I got my license in 1965, to show how things have changed- at the time in Texas the normal age was 14. 13 years and 9 months with drivers ed. 12 years old if you had a family need, such as harvest or handicapped parent. Anyway, since 1965 I've rowed gears on something or other. My last jeep I shifted for almost 14 years. I rented a 4 dr JK for a day on vacation with an auto- hell I found my place in life. I'll never willingly shift a Jeep again. I only wish it had a nice BENCH SEAT....

 

If your going to do a lot of rock crawling go with the auto, if you plan on playing in the mud or very muddy water and have a standard you risk the chance of destroying your clutch.

 

I've owned a CJ-5 and a YJ with manual gearboxes. My JK has an automatic. Frankly, it makes no difference. They work equally well off road.

It boils down to what you prefer for daily driving. Let's face it, the vast majority of your JK driving will be on dry paved roads. Pick the transmission that best suits your daily driving. If you face a lot of stop and go driving, you may lean towards the auto. If you enjoy being part of the equation, you might prefer the manual (as I do in my road cars).

I've driven JKs with auto and manual gearboxes off road. Some may argue that the Manual is better. Odds are that they haven't driven an automatic off road. Some will argue that the auto is better. There's a good chance they haven't driven the manual off road. As others have pointed out, each has some advantages. Either one will get you anywhere you might want to go.

So, I return to the statement that you need to decide based upon what you prefer for daily driving.

My regards,

Widewing

 

I have a six speed and love it, have driven both autos and sticks all my life and it is my personal preference for the stick, it is just second nature. try them both and see what you like but remember it is a jeep and real jeeps have sticks.

 

i love my 6speed

 

I'd consider the 6 speed an advantage because of the engine-braking it provides over an auto, especially with part-time 4WD. Its a great feeling to let the vehicle "walk" itself down a rocky hill without needing to use the brakes. Uses those sweet low transfer and diff ratios of the Rubi to their full potential. If you were buying a stock X with the 3.21 diffs, then an auto might be worth it because the higher ratios are just a pain.

Down here we call the clutch the "Man Pedal".
Ahem, cough, grunt, scratch, spit.

 

jeep = standard .....just feels right