need to pop it up with momentum? Dosnt sound like it. Fact with auto you can't clutch kick or have a quick takeoff , you can't quickly depress the clutch when you lift a wheel to stop drive going to it resulting in broken diffs/axles/cv's , can't quickly put in the clutch of your trying to get up a step don't make it and end up sliding back down (auto keeps wanting to drive) auto are pathetic . Good for shopping and much of a muchness with beach work, I've had diesel manual , petrol auto, and I converted my petrol auto to a manual simply because I hate the auto for hard offroad work, best decision I've made

[AJ120 Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close AJ120]

If manuals are so much better in off road situations, even hard-core off road situations then why do most comp trucks run Autos?

As I said before, off road an auto will be as good or better than a manual in all situations except steep down hill.

There's nothing wrong with wanting a manual if that's your thing, 20 years ago an auto 4wd was virtually unheard off and manuals went everywhere, its just that you can do it easier with an auto nowadays.

Cheers Andrew