I am buying a new to me rubicon. This will be my daily driver and will pull a comercial grade mower during the summer months. I will also play offroad with it. Is it best to have an auto or manual????

There are advantages and disadvantages to each. The newer ones with the 6 speed stick seem to be an intersting alternative.

The Rubicon I bought 2 1/2 years ago was my first adventure into automatic. Forget what the guys with their theories have to say. Automatic is significantly better off road, or at least in rock crawling. In the configuration that DC gave us, its not so great on the road.

Much of the decision should lie in what size tires you plan on running. If you're able to use the stock diameter 31" tires, then the Auto should do OK on the road. The problem starts with the mini-van 4 speed auto. Its overdrive high gear is way too high. Mine won't even go up a modest upgrade without slowing and then downshifting. Most of us have resorted to just pushing the OD off button for most of our driving. Last year going to Moab I bet it downshifted 500 times that wouldn't have been required with a stick.

The real advantage of auto is that it eliminates the problems of starting on rocks and slipping the clutch. (No, I'm not a novice and have been driving Jeeps off road for over 28 years). Having spent the last 20 years going to Moab and Colorado and having led most of the major trails in Moab (only HR on big saturday), I've seen the other side pretty well.

My guess is that anyone buying a Rubicon will be much better served with the stick if they plan on keeping the stock gears. If you buy an automatic, plan on either changing the gearing down to either 4.56 or 4.88, or you'll be unhappy. Its not an expensive thing, but its not pennies, either. Just the gears and supplies will probably run nearly $500, and if you can't do it yourself, labor another $500.

Thats my take on the situation. If you consider the auto because its better on the street, you'll be disappointed.

howdy



absolutly!!! the only disadvantage to an auto offroad is going down hill. but you will be disappointed on road when compared to a manual. anyway...

later

jason

quote:

Originally posted by jason:
howdy



absolutly!!! the only disadvantage to an auto offroad is going down hill. but you will be disappointed on road when compared to a manual. anyway...

later

jason

i agree %100.

I loved my manual on the road. In general I would always prefer a stick shift. Offroad however, it's sooooooo much better having an automatic. I had a '90 Wrangler that was a manual and I recently changed to an '02 automatic. It's just annoying offroading and concentrating on not stalling. Automatics are so much easier!