Auto vs Stick

[MudderChuck]

1053453

Every time someone brings up the old auto transmission, you hear alot of noises. A couple of transmission´s, that would take a lot of abuse where the TH350, TH400,and the torqueflight 727.
These transmission´s didn´t really get a bad rep, until after they started with lock up torque converters and got worse when they added overdrive (both make extra heat).
In otherwords they took a good thing and by making it better, messed it up.

The old stick shift, is considered much more reliable. I´ve managed to break alot more sticks than auto´s.

Autos can´t be repaired on the road. I´ve driven hundreds of miles with one gear in an auto.

Auto´s waste gas, OK.

I´ve got a TH350 behind a 350 Chevy (one ton) that´s got 300,000 and change on it, leaks, but still going strong. And I´ve treated it baaaaaaad. Show me a stick with the same miles and I´ll reconsider my oppinion.

I can´t remember how many times, I´ve seen someone go to shift and get stuck, Just that little hesitation, is often just enough to do it. Or loose it, with one hand on the steering wheel and one on the shift lever.

By the way, for you rock crawlers, my TH350 is manual shift on demand and compression brakes just about as good as a stick.

The 999 torque flight isn´t a bad transmission, a little light, with an overdrive, but seems to hold up well, as least as long as your average AX. Maybe the NV4500 is better, then again maybe the 727 loadflight is better than both.[addsig]

 

[RayOvac]

1053458

Well they both have thier pros and cons. Auto trannies usually do last longer (they have a planetary gear system so there is less stuff moving around) but when they go they are usually junk. Plus that the new ones are all computerized with sensors and stuff and if one sensor goes wacko then the whole transmission works like crap. Having an auto transmission also lowers your crawl ratio because some power is lost from the torque converter.

Manual trannies usually don't last as long but I can point out that the T18 and SM series trannies are particularly stout and are great because of the low first gear. Auto trannies almost never have much of a low first (usually around 3 something). I like the manual's ability to pick and choose what gear you want for what situation. Yeah there are manual valve bodies for the autos but that totally defeats the purpose of having an automatic transmission in the first place.

I think that the manual transmission gets a bad rep in the jeeping community because of the fact that late model jeep manual trannies are junk...AX5, AX15, and even the NV3500 just cannot stand up to the abuse that off-roaders put them through. Even the NV4500 is waaaaayy overrated...my uncle is on his third one in his Dodge pickup.

Both transmissions have their strengths and weaknesses. I think it all really comes down to user preference. Some guys stand by their autos and others just love the feel of a stick. One thing is certain though Mudderchuck...they just don't make transmissions like they used to. :-( [addsig]

 

[Tug-n-pull]

1053575

When it was time to buy autos this my dad's advice for me. "You get a stick cause you can replace a stick cheaper than you can repair an auto" I never questioned that and it may not be the same today some 30 years later. Istill have always felt better and more in control with a clutch. Old Fashioned I guess! Tug[addsig]