any off road tips...? Inclines? Declines?

You don't wanna shift without the clutch on a synchronized transmission bad stuff will happen. If your in a semi ya no syncro'd tranny.

I only engine brake if I'm on a long incline, usually mountain driving. Brake pads are WAY cheaper than gears and clutches.

yeah get an auto:rotflmao2::rotflmao2::rotflmao2:

I find this funny, my jeep is an auto, I wouldn't want it other way, but I've driven a stick for over 20 years (that much? no I'm not an old man I'm 37) so shifting and all comes naturally I can't even tell you when I do it or how:thinking:

I have never driven a jeep with an automatic, why pay an extra $1000 for a slush box. shifting is half the fun of a jeep no atter how you do it.

the white widow is mostly in first gear. sometime ill throw it in second at the end of the trail to get to the trail head faster

i used to start in first and hit every gear. Now I always start in 2nd. I've tried using 1st once in a while and I hate it. Like I said, I hit every gear and usually shift at 2K RPM around town...no rush.
When I'm trying to pass someone or merging onto the highway I'll go up to 3.5RPMs or so.

X2 I understand the advantages of auto's when easing over rock's and such but for normal driving and the type of off roading here in Michigan, a stick is the only choice I'd make. Auto's in Wrangler's just seem odd and don't even start with the power window's!:what?: As for down shifting, I do it probably 95% of the time. I don't consider it harmfull as long as the RPM's are kept at sane level. :crazyeyes:

I have an '07 with factory tires and 4.10 gears, and here's my story.

1: I pretty much never use first on the street, it's just too low.
2: I shift around 2k, as I'm typically trying to put around the city for mileage. Some will say that there is no benefit for shifting this low, but I've found that if I'm just cruising that I barely even need to give it any gas to maintain 30mph in 4th.
3: I always put it in neutral and coast into a stop. I try to drive it like a hypermiler just to get the best mileage I can.