opinions on best tranmission for off road , stick or auto?

[59flatbedford]

Well like the title says what do people prefer as far transmissions off road. I have always personally liked manuals for all my driving but would a built up auto be better off road. An auto would give you one less thing to think about (clutching and shifting and such) but i would think manuals would be stronger. Also the clutch gives you a way to contol the power a little better, but if i went with like a c-6 i could modify it to a manual shift only and maybe have a little smoother power to the ground. Im just thinking out load so you guys that have experience way in and let me know what you think.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I like automatics, don't have to slip the clutch to go slow and take off up a hill... everything just seems to work smoother.

 

[vince87ranger]

have to say, i'm more of a manual trans fan, nomatter what the use is.

 

[daniel3507]

ive always like autos for off road. Just easier to not have to worry about the clutch and everything

 

[cammeddrz]

not to mention that the torque converter converts torque and gives you an equivalent of a shorter crawl ratio when operating the engine below full torque converter engagement. on the other hand autos heat up quick.

but i have a 4 speed manual with granny-low in mine. i have had both. i would prefer an auto if not for granny low, nice to have that extra foot to swing over and put the e-brake on at those times when you need it on a steep hill climb

 

[Shran]

It really depends on what type of wheeling you do. Mud, snow, stuff like that, it doesn't really matter unless you're doing mud drags where an auto is really the only choice. In light rocks either will work fine, you just need much lower gears with the manual to avoid killing the engine. If I was doing moderate to extreme rock crawling I'd hands down go with an auto or at least the lowest gears I could get with a doubler, Atlas or something similar.

 

[LearjetMinako]

I'd prefer the manual transmission do to its reliabitly. But an automatic has its advantages too. With a manual, use lower gears when needed. This way, you don't overheat the clutch by feathering the pedal. I find with mine, if I can trail slowly in one gear, fully engaged, thats the gear to stay in. Now on an automatic, you don't have to worry about the clutch. But you do have to worry about the tranny fluid overheating. So for an automatic, I would install a big tranny oil cooler with a fan for further cooling when needed. Also an external changable oil filter wouldn't be a bad thing to intall for the tranny. Best thing about an automatic, you can vary your speed as you need to. Plus the benfit of constant forward pressure when trying to bump over an obostecle.

 

[Bennybooster]

Manual is the only way to go

 

[cammeddrz]

Manual is the only way to go

please give your reasons

 

[xkotyx]

i prefer manual for on road, and any type of trails or regular off roading. just feel like im in control more.
now if youre looking to throw mud, auto gets the tires spinning fast. by the time you shift in a manual in mud, your tires have almost stopped.

just my opinion.

 

[4x4junkie]

Mud is one place where an auto would have a clear advantage. In thick mud no matter how fast you try to shift, you will immediately lose all your momentum the instant that clutch pedal goes in. The auto's shifting avoids this.

Rocks or just about anyplace else I think it's a wash if you're geared sufficiently low to where you can idle up stuff without having to keep your foot on the throttle (in which case it boils down to preference, which I prefer a manual)

 

[xkotyx]

Mud is one place where an auto would have a clear advantage. In thick mud no matter how fast you try to shift, you will immediately lose all your momentum the instant that clutch pedal goes in. The auto's shifting avoids this.

Rocks or just about anyplace else I think it's a wash if you're geared sufficiently low to where you can idle up stuff without having to keep your foot on the throttle (in which case it boils down to preference, which I prefer a manual)

exactly. covered it alittle better than me though

 

[4x4junkie]

exactly. covered it alittle better than me though

lol
You apparently posted while I was typing. Guess we were thinking alike.

 

[xkotyx]

lol
You apparently posted while I was typing. Guess we were thinking alike.

what can i say, great minds think alike!

 

[Shran]

Have to add to my previous post - it's good to keep in mind that a manual will shock load drivetrain components MUCH more than an auto will. Also the best thing you can do if you wheel something with a manual is to set up a hand throttle. I have been wheeling my truck on moderate trails with a manual for a while and it works pretty well. That said, if I decide I want to do harder stuff I WILL swap in a C6 just because I feel you have a lot more control over the vehicle with an auto.