Manual vs automatic

[wreck99]

Without having read all the postings, I'll mention that we have a 2 door JK, and two JLUs. All are 3.6s and manuals. I much prefer a manual for my vehicles, but I have driven manuals for ever. I find the transmission easier to shift in the JLs, but the JL clutch is... interesting. (There is a whole separate thread about clutch recalls. But keep in mind that what you are reading are the horror stories, mostly.)
What the others have said about the 3.45s with a manual is absolutely true. They are horrible. 6th gear is useless. I had my JL Sahara regeared to 4.11s (Eaton aftermarket) and our other JL came with 4.10s. Makes all the difference.
A word about the clutch recall. The factory pretty much got the software right. It's the dealer retrofit of that software that is causing issues. Especially if your Jeep is modded/regeared.
If you buy a new Jeep, and don't mod it with big tires and a regear, you'll probably bypass all the clutch drama.
With all of that said, the 8 speed automatic (at least the one in my Ram) is, hands down, the best automatic I've ever driven. They are made by ZF, and are reputed to be bulletproof. Whoever did the programming for my Ram should have gotten a huge bonus and a promotion. It's very intuitive.
It's like it understands what you want, when you're driving - especially with the cruise control.

I feel the same way about our 2019 Ram. The ZF 8-spd transmission in that with the hemi is a dream to drive, towing or not. It's superb. I also have a 2024 JL Rubicon (post-clutch recall), so it came from the factory "fixed" and I've yet to have any issues with it on or off-road. I may look to regear it in the future now that I'm putting 37's on, but I'm waiting to see how it drives first on the 4.10s. So far I've had 0 issues running 35's on the 4.10's...and those 35's were heavy at 75 lbs. I have no other JL manuals to compare this to but I can imagine the 3.45's in the sport are terrible!

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[Wbino]

What you described sounds like the 3.6l engine hesitation issue that there is a thread dedicated to. That doesn't have anything to do with the transmission as the issue is present on the autos as well.

Absolutely zero hesitation in my 3.6 auto in any gear.

 

[Heimkehr]

(T)he 8 speed automatic (at least the one in my Ram) is, hands down, the best automatic I've ever driven. They are made by ZF, and are reputed to be bulletproof.

I've nothing but praise for the 850RE in my JLU. It's easily the best automatic transmission I've ever owned and driven...and my Sport has the 3.45 axle. That one might not be a good fit for 3-pedal Jeeps, but it's no factor for the ZF8. That's instructive.

 

[Raydar]

...my Sport has the 3.45 axle. That one might not be a good fit for 3-pedal Jeeps, but it's no factor for the ZF8.

I wondered if that might be the case. I'm not surprised.

 

[Heimkehr]

I wondered if that might be the case. I'm not surprised.

Granted, the 2.0T, which I have, isn't encumbered with the relaxed throttle response programming that the Pentastar seemingly suffers from. That was my takeaway after three test drives, which in turn informed my decision to configure my factory order with the turbo 4. The responsiveness of that engine, paired with the excellent gear ratios/spread in the ZF8, more than compensates for the 3.45 axle ratio. I can only guess how the same powertrain would feel with a 4.10 or higher axle.

 

[AVGeek99]

I feel the same way about our 2019 Ram. The ZF 8-spd transmission in that with the hemi is a dream to drive, towing or not. It's superb. I also have a 2024 JL Rubicon (post-clutch recall), so it came from the factory "fixed" and I've yet to have any issues with it on or off-road. I may look to regear it in the future now that I'm putting 37's on, but I'm waiting to see how it drives first on the 4.10s. So far I've had 0 issues running 35's on the 4.10's...and those 35's were heavy at 75 lbs. I have no other JL manuals to compare this to but I can imagine the 3.45's in the sport are terrible!

4.10s are perfectly acceptable when running 35s with the 6 speed MT, at least in the flatlands. But you'll want to go to 4.88s when you move up to 37s. Final drive ratios with 4.88s and 37s are virtually identical to stock 4.10s on 33s.

 

[wreck99]

4.10s are perfectly acceptable when running 35s with the 6 speed MT, at least in the flatlands. But you'll want to go to 4.88s when you move up to 37s. Final drive ratios with 4.88s and 37s are virtually identical to stock 4.10s on 33s.

I figure it will probably happen but I pick up Taz later today after he got 37's installed and will see how it drives.

 

[JeepinPete]

Bought my '19 JLUR used with 10k miles on it. 6sp. Got 76k miles on it now, factory clutch. The last 46k miles running 37" KO2s on the stock 4.10 gears. Clutch is still going strong.

When ACT came out with their clutch, I was strongly considering it. Glad I procrastinated. Ultimately, the recall basically means a free clutch when the time comes. I'll spend the money that would have gone to a clutch on a aftermarket tune to do away with the recall software.

Stop and go driving, you learn to do it differently than driving an automatic. The Jeep will creep along at 2-3mph. Let the traffic in front of you do its thing, give yourself enough cushion so you don't need to come to a complete stop.

To the OP, if you want a manual, get a manual. They are fun to drive. Do fine offroad too thanks to the deep gearing (in a Rubicon anyway).

 

[MMerlinb]

I have a 2025 Jlu sport manual with the 3.6. I absolutely love it! The clutch is very light. But it’s more a matter of just adapting. I drove manuals for years. Starting with a 1987 Chevy three speed truck. Lol. I had a 2004 TJ wrangler X, inline 6cyl, five speed manual. I love that Jeep. The fire speed manual was excellent everything about it was perfect. That stick felt a little more directly connected to the transmission. But having said that this doesn’t not feel connected to the transmission. It feels fine. It’s very smooth. It’s not too smooth like a sports car, but it is smoother than the old jeeps felt. It’s just a matter of driving it for a few hundred miles and you feel right at home with it. I find it to be a beautiful set up. Drives extremely well. And it’s so much fun! Makes me look forward to getting into my jeep every day! Whether I go to the store or drive an hour or five hours, I get excited to drive my Jeep anywhere because it’s a manual!

my advice, though I know it’s hard because manuals aren’t prevalent and easy to find, go test drive. That’s the only way you’re gonna get a feel. You can listen to me or everyone else on here whether they have positive things to say or negative things to say. But the only way you’re gonna know is to try it for yourself. It’s a very personal matter. You’re gonna wanna know. Whatever you decide best of luck and enjoy your Jeep!

 

[Scott97]

I have a 2025 Jlu sport manual with the 3.6. I absolutely love it! The clutch is very light. But it’s more a matter of just adapting. I drove manuals for years. Starting with a 1987 Chevy three speed truck. Lol. I had a 2004 TJ wrangler X, inline 6cyl, five speed manual. I love that Jeep. The fire speed manual was excellent everything about it was perfect. That stick felt a little more directly connected to the transmission. But having said that this doesn’t not feel connected to the transmission. It feels fine. It’s very smooth. It’s not too smooth like a sports car, but it is smoother than the old jeeps felt. It’s just a matter of driving it for a few hundred miles and you feel right at home with it. I find it to be a beautiful set up. Drives extremely well. And it’s so much fun! Makes me look forward to getting into my jeep every day! Whether I go to the store or drive an hour or five hours, I get excited to drive my Jeep anywhere because it’s a manual!

my advice, though I know it’s hard because manuals aren’t prevalent and easy to find, go test drive. That’s the only way you’re gonna get a feel. You can listen to me or everyone else on here whether they have positive things to say or negative things to say. But the only way you’re gonna know is to try it for yourself. It’s a very personal matter. You’re gonna wanna know. Whatever you decide best of luck and enjoy your Jeep!

X2, Agree completely. I would add for the OP's benefit that the test drive is particularly important if you have short legs. I know, I have a pair of them. The friction point of the clutch is very close to the floorboard for both engagement and disengagement. You need the seat farther forward and some folks might not like that. Again, personal preference. IMO, the JL manual wants to be actively driven. Operate the clutch pedal, the throttle pedal and the gear shift like you mean it.

 

[bd100]

Another issue with the JL/JT, for a family member who is really short, is the dash sticks down too far. I had to cut a notch out of it so she doesn't hit the dash while running the clutch.

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