What’s your preference, automatic or manual transmission?
- Thread starter Davidtj
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WDE
TJ Enthusiast
The TJ is my fun vehicle, and I specifically wanted the manual for the fun factor. For me, the enjoyment of the TJ is its simple, rudimentary, and mechanical nature and an auto would be contrary to this.
I don't rock crawl or live in an area with a lot of stop and go traffic, so I don't have to sacrifice my driving zen for convenience. And a motorcycle with an automatic transmission is called a scooter.
I don't rock crawl or live in an area with a lot of stop and go traffic, so I don't have to sacrifice my driving zen for convenience. And a motorcycle with an automatic transmission is called a scooter.
I would only want a stick, but if I was a competitive rock crawler, an automatic is a better choice. I just enjoy driving a stick and my Audi S5 is also a manual. Just more fun for me and I would prefer a manual on trails as well, because I am not going to be competitive, just for my own fun. Autos are just boring for someone like me.
This may be surprising to some but automatic transmissions come with other gear positions in addition to P, R, N, and D. I can keep my automatic rock crawler in 1st or 2nd gear all day long and never shift into Drive until I'm back on the highway. So nope, it won't shift out of the gear I want it to be in, despite the opinions of some manual transmission enthusiasts..
This isn't mine but it illustrates the point in a trail Jeep. And due to an automatic's torque converter providing an infinitely low first gear ratio instead of a fixed ratio like a manual has, you actually gain more control in a tricky trail condition. Not to mention the 2-3X greater low-end torque gained from the torque converter in an automatic. All of which is why serious trail Jeeps have pretty much all converted to automatics. Which is why I converted my previous TJ to an automatic.
Even more surprising to some is that even the stock automatic shifter can hold it in 1st or 2nd gear all day.
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This may be surprising to some but automatic transmissions come with other gear positions in addition to P, R, N, and D. I can keep my automatic rock crawler in 1st or 2nd gear all day long and never shift into Drive until I'm back on the highway. So nope, it won't shift out of the gear I want it to be in, despite the opinions of some manual transmission enthusiasts..
This isn't mine but it illustrates the point in a trail Jeep. And due to an automatic's torque converter providing an infinitely low first gear ratio instead of a fixed ratio like a manual has, you actually gain more control in a tricky trail condition. Not to mention the 2-3X greater low-end torque gained from the torque converter in an automatic. All of which is why serious trail Jeeps have pretty much all converted to automatics. Which is why I converted my previous TJ to an automatic.
Even more surprising to some is that even the stock automatic shifter can hold it in 1st or 2nd gear all day.
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How does one prevent an auto transmission from shifting in the manner you described?
I recall that you can force upshift an automatic by taking your foot off the gas, but I have never heard about preventing an upshift and keeping RPMs up. So how does one tell the automatic not to upshift?
Trick question? Just shift into Low/1st or 2nd and it won't shift to a higher gear.
tquig01
TJ Enthusiast
Same as most have said, performance vehicle or motorcycle, manual. Everything else, auto. There is a reason military vehicles are all autos now. Easier to drive in off road environments.
Not just easier, they actually perform better on very tough terrain. Either is fine on easy offroad terrain.
Not a trick question, but I get it now. You are referring to those 1-2 gears, and I completely agree with you. Others were referring to daily driving, so not really apples to apples, but point noted.
Auto would be ideal for rock crawling. I am a manual guy for the majority of situations as I like to feel more connected to the road and engaged with the vehicle. This is a Coke vs Pepsi debate!
"Easier". Keep that in mind. Not everyone wants easy, some want to really be engaged and have more going on than pressing a gas pedal and the brake. Remember we only have two feet and with a manual there are three pedals. If you can drive a manual on a rock crawl you are the man. If you do it in an automatic, you are the norm. Just like drag racing, which I am involved in to some extent. If you can drag race with a manual consistency, you are amazing. In an auto, you are just pressing the gas and the computer takes over the rest. Driving an auto is much easier, but that doesn't mean it is better for everyone. Some people enjoy a real challenge and don't want to be bored to death. Enjoy.
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tquig01
TJ Enthusiast
As Jerry pointed out above, probably poor choice of words on my part. I should have said that you can get the most performance out of the vehicle in difficult terrain. The human brain only has so much ability to multitask. Maintaining momentum, holding a line, being in touch with what the vehicle is doing all take attention. Not having to be limited by the mechanics of operating a clutch means more attention for everything else. Again, that is why the military made the change. Obviously most of us don't off road at Jerry's level but the same reasoning is why he prefers autos. I just don't feel the need to row the gears on a slow vehicle, jeep or truck. Great thing is that we can all still enjoy them.
If I was trying to tackle the type of terrain @Jerry Bransford & @mrblaine do on a regular basis, I would have enough going on to keep me from being bored to death without trying to show my prowess with a clutch pedal. I would think trying to climb refrigerator-sized boulders and keep my sheet metal intact would take most of the boredom out of the process, and be enough of a challenge. What do I know...
tquig01
TJ Enthusiast
No doubt, I wasn't trying to criticize anyone that likes manuals. To each his own. I was just trying to explain why the military switched. I also get your point from a race environment. I used to spend my free time racing sport bikes and saw the same thing when slipper clutches came out. Tipping into a corner without worrying about losing the rear tire from engine braking almost seemed like cheating. We all got faster because of them. Old guys hated them because it made the new guys much faster / better overnight. Autos in jeeps do the same thing
I see what you are saying, but on a motorcycle if you are leaning and starting into a turn, and your bike shifts, there is a good chance it changes the load of the bike and most likely traction, of which can lead to a low or high side crash. Probably not as much of an issue on a trike, but it would add a lot of weight to it. For me I would still want to shift it myself. But that said even on this thread I already said i prefer to shift my TJ myself too. I am interested in seeing pictures of your trike when you get it.
I agree that an auto is superior off-road, infinitely low first gear. Right now I have a manual and I have enjoyed sharpening my driving skills both on and off-road. On road it keeps me more naturally engaged. Off-road it has taught me how and when to use the emergency brake, how and when to bump, how to know where everything in the cab is without having to look, knowing right where my tires are and how to watch a spotter all at the same time. I imagine it’s like playing the piano, feet and hands going where they need to go quickly and instinctively. If I get another Jeep, I’ll try an auto.
Kiwi TJ
Just asked myself if I’m crazy and we all said No
Supporting Member
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I prefer my jeep is a manual over being an automatic. I have always loved driving manuals since I first started driving. There is just something about downshifting for corners and always looking further up the road to plan my next shift that makes me smile while driving. Until I feel it is putting me at risk offloading I will keep my manual, or go on less aggressive trails, purely because it brings more joy to me.
Oh and I can bump start a dead battery :eusa_dance:
Oh and I can bump start a dead battery :eusa_dance:
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