BJ74 5spd vs. Auto Tranny

[elum]

I used to always think I wanted a BJ74 with a 5spd Manual... however, after having wheeled with both a 4spd BJ42 and a FZJ80 that was an auto... I really think I'd prefer an Auto for wheeling.. .however, what is your all opinions on this? Also, how about specifically for the BJ74?

 

[roscoFJ73]

Well I would rather have the 5 sp manual anytime offroad but the auto would be nice in traffic.
I suspect the auto sucks a lot of power from the engine.
I also like to have the option of tow starting vehicles when they stop or get a flat battery which you cant do with an auto.
The landcruiser auto is still a tough tranny.

Its all about personal preference in the end.

 

[crushers]

i have wheeled both and the auto doesn;t have the sensitive throttle of the manual and starting on steep hills is much easier with the auto but in the end it is personal preference.
i like the manual on all non-direct injected cruisers. and autos on all the direct injected units...

 

[elum]

i like the manual on all non-direct injected cruisers. and autos on all the direct injected units...

Interesting comments... Could you break it down barney style for me? We're talking fuel injection right?

 

[crushers]

yes, the 13BT, 12HT, HDT, 2LTE are all direct injected engines which result in a very sensitive throttle. the automatic aborbes much of the sensitivity so the acceleration off road is smooth and such things as speed bumps, wash board roads, ruts etc don't make the truck "jerky". some members have not experienced this and some have experienced it worse than others. the 12HT is the worst and i have foudn the 13BT, while on road manors are great, once off road in rough terrain and at any speed will cause very jerky responses.

the 3B, 2H, HZJ, PZJ engines do not have these characteristics and once turbo'd they respond smoothly off road even when driving quickly in the rough.

does this help?

 

[Gold Boy]

have an auto 74 - and like it

has very good engine/tranny braking combo
less foot work (no clutch)
very good overdrive ratio for the highway (100kph @ 2000 rpm)

some dislikes

no bump start
requires extra cooling

cheers

GB

 

[zaxxon]

The jerky thing can be brutal in a rutted area, but I still rather the 5speed. I use the choke to achive a good paced cralw to avoid the big jerk when off road.

 

[crushers]

umm, there is no "choke" on a diesel, i beleive you mean the hand throttle...

 

[nickw]

I have driven Gold Boy's Auto BJ74 and I have a 5speed BJ74.
I also have had a auto HDJ81.

As Wayne says, the auto's have no lurching issues.
When I test drove my 74 (with Stone - you can ask him), I had a lot of jerking.
I did take it offroad on a familiar trail, and did notice it.
Truth be told, I was somewhat concerned, but Stone said I would learn to drive without jerking.
And I did learn, I postition my foot different and do not get it much anymore.
I do get it some what when on washboard.
But I just ease off and it goes away for the most part.

Something I found is: My HDJ81 (Auto) had a much stiffer throttle peddle, which could of been part of the reason the reason for no lurching. My BJ74 has a very soft (read: sensitive) throttle.

Maybe they put a different spring in on the auto's? I am going to go get some different springs, and play around with them. See if I can't find a stiffer one that would help on washboard. Learning to postition your foot is most of the battle. Once you learn to do that, its not a big issue. However I will still play with the springs. Between a slightly stiffer spring and a bit of pratice, I would think it would be a non issue, even on washboard. It still will not be as good as an auto, but I think I could make it close.

Cheers,
Nick

 

[zaxxon]

umm, there is no "choke" on a diesel, i beleive you mean the hand throttle...

Gee Thanks Wayne

 

[A2B in a TLC]

You can roll start a 5spd manual on a hill. Have fun trying to start your engine in the bush with an auto.

Bruce

 

[crushers]

you can stop and start on a steep hill an auto on a hill easily without 3 feet and without tire spin.