Manual trans or Auto for best 4X4 ing

INSHANE · 10-15-2006, 09:30 PM

I drive a auto 4x4 truck for work, but was wondering about what is the best trans for the real off-roading. i like the fact that the manual trans is all wheel drive with the locking center diff but from reading some of the forum threads it looks like the auto trans is considered the best. just hoping someone can help me out with this decision. i plan on ordering my fj in jan. or feb. of 07

FJNAZ · 10-15-2006, 09:34 PM

I believe they're both capable. For crawling and low speed technical trails the MT will demand more skills. If you enjoy shifting, the fj is a blast.

Hwtrader · 10-15-2006, 09:36 PM

Quote:

INSHANE previously said:

I drive a auto 4x4 truck for work, but was wondering about what is the best trans for the real off-roading. i like the fact that the manual trans is all wheel drive with the locking center diff but from reading some of the forum threads it looks like the auto trans is considered the best. just hoping someone can help me out with this decision. i plan on ordering my fj in jan. or feb. of 07

With an automatic transmission the FJ will make a good driver out of an inexperienced 4 wheeler.

No amount of luck or instruction will make up for a lack of experience with manual transmissions when off road. If you are not already offroading with a manual and you like the rusults....you are better off with the auto.

OlyWaFJ · 10-15-2006, 09:58 PM

I believe all the Trail Team rigs are autos... I choose auto as there are times when you need three feet when using a MT off-road. The MT has better gearing for off-road but I felt the frustraition of dealing with a clutch was not worth the minor differences for the level of wheeling I plan on doing. If you are not already experienced with a MT off road then go with the AT.

Prof T · 10-15-2006, 10:02 PM

Auto works well on and off road and is a much better daily city driver. Plus it gets better MPG. I always thought manual would get the best MPG.

Angry Andy · 10-15-2006, 10:09 PM

I opted for the MT, cause I knew the gearing was slighly lower.

I have always had MT vehicles...and didn't want to change.

I also asked fellow peeps...and most (granted, most of us drive older Toyotas) and their response was "how much will it cost to replace an auto tranny vs. a MT????? (assuming I would be at 250k miles by then)....

But with my experince actually wheeling it, I wish I had the auto....(I am at 10k now)

Most of that has to do with having a Tacoma with a Marlin Ultimate Crawler, and you cant get gears much lower then that setup...so I have gone from one extreme to the other...and in hindsight....I would have gotten an auto.

FJCameron · 10-16-2006, 12:16 AM

I drove manual for a while, but use auto now because I live in a very densely populated urban area where traffic is stop and go at every light. Shifting continuously is not fun and I like to keep both hands on the wheel to react to various idiots that drive around me. Most of the 4x4 I will ever do will not be in the rock crawling category but instead navigating through ancient trails / old logging roads through the Canadian wilderness for camping, hunting and fishing expeditions.

INSHANE · 10-16-2006, 05:38 AM

thanks for all the responses i sure do appreciate it

FJNAZ · 10-16-2006, 11:38 AM

Well, which way are you going?

VTFJC · 10-16-2006, 11:42 AM

Easy decision...Manual hands down if you know how to use it.... Auto if you dont.