myth of fact: manual transmissions last longer, easier/cheaper to fix/replace than automatic? (2 Viewers)

[Foxtrot01]

Hello all,
I am still in my quest for my JDM 70's series but I had a question. Coming from SA I was always told that manual transmissions lasted longer, were easier to fix/replace and cheaper to fix/replace/maintain than automatic, granted back in SA 90+% of cars were manual. I currently drive a manual in the US and I've always enjoyed manual. The question is not about preference but durability, understanding that importing a JDM 70's series is already a 25+ y/o vehicle, from those who own 70's series, is it a myth or a fact that manual transmissions last longer, are easier to fix and cheaper to fix/replace than an automatic one?

 

[Foxtrot01]

Hello all,
I am still in my quest for my JDM 70's series but I had a question. Coming from SA I was always told that manual transmissions lasted longer, were easier to fix/replace and cheaper to fix/replace/maintain than automatic, granted back in SA 90+% of cars were manual. I currently drive a manual in the US and I've always enjoyed manual. The question is not about preference but durability, understanding that importing a JDM 70's series is already a 25+ y/o vehicle, from those who own 70's series, is it a myth or a fact that manual transmissions last longer, are easier to fix and cheaper to fix/replace than an automatic one?

Sorry for the typo, should have been Myth or Fact

 

[Malleus]

Fact.

Just pull the parts lists for manual and automatic transmission options for the same truck and compare the prices. Also, gears wear much more slowly than friction plates.

 

[gilmorneau]

manual transmissions last longer

Depends on which transmission and how it was maintained more than just whether auto or manual. Some autos are bulletproof, some manuals are less robust than others.

manuals are easier to fix/replace

Agreed. It's just a simpler mechanism.

cheaper to maintain than automatic

I'd guess comparable maintenance costs if it's done correctly. There's not a lot to it in either case.

**Edit: There's the additional cost/maintenance of a clutch with a manual, of course.

 

[wardharris]

Hello all,
I am still in my quest for my JDM 70's series but I had a question. Coming from SA I was always told that manual transmissions lasted longer, were easier to fix/replace and cheaper to fix/replace/maintain than automatic, granted back in SA 90+% of cars were manual. I currently drive a manual in the US and I've always enjoyed manual. The question is not about preference but durability, understanding that importing a JDM 70's series is already a 25+ y/o vehicle, from those who own 70's series, is it a myth or a fact that manual transmissions last longer, are easier to fix and cheaper to fix/replace than an automatic one?

Fodder for a response from @orangefj45 and @cruiseroutfit

 

[Hulsty]

I have two landcruisers, one with a H55F (400K on the vehicle) and one with a A750F (300K on the vehicle). The H55F has been rebuilt/replaced twice (worn splines, jumping out of 5th, blown 3rd gear), the A750F has had only fluid changes.

 

[OGBeno]

Automatic transmissions will last longest with minimal maintenance but when they need overhaul it’s fúcking expensive…. Especially on the older Aisin units pre-5speed.

Manual transmissions will continue in perpetuity but require consistent replacement of parts, in the transmission itself as well as the consumeables— clutch’s, etc.

Wash.

 

[Tennessee Jed]

The last two events I've been on each had a person have to pull over/pull out of the ride due to an auto transmission overheating. One Tacoma, one Prado. If you're going to take your rig out in the wilderness and use it hard, might be something to think about. That being said, what Beno said above is the deep wisdom on actual dollar costs.

 

[DrRock]

I think it depends a bit on the automatic or manual transmission model in question. For example, take a walk over to the 60 forum and the A440f seems to have chronic problems with limited options for rebuilding. Go to an early Porsche 911 forum and you will hear horror stories about the 915 manual gearbox. A lot of this boils down to maintenance, or lack thereof and if a specific model transmission, auto or manual, was a known lemon. If I were contemplating a vehicle, I’d look at some historical data on the transmission model in question and go from there.

 

[Meshal]

The only Toyota automatic I'll trust is the 6 speeds from the 200s and sometimes the 8 speeds. and the latest 70 series trans thatwe have here in the middle east. Other than that I'll allows go manual with Toyota

 

[POPO AGIE]

The only complaint I had with the 4 speed that was original in my 1978 40 was no over drive but when it was built the speed limit was 55 now in a lot of States it is 80. I rebuilt it and the transfer case at 103K and there were very little wear and still had the original clutch. The output shaft splines and the TC input gear internal splines had wear and were replaced but could not tell when driving it.

I replaced it with an H55F but have not driven it yet since my build is not that far along for first fire yet.

 

[Foxtrot01]

I think it depends a bit on the automatic or manual transmission model in question. For example, take a walk over to the 60 forum and the A440f seems to have chronic problems with limited options for rebuilding. Go to an early Porsche 911 forum and you will hear horror stories about the 915 manual gearbox. A lot of this boils down to maintenance, or lack thereof and if a specific model transmission, auto or manual, was a known lemon. If I were contemplating a vehicle, I’d look at some historical data on the transmission model in question and go from there.

my bad for not being specific, since I am interested in a JDM HZJ77 or HZJ78, I was interested in knowing everyone's thoughts/experience on the 70's series auto vs manual transmission for JDM LCs from the 1990's but all of this information has been and is very helpful.

 

[FJ73Texas]

my bad for not being specific, since I am interested in a JDM HZJ77 or HZJ78, I was interested in knowing everyone's thoughts/experience on the 70's series auto vs manual transmission for JDM LCs from the 1990's but all of this information has been and is very helpful.

It is just a guess on my part, but the newer the JDM 70 series is, the less chance you will find manual transmission.

 

[Eurasiaoverland]

If you prefer a manual, as I see it there is absolutely no reason you would want an auto, especially if it's a 1HZ-powered 70 Series. The inefficiency of the torque converter will take more off the already blunt performance of the 1HZ, and highway hills will be a menace. I would go as far as to say that putting an AT in a HD 70 Series is either a concession to those unable to use a manual for whatever reason, or a consumer gimmick for owners who want to use a 70 Series as a regular road vehicle.

 

[joekatana]

The automatic transmissions in the 70 series where not he greatest and after 30 years they did not improve . Many rural usps employees bought jdm cruisers with automatics for their routes and found out quickly that these do not last long . The H55 is a great transmission and I am even a fan of the smaller R151 and avoid any 70 series with a automatic trans . In Europe I am looking to replace my 2001 HDJ100 with manual transmission for a 2004 or newer HDJ100 with a automatic trans but anything older then that in the cruiserworld is manual only for me and the only reason for this change is the continious stop and go trafic in Europe these days .

 

[rick_d]

My favorite story is from Tim Hill, an Arizona land cruiser parts seller for a couple decades (1990-2015). Did his first V8 conversion prior to 1970 on an FJ40. Anyway, he was driving around the Gila bombing range in the early '70's and blew a 3" hole in the side of a J30 3 speed and drove 60+ miles home stuck in 2nd gear.

I think the main issue is the automatic suck power from engines. They maybe better since 2000 or so, but not my thing. I understand and can open a manual and know my way through the system to overhaul. Hell, I took my driver's test with an manual in DC traffic in the dark ages.

 

[POPO AGIE]

My favorite story is from Tim Hill, an Arizona land cruiser parts seller for a couple decades (1990-2015). Did his first V8 conversion prior to 1970 on an FJ40. Anyway, he was driving around the Gila bombing range in the early '70's and blew a 3" hole in the side of a J30 3 speed and drove 60+ miles home stuck in 2nd gear.

I think the main issue is the automatic suck power from engines. They maybe better since 2000 or so, but not my thing. I understand and can open a manual and know my way through the system to overhaul. Hell, I took my driver's test with an manual in DC traffic in the dark ages.

My Dad told my Brother and I that we would only learn to drive with a manual transmission. First a 67 International half ton with a 304 and 4 speed. Then a Colt wagon with a I4 and manual transmission.