Automatic or manual
#1
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Colorado Springs
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Model: Cherokee
Automatic or manual
Hello all, I have been looking for the perfect Xj project to start, but I am wondering which tranny would be best manual or automatic ? Like I said in my introduction, I will be using the Jeep for light to moderate 4 wheeling, camping and fishing in the rockies plus hopefully doing some exploring in those hard to reach areas. This will be my first Jeep build and want to start it off right. I can see the advantage of an automatic in the rough sections but how about the manual. How many of your rigs are standards? Thanks
#4
Originally Posted by Drewjharper1900
For any sort of crawling, i vote for an auto. Otherwise your on the clutch the whole time.
#5
CF Veteran
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Santa Rosa, California
Posts: 2,135
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Year: 1987 Comanche,1990
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L Renix
My vote would be for the 5-speed, if you don't mind, because of moderate wheeling. Like Drew said it is easier to crawl with an auto.
Trending Topics
#8
CF Veteran
I like the gas mileage and control of the 5 speed. Of course there are times I would rather keep my hand on my wife and cruise around.
#10
CF Veteran
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Flint/Asheville
Posts: 2,501
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes
on
4 Posts
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO
I vote standard for 3 reasons:
1st) simplicity of a manual trans cannot be beat, several things can go wrong but will still get you somewhere to get help. like dead battery? bump-start it with help of friends or a hill; clutch went out? drive slow and rev match it to get out to help; blow out 2nd gear? will still have 4th to limp out. Plus manual trans are really easy to rebuild. Also really easy to get alittle better gearing for slightly bigger tires like 31's or 32's. Stock 5sp is 3.07 gears and autos are 3.55 and auto's are everywhere and cheap, much cheaper than a regear. I'm hardly ever on the clutch rock crawling, just 1st in 4lo and basically idle along or shift up for faster parts
2nd) Fuel mileage is better with the AX15 then the aw4 auto. Factory ratings for MPG were better for the manual and real world experience backs that up. 95 sport lifted on 33's gets better mileage than my stock 96 sport on 225/75/15's.
3rd) If someone tries to car jack you or steal your car, they are probably too stupid to know how to drive a stick and wont get away with it. Same thing for friends who are terrible drivers but always want to drive everyone else's car, hate them and wont let them learn on my clutch.
The thing I truly love about my manual is getting 17-20mpg with 33's, its the only way I could DD my jeep and not have to pay for a 2nd car
1st) simplicity of a manual trans cannot be beat, several things can go wrong but will still get you somewhere to get help. like dead battery? bump-start it with help of friends or a hill; clutch went out? drive slow and rev match it to get out to help; blow out 2nd gear? will still have 4th to limp out. Plus manual trans are really easy to rebuild. Also really easy to get alittle better gearing for slightly bigger tires like 31's or 32's. Stock 5sp is 3.07 gears and autos are 3.55 and auto's are everywhere and cheap, much cheaper than a regear. I'm hardly ever on the clutch rock crawling, just 1st in 4lo and basically idle along or shift up for faster parts
2nd) Fuel mileage is better with the AX15 then the aw4 auto. Factory ratings for MPG were better for the manual and real world experience backs that up. 95 sport lifted on 33's gets better mileage than my stock 96 sport on 225/75/15's.
3rd) If someone tries to car jack you or steal your car, they are probably too stupid to know how to drive a stick and wont get away with it. Same thing for friends who are terrible drivers but always want to drive everyone else's car, hate them and wont let them learn on my clutch.
The thing I truly love about my manual is getting 17-20mpg with 33's, its the only way I could DD my jeep and not have to pay for a 2nd car
#11
Originally Posted by mr white
I wheel a five speed. I am never on the clutch. 4l in first or second and you'll creep over anything.
Last edited by dogger15; 06-18-2012 at 05:09 PM.
#13
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Colorado Springs
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Model: Cherokee
Thanks for the replies, yea I figured some of those points were a plus but I didn't really think 5speeds were that easy to crawl with. I prefer a 5 speed myself compared to the auto, but wasn't too sure! Thanks all!
#14
Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Green Bay
Posts: 214
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0