Has anyone swapped out their 6-Speed for an automatic? Did you encounter any problems with the swap?

 

Trade your JK if you are seriously considering this swap. Even back in the pre-computer days this type of swap was a pain in the rear. Your electronics are wrong, the harnesses are wrong, the programming is not there, the interior and clusters are different, the engine flywheel and who knows what else you could run into. Not to be a total downer, but as an auto repair professional I wouldn't attempt this without a complete vehicle sitting next to yours for all parts to be taken from..... Save your time and money and trade it....

 

shoot if u lived closer id swap with ya

 

Even a mechanic at a Jeep dealer and worked on JK's every day wouldn't bother doing this. Besides, I've had both and the 6-Speed is a much better match for the 3.8L motor. If you insist on switching just trade it in on an automatic. But when you are driving in the hills and it keeps redlining in 2nd gear and lugging in 3rd don't say I didn't warn you. Combine this with bigger tires and you are going to wish you would have stayed with the manual tranny...

 

Thanks for the advice...I've always had a manual transmission in a Jeep, but the 3.8 just seems a little weak on the low end and really buzzy on the high end. Oh well. Thanks for the responses.

 

When it comes to power, I got the throtle bodiy spacer the S & B intake, Hypermax tunner, and 50 series flowmaster....and there is a good bit more power low and top end. the hypermax really helped the most

 

Why would you want to swap? You think your Jeep is bad with the 3.8 and the 6spd, wait till you try the auto!

 

Stay with the 6spd. I spent many days, months, deciding on what I wanted, and i am so, so, so, glad that I went with the 6spd. I do not think I would love and enjoy driving my Rubicon as I do if it were an auto. Even messing around in the mud, or on the trails, the 6spd adds challenge and versatility that you simply do not get with the auto. Just the feel of the Jeep as you lean forward, then back when shifting. The ability to feel the gears moving through the gear shifter. This is what I love so much about driving the Jeep. I know now that if I would have gotten an auto, I would not be as happy as I am with the manual.

Stick with the manual.

 

Let me be the dorky auto driver who tells you I've had 3 previous Jeeps with standard tranny and am happy with my JK auto on the trail especially. I would not change if I was buying again. I do agree with some of the others that you'd be better off selling your Jeep and getting one with an auto if you decide to come to the enlightened side!

 

Smoother/quicker shifts. My Chrysler Mini-Van when fully loaded with six people and grocerys has better acceleration than my Jeep does.

I just wanted to see what other forum members opinions where on this.