[Bublicus]

I was wondering this for a while. Wouldnt a manual be a pain to switch gears and clutch and all that stuff while hill climbing and stuff?

[ExtremeMT]

I prefer an auto in offroading....GTX and others would probably disagree due to the power and torque loss through an auto and also its likely hood to shift when you dont want it to (you can hold a manual in what ever gear you want). With an auto you can only limit how high the gear goes but cant make it stay in second and not shift to say 1st....Some say manuals are stronger....but cluthes are more vulnerable to slip/breaking in offroading especially when offroading hardcore then hitting a mud hole...the clutch in my bros jeep fell apart after that.

[Interstate]

I know two guys at work that have some pretty extreme rigs (Toyotas) and no way would they ever build an auto for something like that.

But like EMT said, you can hold whatever gear you want. So if you decide to go flying through mud/water you can leave it in second gear and keep the revs at 5000 to maintain wheel spin.

[ExtremeMT]

Yes with an auto and a manual you can do that...But with an auto if you are running in the lower rpms (offroad built motors make most torque in the lower rpms) and then all of a sudden get stuck on a rock the auto will downshift, raising the rpms and thus dropping your torque to the wheels......

[racinlosi]

Actually, it's a fact from what I myself have learned that Manual is better. I have seen if first hand. When you jump and let off, auto will shift down, there for sending the front of your truck, quad, motorcycle into an endow and possible like this wreck I saw on www.dezertranger.com with a buggy, your whole truck, quad, or dirtbike into peices. Also, if your going up a hill, with manual, you can shift down and stay on top of the motor reving so you won't get stuck. Guess what, with an auto, you better be turning around when you start decreasing in the revs!

[GTX]

Yes I like manual. I jsut like the control. Some people like the simplicity of an auto so they can concentrate on the line of travel and other key factors for getting over an obstacle or shifting at the right time.

Just get whatever you like best

[racinlosi]

AMEN

PS-did you like the PM GTX?

[GTX]

Yeah, I thought I PM'ed you back but I guess not. Good vids

[Zr2]

I like both. However I like full manual valve body autos for off road.

-Matt

[Macdaddy4738]

for the love of god...that pic is REALLLLY going to keep the SF around thaaaat much longer

[RCMadMatt]

There is also the advantage of being able to bump-start a manual transmission if you kill the engine on the trail, or the battery goes dead. My $.02.
ZR2: What kinda transmission do you run off road?

Matt

[k_sw31]

Im only just learning to drive, and as many of you know I'll be driving a manual colorado. Most of the time I've been driving our trailblazer with an auto transmission, and just resently I've really started learning the stick.

The other day we got a bunch of freezing rain, there was about a quarter inch of ice over everything. My dad had me drive both the TB and the colorado around in it, and I have to say i felt a whole lot more comfortable with the manual. Its just that extra degree of control. He had me see how long I could stay in control while spinning the wheels up my driveway and it was much easier going with the stick.

Even though I'm just a learning driver I'm becoming a fan of a manual.

[ExtremeMT]

Oh dont get me wrong I LOVE manuals. Ive driven my bros manual jeep and my moms 2003 Mini Cooper Type S thats a manual (DAMN thats fast.....) and they are both a blast. Ive also driven the jeep offroad in sand and mud and up some hills but like GTX said when offroading I prefer an auto so I can better concentrate on where Im putting my tires and the spotters hand signs.

[jck_ahk]

When going down steep slopes manual is the only way to go. The engine will slow you down when you are in low gears. If you have an auto trans the torque converter won't let the engine slow you down as well and if you hit the brakes the tires will lock up and you will go sliding down the hill & crash.

[BAC5.2]

I think it all really depends on the type of offroading you are doing.

If your in the rocks, the 3 foot dance could be disasterous. If your in the mud, it could save your life.

If I ever get around to building an off-road rig, I'll likely keep an auto, and take advantage of 4-lo and a torque converter lock switch.

If you are on a trail where you need to be in 2nd gear, then a manual is probably the best for that type of trail.

FWIW, I drive a manual car, and I would rather walk than have an automatic car. But in an off-road truck, I think I'd probably stick with an auto. Like David said, I'm no pro, so I'd get more use out of concentrating on where to put the tires and what the spotters are telling me.

[Bublicus]

Originally Posted by jck_ahk

When going down steep slopes manual is the only way to go. The engine will slow you down when you are in low gears. If you have an auto trans the torque converter won't let the engine slow you down as well and if you hit the brakes the tires will lock up and you will go sliding down the hill & crash.

like so: http://www.big-boys.com/articles/jeephill.html

[thedarkness]

I use an auto off road but all my off roading is in the snow.If your staying on top of your engine in the snow you will go nowhere fast.I usually put it one of the lower drives 1 or 2 and let basicly let it idle and the engine will usually pull you through without using the throttle.Driving on road i cannot stand autos, when im sliding around a corner in 4wd in the snow one thing I dont want is a sudden upshift to completly ruin the balance that the viehcle is in(and most likely send me into a curb)

[BAC5.2]

That's why automatic transmissions are gated though. If you put it in 3, it's not going to shift to 4th. Same if you put it in 2, it won't shift into 3rd.

As far as engine braking, yea, your best bet is to have a torque converter lock switch, and simply lock the torque converter and downshift to engine brake.

[thedarkness]

Your right but, I was talking about sliding around doing my best rally impression on the road.Not really aplicable to the conversation, because we were talking about off-road and I was talking about on-road in those last sentences.

[BAC5.2]

I know, that's what I was refering to. If you don't want it to upshift, either lock it into a gear (2 or 3), or feather the throttle. That's what I used to do, when I had an automatic.

[thedarkness]

Oh I get It now.Thanks for the advice,never know when its going to save my rims-or better yet my life.

[BAC5.2]

Yea, definately. Gear selectors in automatics are very important to use correctly, not just for having fun, but for controlling the car in adverse weather.

If you find yourself going to fast in the snow, simply slide the shifter down a gear, blip the throttle as you are selecting the gear and the car will smoothly downshift. Some cars will automatically rev-match a downshift for you, so you won't have to do that. You can just slide the lever down, and that will work too, but it will be a more harsh downshift, and that can be bad if you are trying to maintain steering control to avoid something. Do this all the way down to the lowest selectable gear, and slow the car down that way.

If you reach the top of the Rev range, in drive, and don't want to upshift, ease off the throttle a little, and apply it again, feathering throttle. You should practice doing this, and seeing how long your transmission will allow this behavior. Some don't allow it at all, others may allow it indefinately. Now, obviously, all automatics are different, but I could do that in my 95 Subaru that was an automatic. Just approach wherever you want to be, and ease off the throttle (maintaining RPM, but under little load), and apply throttle. The TCU in the Subaru would keep the car in gear as long as the TPS was varying signal, and RPM was relatively static.

[GTX]

Generally Autos are used in crawling and mud racing. Trails use the manuals and some rock crawlers still like Manuals.


If you can handle the multitasking of the manual, you'll probably like it better. Autos are nice for high HP rigs as well. I think it just depends on which you like better and what works for you. If you have buddies with manuals and autos, try them both off road and see which one you like more

[maxxamillion]

Manual for me. Its part of the driving experience. More technical. You have more gear selection, and compression braking is SO important. Serious butt pucker with a auto descending. Its like being in neutral and when you brake you get unwanted skids. A manual you can crawl up AND crawl down. A lot of people go auto cause its easier to build up the rig with no clutch linkage(manual or hydraulic). My BII does about 25mph in fifth/low range and can go under 5mph in 1,2 & 3 gears(with 3rd equal to 1st/high range).
Gear ratios are everything... Especially with a auto.
Of course desert racing & crawling is auto these days.
Its all personal preference as some killer autos can be built.

EDIT: Where (or who) can host a short video clip for me??

[darncars]

Been a trans mechanic for quite awhile and theres alot of misinformation here.Most all autos are capable of engine braking in manual low ranges.Torque converters dont slip on deceleration.A well built auto will last the life of car as a stick you will bust a syncro,shift forks,clutch,hydralics-linkages etc.Sticks great for small engine and turbo cars though.Besides its hard to drink beer and shift gears.