Honest Feedback Requested 6 Speed Manul

[ThirtyOne]

I have a 2018 JLUR; had a 2016 JKUR; had a 2013 JKUR. 30K; 45K; 60K miles, respectively


This is very very noticeable in parking lots when shifting at low speed -- you feel it make a hard shift into gear, and if your windows are down you will definitely hear it and it will make you cringe. BUT there is a solution: double clutch at low speed.

SUMMARY: DOUBLE CLUTCH WHEN SHIFTING AT PARKING-LOT SPEEDS TO AVOID THE HARSH CLUTCH

Totally agree. I use first to get off a dead start and then get to second for everything else low speed. That involves a lot of double-clutching but it is the only way to keep it smooth. If anyone wants practice you can come drive in my parking deck at work! The combination of uphill, slow speed, and tall speed bumps will hone your skills.

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[Rogues Gambit]

I agree totally. The engine definitely lugs under about 2100 RPM. At least on my 3.6L V6 Sport with stock wheels, gearing, and tires it does.

What mods can alleviate the lugging?

 

[ThirtyOne]

I have a Sport S with 33s. When I first got it my instinct was to row the gears and always try to get to 4th in town, 5th on the highway, 6th over about 65. That will not work with this Jeep. 1st and 2nd are short but 3rd is tall. Keep it in 3rd around town and you have plenty of power. I don't hit 4th until I am over 50 and fifth unless I am on the highway (over 65). 6th is for downhill over 70 (not kidding). I also have learned to wind out the RPMs more. I shift around 2,800-3,000 and higher if I really want to accelerate. It really does not mind winding out to 4,000 - 4,500 RPMs.

 

[intheaspens]

I like it. I drove the JKU manual with the old 3.8L for ten years.

Here's what I don't like first:
- 1st gear is really short.
- The clutch pedal has a relatively small distance between not engaged and fully engaged. After a year I'm still jerking forward sometimes after lifting up too quickly. This also doesn't play nice with the relatively low torque the 3.6L has at < 1300 rpms. Sometimes I still stall trying to smooth my way into first without revving much. (That way easy on the JK/3.8L.)
- With the warm weather and the top town, I can hear a light clank as it goes into each gear (really minor thing).

Here's what I like:
- Super smooth switching gears.
- Great ratios and ratios between ratios. I love the tall high gears.
- I really don't hear it like I did the NSG. Very quiet (other than what I said above).
- Short throw. I never really had an issue with the NSG - I measured only 7-8 inches 3rd and 4th. But this one is even less.
- Light touch.

It's a different beast entirely.

I'd agree with this assessment completely, particularly the feel of the clutch pedal. I got my JLU to replace my '99 TJ (RIP!!), and had a devil of a time getting used to that clutch! The only lingering problem I have now is easing things slowly in 1st to pull into the garage. I generally don't have a problem unless I have a passenger; then I stall it out just to embarrass myself. :-P

 

[Rogues Gambit]

So consensus is you gotta get use to the clutch, then it's smooth sailings

 

[intentsrig]

Who has the most miles on their manual trans so far? I'm only at 14k

edit..

I typed a bunch of stuff but it didn't save. Long story short..I enjoy this 6 speed haha

 

[Shenanigunz]

less then 2k so far, but I love it.

Has anyone gone with the B&M aftermarket shifter?

I had a Hurst shifter on my mustang and it shortened up an already short throw and I absolutely LOVED it. the B&M claims a reduction of factory shift throw by 18%

 

[DanW]

I agree totally. The engine definitely lugs under about 2100 RPM. At least on my 3.6L V6 Sport with stock wheels, gearing, and tires it does.

While I have 4.10 gearing in the Rubi, I also have 315 tires which gives away that advantage. I can say the low rpm performance and behavior has improved dramatically as the miles accumulated. Mine doesn't do the bucking/jerking or have the lugging feeling except below maybe 1700 rpm, and even down to 1500rpms, it is fine as long as you are smooth, light, and steady with throttle input. In terms of this characteristic, it really now feels pretty typical of all the manuals I've driven. I firmly believe break-in has helped. I'm at 20,500 miles now and the drivability is really good now.

 

[anotherWS6]

I had a 2014 with the nsg370 before my manual jl and didnt have any of the issues you described. The new aisin is night and day difference. 2 totally different animals. Its almost like a sports car throws,and pressing in the pedal is way easier,n softer. The shift points are different though and it took a little getting used to from the jk,but all is good.

Go test drive it and find out for your self.

LMAO. Youve clearly never driven a sports car, or any car with a good manual. The 6 speed in my jeep is the biggest POS transmission I have ever encountered, and out of my 23 years driving a combined grand total of 2 years was with an auto. Ford, Chevy, Pontiac, Volkswagen, Subaru, Mazda, Nissan..... Trucks and cars- they were all better. The four new volkswagens Ive had in the past 10 years were fantastic. American T5's and T56's aren't what I'd call great, but still woooooooooorlds better than this current garbage pile.

 

[Rufus]

LMAO. Youve clearly never driven a sports car, or any car with a good manual. The 6 speed in my jeep is the biggest POS transmission I have ever encountered, and out of my 23 years driving a combined grand total of 2 years was with an auto. Ford, Chevy, Pontiac, Volkswagen, Subaru, Mazda, Nissan..... Trucks and cars- they were all better. The four new volkswagens Ive had in the past 10 years were fantastic. American T5's and T56's aren't what I'd call great, but still woooooooooorlds better than this current garbage pile.

I totally disagree. I’ve driven lots of different manuals, everything from STIs to Porsches to Audis to Toyotas to VWs to commercial trucks to Corvettes and so on, over 30 years. I wouldn’t compare this to a modern sports car but it’s fine for a manual trans. A friend of mine recently got a new WRX and he drove my Jeep and liked the trans for what it is.

 

[DanW]

LMAO. Youve clearly never driven a sports car, or any car with a good manual. The 6 speed in my jeep is the biggest POS transmission I have ever encountered, and out of my 23 years driving a combined grand total of 2 years was with an auto. Ford, Chevy, Pontiac, Volkswagen, Subaru, Mazda, Nissan..... Trucks and cars- they were all better. The four new volkswagens Ive had in the past 10 years were fantastic. American T5's and T56's aren't what I'd call great, but still woooooooooorlds better than this current garbage pile.

Lol, sure. I've driven my brother's Camaro ZL1 1LE back to back with my JL about 4 times, and while they are two different applications, the JL's shifter moves through the gears just as smoothly and has less vibration. I've also never stalled the JL, but have done it once in the Camaro, thanks to its taller 1st gear. In terms of refinement, the JL compares well. The clutch take-up isn't too different, either. Btw, my brother, who drives the Camaro several times a week, along with a BMW Z4 manual, loves the JL's 6 speed. He said it is surprised him at how nice it is and how good it feels. He asks to drive it every time we get together. So, there's that.

It sounds to me like you have yourself a lemon. I'd recommend trading it in on an auto, if you feel that badly about it.

 

[Rufus]

What mods can alleviate the lugging?

I have no tuning experience with this engine or a Jeep at all, but the usual suspects come to mind such as tweaking the programming of the engine computer, intake, exhaust, gearing, etc, for more low end torque.

I’m sure there are experts here on the subject.

 

[johnnymiz]

What mods can alleviate the lugging?

That's easy...a Hemi.
I love my JLUR 3.6 6 speed, but it really needs a truck motor, not a minivan motor.
The 3.6 delivers (rather anemic) peak torque at a whopping 4400 rpm....and almost none of it below 2k rpm, which is where everyones problem lies. not ideal for an off roader.
So, fitting a Hemi would be the simple answer...but the v8 is too long.
Fiat needs to develop a more suitable v6 .... one like the old GMC 351. Peak torque developed at 1600rpm. ran out of wind at 4500rpm, but who cares? It isnt a race car.

 

[Rogues Gambit]

That's easy...a Hemi.
I love my JLUR 3.6 6 speed, but it really needs a truck motor, not a minivan motor.
The 3.6 delivers (rather anemic) peak torque at a whopping 4400 rpm....and almost none of it below 2k rpm, which is where everyones problem lies. not ideal for an off roader.
So, fitting a Hemi would be the simple answer...but the v8 is too long.
Fiat needs to develop a more suitable v6 .... one like the old GMC 351. Peak torque developed at 1600rpm. ran out of wind at 4500rpm, but who cares? It isnt a race car.

What, a 5.7's too big?

 

[Johnbuz]

That's easy...a Hemi.
I love my JLUR 3.6 6 speed, but it really needs a truck motor, not a minivan motor.
The 3.6 delivers (rather anemic) peak torque at a whopping 4400 rpm....and almost none of it below 2k rpm, which is where everyones problem lies. not ideal for an off roader.
So, fitting a Hemi would be the simple answer...but the v8 is too long.
Fiat needs to develop a more suitable v6 .... one like the old GMC 351. Peak torque developed at 1600rpm. ran out of wind at 4500rpm, but who cares? It isnt a race car.

I agree. It needs an engine with low end torque.

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