Off-roading with a manual transmission?

[Mocopo]

I'm glad to see MOST people aren't just flat out claiming one is actually better than the other. Seems to me it comes down to driver capability. I've never been offroading with a guy driving manual that didn't stall out multiple times, or accidentally roll backward off the obstacle. I feel like this happens to even the best manual drivers, but that doesn't mean its worse, just adds another degree of difficult/enjoyment for the driver.

Auto for me, all day every day. Need more power? Give more pedal. Equation complete.

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[AcesandEights]

He's talking about heavy trucks used in construction that back in the day were almost 100% manual transmissions. I will agree that it's getting almost rare to see manual transmissions in certain applications nowadays such as concrete mixers and heavy haul off-road dump trucks.

An interesting anecdote. It's getting hard, in some places, to test for CDL because there are fewer rigs with manuals, at least for some smaller agencies.

 

[roaniecowpony]

Seems like the manuals have had an inordinate amount of issues with clutches in the JL. Is this a done deal? Did Jeep solve it?

 

[Toycrusher]

Seems like the manuals have had an inordinate amount of issues with clutches in the JL. Is this a done deal? Did Jeep solve it?

That's inaccurate. There were a dozen or two legit "issues" with the clutch.

There are far more individuals such as myself that are accustomed to "classic" truck/Jeep clutches and are not crazy about the light clutch in the JL, while there are even more owners who are totally happy with it.

 

[AcesandEights]

I've owned two manual JLs, 2021 and 2022. I like(d) them both.

 

[DanW]

Seems like the manuals have had an inordinate amount of issues with clutches in the JL. Is this a done deal? Did Jeep solve it?

I've got an early production 2018. No problems in 65k miles. And I've flogged the hell out of it from Moab to Maine and have pulled a boat quite a bit.

 

[beast40]

My 21 MT definitely drives and shifts nicer than my 2018 MT did.

 

[ajkitebrder40]

Yeah, I have a '21 JLUR manual, the only vehicle I've ever had that was an automatic was my '07 JKU, and I definitely missed the manual. I'm 95% on road, I'd like to be off-road more but........honestly anywhere decent is a 3 hour drive. In any case, I really like driving the manual much more than the automatic JK.

From the bit of off-roading I've done (mostly moderate to easy trails, forest roads, etc.) 1st gear on the JLUR is basically a granny gear, you can start in 3rd if you want for hill climbs, etc. It definitely adds some thought to each scenario, but the creep/control with the gear ratio in the JLUR is pretty stellar.

Also - far as the recall, I think mine is good to go as I had to make a 12 point turn on a tight trail one time to turn around, and received the warning on my dash regarding clutch temperature. I let it cool for awhile and it was good to go .

Other downside on the manual is the lack of XR as an option. I can add 35"s after the fact if I thought i needed them, but that package is pretty nice to have on the Willy's out the door.

 

[WillIeB]

I test drove a 19 JL, absolutely love it. Will be keeping my eyes peeled for a 2 door hard top manual.

 

[STW]

I test drove a 19 JL, absolutely love it. Will be keeping my eyes peeled for a 2 door hard top manual.

Do consider the specific manual and auto that are available for the JL. There are lots of us who prefer a manual, but who don't prefer this particular manual transmission the JL gets. Do a forum search on "clutch" at least. And read this whole (zombie) thread we're adding to. (Ronny's points in the video are good ones but mostly refer to outdated information regarding autos.)

Maybe manual transmission quality and spec have changed as manuals have become the rare choice in N.America?, or maybe there are other reasons the JL manual/clutch is not one I'd want to deal with?

Whatever the reason, just remember something almost always forgotten in manual vs auto discussions...that unless you are ready to source a bell-housing and transplant a transmission--

--you don't get to decide between the ideally best manual and the ideally best auto. You only get to decide between the manual or auto your chosen vehicle happens to spec.

Since I prefer driving a manual, when I was buying my TJ there was no question for me. The AX-15 5sp(and even the humble AX-5 5sp) was a great transmission. There was also no question the 3-speed auto back then in the 90s was not great. It got a bit better when they speced a 4sp auto. (Even that TJ 3-speed auto was a really good rock crawler though.)

Times have changed. The manual transmission you buy today may not be the reliable, unstoppable beast you used to get in Jeeps Meanwhile, autos have vastly improved. More gears, better mpg than manuals, better efficiency, more control options for locking and hill-descent.

I still prefer the driving experience of a manual if I have the choice, but more important for me is getting the best transmission available for the vehicle I'm buying. That's how I ended up buying an auto for the first time in my life.

 

[WillIeB]

Do consider the specific manual and auto that are available for the JL. There are lots of us who prefer a manual, but who don't prefer this particular manual transmission the JL gets. Do a forum search on "clutch" at least. And read this whole (zombie) thread we're adding to. (Ronny's points in the video are good ones but mostly refer to outdated information regarding autos.)

Maybe manual transmission quality and spec have changed as manuals have become the rare choice in N.America?, or maybe there are other reasons the JL manual/clutch is not one I'd want to deal with?

Whatever the reason, just remember something almost always forgotten in manual vs auto discussions...that unless you are ready to source a bell-housing and transplant a transmission--

--you don't get to decide between the ideally best manual and the ideally best auto. You only get to decide between the manual or auto your chosen vehicle happens to spec.

Since I prefer driving a manual, when I was buying my TJ there was no question for me. The AX-15 5sp(and even the humble AX-5 5sp) was a great transmission. There was also no question the 3-speed auto back then in the 90s was not great. It got a bit better when they speced a 4sp auto. (Even that TJ 3-speed auto was a really good rock crawler though.)

Times have changed. The manual transmission you buy today may not be the reliable, unstoppable beast you used to get in Jeeps Meanwhile, autos have vastly improved. More gears, better mpg than manuals, better efficiency, more control options for locking and hill-descent.

I still prefer the driving experience of a manual if I have the choice, but more important for me is getting the best transmission available for the vehicle I'm buying. That's how I ended up buying an auto for the first time in my life.

If the clutch takes a dump, it will get replaced with an aftermarket clutch.


i dont want an auto, nor do i want etorque which is bundled with theauto trans.
im going manual, its Millenial proof.

 

[Ratbert]

If the clutch takes a dump, it will get replaced with an aftermarket clutch.


i dont want an auto, nor do i want etorque which is bundled with theauto trans.
im going manual, its Millenial proof.

Make sure you drive both first.

I was bullheaded when I bought my first Rubicon. I've always loved manuals and wouldn't even consider an automatic. That was so damn stupid of me. I had no clue that the automatic was so much better and that the manual was so damn bad.

 

[Toycrusher]

An aftermarket clutch and flywheel fix the terrible-mess of the stock setup. New axle gears fix the terrible gearing of the manual.

Just be sure you have 4-5k set aside and budgeted on top of what you are going to spend for your 2 door hard top

 

[WillIeB]

An aftermarket clutch and flywheel fix the terrible-mess of the stock setup. New axle gears fix the terrible gearing of the manual.

Just be sure you have 4-5k set aside and budgeted on top of what you are going to spend for your 2 door hard top

Remember, its my choice, going manual.

 

[mgroeger]

Remember, its my choice, going manual.

Yes , we are all well aware it's your choice. We are all simply letting you know what to expect SINCE WE ALREADY OWN OR HAVE OWNED A MANUAL. You've been warned... lol.

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