[jaxnxj]

I've always been a diehard manual transmission guy. I've been researching jeeps for a while now and am planning on getting an XJ very soon, but it seems as though manual transmissions on jeeps are rare. I see 1 manual for every 10-20 autos for sale. Is there something I'm missing? The only reason I can think of for this is that maybe manual owners are less willing to part with their jeep? Are there any issues to be concerned with in the jeep 5-speeds? I want a 5-speed, but I also want an XJ. I just want to make sure that there aren't common problems with the 5-speed before I jump on one. Am I doing myself a dis-service holding out for the right transmission?

[RangeRoverHSE]

Most people in America drive autos and the desire for manual transmissions has been declining for a while now. Hardcore off roaders will always prefer manual transmissions as you have more control over the car and therefore you can use certain techniques for getting out of tough situations that an automatic cannot.

A jeep with a manual transmission is probably more desirable than an auto for this reason and the fact that most modern jeeps are ordered with automatics.

I have had a 98 Wrangler Sport 4.0L with an automatic and I loved it.

I currently have '03 Rubicon with a 5 speed and I love it too. Both are really fun...I would not be turned off by an automatic unless you want to do some really serious offroading.

If you prefer a manual you could try and wait for one but if I really wanted a manual I might look at some other vehicles that will be easier to find with a manual.

I would consider an Isuzu Trooper II with the 4 cylinder engine…I had one when I lived in Nairobi and it was an excellent vehicle…they are very reliable and extremely affordable…also you could look at a TLC FJ60 which is an excellent but a lot more expensive vehicle.

Hope this helps.

[winkosmosis]

What techniques can you use with a manual but not an auto for getting out of a touch situation?


To me, manual is more fun on the road, but auto is better offroad... Unless you enjoy roasting your clutch instead of idling over stuff.

[CowardRubi06]

I'm not an expert, but from what I've seen is that alot of competition crawlers and offroaders have been using automatics when the trails get tougher and tougher. Again, I'm not an expert.

[jaxnxj]

Thanks for the replies. I've heard that autos are more common/useful for serious offroading too, same as for drag cars, but I'm not going to be doing anything too crazy. The Jeep is going to be a DD for the days when the weather makes riding a motorcycle dangerous, and also as a utility vehicle to haul stuff to the dump, pick up loads of whatever, etc. I've always owned somewhat sporty cars with manual transmissions and I'm more comfortable when I'm able to change gears mysels for some reason. When I drive an auto I always feel like I'm forgetting to do something. I just wanted to make sure there was nothing wrong with the 5 speeds in Jeeps. I think I've made the decision to stick it out till I find what I really want. Thanks again for your input!

[Mr_Clickerson]

Originally Posted by jaxnxj

I've always been a diehard manual transmission guy. I've been researching jeeps for a while now and am planning on getting an XJ very soon, but it seems as though manual transmissions on jeeps are rare. I see 1 manual for every 10-20 autos for sale. Is there something I'm missing? The only reason I can think of for this is that maybe manual owners are less willing to part with their jeep? Are there any issues to be concerned with in the jeep 5-speeds? I want a 5-speed, but I also want an XJ. I just want to make sure that there aren't common problems with the 5-speed before I jump on one. Am I doing myself a dis-service holding out for the right transmission?

One of the issues with this is that the new style of XJ's (with the rounder body, and so on, that began in '97) was only produced with automatic transmissions, whereas '96 and earlier model XJ's were equipped with both. Yes, it is hard to find an XJ in a manual, but if you want a manual, focus your search on older Jeeps.

I have a '94 Jeep Cherokee 2 door sport, and it's a manual, and I love it. The transmission is far more durable than the auto's from what I've heard, and even with 207K miles on the tranny, it shifts like a dream (though the reverse gear is off- must shift to first before shifting into reverse, after pressing the clutch).

[RangeRoverHSE]

Wow okay maybe I misspoke...I can see where if you are rock crawling an automatic might be better.

However when you actually traveling somewhere offroad a manual is more reliable and easier to fix while on a trail…offroading things will always break and with an automatic you have issues of leakage and heat.

As far as techniques go for the manual if you are stuck in deep snow you can rock the car back and forth with the clutch and get out of it a lot of the time....in an automatic you will have to get out and dig every time. The advantage of using engine compression is hugely important if you are going down hills in the sand and you want to maintain a certain RPM.

Today’s SUVs like my Range Rover have Hill Decent Control which means it can crawl down a hill very slowly all by itself even though it is an automatic.

I will say though that when you are crawling up steep tight paths an automatic does have the advantage as you cannot stall it. In Poland I went offroading with a buddy of mine who had a TLC FJ80 and I let him go first up this logging trail and it was absolutely awful for me in my 88” Land Rover because his car could crawl so slowly and mine just could not because of the manual. Also there will be times where you need to change gear at a very inopportune time and in the situation the automatic is also better.

So it really comes down to what you are doing with it. For me when I have had job critical work that required me to go distances offroad I have and always will choose a manual just for the reliability aspect…but to just go play at some offroad park an automatic might be more fun.

[vexed73]

The AW4 that is in the Cherokee is a great auto transmission! It is a toyota transmission and if kept stock will last as long as the motor. If you put big tires on it that may change but I put 330,000 miles on one then sold it and still see it riding around.

[Bayrat]

If you know how to use the automatic you can rock it even more effectively than a stick. It requires use of the brake and gas and good timing. I have helped many an automatic driver walk the vehicle out of a situation that they had given up on.

[BomberJeep]

Im with the OP on being a hardcore manual guy but I agree that in certain situations the auto would be better tho

[jay-h]

I'm a manual transmission guy (since I started driving in '67), but over the years I've gotten to appreciate torque converters: towing a tralier, launching a boat, stop-and-crawl uphill in traffic. Closely coupled at high speed, loosely coupled at low speed, with load sensitive torque multiplication... what's not to like. So when I got my YJ I would have happily taken either.

Recently, though, off roading in Arizona, where I was starting up a steep hill at the same time I was bouncing so hard I couldn't stay in my seat... realizing that there was NO WAY I could be modulationg a clutch when I couldn't keep my butt in place... for the first time I really appreciated the automatic.

[XJ-Tim]

I think manual is a lot of fun. My XJ is automatic and its really boring to drive. the TJ is manual and is so much different, its something i look forward to when im about to go somewhere, whereas the XJ is nothing special. im planning on a conversion from auto to manual soon so i have my fingers crossed

[srmitchell]

97+ xj's were not all automatic.

97-99 manuals were common, they used the ax-15.

In 2000-01 the factory switched so the "base model" came with an aw4, as a factory added option.

It was special order to get the 5 speed, which was a nv-3550 tranny.

I talked to some people locally who had my exact same xj, (2001 sport, patriot blue). They went to the dealer back in 2000 but they wanted a manual. It had to be special ordered. Pretty cool to find an older couple who bought my same in 2000ish.

[Mazdarx]

Originally Posted by Mr_Clickerson

One of the issues with this is that the new style of XJ's (with the rounder body, and so on, that began in '97) was only produced with automatic transmissions, whereas '96 and earlier model XJ's were equipped with both. Yes, it is hard to find an XJ in a manual, but if you want a manual, focus your search on older Jeeps.

I have a '94 Jeep Cherokee 2 door sport, and it's a manual, and I love it. The transmission is far more durable than the auto's from what I've heard, and even with 207K miles on the tranny, it shifts like a dream (though the reverse gear is off- must shift to first before shifting into reverse, after pressing the clutch).

Ah the internet, such a great source of misinformation. The 97-01 XJ's are available with a standard, I don't know where you heard they are not. It's just the average SUV buyer wants an automatic, and over the production run of the Cherokee that trend increased.

[RogueSpear2023]

I think the reason is there aren't a lot of manual XJs is do to the fact as many people picked the AW4 option. The AW4 is also a very stout transmission. Also I would consider an automatic and manual equal off road, until you get in the really serous stuff then the auto becomes the clear source. You can rock and auto in the snow just as easy as a manual, and both are equally as relivable as long as you take care of them. I feel I have as much control with an auto as you do with a stick, in 4lo my auto is very controllable on steep grades up or down. Even in 2hi you can manual shift and auto to gain the desired speed going down hill. Manual at times can be for fun to drive on the road though. The auto doesn't have as much fun factor.