Manual versus Automatics

Like you I have had 7 toyota's in 35 years, all manuals but after having an auto in the Humvee for the last eight I'd be very reluctant to go back to a manual to the point that any 4wd I bought in the future would have to be auto. Always in the right gear, never misses a change, no loss of drive in soft condtion due to gear change and much easier on the drivetrain.

I've been driving an auto diesel for 24yrs, (6OO,OOO Klm) not 4wd, but gets a flogging anyway, used to tow a camper trailer and now a boat.

I would think asking a qualified transmission re-builder would give you some good advice, some may be a bit biased, but the general advice I believe will be simply add a heavy duty transmission oil cooler to maintain low temperature in those heavy use, high rev, low speed up the dunes times.

I will buy another diesel and yes it definitely will be an automatic . . again

Maîneÿ . . .

I am on my fifth cruiser and it,s the first auto, never thought I would go that way. I have an 05, 10 series T/D and tow a 3T. Phoenix caravan, have done about 60000klms. trouble free. I would not go back to manual, as for the oil cooler, our dealer said not required and I have not felt the need for one.
Cheers, Nev.

To get over the engine breaking problem you just need to fit one of these:

http://www.automatictransmission.com.au/release.asp?NewsId=12101

I currently have a manual 100 series but like the others in this thread, I think the next 4x4 will be a auto (Hopefully still many years away though !)

Hello
I have had 2 manuals and always had the opinion that autos were too "soft" but once I changed I am now on my second auto and would not go back.I manual shift when I need to and no more problems with stall stops on steep inclines or getting going on steep stuff as its a lot easier and safer with one foot per pedal.
Vic

Same tune same chorus

Third car. After two manuals have auto.

The only thing I find with the auto is that it takes away a little challange. With the auto, tracktion control, crawl control, anti skid control, torsen diffs, etc. it just makes it too easy. Sometimes when "out to play" one wants to be challenged a bit more...

But that's just the kid in me. As I said, won't go back, auto is just sooo much easier around town too

CJ

I have a 2002 100 series Landcruiser Auto TD (4 speed) it has done 140000Ks no problems, over 75% towing.

I tow a 3 tonne van and also a camper trailer for the off road trips.

I always tow with the overdrive turned off, I find it gives me the same or better economy and keeps the transmission cooler.

The auto comes fitted with a transmission cooler as standard.

Cheers,
John

Also singing the same tune - had many different manual 4WD's over 25 years and currently have my first auto. Cannot imagine ever going back to a manul now.

Cheers

Captain

Vic we have an auto and man Jackaroo , so can give you unbiassed advice. 4wd up hill auto will out climb the man, downhill engine braking is much better in the man, but ours are petro. City auto only way to go. Towing the auto is more relaxed but man has better fuel economy by 1/100. Passing abitity, the man wins hands down, so much so you need a much longer straight in the auto, But the man has a very good 3rd gear that will do 120plus with still a 1000rpm to the red line.
I am glad we have one of ea actually. But the newer 5 speed autos are a big improvement.
Cheers Pete

Hi Mepvic

This basis of that question really is why an auto - what does it do for you ?

In reality it multiples torque down low.

Hence it is only of value if you have insufficent torque (in the traction sense not the - I'm to lazy to change gears sense)
Insufficent torque includes torque over a wide enough rev band.

Many of todays cars - particularly diesel, have simply lost it it that there torque drops of massively below where the turbo cuts in generally some 1500rpm.

I look at the new prado 3lt it has good torque but roughly only from 1500-2800rpm.
They need auto or lots of clutch slipping by default to get them off the line and then they run out of revs, making an auto almost mandatory.

The 100 series diesel bigger and hence better all round but really !
The 200 series is 1 of few exceptions.

The manuals also have higher high efficentcy by 5-10% , less electronics
and a dam side easy to play with in the bush.

The right engine simply doesn't need an auto and its cost and complexity.

So if you have a choice - base it on the engines characteristics.

Steep downhill test done with 2007 Prado manual vs 1999 Pathfinder auto. Both in low range 4WD on a steep firetrail. Locked auto into 1st gear and no foot on brake. It did not start to run away. Prado also same result but much surprise from Prado driver. He has just traded it in for another Prado - an auto!!!
I tow 1500kg Jayco in overdrive but a touch on a button puts it back into top if the headwind comes up or the hill is a bit steep. You can drive an auto like a manual if need be... W

The auto is a far superior box offroad & a pleasure to drive particually the 5 speed. The trade off is slightly increased fuel consumption, brake pad wear & maintainence costs.
Cheers Craig............

Here goes We have just done a 50,000k trip in a 100 AutoTD

We ALWAYS tow in 4th

Reason EGT temp is up to 100deg LOWER than in 5th.

The TD already has an trans oil cooler on it

Look in top left corner in front of radiator

I also have a Trans temp gauge fitted.

It is fitted in the OUT pipe to the oil cooler.

The temp rarely gets over 70deg c and the hottest it has ever got was 95deg going up the Willunga Hill near Adelaide.

That was towing a 2.8t van and car was fully loaded

At the same time the Exhaust temp was going north of 500deg after turbo so I chopped it back and slowed down to keep it sane.

As Cylinder temps are about 200deg hotter than the dump pipe that is any amount hot enough.

Fuel consumption over the whole trip averaged 5.7kpl.

Not towing it does 9.6kpl

Weather was as hot as 48deg some days in the west and trans didnt get very hot and stayed within figures above

Hope that answers your questions.

DONT change trans fluid for anything else as you may have problems with

anything but WS oil if later than 2003 model

IE If it has WS stamped on the trans sump plug only use that.

Thanks to all. Interesting comments. Seems auto is the general consensus. The unit we were considering - HDJ100R around 2005 - 2007 seems to be like hens teeth after looking around all day and talking to people so may look at a Prado. Thanks again.