JK/JKU, auto vs manual
- Thread starter chasespeed
- Start date
Abe Froman
Adventurer
I normally only like manuals, but bought an automatic JKUR (after test driving both manual and automatics) and realizing that the jeep wasn't going to be fun or sporty to drive on road regardless of the transmission.
I only wanted a jeep for the offroad aspect, and the auto works well in that environment so far.
I only wanted a jeep for the offroad aspect, and the auto works well in that environment so far.
Omar Brannstrom
Adventurer
Seems to be more power in automatic
Omar Brannstrom
Adventurer
The first and original jeep had manual wipers 
today we all have automatic wipers
today we all have automatic wipers
jwilson2598
Adventurer
Seems to be more power in automatic
It's not that there's more power, it has to do with the overdrive. On the auto it's a .84 and on the manual it's a .69. Because the manual has a taller overdrive, you need more gear to make up the difference due to lower RPMs.
jwilson2598
Adventurer
Everyone left off the most important reason to get the auto...because you can order it with remote start 
Seriously though, I've had Jeeps with both, and now prefer the auto over it. It's just a better, easier driver on and off road. Now once my Jeep is paid off and I get a sporty car to drive, I will probably go manual as it's more fun to drive.
Seriously though, I've had Jeeps with both, and now prefer the auto over it. It's just a better, easier driver on and off road. Now once my Jeep is paid off and I get a sporty car to drive, I will probably go manual as it's more fun to drive.
puravida73
Observer
Seems to be more power in automatic
Thank you for posting this chart!
Blue Baby Sound
A guy with a Jeep
I know this is always a heated argument when asked, kind of like Sport vs. Rubicon threads
Personally I've had both manual and auto Wranglers with the pentastar engine:
2013 JKU Sport 3.73 6 speed manual
2014 JKUR 4.10 auto, then 4.88
2016 JKWW 3.73 auto
The '13 manual was the worst manual I've ever owned (since 1984.) Once the carpet was removed it was so loud you couldn't hear the person next to you, I had the "marbles" sound (dealer said normal) it shifted worse than a John Deere, and then there's the whole no clutch while in the water thing..... no thanks. Traded it after 9 months and got an auto.
Kinda stinks because I prefer manuals. All my Jeep buddies told me to get the auto in 2013, I was stubborn and didn't listen to them
Good luck on your decision!
Personally I've had both manual and auto Wranglers with the pentastar engine:
2013 JKU Sport 3.73 6 speed manual
2014 JKUR 4.10 auto, then 4.88
2016 JKWW 3.73 auto
The '13 manual was the worst manual I've ever owned (since 1984.) Once the carpet was removed it was so loud you couldn't hear the person next to you, I had the "marbles" sound (dealer said normal) it shifted worse than a John Deere, and then there's the whole no clutch while in the water thing..... no thanks. Traded it after 9 months and got an auto.
Kinda stinks because I prefer manuals. All my Jeep buddies told me to get the auto in 2013, I was stubborn and didn't listen to them
Good luck on your decision!
Guess i'll be the one to tell you to try out the manual. Never been a fan of automatic transmissions. We have a few, I stick with my manual transmission car and the manual transmission Jeep. I prefer to not have the computer trying to guess which gear I should be in, especially when towing. I like being able to crawl around in 1st gear, low range. Sure, the clutch is a bit annoying when climbing the big rocks, I that's not my thing anyways.
Then again, I don't have any leather or heated seats in my Jeep either. My first Rubicon (2011) had no options but a hardtop. This one (2012) came all fancied up with electric windows and nav, and that's only because I bought it used. Keep it simple, the way a Wrangler is supposed to be.
Then again, I don't have any leather or heated seats in my Jeep either. My first Rubicon (2011) had no options but a hardtop. This one (2012) came all fancied up with electric windows and nav, and that's only because I bought it used. Keep it simple, the way a Wrangler is supposed to be.
puravida73
Observer
I currently have a 2015 JKUR w/ auto and a 2016 JKUR w/ manual. You can't go wrong with either...the manual is fun and Jeep-y.
lumpskie
Independent Thinker
I'm a manual guy as well. I've rock crawled in an auto and a manual and much prefer the manual. But, that's mainly because I don't like the dynamics of left foot braking while using the throttle and having the torque converter work as it sees fit. If you have a 4:1 tcase or a crawl box, you just let out the clutch and let the vehicle do the rest... there's really nothing like it. (my opinion)
Omar Brannstrom
Adventurer
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."
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."
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lumpskie
Independent Thinker
I don't want to stir up a hornets nest here but you can find bad/inexperienced driving in both autos and manuals. I hate to use a yota example in a Jeep forum but check out my club guys on the hard obstacle in this video. (2:20 and on) Both the rigs crawling this were manual transmissions. No stalls, not jerking (Like the autos climbing the easy side earlier and later in the clip) just smooth, controlled rock crawling. Like I said, you can wheel either equally well.
https://youtu.be/FkxHfCPb-U4