Automatic or Manual Tranny?

buccilli15 · **Posted:** Fri May 18, 2007 8:50 am

Hi all,

Just wondering what kind of tranny do you have? This is my first vehicle in years that is an Auto. The dealership had literally about 25 new KJs on the lot, all were automatics. I'm kind wishing now I would have looked elsewhere for a manual

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Fri May 18, 2007 8:55 am

Auto all the way,definetly if doing anything above a 4+ rated trail.Real pain trying to use 2 feet for 3 pedals to get going on a steep incline.Auto's have better control for slow crawling.

Se7enLC · **Posted:** Fri May 18, 2007 9:03 am

buccilli15 wrote:

Hi all,

Just wondering what kind of tranny do you have? This is my first vehicle in years that is an Auto. The dealership had literally about 25 new KJs on the lot, all were automatics. I'm kind wishing now I would have looked elsewhere for a manual

Look all you want, you won't find one. Dealers don't order any of them and they never have them on the lot. When I got mine I had to special order it because there were literally no manual transmissions for sale on a dealer lot anywhere in New England.

But yeah, the 6 speed is totally worth it. Sure offroading is a little tougher in some ways (and in other ways it's easier). If we wanted easy offroading we'd all be driving lifted wranglers on 35" mud boggers. We like the challenge, and manual transmission is WAY more fun.

moose · **Posted:** Fri May 18, 2007 9:18 am

tjkj2002 wrote:

Auto all the way,definetly if doing anything above a 4+ rated trail.Real pain trying to use 2 feet for 3 pedals to get going on a steep incline.Auto's have better control for slow crawling.

And some of us had/have problems with the ESP on the manuals...

buccilli15 · **Posted:** Fri May 18, 2007 9:25 am

All good points!

Another positive, (making me like my auto more) is when I'm stuck in Detroit traffic!

Phadeout · **Posted:** Fri May 18, 2007 11:19 am

buccilli15 wrote:

Hi all,

Just wondering what kind of tranny do you have? This is my first vehicle in years that is an Auto. The dealership had literally about 25 new KJs on the lot, all were automatics. I'm kind wishing now I would have looked elsewhere for a manual

Man, here in Alberta every other KJ is a Standard, not an Auto. Not sure about the new-new ones, but when I was looking for an 03-04, I kept coming across Standards all the time.

SavageUrge · **Posted:** Fri May 18, 2007 11:30 am

My '03 is a manual, and I couldn't be happier with it! I don't do a lot of off-roading, but opinions differ as to what is better when 4x4ing. I work during odd hours so I don't have traffic to worry about, and there is so much more control in adverse conditions such as snow. Paired with the 4WD, I wouldn't trade it for anything. Some people may not know this but when on a steep incline all you have to do is turn the key in 4-LO with the clutch in and you can start crawling. Then when it starts, you just give it a little gas, and up and over you go. I use this trick when I'm pulling my Jeep up onto the ramps to do maintenance on it. It's nice because it's such a short trip, it doesn't start.

adamkrz · **Posted:** Fri May 18, 2007 3:53 pm

With almost 50k on my KJ I'm glad I got the manual,My last car I had to replace the tranny at a cost of $2500 and nothing but problems even with all the proper fluid changes.Also with the manual I get decent gas milage compared to the auto.

I agree it's harder to wheel with but with alot of practice you can do alright.

hooperswish · **Posted:** Fri May 18, 2007 4:39 pm

Quote:

Some people may not know this but when on a steep incline all you have to do is turn the key in 4-LO with the clutch in and you can start crawling.

Not true. You don't even need to have the clutch in!! Try it in 4lo. Kill it on purpose, put your foot on the brake (like teetering on a boulder when you are saying OH SH@#) Keep your foot on the brake, turn the key, and off you go- no clutch needed...it just surges right on at a very low crawl...much better than the auto...don't believe the auto hype....unless you drive in traffic..manuals rule (Autos are pretty cool too...if you are lazy. just kidding)
:wink:

moose · **Posted:** Fri May 18, 2007 5:51 pm

I did like the manual better than the auto in my LJ, but my wife laid down the law on that one.

SavageUrge · **Posted:** Fri May 18, 2007 5:56 pm

Quote:

quote:
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Some people may not know this but when on a steep incline all you have to do is turn the key in 4-LO with the clutch in and you can start crawling.
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Not true. You don't even need to have the clutch in!!

That's what I meant - I was referring to the clutch itself being engaged, not the pedal. Sorry, should have been more specific. But no, you do not need to press the clutch pedal down in 4LO to move the Jeep.

paullgj · **Posted:** Fri May 18, 2007 6:19 pm

The crawl ratio is better on the six-spped than it is for an automatic. I prefer it for mountain driving as I like downshifting for engine braking, particularly if it's a rocky, rutted trail. In Mexico and Central America most vehicles are standard. I think this also applies to Europe.

I've been drving stick-shift since 1963, but they are getting harder to find. My latest is a 2007 Liberty 6 spd 4wd. I asked the dealer how long he wanted it to sit on the lot - told me to take it for $18,000. That was in March - he said it was only the third and last Liberty with the 6 speed that he sold during the entire 2007 model year. He does stock Wrangler manuals and they seem to sell, but not the Liberty.

Fulltimer · **Posted:** Fri May 18, 2007 7:22 pm

I read somewhere that one advantage to an auto for off road is that the shifter is more water proof than a standard. I don't know one way or the other.

Terry

carroll952 · **Posted:** Sat May 19, 2007 3:15 am

Fulltimer wrote:

I read somewhere that one advantage to an auto for off road is that the shifter is more water proof than a standard. I don't know one way or the other.

Terry

I always thought it had to do with left foot braking.

spencevans · **Posted:** Sat May 19, 2007 3:23 am

All I want is a CRD 6 speed. Thanks for nothin DC or should we just call you C.

hooperswish · **Posted:** Sat May 19, 2007 1:12 pm

He does stock Wrangler manuals and they seem to sell, but not the Liberty.[/quote]

I think the wrangler buyers get manuals because they are better off road. I think that if you look at the rubicon, most are manual. They run cooler and you can really crawl in 1st gear without worrying about an upshift. Especially with the new 6 speeds, 1st gear is basically a granny gear. I sure like it. On the other hand, if mine was an auto, I am sure I would be singing its praises. But I did save about a grand by getting the manual, plus probably about 1 mpg better. Which might not sound like much, but when you are running on fumes and the nearest station is 20 miles away, you will be glad you are getting that extra 20 miles per tank.

[/quote]

Donkeykong · **Posted:** Sun May 20, 2007 11:26 pm

I love my manual tranny, as far as ESP, I would say that 99% of the time on the road it's not a problem, just when you go over train tracks, or down a curb, you notice it "kicking in" (reducing power and some braking)

I'm going to have to try the 4 lo start with the clutch out, I didn't know about that one.... so I guess that the fj doesn't have anything over us afterall...
-Mark

EOD-KJ · **Posted:** Mon May 21, 2007 4:37 am

i love my 6spd....anyone who says the manual isnt as good hasnt driven one

JohnnyCash · **Posted:** Mon May 21, 2007 1:52 pm

EOD-KJ wrote:

i love my 6spd....anyone who says the manual isnt as good hasnt driven one

Just be careful if you get a 2007 Manual.
The one I had was complete junk, but I think I've narrowed it down to a problem with the new "Electronic Throttle Control" on the '07's. It was impossible to develop any timing with it because I never knew whether it was going to go when I pushed the pedal or if there would be a delay in response. What would happen is that you'd shift into gear and push the pedal down and nothing would happen at first, then all of a sudden power would kick in due to the delayed throttle response. The response was pretty random, so it completely ruined the experience of driving a Manual tranny which relies on good timing and skills. This is coming from someone who prefers a Manual and whose previous truck went 200,000 miles on the same clutch.

HyperKJ · **Posted:** Mon May 21, 2007 2:17 pm

tjkj2002 wrote:

Auto all the way,definetly if doing anything above a 4+ rated trail.Real pain trying to use 2 feet for 3 pedals to get going on a steep incline.Auto's have better control for slow crawling.

i agree,, auto all the way. I kind of think of it as, , auto. for truck, stick for car. on the road you want high revs. engine control etc. if i bought a corvette you best beleve it would be a stick. but for jeeps/trucks when towing, mud, sand, rocks,, for sure auto is the choice. far easier to control, and a auto tranny is more watertight if you extend the breather.

Automatic or Manual Tranny?

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