Standard or Auto?

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Samson

Joined
Jun 9, 2006
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I am considering the purchase of an FJC and was wondering whether there are any real wins off-road with the standard tranny over the auto; especially factoring in the smart shifting in the auto.

I currently drive a 2005 TJ Wrangler (I know...) with a 6speed in it, but if there is no reason to keep the standard, I would not be against going automatic.

Are there any opinions over whether to go standard or auto in the FJC? Thanks!

-Samson
 
TEPUI said:
What kind of wheeling do you do?
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Really this would be for a DD and some very light off-roading. No rock crawling or deep mudding. That is how I have been driving my TJ for the past 18 months. The only reason I am considering the auto is that other people (namely my girlfriend) refuse to drive standard trannys.

If there is a compelling argument to keep the standard, then I would be all for it. Thanks for your replies.
 
personally I think to have control of what I am doing when I wheel/drive. So I've never driven an automatic before and I've never driven a 5speed before both of my 2 and only cars are 6speeds. Some people like Automatics better for 4wheeling because you don't "roll back" but in all honesty I can double clutch fast enough so I don't roll back an inch. possibly 1-2mm and I am not kidding. And with automatics lets say you are against a big short 90degree climb you can't really rev the engine up before going against it but with the MT6 you can rev it up slightly the engage the clutch and voila you're at peak torque without moving.

I guess it depends on how much control do you want over the vehicle.

Now onto the more technical stuff.

The MT6 gives a little better gear ratio 3.91 vs 3.73 in the Auto. You get AWD which some people consider safer on the road.
 
I have the automatic and would recommend it as it sees the same type of driving at this point as you describe.
 
(namely my girlfriend) refuse to drive standard trannys.

I think you need to drop your girlfriend.;)

If you like a stick, stay with a stick. My wife drove both the auto and manual and her words were "this car really begs to have a manual." And this was a person who wanted an automatic.

For steep inclines and such there is a clutch override button to prevent rollback. Personally, I like the control of the stick.
 
I've driven the FJC with the auto, and was impressed....good control, not overgeared, and the TC matches well with the gearing for offroad use. Controls nicely on descents too, just enuf trans pressure to only need light braking.

Ran a 4-speed and later a granny manual for many many years in my FJ40, now run a 700r auto...

"launch" for climbs is easy...hold the brake and rev it up....or slap from neutral to 1st ;) Less shock load than a manual on the drivetrain.

I've become very used to 2-footing in the rocks with the auto as well...

IMO, you lose next to nothing with the auto and gain a happy girlfriend (which supercedes all else...lol)
 
woody said:
IMO, you lose next to nothing with the auto and gain a happy girlfriend (which supercedes all else...lol)
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Heh, I think over the past 18 months of having the Jeep, my girlfriend has driven it 3 times... Each time she whined "why in the world could you have not gotten an automatic".

That being said... I do enjoy the control of a manual like others mentioned in this post but Im still torn between the two. If anyone else has comments on their view between the FJC's standard vs auto, let me know. Thanks everyone~

-Samson
 
greytandy said:
For steep inclines and such there is a clutch override button to prevent rollback. Personally, I like the control of the stick.
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I saw the "demo" of the clutch override button on the toyota website but it was very lacking in information as to how it works. I assume it is some sort of electronic override, but when does it know to release the clutch? Sorry for my (possibly) dumb question.

-Samson
 
Samson said:
I saw the "demo" of the clutch override button on the toyota website but it was very lacking in information as to how it works. I assume it is some sort of electronic override, but when does it know to release the clutch? Sorry for my (possibly) dumb question.

-Samson
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I've tried using it before.. The car jus turns on whitouth stepping on the clutch.

Basically you throw the car in 1st press that button and the car will yank forwards just keep stepping on the gas and off you go.

But the FJ has enough torque to let you double clutch in almost any hill I've been on 65-80 degree hills something close to the begining of the lions back if you will, and I was able to double clutch it without rolling back.

I mean if you're going to 4wheel once a month and you like the confort of the AT and you don't mind having no control(big issue for me) then by all means go for the auto they did a great job.

But if you want to wheel more often, like to have control and don't mind shifting got for the MT6. Autos are nice for off roading too but there's more stuff that can break/go wrong under stress.
 
I'm all for the 6 speed. It's to much fun on and off road. You don't even know the clutch is there. You can start from a stop in second gear with no problems and the high gears don't complain much about dropping below 1000 RPM and then having you put you foot on the gas...

Then when you deside to drive it properly it will reward you with every shift:grinpimp:
 
k_os said:
But if you want to wheel more often, like to have control and don't mind shifting got for the MT6. Autos are nice for off roading too but there's more stuff that can break/go wrong under stress.
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just remember, the vast majority of comp rigs run autos....control is in the drivers hands, not in the vehicle equipment ;) I know of WAY too many hardcore wheelers (myself included) who now run autos after MANY years of running a stick shift...with 2 years of an auto under my belt, after 15ish years of a manual, I won't switch back.

both have their plusses...auto's are more complex, you can't bump start them, they won't tolerate water in them, etc...

guaranteed, for road use, the manual is more fun....

course, the final benefit of the manual may be that the girlfriend CAN'T drive it - means you won't have to give it up - lol
 
I completely agree with the last post. My wife does drive manual, but i wish she disliked it like your girlfriend. That just means i would get to drive it more instead of sharing it with her lol. Also means i wouldn't have to drive the Echo more than i have to. At least they're both Yota's
 
Up to you and don't think in your GF likes .. it's your car or not . ?

In the selection was involved only your " feeling " if you like manual or auto .. I thought for off road if you have " power " in your engine no reazon to go manual ..

I'm pretty sure auto is better well maintained .. for simplicity go Manual ..

IMOP .. go manual.
 
ive had both prefer auto.
 
Last edited:
Samson said:
I am considering the purchase of an FJC and was wondering whether there are any real wins off-road with the standard tranny over the auto; especially factoring in the smart shifting in the auto.

I currently drive a 2005 TJ Wrangler (I know...) with a 6speed in it, but if there is no reason to keep the standard, I would not be against going automatic.

Are there any opinions over whether to go standard or auto in the FJC? Thanks!

-Samson
Click to expand...

6 - speed standard if you are serious about off roading. The over-all crawl ratio for the standard is much lower than the automatic.

My two cents.

:beer:
 
Samson said:
Really this would be for a DD and some very light off-roading. No rock crawling or deep mudding. That is how I have been driving my TJ for the past 18 months. The only reason I am considering the auto is that other people (namely my girlfriend) refuse to drive standard trannys.

If there is a compelling argument to keep the standard, then I would be all for it. Thanks for your replies.
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It's not her vehicle, so girl-friends don't count. If she's your wife and contributing to your house hold income, then she counts in the equation. I have had guys listen to GIRL FRIENDS before in big situations like yours, only to do what SHE wanted to and in 6 months she was history and HE was holding the bag on something he didn't really want. IE: Automatic transmission in HIS 4x4 rather than the MANUAL that HE wanted.

Good luck.
 
The MT6 is one of the nicest manuals I have ever driven. I have only used it on road so far, but it is great fun to drive. I cant imagine getting this truck with an auto. My Tundra is auto and I love having it in a pickup/tow vehicle.

Beyond being so mechanically sweet, it adds a nice sporting element to the FJ. You wont be disappointed.
 
I drove a UNIMOG and it had the coolest set up. it had a hand throttle that you could usewhile one foot was braking to prevent roll back and the other on the clutch.....it was a cool way to climb a hill. Stop in the middle and rev it up and go again! who's the first to design that for the FJ...untill then I am stuck with the automatic....the clutch in big city traffic would irritate me....:cheers:
 
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