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Post by erinmac on Apr 16, 2008 10:18:58 GMT -5
I'm just curious how many people like their 6 speed manual transmissions and don't miss having an auto? Also on that note - let me know if you wheel hard or not, because I do wheel just about every weekend. I run an auto, but have been looking at a few rubi's lately and both were manuals. I'm just as good driving a stick, but there are times where I'm riding the gas and break together and balancing around on 2 or 3 wheels...in those instances I'm thinking I'd be a bit more nervous with a clutch added in the mix....and steep hills when the engine dies and ya gotta get going again without lifting the front wheels! haha  I dunno - driving a stick is a lot of fun though - just curious what others think. |
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Post by erinmac on Apr 16, 2008 10:19:44 GMT -5
Another reason I ask - is I often hear this on the trail:
Man, I wish I had an auto
But I've never heard a person with an auto say they wish they had a manual. hehe
and I meant to post this in the Specs and Tech Discussion section - if someone could move it for me that would be great! thanks!
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Post by moneypit on Apr 16, 2008 12:38:34 GMT -5
I have had many stick shift cars in my past. When I went to buy the LJ all it came in for 04 was automatic. So that is what I have. I'm actually glad it worked out this way. After wheelin it for a couple of years I agree with your assesment. There are times on the trail I was glad I didn't have to worry about the extra pedal. Plus I live in the city. Nothing worse then a clutch in stop and go driving. I will say this ....I will never own an automatic sports car. All of mine have been stick. To me that's the only way they should make them. Nothing better then running through the gears like bat out of hell!
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Post by Belfast on Apr 16, 2008 21:00:13 GMT -5
I have the 6-speed and love it. Yeah, in stop-and-go traffic it gets old. And yeah, on some trails it would be easier with an auto. But I have never been held back because I have a manual tranny.
If you put on a hand throttle on the stick - it can actually be more flexible than an auto in certain circumstances. It is also nice to be able to pick and choose my gearing rather than wait for the auto to figure it out.
As for trail driving - in 4-lo you can drop it in to 2nd, put both feet flat on the floor and the thing just won't stall - even up hills. If it is steep or you need to go slow, 1st does well too.
I guess I just love driving a rear-wheel drive vehicle with a stick. Being able to select the right gear to have a controlled slide around a dirt-road curve is a lot of fun (there is one on my way home from work that I enjoy every now and then). It is also nice on the freeway - I can be in 6th gear at 70mph and still be under 3k rpm - it helps with both mileage and noise (they both still suck, but its better than with an auto). It also helps with mileage as I average 17mpg in the summer and 15 in the winter - mostly city driving.
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Post by VALJRubicon on Apr 22, 2008 13:43:34 GMT -5
I to have the 6 speed manual and love it, almost all my driving is off road, and it has never been a problem, or made something to hard to try. I will admit that can add a level adventure when you have three wheels off the ground and the only one on the ground is ready to fall off a rock  but that is why we are all out here. I would defiantly go with the 6 speed manual every time, just my 2 cents  |
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Post by 2drlj on Apr 23, 2008 1:02:32 GMT -5
Well, an auto is just more controllable and forgiving on placement and when you want to hold a position before moving to your next obstacle... now the manual is better for engine braking on the trails... It's really personal preference, they both work well just in different ways.. Auto for me but, both have an advantage
again it's really up to you.
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Post by sylvanis on May 4, 2008 11:54:16 GMT -5
With the 04 I didn't have a choice. Recently, I've been having phantom clutch issues. I miss the manual I had in my TJ. I'd let off the clutch and would really idle over things. The auto i seem to have to give it a little gas...of course correct gearing would help. I'm getting used to 2 foot driving on the trails, but oddly enough I miss the manual for driving on the road. Every day I go down a very large hill and used the engine braking to ease the wear and tear on the brake pads. I've started "downshifting" my auto.
I miss the manual transmission.
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lynn
Trail Guide
ECJ5 Time
Posts: 113
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Post by lynn on May 5, 2008 9:31:07 GMT -5
I learned to drive in a stick (circa 1970)...... and never owned an an automatic until I bought the ZJ in 1997. I drove it for a year before I just couldn't stand it anymore, I needed to shift!! Gave the ZJ to my wife. My '71 CJ5 was a 4-speed with granny low, so it was a blast to drive offroad, I never got tired of it... although sometimes 3 feet would have been nice. My LJ has the 6 speed... and the only time I ever have or ever will wish I had an auto in it is for stop-and-go traffic that lasts longer than a half hour... |
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Post by sloecrawl43 on Jun 19, 2010 12:29:50 GMT -5
I've got an '04 unlimited..auto trans and do a bit of wheelin'..it's got an O/D Overide on/off switch..great move!!....drove an '89 cj with standard tranny...little tight, but no other problems..Long story short, either is good for me.
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Post by hyperbuzzin on Jul 16, 2010 21:17:07 GMT -5
Ever wonder why nearly ALL (if not all) competition rock crawlers use an auto?  'Cause auto is better!! And how is this a write-up or how-to??? |
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I dunno - driving a stick is a lot of fun though - just curious what others think.
but that is why we are all out here. I would defiantly go with the 6 speed manual every time, just my 2 cents 
