JL 6-speed manual driver's notes

[sparky2009]

Seems that way for me.

Engagement of the clutch is near the top. Everyone else the same?

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[Mguy]

I've had trouble understanding the clutch criticism so often seen on this board. Over many decades almost all my vehicles have been manuals. Foreign sports cars, domestic muscle 2 doors, and trucks, for pleasure and work, and my JLUR has as good a clutch as any.

First, the stock gearing is just fine for me. I'm in 2H and 4L a lot. Steep dirt rocky mountain switchbacks with ice and snow and 75 mph smooth safe highways, both all the time, on the same day, and all 6 gears work just fine. The 3.6L engine cruises comfortably just above 2000 rpm and handles a climb easily with a downshift, but of course needs help with higher rpm and a lower gear when the Jeep is loaded with people and stuff. That's what I expect in a well engineered vehicle and that's why my Jeep is my favorite all around get me there and back motor machine.

Second, the pedal "feel" from the stock clutch is no different than any other smooth clutch I've had. I don't get the complaints at all. Clutches use hydraulics so there is no real transmission through the transmission. What I feel through my foot with slow pedal release at the start is acceleration, and that experience is with my body in the seat. Compare driving wearing heavy winter clothing and thick boots with T-shirt, shorts, and bare feet. The difference for me is huge, but I don't believe it has anything to do with the clutch design.

I find the stock clutch smooth, tight with no slop, and as predictable as can be. Up shifting and down shifting requires no "feel" because I learned the engine rpm nuances pretty quickly. The clutch work for these shifts is just press and release, press and release . . . .

Finally, I agree with those who don't like the shift knob, but my complaint is with the reverse lock release. It seems to be engineered to keep the driver's hand from what should be a comfortable resting spot when moving through a frequent shift segment. I don't know of an after market fix for this design offense.

 

[sparky2009]

@Mguy Gotta admit yours is the first with an overwhelming positive view from what ive heard so far

As for me, i had two immediate issues driving the wrangler off the lot
1) No clutch pressure. Perhaps from sitting on the lot too long? But even then it was like zero rebound. This also made the grab point nearly unfeel-able.
2) Too easily stalls at the clutch "grab point" unless i feed it some decent amount of throttle. Most other manuals ive driven easily goes from stop to slow roll with only clutch input.

The clutch pressure fixed itself over time... perhaps pressure builds the more you use it. And with it came much better feel for the clutch grab point. But i will do a bleed very soon. Also installed the clutch compression spring from ACT (small yet noticeable difference):

https://www.advancedclutch.com/871087p-compression-spring-for-jeep-jl-jt-pedal-assembly

As for the stalling, I just became better at it with seating adjustments and throttle modulation.

With these two things alone, definitely felt like it was something of an oddball among the manuals ive driven. But now its become second nature to me over a couple months of driving

 

[3arl0fBruce]

I would also agree with the need to dial in your seating position. So much so, that when I wear thin soled shoes I need to readjust the seat.

For me first gear is the most difficult and I often just start in 2nd. However, with the 4:1 stock Rubi, 4lo and 1st are a really nice no-gas crawl combo.

i think part of the problem is not so much with the clutch, but with the throttle control from idle. The electronic throttle doesn’t seem to respond to a small shift in the gas pedal, and then it revs a good deal after that. It makes the very fine throttle control needed for first gear starts very difficult.

 

[Ratbert]

I've had trouble understanding the clutch criticism so often seen on this board. Over many decades almost all my vehicles have been manuals. Foreign sports cars, domestic muscle 2 doors, and trucks, for pleasure and work, and my JLUR has as good a clutch as any.

First, the stock gearing is just fine for me. I'm in 2H and 4L a lot. Steep dirt rocky mountain switchbacks with ice and snow and 75 mph smooth safe highways, both all the time, on the same day, and all 6 gears work just fine. The 3.6L engine cruises comfortably just above 2000 rpm and handles a climb easily with a downshift, but of course needs help with higher rpm and a lower gear when the Jeep is loaded with people and stuff. That's what I expect in a well engineered vehicle and that's why my Jeep is my favorite all around get me there and back motor machine.

Second, the pedal "feel" from the stock clutch is no different than any other smooth clutch I've had. I don't get the complaints at all. Clutches use hydraulics so there is no real transmission through the transmission. What I feel through my foot with slow pedal release at the start is acceleration, and that experience is with my body in the seat. Compare driving wearing heavy winter clothing and thick boots with T-shirt, shorts, and bare feet. The difference for me is huge, but I don't believe it has anything to do with the clutch design.

I find the stock clutch smooth, tight with no slop, and as predictable as can be. Up shifting and down shifting requires no "feel" because I learned the engine rpm nuances pretty quickly. The clutch work for these shifts is just press and release, press and release . . . .

Finally, I agree with those who don't like the shift knob, but my complaint is with the reverse lock release. It seems to be engineered to keep the driver's hand from what should be a comfortable resting spot when moving through a frequent shift segment. I don't know of an after market fix for this design offense.

You neglected to mention what engine, gears, and tire size you're running. I understand that it's significantly better with numerically higher gear ratios. I had the highest available in my 2020 (3.6L, 4.20s, and 33s) and the manual was pretty damn bad. I also live well above a mile up, so that could have a significant impact on my perception.

 

[AK66]

The electronic throttle doesn’t seem to respond to a small shift in the gas pedal, and then it revs a good deal after that. It makes the very fine throttle control needed for first gear starts very difficult.

This! And it drives me crazy sometimes. Maybe because it's my first MT with electronic throttle. It's like I have to chose to either stall or overrev. Very hard to catch that sweet point, especially when there's a lot of ambient noise and I don't hear the engine well. May be something like pedal commander would help in this situation.

 

[MauiSteve]

Agree with Mguy.
MT‘s are MT’s, each one is a little different. Some comments here seem to forget what the 4Lo is for. i have a very steep driveway into my garage. Just for fun I put it in 4Lo and crawl up, no throttle at all. Blows people away. Years ago I had a 1970 F250, 351, 4 speed stick. First was only for crawling, almost useless in normal circumstances but goos to have when you needed it.

 

[Mguy]

A few comments,

@Zon, I wish my clutch engagement was a little higher. Engagement, which seems to me always as sort of a narrow zone, always seems to vary even among identical vehicles. But mine is well above the floor so I'm not complaining.

@Ratbert, I did mention my JLUR has the 3.6L engine and stock gearing in my second paragraph (beginning with "First") but didn't state tire size. Stock as well, 33 KO2's. The engine probably looses power at my highest driving elevation, just shy of 10K feet, but it hasn't been an issue for me.

@3arl0fBruce, first gear in 2H is definitely jerky at near constant rpm and throttle pressure, but that's pretty common in all manual vehicles regardless of electronic controls. Seems for all vehicles first gear is for accelerating from stop, with shifting to second as soon as needed, and low speed cruising is best done in second. 4L is of course different, each gear being a narrow speed "range."

@sparky2009, lack of pedal pressure, whether from air infected hydraulics or an inadequate spring, has not been a Jeep issue for me. I have experienced it before on cheap rental vehicles outside the US where manuals are the norm. Hope it becomes something you can forget about. Overall, I would describe my Jeep's pedal pressure as light (but consistent), which for me is a positive. I want the Jeep to shift more like a car than a truck, but personal taste plays a part here.

 

[sparky2009]

I felt this immediately. Like walking blind. This is the one time I wish engine noise was fed into the cabin speakers...something i loathe in modern "sports cars"

Very hard to catch that sweet point, especially when there's a lot of ambient noise and I don't hear the engine well.

 

[sparky2009]

10k... wow thats gonna change the dynamics for sure

my highest driving elevation, just shy of 10K feet, but it hasn't been an issue for me.

 

[coupedncal]

I am in pretty much the same camp as the OP. I like the clutch feel and I feel Jeep has done a reasonable job with this manual transmission. I have no complaints frankly. Yes, the first gear is only to get the Jeep off a stationary point and then you have to move to the second gear right away. As long as you don't lug the engine by staying under 2K rpm, the engine response is just fine.

Though I am very curious how a 4.88 ratio will drive. I am sure the 4.88 ratio has more initial get go than my 4.10.

 

[AK66]

I felt this immediately. Like walking blind. This is the one time I wish engine noise was fed into the cabin speakers...something i loathe in modern "sports cars"

One of my previous MT cars was a MK5 GTI. I know exactly what you mean. Lol

 

[bd100]

For those with new vehicles: On mine at around 500 miles the engine suddenly seemed to get more torque, less easy to stall. And again at 15000 there seemed to be another improvement. I don't know if this is programmed in, or just engine break-in, or what.

 

[sparky2009]

Got a 2025 with 800 miles. Didnt notice any meaningful bump. Unless you got a dyno i would say this is really hard to tell. It might simply be your improved driving making it seem like your car is faster? Like placebo

For those with new vehicles: On mine at around 500 miles the engine suddenly seemed to get more torque, less easy to stall. And again at 15000 there seemed to be another improvement. I don't know if this is programmed in, or just engine break-in, or what.

 

[SteveFinn]

This made a HUGE difference for me with my 2018 JLU Sport S...try it. The only downside is the Oil Monitor will likely reset.

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...roduced-by-january-22-2021.65706/post-1533883

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