Why all the autos?
JK Jedi
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 5,813
Likes: 0
From: Kenai Peninsula, Alaska
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 208
Likes: 1
From: Kalamazoo, MI
It took me forever to find a manual four door when I as looking at jeeps. I only drive Manuls. I was never taught how to drive an auto. I think I would panic when I push my left foot in and there nothing there 
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 208
Likes: 1
From: Kalamazoo, MI
Automatics easily are easier on the drivetrain than a manual (get on a steep incline with both, fully stopped, then try to go uphill). There's a reason my F550 that pulls 35,000 pound loads is an automatic. Automatics did have the bad part about coasting (free wheeling) downhill, but the new AMG 5 speed automatic fixed that this year.
JK Freak
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 534
Likes: 0
From: Whittier, CA
Another one of those threads .... all I can say is if you've ever had a good "automatic" with a full-manual shift, you'd never think about a clutch pedal again.
Depressing a clutch pedal and shifting in this day in age boils down to cultural differences or budget.
Not capability ....
.
Depressing a clutch pedal and shifting in this day in age boils down to cultural differences or budget.
Not capability ....
.
JK Super Freak
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,527
Likes: 0
From: USA
Again, I don't buy this whole purist view anymore 
After my CJ-5(4-speed), CJ-7(auto) and J-20(auto), my 4 door JK(auto) is still a jeep. So what about your ABS system, what about e-lockers, what about coil and shock suspension, what about fuel injection???? If that manual trans is what is keeping all of you tied to Jeeps glorious history, why don't you guys get rid of all the other technology and improvements that are part of your 21st century JK, because other than the ability to take doors and tops off (and fold the windshield down, but no one does)there is not much shared with previous model Jeeps. I bet very few of you remember, or even no how to:
-threshold brake
-set the points on a distributor
-drive a safe offroad line that doesn't cause the carburetor quit spraying fuel because of the incline/decline/side slope
-replace a lift block in your leaf springs because the axle wrap from torque wind up spit it out.
That is what is what like to wheel in the old jeeps
I can honestly say, because every improvement to our Jeeps I am able to wheel harder, get to areas more comfortably and not be beaten down after a day of trail riding. Offroading is way more fun now than it was 29 years ago in my first CJ
After my CJ-5(4-speed), CJ-7(auto) and J-20(auto), my 4 door JK(auto) is still a jeep. So what about your ABS system, what about e-lockers, what about coil and shock suspension, what about fuel injection???? If that manual trans is what is keeping all of you tied to Jeeps glorious history, why don't you guys get rid of all the other technology and improvements that are part of your 21st century JK, because other than the ability to take doors and tops off (and fold the windshield down, but no one does)there is not much shared with previous model Jeeps. I bet very few of you remember, or even no how to:-threshold brake
-set the points on a distributor
-drive a safe offroad line that doesn't cause the carburetor quit spraying fuel because of the incline/decline/side slope
-replace a lift block in your leaf springs because the axle wrap from torque wind up spit it out.
That is what is what like to wheel in the old jeeps
I can honestly say, because every improvement to our Jeeps I am able to wheel harder, get to areas more comfortably and not be beaten down after a day of trail riding. Offroading is way more fun now than it was 29 years ago in my first CJ
JK Freak
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 534
Likes: 0
From: Whittier, CA
We have 1 automatic and 2 6 speed Rubicon JKs.
The 6 speeds are more capable and fun to drive by far.
The crawl ratio of the 6 speeds is better due to the lower 1st gear ratio than the automatic.
The 6 speeds get better fuel economy than the automatic.
The 6th gear ratio is better than the 4th gear overdrive ratio (on 07-11 JKs). So the power and rpm levels on the highway are better.
The engine braking going downhill and in steep offroad situation is far superior with a manual.
Towing a trailer with a manual is significantly better in mountainous areas.
I couldn't imagine owning an automatic WRX STI or Corvette. I will never again buy an automatic jeep. The feeling of connection with a vehicle that is for fun or performance just hasn't been the same. Years ago I had an automatic 04 GTO that I traded back in for a 6 speed because the automatic was boring to drive.
This is all personal anecdotal experience, but I even wish my 05 Chevy Duramax 1 ton dually was a manual tranny--I have seriously considered selling it and buying a Dodge so I could tow our 3 jeeps with a manual.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
The 6 speeds are more capable and fun to drive by far.
The crawl ratio of the 6 speeds is better due to the lower 1st gear ratio than the automatic.
The 6 speeds get better fuel economy than the automatic.
The 6th gear ratio is better than the 4th gear overdrive ratio (on 07-11 JKs). So the power and rpm levels on the highway are better.
The engine braking going downhill and in steep offroad situation is far superior with a manual.
Towing a trailer with a manual is significantly better in mountainous areas.
I couldn't imagine owning an automatic WRX STI or Corvette. I will never again buy an automatic jeep. The feeling of connection with a vehicle that is for fun or performance just hasn't been the same. Years ago I had an automatic 04 GTO that I traded back in for a 6 speed because the automatic was boring to drive.
This is all personal anecdotal experience, but I even wish my 05 Chevy Duramax 1 ton dually was a manual tranny--I have seriously considered selling it and buying a Dodge so I could tow our 3 jeeps with a manual.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
"The feeling of connection".... Why don't you revert back to the days before manual transmissions had syncromesh gearboxes? Get real, your ongoing argument doesn't hold water.
WRX STI? ... I believe those have syncros. When kids grow up and learn how to shift a Hewland crash box around Laguna Seca, at speed, come talk to me.
Most people don't even know what it takes to get around a race track in a Formula race car with a Hewland crash box, much less heel-n-toe the damn thing.
Last edited by m998dna; Nov 13, 2011 at 10:14 PM.