3rd Gen Tacoma 6-Speed Manual 6 Month Review

On this episode of TheFadShow I give a 6 month update/review of our 2021 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off Road with the 6 speed manual transmission.
I.G.~ dom.ferr.90

[@judsonr1]

I drive a 2023 TRD Pro 6-speed manual. I got it brand new 17 months ago and have nearly 30k miles on it. DISLIKES - no rear window defogger, no keyless entry, no seat memory and the stock tires it came with were horrendous. LIKES - the suspension in the Pro is outstanding in everything I’ve put it through. I’ve averaged 19.3 mpg for 30k miles. I live in the mountains in Colorado and average 12mpg going uphill to home and 30 mpg going to town. I had the clutch pedal assembly replaced because it would be really sticky in weather colder than 20°F. Other than that, I don’t plan on experiencing any major mechanical issues. I also have a 2004 Tacoma with the 2.7 and a 5-speed. I did just have to replace that clutch at 200k; turned out it was the pressure plate failing rather than the clutch. Treat them well and these will run forever. Thanks for sharing your video.

[@jmyers6175]

Good video. I have same truck, 21. It is in AG. First mods I did..1 inch spacers under front seats in the back. Way more comfortable. I removed the clutch accumulator. Replaced it with metric brake line. Better clutch feel. I replaced the oem rear bump stops with Sumo Springs, improved the ride quality. Added a Borla ss exhaust. Love this truck.

[@timflint25]

thanks for doing this! this is the exact truck i've wanted forever!

[@SuganoPro]

I have a 2021 TRD Sport Tacoma manual transmission, too. I absolutely love it. I bought the hood struts because the hood is so dang heavy to lift. Game changer. Also, I bought the automatic tailgate lock from Runnin 4 Tacos. I'm not a handy guy, but I installed it myself. It's awesome!!! I've taken mine off road a few times. You can see all I've added on my channel. Thanks for posting and welcome to the Taco club!

[@kapyets21]

Man, I need to just suck it up and buy one of these. I have always been a sports car driver and I’ve always enjoyed Manuel way more even on long trips but now I need a small truck for my current job just in general. I love how to come with work, and so happy Toyota is still making manuals especially for pick ups! I love smaller vehicles too, so it’s actually perfect for me lmao

[@supergirl109]

Glad you like it!

[@jasonvaughn3478]

Just bought a 2023 TRD Pro with 6 spd manual. Was surprised to find that the JBL sound system is not an option on a Manual for some reason... Has keyles entry with the traditional key fob buttons, but not proximity unlock by grabbing the handle. Also, no push button start, you gotta turn the key (but I like that better anyway) It DOES have power lock on the tailgate, so it locks when you lock the doors..

[@rhubarbbs]

I have a 2020 Trd pro. I had the same gripe about the rear latch. I bought a solenoid from Toyota as an after market part and they installed it very inexpensively. And now my tailgate locks and unlocks with the key fob.

[@MrTotesmcgoats]

Mine's been okay. I replaced the throw out bearing at 70k because of chirping. You can get a factory kit to add power locks to the tailgate.

[@J.Young808]

You can get the KTJO driver’s side grab handle and a front mount anytime camera.

[@dharmaboy75]

I Drive a TRD Sport 6MT. It took about a 1000km to get the weird synchro crunch out of the gear box, but now it's smooth as hell. I also noticed that the leather seat for the Driver side, got some weird lines on the left bolster of the seat just like yours. Kinda annoyed that the rest of the seat is fine but I guess this is what happens with fake leather. I also hated that get in procedure of the truck as I gave my head a good nock getting in with a slipper roadside in winter. Otherwise it's a great truck and fun to drive. Just a bit too light for RWD truck in winter so I had to use sandbags.

[@melwestlake8539]

On your road trips and 19.5 mpg what speed? RPMs can really affect mileage. Some vehicles are good at 70 mph while others can hit 75-80 without reducing efficiency. I know my 2004 Super Duty 6.0 like 70 max at 2000 RPM. Anything more mileage starts to suffer. Our Explorer is 75 max for the same result. Thanks.

[@jackbauer562]

Nice. Hows the clutch pedal pressure?

[@overbuiltautomotive1299]

light and firm engagement just right and if you want a stronger pressure plate they sell them aftermarket very modifiable center-force clutch are my go to wen fixing stuff and its east to do

[@johnnywick5168]

wait how many months has it been??

[@supergirl109]

Manual transmission is what makes the Tacoma a beautiful truck. I love that Tacoma kept manual transmission even though I never wanted to drive one. I rather have the automatic as I do own a 2021 Tacoma TRD Offroad package. I been practicing driving my 1996 Tacoma with 5 speed manual. I own the same "96 tacoma today. Hey, at least I got the Sport mode. lol Great great truck!

[@adamperry7848]

Do you ever hear a clunk when shifting from 1st to 2nd?

[@BoiseTDI]

Yes! =)

[@supdude5481]

Why does it do that?

[@87teggy]

Same

[@larrytjr]

I’ve always heard there is no engine breaking in Tacoma manual.

[@absolute.freedom]

You've always heard lol? Any manual transmission can engine break, so as the driver knows how.

[@hmongwild]

Lol

[@larrytjr]

I thought absolute was funny too.

[@poppaT686]

Dude I’m 5.5 your not short

[@tortoisearmor310]

1:41 - you stalling there bud?

[@robertespinoza2740]

Can you heel toe or revmatch comfortably?

[@trow8543]

No. One of my biggest complaints. Throttle delay is terrible

[@robertespinoza2740]

@@trow8543 that makes me sad 🥲

[@supdude5481]

Sprint booster helps

[@westcoastplinkin6559]

Why the hell do you need to heel toe on a Toyota pickup?

[@robertespinoza2740]

@@westcoastplinkin6559 makes driving more fun. I do race at that track often and when I’m drifting around in the rain it’s good thing to pick up

[@superior54]

Get a pedal monster

[@fodera0915]

Its not hard to install the OEM tail gate lock:)