Off Road Preference? Stick or Automatic?

[fastpakr]

Can an AOD be converted to 4wd using the 4R parts?

 

[Bgunner]

I know it used to be that a manual was cheaper to purchase when getting a new vehicle, is it still that way? That in itself would push me towards the manual trans when purchasing a new vehicle.

 

[fastpakr]

Now the manual is sometimes considered the performance option so it's actually an extra cost selection. Not always, but it does happen. Given the cost of a new vehicle, it's a tiny percentage either way.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Can an AOD be converted to 4wd using the 4R parts?

I know people put 4R70W gearing in AOD's. I figured it would take two transmissions to make one which was unappealing.

They make control packs for 4R's too.

Now the manual is sometimes considered the performance option so it's actually an extra cost selection. Not always, but it does happen. Given the cost of a new vehicle, it's a tiny percentage either way.

In things like the Taco a manual is almost a special order which is harder to deal on than one that has been sitting on the lot for awhile.

 

[Poorwhiteboy1976]

My 4X4 experience is limited to mud bogs with an automatic transmission. Does anyone prefer a manual transmission when off-roading?

Automatic transmission for off roading other wise on road manual transmission 4 ever

 

[racsan]

The only time I really want a automatic is when I’m in heavy in-town traffic or doing snow plowing. I hate that manuals aren’t even available on most new trucks. The best manual I had was in a 3/4 ton Chevy (yeah, I know-price was right) it had a creeper 1st and a overdrive. NV4500 I believe. I’ve only ever had 1 manual transmission failure, my ‘93 lost 2nd and a few days before it went it was noisy in 2nd and was hard to get in and out of 2nd gear. Wish it was overdrive failure, I’d of just drove it like a 4 speed for the rest of the time I had it. Last automatic failure was in the wife’s hhr. Came to a stop then wouldn’t go forward again. No warning. No forward gears, reverse only, and 25 miles from home. Flat towed it with a ranger. The ‘97 I had (still have parts of it) didn’t have 1st when I got it. Had to start in 2nd and shift to D once above 30.

 

[Curious Hound]

I remember driving some F150's in the mid 80's that had the straight 6 and manual transmissions. Those had some low first gears. What transmissions would they have been? Just differently geared m50dr2's?

 

[1990RangerinSK]

I remember driving some F150's in the mid 80's that had the straight 6 and manual transmissions. Those had some low first gears. What transmissions would they have been? Just differently geared m50dr2's?

A friend of mine in college had that transmission. It was technically a three speed, I think (and this transmission has been mentioned in other threads), with L(ow)-1-2-3. Low is where 1 would be on a four speed, 1 is where 2 would be, 2 is where 3 would be, and 3 is where 4 would be. For normal, everyday driving, you start 1, you don't use L(ow) at all.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I remember driving some F150's in the mid 80's that had the straight 6 and manual transmissions. Those had some low first gears. What transmissions would they have been? Just differently geared m50dr2's?

T18/T19 and I think there was a BW later on. All 4 speeds. If you want an OD manual in a Ford your options are the M5ODR2 or ZF.

 

[Shran]

There was another 3/4 speed offered in the 80's that had an overdrive gear... I can't remember offhand what it was called but 4th was OD. I had one in a 2wd 1980 F100, behind a 300 six. Very high geared, supposedly a very weak trans but it was still going strong at 220k when we dumped the truck.

FWIW regarding cost, my dad bought a new Nissan Frontier a couple years ago and it has a 6 speed manual. It was $1500 cheaper than the same truck with an automatic.

 

[gw33gp]

I just remembered another plus for having a manual off-road. If you are in the middle of nowhere and you find your battery does not have enough power while trying to start the engine, you are out of luck with an automatic when you don't have a way to jump it. With a manual; you can just get it rolling, push in on the clutch, drop it in gear, pop the clutch and you are on your way.
Of course, I always carry a NOCO lithium jump starter to eliminate that problem but I still like having every possible way to get an engine started when in isolated areas.

 

[black_demon69]

I vote manual for sure. ??

 

[2WDIZENUFF]

My 4X4 experience is limited to mud bogs with an automatic transmission. Does anyone prefer a manual transmission when off-roading?

I have done lots of wheelin in western Washington in manual Rangers,Wranglers and Cherokees , straight 6 ,V-6 and V-8 along with 1 4.0 wrangler on 33's with 4.30:1 gears and an automatic and 1 friends SEMI-PRO Wrangler ( it has SPONSERSHIP and 44 in mudders ) and a 77 K-5 auto . From Belfair to the NACHES trail . Here is my 2 cents... If you take "GUESTS" they will like the automatics.Where-as beer buddies,co-pilots and folks you might be yanking out of ditches and /or home will favor the sticks. I did not drive that Wrangler with the 33's and 4.30's but that was the BEST trail ride as a passenger EVER. Personally GIVE ME A STICK as a driver...my 2 cents