Preference: Manual or Automatic for off road in your Mitsu...

[off-roader]

From http://www.expeditionportal.com/for...001-Montero-Sport-3-5XS?p=1033837#post1033837

Let's not get into the auto/manual debate there's a whoooooole thread on that :smiley_drive:

Agreed so here's the new thread and my $.02.

This debate is a good one. My opinion based on my 10+ years of wheeling Montero's over all kinds of trails (easy ones like death valley/mojave trail to tough ones like the 'Con) and from speaking with many others is that for non-technical wheeling (read 'no' rocks, granite/sandstone ledges, etc.) a manual transmission is a very decent option and one I'd certainly be willing to drive.

However most of them agree that for a Mitsu drivetrain anything technical like light rock crawling or going over ledges makes the auto much, much more desirable. IMHO, the biggest problem for the manual setup in technical trail situations is our gearing options are fairly limited and not that low without great expense (read $2-3k plus for new r&p's + 3:1 xcase gears or even more for a doubler xcase setup, etc.). Even with an 4.9:1 or 5.29:1 R&P & 3.15:1 xcase upgrades, you're nowhere near the ratio of a true crawler setup (however if you doubled your xcase you'd be in a totally different league).

Because of this you'd end up burning a lot of clutches and/or tire rubber getting past trail obstacles using a manual transmission. With an automatic there's that inherent amount of 'slippage' that you get which makes obstacles 10x easier on your drivetrain than the hammering you'd end up having to do with a manual in technical situations. This I've seen in person as have many who've wheeled with me.

Now if we did have inexpensive gearing options including an uber low crawler gear, then I'm all for a manual. A manual setup makes for a way more involved drive than an automatic any day of the week and I would definitely enjoy that more than an automatic.:ylsmoke:

 

[eurosonic]

offroader, you preety much summed it up there...bu yea, having the right mani tran setup would be sweet. Would love the fuel econ that would come with that as well.

 

[IncorpoRatedX]

I go off roading as a form of relaxation. I prefer auto, the ability to keep load on tires without slipping the clutch or holding firmly on the brakes, not having to row the boat while trying to steer. Both my cars are manuals, both my monteros are autos.

 

[scrubber3]

I'll just say what I said before. I hate replacing manual transmission clutches. My left leg likes having an automatic on the trails. Not to mention the these rigs come with Aisin automatic transmissions.

BTW, I really hate it when people call transmissions "trannys". It's just weird. You know tranny=transvestite. If people do not have the gumption to write it out, then by all means, write "trans" instead.

 

[off-roader]

BTW, I really hate it when people call transmissions "trannys". It's just weird. You know tranny=transvestite.

Laziness + being secure in my own sexuality makes it ok in my book.:Wow1::smiley_drive:

Kidding. Yup. Just being lazy about it.

 

[scrubber3]

Yeah I don't mind people that are different from me unless it affects my well being. I actually have 3 gay friends and they are some of the nicest people I know. Just years of turning wrenches has gotten to where it makes me cringe when someone says it. I mean, I guess some people say it to sound like they are "in the know" about them... In all honesty they fall right in there with people who say RPMs instead of RPM considering it is revolutions per minute and not revolutions per minute's'. Or the guys who say NOS instead of nitrous..."got to flow my NOS to my V-TEC at the right RPMs so I don't blow my tranny". See what I mean..

Okay, hijack off..

Well that didn't sound right either did it?

 

[off-roader]

Yeah I don't mind people that are different from me unless it affects my well being. I actually have 3 gay friends and they are some of the nicest people I know. Just years of turning wrenches has gotten to where it makes me cringe when someone says it. I mean, I guess some people say it to sound like they are "in the know" about them... In all honesty they fall right in there with people who say RPMs instead of RPM considering it is revolutions per minute and not revolutions per minute's'. Or the guys who say NOS instead of nitrous..."got to flow my NOS to my V-TEC at the right RPMs so I don't blow my tranny". See what I mean..

Okay, hijack off..

Well that didn't sound right either did it?

You've got awful pretty lips scrubber..
:Wow1:

 

[Inyo_man]

I'm sold on the INVECS-II 5A/T.
IMHO it's the best of both worlds.
It's great having the control of a manuel when you want, without the issues mentioned above, and still be able to cruise the rig in full A/T mode when desired.

 

[scrubber3]

You've got awful pretty lips scrubber..
:Wow1:

I gotta go do some laundry........ eepwall:

 

[off-roader]

I gotta go do some laundry........ eepwall:

ROFLMAO...:victory:

 

[SOFpirate]

You definitely can't say we don't have a good group on here ...


As for the manny vs auto tranny (HA! I DID IT TOO!) issue, here's my $0.02.

For the hardcore crawlers and people who dumped the cash into the rig to run a properly setup manual transmission, there's no comparison. I've driven stock manual transmissions to completely built ones, and there's a huge difference. IMHO, the only stock manual drivetrain that I would drive off road (and you can crucify me for this later) is the Jeep Wranlger Rubicon system. I test drove one of those ... and boy was it nice! No gas needed, you just threw it in low, first gear and drop your foot off the clutch pedal.

For the type of wheeling I do now, the Aisin system is money. No more trying to kill myself or do any gravity defying wheel stands. Which can be fun from time to time, but I think more along the overlanding route of off road now. I enjoy the adventure, scenery, and the quality time with everybody. The last thing I want to deal with while joking and having fun is remembering to drop out of 2nd gear when I hit the super thick sand that everybody in front of me slowed down for. Granted, if you drive your rig enough, it'll become second nature, but for me ... an automatic will do just fine.

Endgame though, it's personal preference. But at the same time ... Mitsubishi Motors obviously thought that the automatic system they designed was comparable, and I'm compelled to agree. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

 

[PirateMcGee]

Pretty lips and he does laundry!!! Sounds like a keeper :victory:

 

[scrubber3]

AND dishes and I can cook well. I also give my fiance' pedicures and stuff. Not to mention that I occasionally let her take the wheel on certain trails. Yeah, I'm a keeper.

 

[rxinhed]

Funny that my only driveable Mitsus, so far, have all been stick shift. I drove a Gen II auto on the street and didn't like it.

However, I can compare driving a stick Dodge 1-ton to an auto-equipped Ramcharger. The 1-ton had 4.88s and 33s, Ramcharger with 3.55s and 29s. The big truck was hands down more controlled and control-able. But, comparing fuel mileage, the Ramchargers' paltry 8 mpg was better than the 1-tons' 3!

Still, I think I'd prefer stick shift, even offroad towing.

 

[jotec]

i agree with auto being "from the factory" better for wheeling. although i havent done much to any yet in my montero here are a few thing i notice about my 3rd gen.
i can see where the tiptronic would help with decents as you can control what gear it is in and effectively use it to engine break.
also you i think you can better keep momentum with this feature which may be benefitial in sand, mud and snow
although the control and engine breaking is not as good as a manual transmission this is a nice feature to have on an auto( although on most cars i hate tiptronic). auto has an edge on manual when it traveling uphill at low speeds. it is more difficult to travel with a manual at speed below 5 mph without using the clutch alot.
just my thoughts