FJ shopping - 6 manual or Auto?

[Loppy]

Yeah, I'm getting close to giving up the old 93 FJ80 as a daily driver. She may live out the rest of her life as a hardcore trailer queen. LOL I need something sportier, yet want the same toughness, lighter, looks etc... you get it. FJC is the natural choice for me.

So I've done a ton of reading and am familiar with the well cracking, locker issues etc... all petty for me, no big. I build rock crawlers, nothing new here. I'm mainly interested in Auto vs. 6 speed. I'm definately leaning towards the stick, its just in my blood.

Why stick? Why auto? Whatcha got? Love it? Hate it? Besides the obvious differences, what do you like and why when it pertains to the FJC? Thanks!

 

[shane4x4]

Our first one was auto & they're real solid. We bought the TRD and wanted the manual for the slightly lower gearing, it makes crawling down Colorado mountains a no-brainer. For hard-core rock crawling, I'd say the auto would probably work out better. I wouldn't trade my 6MT for the world though.

If mileage is an issue, the auto (part-time 4wd vs. full-time w/the manual) gets 2-3mpg better mileage w/no mods.

Good luck!

 

[Loppy]

Thanks man. Although I live pretty much between the Rubicon and Fordyce, it's lost it's pazzazz for me lately. Been there, broke that. I'm more interested in expiditionary trim.

Is someone making a disco for the full time 4x4 yet? Something like the 80's center diff lock switch?

 

[spaldam]

Do you want Full Time 4x4 or part time 4x4? That's the biggest difference (other then gearing which can be changed easily). If you want the full time 4x4, and the TRD package, I'm sell mine. I love the thing, but I've to twins on the way here soon.

 

[Lovey]

MT.

I'm still trying to figure out wether I like the truck itself.
6 speed is probably my favorite part of it.

 

[Toledo FJ]

six speed all the way. Soooooooooooo much fun! Throw on a URD short shifter and some TWM Performance weighted knobs and you'll never look back!!!!!! MT!!! MT!!!!!!! MT!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[FJFEVER]

myself im partial to the auto but im old and almost infirm, my buddy just traded his wrangler for a rubicon because he wanted an auto (and lockers). the auto was a huge difference for him. we went crawling today and he swears on the auto. i'm keeping my fj.

 

[gaylonw]

My TRDSE is my Daily driver most days........

....And the Automatic is not only conveniant for day to day traffic in the Baltimore Washington corridor; but I am consistently getting 20-21 mpg at the pump.
That is a feat that the 6MT with all wheel drive all the time will not duplicate.
I am sure that the 6MT is fun, but over time, that is alot of $4 per gallon gas. Kinda like the gift that keeps on giving.
This fact is not the only important arguement for the Auto; but is certainly a consideration when you are deciding which way to go.
The engine transmission and rear axle are geared really well for my needs. I added the TRD CAI and that really helps make my FJ very responsive.
Good luck with your choice, I love mine...........gm

 

[NYCTRD]

Age is the key...

myself im partial to the auto but im old and almost infirm, my buddy just traded his wrangler for a rubicon because he wanted an auto (and lockers). the auto was a huge difference for him. we went crawling today and he swears on the auto. i'm keeping my fj.

I'm a sports car guy all the way...this is my first "truck". I thought about the MT, but wanted the black TRD and couldn't find on w/ the MT.

I got an auto-After 40 years old, shifting gears gets to be a pain in the arse (I'm 50...not infirm...or incontinent..yet)! Was also really glad I got the auto when I broke my left ankle around January...!

 

[steande]

I like my auto. I like having my hands free and having to shift up and down when going over mountain passes. It has performed well off road and gets a little better gas mileage than the MT (from those who know).

 

[FJFEVER]

of course with the auto you have one thing less to worry about... winch remote getting off the rock ledge, turn down the cb, "dude you stuck on the rock again?" turn up the music, pay attention to the spotter!... all in a days fun

 

[woody]

for wheeling, get the auto
for street, get the stick
if you wanna wheel AT ALL, get the auto...for 95% of situations, you'll prefer it...

if you are driving an auto properly offroad, you are shifting anyways....if you aren't shifting, then you aren't driving it correctly

 

[Loppy]

What I really want is the MT without AWD. I was hoping someone would have come out by now with a center diff lock disconnect like the later 80's have. But I guess that's not happening yet.

I'm 41 with a high milage body, so the auto is appealing somewhat. I just like to shift. But not so much though that the AWD would be worth it. I just dont want AWD at all, that's what I'm trying to get away from. LOL

This rig will see mild wheel'n, no Con trips. I have quads and trailer queens for that. I just want a nice little DD rig I can throw a trailer behind once in awhile and hit the forrest or desert from time to time.

 

[WingsOverWasatch]

What I really want is the MT without AWD.

Ditto that! I just got a MT FJ and love it... I've always wanted a six speed! I too wish it was a part time 4WD system like my old 4 runner was... but on the up side you can shift from "road-mode" with a 40-60 front/rear split to "4 high" with a 50-50 split without stopping or even taking it out of gear (I think it's controlled electronically?)...

The automatics seem to be very good, and it sounds like that's what you're leaning towards. I only went with the manual because A) I love driving manuals and hate driving automatics, I feel too disconnected, and B) because I like the lower gearing of the manual for when crawling down very steep stuff.

I also like the way manuals have a solid connection between the engine and trans, where as an automatic has the torque converter, which allows a little 'slip' between the two...

If you like the FJ, you'll be happy with either... the truck ROCKS!!!

 

[Michael1]

for wheeling, get the auto
for street, get the stick
if you wanna wheel AT ALL, get the auto...for 95% of situations, you'll prefer it...

Really? I prefer the manual for wheeling. I enjoy chugging over rocks in low range, and first gear, vs. lurching over them with a wind-up torque converter in the drivetrain. I love the direct connection you get with the manual. I guess to each his own.

Michael

 

[Blues Dawg]

I've been wheeling the MT for 2-1/2 years. In real wheeling situations, AT is superior - unless you have 3 feet or an inchworm or similar crawl set up. (You just haven't had fun until you're climbing over a rock when you can't see anything but your spotter while feathering clutch, gas and e-brake!) AT will also give superior fuel performance. That said, 90% of my driving is on the road and the MT is responsive and fun, also giving the illusion of better control...

 

[1911]

The awesome A440F auto tranny in my '91 FJ80 is what convinced me to take an auto FJC, though I originally wanted a manual. That thing was a beast of a 4WD tranny, and is still running strong, 100% original (except one fluid flush) at well over 200K miles. The FJC auto tranny has not disappointed me; it also is a super great 4WD tranny. Especially for rock crawling, though the addition of an Inchworm transfer case has really made it shine in that department. If for some reason I bought another FJC it would be auto also.

 

[Michael1]

What I really want is the MT without AWD. I was hoping someone would have come out by now with a center diff lock disconnect like the later 80's have. But I guess that's not happening yet.

What's the problem with AWD? I've never had any problems with mine, and it's good for snow covered roads and other slippery conditions when full lockup would be hard on the drivetrain. I rmember all the AT guys were complaining when the FJ came out that it didn't have AWD.

Michael

 

[Cruzrman]

I got the "Intelligent" AT. Only the second auto in my 40 years of driving and I love it. It holds a gear when most would upshift, adjusts to your driving style, and it's pretty darn fast for 4300 lbs. The difference between 4.11's and the 3.73's is not that much. I also found the MT to be kind of sloppy, and the clutch pedal had no "feel" to it. I stalled it twice on a test drive. Don't forget, even Toyota reccomends using the AT shift lever to eliminate the overdrive or when you need more engine braking.

 

[jmylie]

Personal preference, it's always personal preference.

There may be certain specific areas where 1 is better than the other but we do not always drive in just those areas.

I wheel a 77 FJ55, no power steering and a 4 speed. Every year I'm asked, "When are you going to put power steering in?". I think about it, as I'm not getting any younger. And it comes down to 1 thing, I enjoy wheeling with the 55 as it is. I may be a bit sore for a day or two but I still have that grin on my face. Maybe, when I can no longer wheel it without power steering, I'll add it.

Same for shifting, either you like it or you don't. If you enjoy shifting, then it really is part of the driving experience. Take it away and you will feel like something is missing.

I bought my FJC used, it's an auto. I would have preferred the 6 speed but I'm happy with it. I enjoy driving it but I still miss shifting. Fortunately I have other vehicles I can drive, all with manuals.