I like that rack too, I need one.
Try getting out more... like to competitive hardcore rock crawling events like King of the Hammers where the competitors can afford to run whatever they want, manuals or automatics. Then you'll learn a few things by noticing that few run manual transmissions and those on the podiums are running automatics. I've been to such events dating back to 2002 when John Currie won the first ARCA US Grand Championship with his automatic-equipped Fireant TJ.I've been driving manuals since before legal driving age.
My TJ has a 5 speed manual, 5 to1 Atlas, 60-44, 4.88's on 35's.
It's slow and cool. And when bumping against rocks at an idle, it just climbs without effort.
No need for the 2 feet/foot rubber band driving style that autos have.
The 4 speed Atlas, "backed with a manual", guys know this too.
Many of us here are automatic transmission aficionados because they are far better on trails that are far more difficult than many people ever take their Jeeps on. Not because you don't have to worry about shifting, because they provide both an infinitely low 1st gear ratio as well as 2-3X greater low-end torque (true) which really helps when getting up and over big obstacles.
I actually converted my first TJ from its OE 5-speed manual transmission to an automatic close to 20 years ago. That was after a very tough rock crawling trip where I discovered I was the only guy in a big group of rock crawlers running a manual transmission and it wasn't long on that trail before I discovered why. When that TJ was stolen I made sure my replacement was an automatic.
Do many here have automatics? I noticed some automatics for sale, they seem to be priced cheaper than the manuals and do not sell as fast. I really would prefer a manual but curious how popular the automatics are and how do they hold up?
Try getting out more... like to competitive hardcore rock crawling events like King of the Hammers where the competitors can afford to run whatever they want, manuals or automatics. Then you'll learn a few things by noticing that few run manual transmissions and those on the podiums are running automatics. I've been to such events dating back to 2002 when John Currie won the first ARCA US Grand Championship with his automatic-equipped Fireant TJ.
He won with this automatic equipped Fireant TJ... I shot this and many more photos that day John won the US Championship.
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Then while I was manning check points several years at King of the Hammer that replaced the ARCA series, I honestly don't recall any manual equipped competition vehicles passing by me.
The more experience a TJ owner has with hardcore extreme-level trails the more he'll understand why manual transmissions are no longer used in competition where losing will cost you $$$. And why I converted from a manual transmission to an automatic for rock crawling. By the way I grew up on manual transmissions, starting to drive with them in 1964. So I have plenty of experience with them. I'd run a manual in a Porsche or Corvette, etc., but not in a Jeep I was going to take on extremely difficult trails like big rocks live on.
The benefits of an automatic's infinitely low 1st gear ratio and its 2-3X greater low-end torque when compared to a manual transmission are lost on most people but not everyone.
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If you didn't get what that post said about what works better on extreme level trails, competition event or not, I dunno what else to say.It's not about me getting out. And now you're talking competitive racing. Bring it back down a thousand jerry.
Or ignore it, IDC.
I think a lot of hate for the auto (or desire for a manual vs an auto) comes from putting bigger tires on and not regearing your axles. @Blake Stamper posted as such just above. "the 6 speed can hold speed longer with factory gears and 35's." You (the Royal you, not specifically you, Blake) really shouldn't be running factory gears and 35's. I get it...not everyone can afford to regear, but those who espouse the manual over the manual and haven't regeared should probably state that they are running 3.73's or 3.08's (gasp) with the bigger tires. It is pertinent to the conversation. Bogging the engine isn't good with any transmission and it will happen more with an auto than a manual.
I used to like the control the manual gave me. I've gotten over it. If I were in a sports car, I would have a manual. I like driving manual transmissions. I DON'T like driving a Jeep manual transmission. The shifter is long throw and sloppy. Its just another step in the process, instead of being something to enjoy as part of the experience. The three pedal tango is annoying vs rewarding. Nothing against you guys that prefer them, but for me, I'm really looking forward to having the auto.
Do many here have automatics? I noticed some automatics for sale, they seem to be priced cheaper than the manuals and do not sell as fast. I really would prefer a manual but curious how popular the automatics are and how do they hold up?
A lot of the racks I see are you buy the rack then buy the basket separately but yours looks to be one piece, did you make it?
I think a lot of hate for the auto (or desire for a manual vs an auto) comes from putting bigger tires on and not regearing your axles. @Blake Stamper posted as such just above. "the 6 speed can hold speed longer with factory gears and 35's." You (the Royal you, not specifically you, Blake) really shouldn't be running factory gears and 35's. I get it...not everyone can afford to regear, but those who espouse the manual over the manual and haven't regeared should probably state that they are running 3.73's or 3.08's (gasp) with the bigger tires. It is pertinent to the conversation. Bogging the engine isn't good with any transmission and it will happen more with an auto than a manual.
I used to like the control the manual gave me. I've gotten over it. If I were in a sports car, I would have a manual. I like driving manual transmissions. I DON'T like driving a Jeep manual transmission. The shifter is long throw and sloppy. Its just another step in the process, instead of being something to enjoy as part of the experience. The three pedal tango is annoying vs rewarding. Nothing against you guys that prefer them, but for me, I'm really looking forward to having the auto.