Stick or Auto??

[JeredYJ]

I was just wondering if there are any benefits to auto? I do notice when I'm truckin' aound in mud sometimes I feel like I loose a little bit of control and forward motion during my shifting (5spd). How is the automatic when paired up with the 4.0? Might help me battle the occasional stall, etc..? All input appreciated! Thanks.
jered

 

[avyoung]

Out here in Utah when rockcrawling most people want an auto. It is a lot earier to negotioate rocks. As far as for mud I could not tell you. We don't see much mud out here.

 

[jeepin916]

i like the auto much better than the stick, i feel more in control and not haveing to worry about shifting or keeping the engine from stalling and it deffinatly is a lot better 100 times better when rock krawling,

 

[phatyaspen]

I can tell you from experience...my auto is excellent in the mud you just put it in gear and go wheelin no worries

 

[laneiac]

I prefer the manual, because I like being in control of my shift point and feel that I can control the vehicle much better. I also like the manual cause u can just clutch it and roll forward or backwards. The manual does have some drawbacks, such as when ur stopped on a steep hill and need the clutch, brake and gas; a hand throttle can fix that though. Also remember that auto transmissions are much more expensive to work on and replace than a manual.

 

[Bounty__Hunter]

Mud is hard on an auto if it's deep or has much water to it. They just don't seal as well as a manual, and the newer electronically controlled autos go into limp mode every time the harness gets wet.

It's all personal preference, what matters most to YOU. Same as square v. round, leaf v. coil, carb v. FI, etc.

 

[Utah_jeepster]

Well I would have to agree with AV about rock crawling the automatic transmission is alot more sure footed on the rocks than a manual transmission.
We dont get alot of deep mud out our way but we do get some very deep snow and when I go a-playin in snow lettin my jeep trow some I have not found any problems with the auto...but my buddies with manuals can throw snow better than mine.

 

[graewulf]

stick all the way! you have much better control.. and why would you shift in mud??? thats always a bad thing.. never never shift in mud! even an auto should be locked into first in mud..... you have much mpore control both going up & down hills in a stick.. i got stuck on a hill in my auto that i know my truck (stick) would not have given me any trouble on.... you have much more control over the power output in a stick and if you know how to drive one, starting up a hill will not give you any trouble, and as for rock crawling... a stick is better cause you just put it in granny gear and let it creep.....

 

[Joopin]

Update: Stolen Stem Caps!!!!!!!

STICK, same reasons as the stick guys above... plus you get a better mpg in 5th then D3, and did you know an auto transmission cuts horsepower to the rear wheels by almost 10%? I think its just more fun to drive a stick and the control of the vehicle is better since you can choose the shift points like laniac said. I hate mashing the gas in an auto waiting for the kick-down lever to kick in!

 

[K-Phat]

Stick hands down all the way. I feel that I have way more control with a manual than an auto. My TJ is a 5spd and the KJ is a 4spd auto (the misses can not drive a stick) and I've always liked the shifter better than the matic. A lot of people do like the auto better if they are a crawler, but it is all preference and a manual can still go crawling without any problem. (I say the auto crawlers are just lazy :lol: ) Plus with a manual you get slightly bettter mpg and the autos have much more potential to over heat than a manual. Just the $.02

 

[mgaron]

Autos may be easy but sticks are fun!!

 

[Tug-n-pull]

An Auto transmission in an off road rig is like ahhhh well it is just for me! tug

 

[BakedAlaskan]

I will say the right auto with the right gears and they are very nice to have. The stick is still my favorite. Sticks also give you a little leway if your tires are a tad big or gears a bit low etc.....
My reason for the stick also is the feathering of the clutch, gear choice. not so easily burned up.

 

[Mxpx182lit]

i love the automatic, of course the only thing that i do is rockcrawl. I have never had a problem with it and i like it better then having to doddle with a clutch.

 

[Sully]

I like the my standard.If you are stuck in a hole,you can rock back and forth with the clutch.Plus,just for fun,you can press in the cluch then rev up and drop it in the dirt and fling chunks at your friends.hehe And I just love accelerating from 1st threw 3rd gear!

Auto's are good if you plan on sitting in traffic all day.But they tend to blow up more than standards.Our 99 susburban has gone threw 4 trannies in 13000 miles,my jeep is still on the original T-5 with with over 200K.

 

[TwistedCU]

I prefer the standard. I hate the uncontrollable downshifts of an auto, especially in the newer 4 speed automatics, they want to downshift every time you ascend any kind of incline. Like the others said, I have more control, save my brakes, and going up a really steep hill in 1st in 4lo is total control! Water can play hell on an auto, there was a recent post to attest to that (can't remember who).

-TC

 

[firemanharry]

You better knock on wood Sully, you may have just jinxed yourself. :lol:

 

[jeepin916]

id still rather have an auto,,, ever tru to shift while ur hand is busy with ur G/F it gets kind of annoying hehehe

 

[Jeepster05]

I like stick. It's good for mud if you're good at it when i first started driving stick it was a pain. I love being able to wind my big 6 out in a big mud hole. One bad thing about stick is, my friend who was driving her moms XJ tonight (stick) got confused and looked down at the shifter and swirved hit a lamp post and flipped the thing. The bad thing about it is she snuck out in it not to mention the half bottle of vodka.

 

[Sully]

You better knock on wood Sully, you may have just jinxed yourself. :lol:

Dont worry,I dont believe in that stuff.