4 speed vs 5 speed auto

[mrcrazydude Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close mrcrazydude]

Hey Guys,
unfortunately the wife won't drive manual, so the Troll has to go

Been looking around for a while, and I think that the 120 series Prado might be one of the best options for us, however I'm trying to stick to my budget this time round (even if it is to be the wife's car so she'd probably let me blow it out this time ), however I'd prefer the 5 speed auto, but this is firmly outside the budget right now

How much of a disadvantage is the 4 speed of road?? Obviously on road its a mostly moot point as they will both do the job, however for hill descents etc, surely the 5 speed would be a decent advantage.... right? or am I way off?

FYI I'd be looking at a diesel, and intenting to put twin lockers in as roughly the planned extent of mods
(Snorkel, Bullbar, maybe 2" lift etc, but nothing crazy).
Also, most of our driving these days is touring (VHC, Fraser Island, planning to do Cape, Simpson etc in the future).
I've always been a manual driver, so going to the auto is a life decision, not something I really want to be doing!!

Thanks for any feedback.
Cheers, Tim

[Hutch Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Hutch]

If u r buying a deisel the old deisel pre december 2006 has a 4 speed, the D4D post december 2006 u will have a 5 speed auto. So it will be more about disadvantage with the motor not the gearbox.

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

The five speed is much better for slower decents, the 4 speed must have a higher 1st gear as I noticed a big improvement when I upgraded. The auto is going to a lot faster on steep hill decents than the manual regardless of which one you choose.

In every other respect off road the auto will eat the manual up, I was firmly in the must be a manual category until I got an auto, now I couldn't imagine going back to a manual for a serious 4wd / tourer.

Cheers Andrew

[mrcrazydude Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close mrcrazydude]

If u r buying a deisel the old deisel pre december 2006 has a 4 speed, the D4D post december 2006 u will have a 5 speed auto. So it will be more about disadvantage with the motor not the gearbox.

So is there enough of an improvement in the "package" then to spend the extra on the newere D4D with 5 speed, or is the older one with 4 speed just as good / almost as good / don't go near it with a barge pole??

[mrcrazydude Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close mrcrazydude]

The five speed is much better for slower decents, the 4 speed must have a higher 1st gear as I noticed a big improvement when I upgraded. The auto is going to a lot faster on steep hill decents than the manual regardless of which one you choose.

In every other respect off road the auto will eat the manual up, I was firmly in the must be a manual category until I got an auto, now I couldn't imagine going back to a manual for a serious 4wd / tourer.

Cheers Andrew

Interesting, thanks for the feedback, b/c I've always been an adamant manual owner, though I know it is all "easier" in an auto... (perhaps I should make that "because" I know its easier )

So you had a 4 speed and upgraded to the newer version?
Obvoiusly you've noticed a difference, but do you think it is enough of a difference to be worth overlooking the older version, or are they still a great unit?

Thanks,
Tim

[Hutch Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Hutch]

So is there enough of an improvement in the "package" then to spend the extra on the newere D4D with 5 speed, or is the older one with 4 speed just as good / almost as good / don't go near it with a barge pole??

Some guys will tell u the old one is good enough and more reliable, the D4D is a fair step up power wise, u would really have to drive some and see for yourself as we don't know what sort of driver u are?? the old motor with a chip can perform about the same as a D4D, but obviously u still have a 4 speed auto.