JK/JKU, auto vs manual

[Jakes01234]

The manual transmission is horrible in these things (I have one). I can only compare it to my Massey Ferguson, not even a car/truck manual trans. I drove a few to make sure it wasn't jut mine and they are all the same. They work, but not nicely. The gear spread is strange, the throw is enormous for what it is, its slightly noisy, get an auto.

 

[puravida73]

The manual transmission is great in these things (I have both)

 

[AggieOE]

I just sold my Boss 302 with a (only available trans) 6-speed stick and bought a '16 JKUR with the 5-spd auto. Auto was a no brain'r as this is a DD that my wife and I can both drive comfortably. Crawling up rocks is enjoyable (left foot braking of course) and is easier on the entire drivetrain since I'm not slipping a clutch or bouncing the thing around to avoid slipping. The guys I last went out crawling with said they prefer their manuals but do factor in paying for a new clutch every so often.

If you were buying something as merely a toy, no chance of the wife driving, and only going to see trail traffic at most... then I'd still suggest an auto. They're really that good these days. You can pick your gear too if you get annoyed (as I do) when it tries to shift too early or too late.

Don't get me wrong, I miss driving stick but only in sports cars... I don't see any pleasure in driving a manual truck... besides an SRT-10.

 

[Presto88]

Hi

Here is a video from Youtube with different drivers etc alot of variables. Dont take this to serious

The first stock rubicon unlimited are amazing

The manual stalls a lot. Bad driver?? CRD etc. Manual more difficult to drive. Its the third vehicle and its white

Stock Rubicon with lockers better than a modified Sahara, less damage to vehicle and damage to the ground with lockers.

A unlimited seems to tackle the terrain better than the shorter JK. The shorter JK Sahara got "damages to the front axle"

From Youtube info

"Jeep Wrangler JK's going through a grade 5 obstacle at Moegatle.

Jeeps & mods (to best of my knowledge) in order of appearance:

JK Unlimited Rubicon Auto - stock
JK Unlimited Rubicon Auto - 3" Zone Lift w/ BFG MT 285/70
JK Unlimited Sahara CRD Manual - 3" Old Man Emu HD Lift w/ BFG AT 285/70
JK Sahara Auto - 3" Old Man Emu HD Lift w/ BFG AT 285/70
JK Unlimited Sahara Hemi 6.4L Auto - 4" Lift w/ BFG MT 35/12.50, Air Lockers

Apologies for clip ending abruptly. Used a trial version dvd ripper and could only get 5 mins of footage from the dvd.

I must add the last JK did make it through after locking both Air Lockers.
The 2nd last JK eventually went around after sustaining damages to the front axle."

Wow. Omar, thanks for sharing that. I was really impressed by how easily that stock JKUR w/auto (which, by the way, is what I have) went up! I have a new-found respect for my rig!

 

[Septu]

What are the benefits(if any) of an auto? Why should I even consider one?

I'm not a kid anymore, and on those days where my lower back is sore, a slush box would be preferable... But, those are not the norm, and not a factor.

I want to hear real world stuff.
Especially from converts....

Another thing, I have a company vehicle. So, MY personal vehicles are rarely if ever daily drivers. But, I prefer my wife to drive them when the conditions warrant it.

Thanks,
Chase

Couple thoughts. First off I know how to drive a stick and am very comfortable doing so. My last JK was a manual. And there's even times I miss driving stick. However... as a DD and my weekend toy, the auto is very nice. It makes life easy in traffic (not that we have much up here), and more importantly for me, it makes life very easy off road. You want to downshift with the auto? No problem - use the stick mode (or whatever you want to call it) and drop a gear. Upshifting isn't always as smooth, but eventually it'll get there.

If I were to buy a new JK (2017/18 with the diesel is really the only thing that would tempt me to do so), unless I was planning an around the world trip or something, I'd almost certainly get another auto - and honestly, it wouldn't bother me in the least.