Are manual TJ trannies "JUNK"?

saxart · 09-11-2006, 10:57 PM

Sorry about that subject line. I'm a Noobie here looking for my first TJ. (I owned a YJ about 6 years ago and miss it!)

I haven't gotten a Jeep yet, but thats where the question comes in....

I'm noticing that many of the for sale ads I'm seeing for "manual tranny" TJ's say that they've had their tranny replaced, and I also read the threads on this forum about the noises these trannies make when clutching.

Is there a known problem with the TJ manual trannies? In other words, should I stay away from a manual tranny just because it may give me more trouble than an auto? (Which is backwards from most vehicles in my opinion.)

Any thoughts here would be appreciated!

**Rocky529** · 09-11-2006, 11:00 PM

Everything known with the TJ transmission is not a problem, just known quirks that you have to deal with. The major one is when you do not have your clutch depressed, it will make a marble in a coffee can sound. 100% normal.

The transmission will last as long as the motor with proper care. If you like manual, buy manual.

The_'ster · 09-11-2006, 11:01 PM

Some manual trans will get the "box of marbles" sound, but I've heard it's not detrimental. I went with an auto because I didn't like the clunky feel of the shifter, and I think auto's are easier to control offroad.

**Dr. Marneaus** · 09-11-2006, 11:05 PM

my favorite testament to the clutch and tranny in a TJ is my drivers ed vehicle:

97 TJ with 140,000 miles of teaching teenagers to drive stick, and it never had the tranny worked on or the clutch replaced. was still running perfect.

DannyMK2 · 09-11-2006, 11:08 PM

you get used to all of the little quirks that come with it and its no big deal. i went with a manual because i prefer to drive it, i dont think i could deal with the 3spd autos that were in early tj's, and in my opinion, a wrangler just isnt the same without the manual transmission. with all that said, i would go with whichever you prefer because i doubt that you would have major problems with either of them.

DannyMK2 · 09-11-2006, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Marneaus

my favorite testament to the clutch and tranny in a TJ is my drivers ed vehicle:

97 TJ with 140,000 miles of teaching teenagers to drive stick, and it never had the tranny worked on or the clutch replaced. was still running perfect.

thats a pretty bad *** drivers ed car. all we had in my school were ford taurus'.

**Dr. Marneaus** · 09-11-2006, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DannyMK2

thats a pretty bad *** drivers ed car. all we had in my school were ford taurus'.

Well, yeah, we had the jeep for stick, then 2 mercury sables....good god they were horrible cars.

i learned on 3 different standards at home, a dodge dakota, a nissan maxima and a hyundai eleantra, then the jeep at drivers ed. the first time i got in the murcury was the first time i drove auto and i looked over at the teacher and said "what do i do?"

he laughed at me and i said "you wont be laughing when i push the brake to the floor because i think its the clutch..." he laughed some more...then he stopped when i actually did.

**Jerry Bransford** · 09-11-2006, 11:22 PM

My '97 TJ's transmission has had that "marbles in a can" noise in neutral for nearly 165,000 miles.

saxart · 09-11-2006, 11:39 PM

Thanks for the thoughts so far guys.....

I understand that the "marbles in a can" sound is just part of the deal with these trannies, but it just scares me to see these ads that say "tranny replaced". Kinda makes ya wonder....

Then again, what am I thinking...

A Jeep just isn't a Jeep without a manual tranny!

**Jerry Bransford** · 09-11-2006, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saxart

A Jeep just isn't a Jeep without a manual tranny!

As a long-term manual tranny owner hoping to someday upgrade to an automatic, I'll just say that not many hardcore rock crawlers would agree with that thought.

**Rocky529** · 09-11-2006, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saxart

Thanks for the thoughts so far guys.....

I understand that the "marbles in a can" sound is just part of the deal with these trannies, but it just scares me to see these ads that say "tranny replaced". Kinda makes ya wonder....

Then again, what am I thinking...

A Jeep just isn't a Jeep without a manual tranny!

I personally haven't heard of many TJ transmissions getting replaced. They are pretty rock solid just like their motor.

09-11-2006, 11:08 PM	#5
DannyMK2 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 135 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	you get used to all of the little quirks that come with it and its no big deal. i went with a manual because i prefer to drive it, i dont think i could deal with the 3spd autos that were in early tj's, and in my opinion, a wrangler just isnt the same without the manual transmission. with all that said, i would go with whichever you prefer because i doubt that you would have major problems with either of them. __________________ '78 Datsun 280z 5spd I6 (waitin for paint) '84 Supra 5spd I6 (finishin up some minor body work, body kit, then paint) '84 Supra 5spd I6 (Parts Car) '00 TJ 5spd I6 (Daily Driver for now) something tells me i like 5spd I6's