Topic: The best off road trans type?

[BigCountry]

wanted to see how all of you would rather off road.

[sharpxmen]

wanted to see how all of you would rather off road.

most likely 99% of the participants will vote for the tranny they currently have (man/auto).

[oldjeep]

I always said manual until I drove an auto offroad.  I'll never have another stick in a jeep again.

[Jeffy]

most likely 99% of the participants will vote for the tranny they currently have (man/auto).

Well most tranny's were men(man) at one time.   

If you were to do a poll, I think you'll find that the ratio is around 75/25 for manual transmissions.  Not until fairly recently have automatics come out of the dark ages on Jeeps.  Although you can say that the automatics available were stronger then many of the manuals offered along with them.  If you look at most of the rock buggies you'll probably find more are automatics.  Desert racers are more likely going to be automatics as well.

If I was going to do an engine swap and the engine had a 4-speed OD automatic on it, I wouldn't hesitate installing it.

[sharpxmen]

I always said manual until I drove an auto offroad.  I'll never have another stick in a jeep again.

heard some stories about the stock brakes not being able to stop the auto in 4 low with a 4:1 t-case (and some big tires of course) - any of that true?

i would think that also goes long ways for convenience not having to jiggle the clutch, but hey i got a manual so as long as it's moving that's the best one (never drove an auto offroad  )

[Mozman68]

I prefer the stick with the 4-banger...but I'm switching to auto with a bigger engine.

[FourbangerYJ]

Both types have their +'s and -'s. With the stick you need to gear the rig lower so it won't stall. With a larger motor it's not as bad but with a small motor gearing is KING!
Auto's suck up a bit of power but they tend to be a bit easier on drivetrain parts.
It would all depend on what your plans are for the type of wheeling your doing,parts that are avail, and how much you want to spend.

heard some stories about the stock brakes not being able to stop the auto in 4 low with a 4:1 t-case (and some big tires of course) - any of that true?

With an auto overdriving the brakes is easily done when geared low. A lot of people with autos that do a lot or rockcrawling upgrade their brakes so they can stop better without having to put it in N.

[oldjeep]

heard some stories about the stock brakes not being able to stop the auto in 4 low with a 4:1 t-case (and some big tires of course) - any of that true?

Only if your idle is too high or the stall on the TC is too low.  Biggest problem that people have is thinking that a towing convertor is good for offroading.

[sharpxmen]

Only if your idle is too high or the stall on the TC is too low.  Biggest problem that people have is thinking that a towing convertor is good for offroading.

oh, i see - i should do more reading about autos, i suck at this subject

[mrcabinet]

Autos are great off road. You can "two foot" it with one on the brake and one on the gas, which gives great control. The only down side I found to an auto is that I missed being able to put in in reverse gear and then slip the clutch while going forward down steep muddy hills. That is by far the best way to keep the rig straight in those circumstances.

[Sine Deviance]

I had an '87 Wagoneer Ltd. that had the automatic. Did good offroad and in the mud.

Still, I prefer a stick. I'm perfectly happy with the manual in my YJ (except for the clutch being out and all...)

[TrailsLessTaken]

I like having a stick in mine but then thats all I have ever had for wheeling, I wouldnt mind wheeling an auto just to give it a try

[neale_rs]

I like manual because I like to suffer.  Here locally the auto is getting more popular with the rock crawlers, much easier to control and you don't need to gear down so low with expensive transfer case upgrades.

[Jesse-James]

Much rather have a manual for DD duty, auto for wheelin' is a necessity.

[BigCountry]

Only if your idle is too high or the stall on the TC is too low.  Biggest problem that people have is thinking that a towing convertor is good for offroading.

never heard of a towing converter. ever. i've heard of torque converters with automatic trans, but never a towing...if a towing converter is an actual part, please edumacate me, otherwise you must have something good lol