The 2005 Toyota 4Runner uses a five‑speed automatic transmission paired with the 4.0‑liter V6, and there was no factory manual transmission option in the U.S. market that year.
This article explains the transmission setup for the 2005 4Runner, including how the drivetrain options are configured, what years and trims used, and how the transfer case interacts with the transmission.
Transmission overview
In 2005, the 4Runner continued to rely on Toyota’s 4.0-liter V6 engine (1GR-FE) paired with a five‑speed automatic transmission. The vehicle was offered in 2WD and 4WD configurations, with a part‑time transfer case that provides high and low ranges for four‑wheel drive when engaged. A manual transmission was not offered in the U.S. market for this model year.
Key transmission details are summarized below to highlight how the system was configured for the 2005 model lineup.
- The standard and commonly installed transmission is a five‑speed automatic transmission with overdrive.
- Drivetrain configurations included 2WD and part‑time 4WD, enabling different driving modes depending on road conditions.
- A manual transmission option was not available for the U.S. market in 2005.
In short, the 2005 4Runner’s transmission setup centers on a five‑speed automatic paired with a part‑time transfer case for 4WD usage, with no factory manual gearbox offered in the United States that year.
Manual transmission availability
There was no factory‑installed manual transmission option for the 2005 U.S. market 4Runner. Some markets or special-edition models in different years may have offered different configurations, but for the 2005 U.S. model year the 4Runner used a five‑speed automatic transmission across the lineup.
Summary
For the 2005 Toyota 4Runner, expect a five‑speed automatic transmission mated to the 4.0L V6, with both 2WD and 4WD configurations supported by a part‑time transfer case. A manual gearbox was not offered in the U.S. model year, making the automatic transmission the sole option for drivers in that year. If you’re verifying a specific vehicle, check the owner’s manual or VIN-based build sheet to confirm the exact drivetrain configuration for that individual SUV.