Manual or Auto, Whats best

[explorerhavok]

I have 2 rangers and am trying to decide which one I am going to build up, one is a 94 XL with manual trans, the other is a 96 with the auto. My question is what is better for wheeling, manual or auto, all my past experience is with an automatic. I kind of favor the manual because it seems to have more pick up to it. Only other issue is right now on my manual truck I have about 6 things to fix before it will pass Hawaii inspection. So in your opinions what is better manual or auto? Also since I am military I am planning to keep this truck when I return to the mainland.

 

[Hahnsb2]

Manual puts more power to the ground, is more reliable and usually gets better gas mileage. An auto will be easier to wheel with but once you learn how and if you have enough gearing, a manual isn't too hard off road.

 

[rboyer]

Why don't you do a manual tranny swap to the 96? Being that you have a perfectly good parts truck to work with doing it wouldn't be that hard.

 

[explorerhavok]

Eventually one or the other will end up being a parts truck. The 94 was what I started with and I already rebuilt the engine in it. Technically if I was going to do all the work for the trans swap I think it would be easier to transfer all the good parts like the bed and what not to the 94 since its already manual. Also this is my daily driver for the time being.

 

[Capt Jay]

For wheeling it is totally personal choice. I've wheeled both. I prefer the auto. I see too many people smoke their clutches trying difficult obstacles. Pick one and you'll be happy. Sorry I can't be more help but you can't argue with personal preference.

 

[explorerhavok]

I guess I was mostly looking for pros and cons of each, I realize it will come down to preference. I have noticed the more power to the ground with the manual and I like that.

 

[Sunk]

The manuals in RBVs are also significantly more reliable than the autos. It really depends on the type of wheeling you do. If you do a lot of rocks and tricky obstacles I might say auto, so you don't smoke your clutch as mentioned. If it's just trails and such, I'd go with a manual. Being able to shift into 2nd low is nice for trails and getting around when 1st is a little too slow.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Ive only wheeled with one 5sp, but numerous old 4sp crash boxes in 70's Fullsize Fords and chevys.

Automatics are eaiser at certain things, mudding, and rock crawling, and dune running. But for a slow tight twisty trail, or hill climbing, manuals are defintaly better.

I mud bog even with a manual, its a 76 F250 with a 390 and a 4sp. If your good enough the manual can outdo the auto almost every time.

later,
Dustin

 

[johndeeregarner]

Manual all the way!!

 

[4x4junkie]

Smoking the clutch means you don't have enough gearing. With enough gearing (often means having a dual transfercase), a manual seems the better way to go at least in rocks/trails (it allows the engine to gently let your tire down the other side of the large rock you just climbed up).

An auto on the other hand doesn't need as deep of gearing to climb said rock due to the action of the torque converter. But at the same time it won't provide the same engine braking to slowly let you down the other side, you will be supplementing it more with your brakes.

Where autos really do excel though is mud bogging. If you start to get bogged down, the auto will downshift automatically and keep you going, whereas a manual requires you to disengage the driveline (clutch) for a split-second to shift. By that time you've lost all your momentum, increasing your chances of getting stuck.


Being that I'm not into mud bogging, the manual suits me fine, and am quite happy with it.