Making an AX-15 easier to drive?

[Wes025]

Hello everyone,

I am new to the forum and have a question for all the manual TJ owners out there. My little sister just got her first vehicle, a 1997 Jeep TJ 4.0L w/ 5 speed AX15, and is having a horrible time driving the manual. I know the first step is for her is to put the time in and gain more experience driving a stick, but is it possible to make the AX15 easier to drive? We are willing to put some money into upgrading the transmission, but we are wondering if there is anything out there will truly make much difference. Upgraded clutch, heavier flywheel.....? Any advice you can offer would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
Wes

 

[Woodrow]

…first step is for her is to put the time in and gain more experience driving a stick…

yep

…is it possible to make the AX15 easier to drive?…

Prob not although lower (numerically higher) axle gears and/or smaller tires would prob help some. I assume getting going from a stop is the hard thing? I taught both of my girls to drive manuals (their first cars). What worked best for them was to learn to start without using the gas pedal, at all. Just slowly let the clutch out until rpms begin to drop and let it slip while the vehicle begins to move. That seemed to be a good way for them to get the feel of where and how the clutch engages.

upgrading the transmission…

auto?

 

[Bobohunter1776]

What exactly is she struggling with? Anything specific or just driving a manual period?

 

[Rickyd]

I have found a weekend of driving in 4lo in an appropriate setting can build confidence with a manual for kids who are flustered. And that too much instruction can be worse than not enough

 

[bluescapegoat]

yep

Prob not although lower (numerically higher) axle gears and/or smaller tires would prob help some. I assume getting going from a stop is the hard thing? I taught both of my girls to drive manuals (their first cars). What worked best for them was to learn to start without using the gas pedal, at all. Just slowly let the clutch out until rpms begin to drop and let it slip while the vehicle begins to move. That seemed to be a good way for them to get the feel of where and how the clutch engages.

auto?

I've taught several people to drive stick in my TJ for that reason. 5.13s and the particularly short first gear in the 6 speed make it difficult to stall out, the 4.0 will usually just chug and lurch back to life.

Aside from that, just time and practice.

 

[tr21triton]

I agree with RICKYD take her out on a dirt road with no traffic and let her drive in 4 low for a while.

 

[jjvw]

I have found a weekend of driving in 4lo in an appropriate setting can build confidence with a manual for kids who are flustered. And that too much instruction can be worse than not enough

Years ago in a different life, I would need to train young guys how to drive a manual in order to drive one of the big box trucks. The best and fastest way I found to do this was to take them out in the Jeep and make them drive around a nearby field in 4low while I explained what what going on with the pedals, clutch, engine, etc. Everything happened much slower and they could more easily control things despite the nervousness.

 

[Wes025]

Thank you everyone for the fantastic insight! I learned to drive in a 5 speed 60 series Land Cruiser, driving the hilly dirt roads of our deer camp with my grandfather. I guess it’s time to pass on that knowledge!

 

[CowboyTJ]

With auto trans you only use one foot. Both feet for a stick. Easy to ride the clutch or brake. Don't do it.

 

[macleanflood]

B&M short throw shifter.

Next question?

-Mac

 

[tworley]

4lo is good. Start in gear and let the clutch out til she feels it starting to grab.

I learned in an old squarebody with a SM465 and NP208tcase. I remember having to grip the steering wheel to put all my weight into pushing in the clutch, once that was in I had to use both hands to push the stick into granny gear

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Learning to drive a manual transmission only takes an hour to a couple hours of driving to figure out. I learned on my own when at 16 I had to go pick up my older sister's VW and drive it home for her. I was doing fine after 5-6 stop signs and stop lights, it was easier than I expected.

 

[OldBuzzard]

I taught a guy how to drive a stick on I-25 in the middle of Kansas about 2:00 AM. He had claimed to know how to drive one, so we took off in my '68 Camaro. When I got tired, we switched places. He didn't have a clue, and couldn't take off without killing it after a dozen tries. So I had him rev it up to 4K RPM and dump the clutch. It used up some rubber, but then I was able to sleep for a couple hours.

That might not be the best training method for your little sister, but if you're desperate ...

 

[Grant Lasson]

...is it possible to make the AX15 easier to drive?

The stock clutch is very good. Is it working correctly? If it is, then the AX15 is very easy to drive. I do have a short-throw shifter and I much prefer it to the long throw shifter that was on my original 3550. My other suggestion would be to find an experienced manual transmission driver to coach her. That would be better money than changing out mechanical things.