JL 6-speed manual driver's notes

[bonniejf]

I've had 3 mopar clutches in my Jeep... all performed differently. The last 2 were installed for free by Jeep in the same shop. The 2nd was frustrating, had no reliable engagement point, and you had to use a lot of force to get it to the floor. It was easy to stall. I just had that one replaced after 38,000 miles under the recall and the new clutch has a reliable engagement point every time and I can sit 3" further back because it is so easy to push to the floor. It now drives like every other stick shift I've ever driven and I love it. Point is that somehow not all of these clutches are the same and one person's experience with their clutch is irrelevant to someone else's experience with theirs.

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[silveflash]

i never have stalling issues with my 2024 jlu willys. It seems pretty smooth to me and consistent.

with that said, i've always wondered if i am shifting right.

i've been driving stick for almost 35 years and never had a clutch fail- pre-disclaimer.

this is how i shift:

from a stop, put in 1st, ease off the clutch as i rev up the engine some (press throttle slowly) to "meet in the middle" where clutch engages and starts moving jeep then release clutch.

for going into 2nd-from first and moving-and into higher gears from the previous gear:

take foot off gas, push clutch in. shift to 2nd(3rd or 4th or 5th or 6th) by waiting for the synchos to line up then lightly pushing into gear, slowly release clutch till it bites (not dumping clutch) then use the throttle to accelerate.

so i am not meeting in the middle blending between clutch and throttle except when moving from a stop in 1st. so i am not rev matching like people say you "should". i find it difficult for me to do so for some reason almost like i feel i may overrev.

downshifting:

say i am in 4th gear coming to a light, i will push clutch in, bring shifter from 4th, up to the 3rd gear gate and apply light pressure till it eases in, then release clutch, then use engine braking to slow down- no rev matching.

i've never had trans issues on manuals, so is what i am doing above, what you all do or??

 

[Ratbert]

I've had 3 mopar clutches in my Jeep... all performed differently. The last 2 were installed for free by Jeep in the same shop. The 2nd was frustrating, had no reliable engagement point, and you had to use a lot of force to get it to the floor. It was easy to stall. I just had that one replaced after 38,000 miles under the recall and the new clutch has a reliable engagement point every time and I can sit 3" further back because it is so easy to push to the floor. It now drives like every other stick shift I've ever driven and I love it. Point is that somehow not all of these clutches are the same and one person's experience with their clutch is irrelevant to someone else's experience with theirs.

That would explain why some people have had good experiences with theirs. Wow.

 

[sparky2009]

@bonniejf

Thats very interesting stuff. I wonder how common this is. For arguments sake it could have been that the shop messed up the first time around. I guess a good person to ask would be someone who works in a dealership and routinely test drives many new manual jeeps.

 

[sparky2009]

@ silveflash

Sounds about right. Small differences for me

upshift:
I generally know what speed corresponds to what rpm and release the clutch more as i approach the match point.

downshift:
I do the blip everytime cuz it matches so easily and smooth. Also to stay in practice

 

[CorvZ061]

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

i noticed on my 24 that after 1000 miles or so it seemed like it had more usable power. I wasn’t having to downshift to maintain speed up a slight hill.

 

[AK66]

Point is that somehow not all of these clutches are the same and one person's experience with their clutch is irrelevant to someone else's experience with theirs.

It's rather not all technicians who install clutches are the same. Especially when in comes to the dealerships recently. It becomes harder and harder to find a good experienced MT tech.

 

[JeepinPete]

I recently rolled 70k on my JLUR, 60k of which I put on it. I have had no real issues with the clutch in and of itself, but there are a few things I wish were different in the overall system.

First off is the throttle. It is way to on/off at light loads (think 1st gear creeping along in traffic). A more gradual pedal response would go a long way IMO.

Second, tighten up the gear ratios. The spread between 1 & 2 and 2 & 3 is quite large requiring revving out the engine to not bog going into the next taller gear. Its fine if one it getting on it a bit, but just toolin around not so much.

Third, increase the flywheel weight. A little more inertia would greatly reduce stalling. Its a Jeep, not a light weight sports car. See ACT, Centerforce, etc.

Fourth, increase the spring rate in the dual mass flywheel. I am convinced they contribute to the 1st gear bucking in stop and go traffic.

All that being said, I am glad I waited for the 6 speed. The 8 speed auto pairs really well with the Pentastar, but I really enjoy just going for a drive to nowhere in particular in my Jeep. The manual works really well offroad too.

For reference, stock 4.10 gears, 37" BFG KO2's.

 

[sparky2009]

Just tried this now. Didnt make any discernable difference for me. Maybe im doing it wrong. Will try it again tomorrow

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

 

[GetTheJeep21]

Agree with most everything. The lack of engine noise really gets me. If I was tuned in more with sound I think it would be smoother. It definitely grows on you. It’s been a while since I stalled.

Anyone else hit the hazard lights button with your fingers when shifting. I do it all the time and don’t always notice right away. Drives me crazy (and probably other drivers).

 

[AK66]

Agree with most everything. The lack of engine noise really gets me. If I was tuned in more with sound I think it would be smoother. It definitely grows on you. It’s been a while since I stalled.

Anyone else hit the hazard lights button with your fingers when shifting. I do it all the time and don’t always notice right away. Drives me crazy (and probably other drivers).

Yes, it happens to me sometimes. Hazard and other buttons. What else is super annoying to me is that sometimes I grab the red reverse ring with my fingers accidentally and shift to R instead of 1st. They should've made it lower or put stronger spring or something. Besides annoying, it could be dangerous.

 

[SadRobot]

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

Just to throw something else out there I find that changing shoes also changes how I shift. I shift a lot better when I'm wearing my usual flip flops. If for some reason it's raining and I need to put on warmer shoes the first few shifts are always a little bit off until I get used to the new shoes.

 

[sparky2009]

I tried changing my grip from "knuckles up" position to "pistol" position. Basically the way youd hold a gun handle. Its been much better for me that way

Anyone else hit the hazard lights button with your fingers when shifting. I do it all the time and don’t always notice right away. Drives me crazy (and probably other drivers).

 

[iklo]

I got a "clutch overheating" warning once after backing up slowly on a smalI and rather gentle incline. About 20' long. Draw there many times before and since and all was always good.

 

[sparky2009]

sometimes I grab the red reverse ring with my fingers accidentally and shift to R instead of 1st. They should've made it lower or put stronger spring or something. Besides annoying, it could be dangerous.

FYI if youre interested... the speeddawg knob raises the knob position so you wont ever accidentally pull the reverse ring. But the overall shifter height increases so theres some give and take.

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