sparky2009
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Some things i observed and learned as a new JL 6-speed manual driver. Its no secret that the clutch on these JLs are considered to be more sensitive than anything we are used to. So hopefully this helps some of you on your path to greatness in mastering the clutch here. I certainly stumbled more than a few times for sure
1) I took about a couple months to stop stalling (~1 out of 10 times) in parking lots and red lights. Donât let that discourage you. 1st gear in this JL wrangler is the most touchy thing ive ever driven. Youâll eventually get it. And donât be afraid to apply some extra throttle to get going in 1st. Eventually youâll find the balance point.
2) Adjust the seat distance to get the perfect clutch feel. This worked wonders for my clutch catch point feel. At the right seating distance, my leg flex was at just the right angle where I can control my clutch and feel the catch point dead on. By the way this depends person to person since muscular action and feel is totally subjective. Think of it as the right distance where your vision becomes clear when you read some book or your prescription drugs. Its amazing how adjusting my seat distance has given me better feel for the clutch
3) Do everything in slow motion. I was used to driving 6speed manuals on sports cars and made the dumb assumption that it was somehow transferable to driving my wrangler. Just remember you are a sloth and the world is moving at the speed of crawl. The prize is youâll be rewarded with smooth shifts and cool points from your passengers.
4) Donât lug your engine with high gear+low rpm. In general try to keep your rpm around 2k. (disclaimer I have the base sport with 3.45 ratio). Remember that lugging your engine can be more damaging in the long run. In the expressway its tempting to keep low rpm to save gas. While this is fine when flat terrain constant cruising, its bad when you need to overtake/accelerate or going uphill. Keep the engine in the happy zone. You can feel and hear it. In general if im accelerating, i (DOWNSHIFT!) keep the rpm at or above 2k. Especially in the expressway going 60mph
5) Be willing to adapt. New transmission, new clutch, and new dynamics from a new car is normal. Donât be stuck on the way your previous car behaved. Rather, learn and adjust to the new way the wrangler behaves, and it will leave you feeling accomplished. Kind of like youâve tamed a beast. And thatâs a feeling like no other. I imagine that's how cowboys felt riding their new horses they've tamed in the wild.
Hope this helped some folks out there questioning their choices in life when it comes to the JL 6-speed
Extra Credit: Get rid of that chunky factory shifter knob and get a Speed Dawg 8-ball knob. Its the perfect size (It'll make the shifter a bit taller but I found it to be totally worth it)
1) I took about a couple months to stop stalling (~1 out of 10 times) in parking lots and red lights. Donât let that discourage you. 1st gear in this JL wrangler is the most touchy thing ive ever driven. Youâll eventually get it. And donât be afraid to apply some extra throttle to get going in 1st. Eventually youâll find the balance point.
2) Adjust the seat distance to get the perfect clutch feel. This worked wonders for my clutch catch point feel. At the right seating distance, my leg flex was at just the right angle where I can control my clutch and feel the catch point dead on. By the way this depends person to person since muscular action and feel is totally subjective. Think of it as the right distance where your vision becomes clear when you read some book or your prescription drugs. Its amazing how adjusting my seat distance has given me better feel for the clutch
3) Do everything in slow motion. I was used to driving 6speed manuals on sports cars and made the dumb assumption that it was somehow transferable to driving my wrangler. Just remember you are a sloth and the world is moving at the speed of crawl. The prize is youâll be rewarded with smooth shifts and cool points from your passengers.
4) Donât lug your engine with high gear+low rpm. In general try to keep your rpm around 2k. (disclaimer I have the base sport with 3.45 ratio). Remember that lugging your engine can be more damaging in the long run. In the expressway its tempting to keep low rpm to save gas. While this is fine when flat terrain constant cruising, its bad when you need to overtake/accelerate or going uphill. Keep the engine in the happy zone. You can feel and hear it. In general if im accelerating, i (DOWNSHIFT!) keep the rpm at or above 2k. Especially in the expressway going 60mph
5) Be willing to adapt. New transmission, new clutch, and new dynamics from a new car is normal. Donât be stuck on the way your previous car behaved. Rather, learn and adjust to the new way the wrangler behaves, and it will leave you feeling accomplished. Kind of like youâve tamed a beast. And thatâs a feeling like no other. I imagine that's how cowboys felt riding their new horses they've tamed in the wild.
Hope this helped some folks out there questioning their choices in life when it comes to the JL 6-speed
Extra Credit: Get rid of that chunky factory shifter knob and get a Speed Dawg 8-ball knob. Its the perfect size (It'll make the shifter a bit taller but I found it to be totally worth it)
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But after a month or so of adjusting and occasional embarrassing stallings it's smooth as butter now.
Youre absolutely right I drove manuals for 20yrs and this wrangler stopped me on my tracks. Felt like a worthy challenge and absolutely love driving this thing
