Standard or Automatic

[Jerry Bransford]

As one who learned to drive a stick in around 1964 and has a built TJ with a 5-speed manual transmission, get an automatic. The tougher the trail, the more an automatic shines. I'll swap my 5-speed for an auto when I can, that's for sure. My last trip through Sledgehammer in Johnson Valley made me even more convinced of the superiority of an automatic on extreme-level trails. Not to mention the automatic's higher (better) crawl ratio, infinitely low first-gear ratio, and that its torque converter generates 2-3x more torque/grunt at low RPMs. Do I know how to drive a stick? Yeah, I even got 168,000 miles out of the last clutch in my rock-crawling TJ and it still had some miles left on it.

[blkTJ]

I drive a manual, but the standard thing sounds kinda fun. I may even switch to a stick one of these days. :yay:

[Long&Low]

My cons with an auto are,
1) low gearing can over power your brakes.
2) going down steep declines = brake lock up / sliding

Pros:
1) kinda of unlimited gearing selection, with a property stall speed / lock up torque converter
2) one less pedal
3) some drive line slop

Cons of a manual
1) one more pedal
2) you actually have to pay attention
3) No driveline slop, except for disengagement

Pros
1) Simple
2) you actually have to pay attention

[Jerry Bransford]

My cons with an auto are..
2) going down steep declines = brake lock up / sliding

Looks to me like you need to actually try what it is you are talking about here. Engine compression braking works just fine with an automatic, you do realize you can shift into 1st gear/Low for that do you not?

[majormadmax]

Why does this sound so familiar???

So, to toss in my vote...AUTO!

Cheers! M2

[freewaydan]

I'll take my auto trans,4L60 any day. 1st gear 2nd gear 4L and dont even need to use the brakes

[Kodiak Spirit]

I got a 5spd stick, and so thats the best right now. If I get an auto, that will be the best, but untill then the 5spd rocks!

[Long&Low]

Looks to me like you need to actually try what it is you are talking about here. Engine compression braking works just fine with an automatic, you do realize you can shift into 1st gear/Low for that do you not?

Why so negative?

Like many such debates, using an auto or a manual is purely a driver decision, one left to the individual behind the wheel. Did I say which was better or worse, did I inject any criticsm, then what's up your ars?

[Kodiak Spirit]

Hummer guys do that when you throw their hummers under the bus. get all mad an defensive.

I say the best jeep tranny is the one you got. the best jeep is the one you wheel and the best beer is the one in your hand... anything else is someone els' junk...

[Davisrats]

Hummer guys do that when you throw their hummers under the bus. get all mad an defensive.

I say the best jeep tranny is the one you got. the best jeep is the one you wheel and the best beer is the one in your hand... anything else is someone els' junk...

the auto allows for you to hang on to your favorite beverage...
My CJ is a manual, my XJs are one each.
I buy my junk used, so what ever transmission it has is what i get.

[dirtman13]

I'll take my auto trans,4L60 any day. 1st gear 2nd gear 4L and dont even need to use the brakes

Same here. 4L60E 1st gear 4L = no brakes needed.

[medicmahem]

I say the best jeep tranny is the one you got. the best jeep is the one you wheel and the best beer is the one in your hand... anything else is someone els' junk...

Well said! Currently I love my auto.

[Jerry Bransford]

Why so negative?

Like many such debates, using an auto or a manual is purely a driver decision, one left to the individual behind the wheel. Did I say which was better or worse, did I inject any criticsm, then what's up your ars?

You either need to be less sensitive or re-read my post. I wasn't being negative, I only pointed out that an automatic transmission can be downshifted and that it does provide engine braking when descending steep grades. Too many manual drivers assume they have the only transmission that can be downshifted for engine braking for steep descents.

[Kodiak Spirit]

yeah! I assume everything! and my tranny is mine! all mine!

now I will go out and buy a helmet....

[RAT]

yeah! I assume everything! and my tranny is mine! all mine!

now I will go out and buy a helmet....

I assume that helmet will be DOT approved...