Manual Transmission Club

[chickencalada]

Just seems so odd the “standard” transmission (the one it comes with by default) would be the reason for the hold up. Doesn’t make any sense.

I originally convinced myself that the M/T sealed my fate. Now, however, it seems like my paint choice may be the blame. Then, too, I've heard that the Rubi rear steel bumper may also have kinked the natural procession of events. This is just to say that one would need a sophisticated algorithm to determine where one went wrong with what combination of options that one chose. Or we could just be explicitly supplied with information by the only people who are in possession of all of the information. Too silly a proposition, that last one.

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[chrcal14]

Just seems so odd the “standard” transmission (the one it comes with by default) would be the reason for the hold up. Doesn’t make any sense.

Sure doesn't.

Would have made sense if they'd have come out and said from the start that Manual Transmissions wouldn't be built until Date X, maybe something about Manual Rubicons on Date Y. But we all happily ordered, put down deposits, arranged our finances, some even traded or sold cars, without any official notion we were ordering a "late availability" vehicle. Like you said, never entered my mind that the standard transmission would cause such a delay.

I knew what they did come out and say, or at least what "officially" leaked, and took that into account. Gator not being built until Mid September. Pre-specs only would be built April and May. Custom order production in June. That's it, sum total of my solid intel. Decision... Don't want to miss enjoying it this year, like Black just about as well, get my order in on a Black so it gets built as soon as possible. May 11.

Never dreamed July would be almost gone without build start. I honestly didn't expect to have it yet assuming 8-12 weeks of build and ship from date of order... but knowing that at 11 weeks build and ship hasn't even started?

Uggghhh.

 

[angrynewyorker]

Sure doesn't.

Would have made sense if they'd have come out and said from the start that Manual Transmissions wouldn't be built until Date X, maybe something about Manual Rubicons on Date Y. But we all happily ordered, put down deposits, arranged our finances, some even traded or sold cars, without any official notion we were ordering a "late availability" vehicle. Like you said, never entered my mind that the standard transmission would cause such a delay.

I knew what they did come out and say, or at least what "officially" leaked, and took that into account. Gator not being built until Mid September. Pre-specs only would be built April and May. Custom order production in June. That's it, sum total of my solid intel. Decision... Don't want to miss enjoying it this year, like Black just about as well, get my order in on a Black so it gets built as soon as possible. May 11.

Never dreamed July would be almost gone without build start. I honestly didn't expect to have it yet assuming 8-12 weeks of build and ship from date of order... but knowing that at 11 weeks build and ship hasn't even started?

Uggghhh.

I went through this with a 2 door JL Rubicon in 18 when I ordered the soft top and they weren’t being built and it took over 4 1/2 months for it to come in (I live 45 min from the the plant). Then I tried again in 19 on another 2 door Rubicon and that one took 90 plus days before it showed up (was stuck in I for like 60 days). I thought for sure they would have this ironed out so I didn’t even bother to check on here to see how it was and just ordered a Punk’n Rubicon JT and then I came on here and was like, oh great. I have no idea how long it will take to get this one, but judging from all I’ve read on here I expect a long wait yet again.

 

[chickencalada]

I went through this with a 2 door JL Rubicon in 18 when I ordered the soft top and they weren’t being built and it took over 4 1/2 months for it to come in (I live 45 min from the the plant). Then I tried again in 19 on another 2 door Rubicon and that one took 90 plus days before it showed up (was stuck in I for like 60 days). I thought for sure they would have this ironed out so I didn’t even bother to check on here to see how it was and just ordered a Punk’n Rubicon JT and then I came on here and was like, oh great. I have no idea how long it will take to get this one, but judging from all I’ve read on here I expect a long wait yet again.

Right. It's not even the wait itself that bothers me--it's not being in possession of all the facts. They could have told me I'd have a 4-month minimum wait and I still would have ordered my specific build. It's that I wasn't given any indication that any part of my order would be subject to significant delays. Arguably, I am at least partially to blame for my ignorance. I could have more thoroughly researched the order process before engaging with it. I, stupidly, took my dealer's word, who (as far as I can tell) stupidly took FCA's word for approximate build times.

 

[guntrust]

Sure doesn't.

Would have made sense if they'd have come out and said from the start that Manual Transmissions wouldn't be built until Date X, maybe something about Manual Rubicons on Date Y. But we all happily ordered, put down deposits, arranged our finances, some even traded or sold cars, without any official notion we were ordering a "late availability" vehicle. Like you said, never entered my mind that the standard transmission would cause such a delay.

I knew what they did come out and say, or at least what "officially" leaked, and took that into account. Gator not being built until Mid September. Pre-specs only would be built April and May. Custom order production in June. That's it, sum total of my solid intel. Decision... Don't want to miss enjoying it this year, like Black just about as well, get my order in on a Black so it gets built as soon as possible. May 11.

Never dreamed July would be almost gone without build start. I honestly didn't expect to have it yet assuming 8-12 weeks of build and ship from date of order... but knowing that at 11 weeks build and ship hasn't even started?

Uggghhh.

Sneaky of Jeep to do this. They also listed (on build site info specific to my manual build) towing capacity for my manual Rubicon as 7000. Lots of misrepresentation.

 

[LongTimeListener]

I have no idea how long it will take to get this one, but judging from all I’ve read on here I expect a long wait yet again.

Getting a manual is totally worth it. But in the meantime, my recently arrived Gladiator-specific
license plate is going to look funny on my JK. Oh well. I wanted to make sure I got it, once I realized it was available.

 

[angrynewyorker]

Every where I look on here there is nothing but horror stories on delays and whatnot. It can’t all be bad, is the majority of people’s experiences bad or good? Reading in the forum you’d swear everyone’s orders are a disaster, but I see trucks at every dealer around here and a few driving around. There has to be some smooth builds.

 

[Rex3rd]

Quick question everyone. With there being so much play in the steering wheel is it more hands on and tricky when shifting? Also I've been looking up small campers around 3k pounds (need to look up boats). After doing research just a camper over 5k pounds is huge and I can never see myself towing that much. So 4500 for the Rubicon mt with a small 3000 pd camper would work out great. I don't ever plan on giving this truck up and I eventually want to get a small camper a small pontoon boat and a small trailer to pull ATVs and such so everything has to work out. I've drove several Mt vehicles cars and trucks but I've never towed. I've also never drove a Jeep... My second question is how hard is it towing in a Mt? Will it come second nature to me to learn all the cues and everything needed to keep her on the road or backing up a boat at a boat launch or am I biting off more than I can chew?

 

[guntrust]

Quick question everyone. With there being so much play in the steering wheel is it more hands on and tricky when shifting? Also I've been looking up small campers around 3k pounds (need to look up boats). After doing research just a camper over 5k pounds is huge and I can never see myself towing that much. So 4500 for the Rubicon mt with a small 3000 pd camper would work out great. I don't ever plan on giving this truck up and I eventually want to get a small camper a small pontoon boat and a small trailer to pull ATVs and such so everything has to work out. I've drove several Mt vehicles cars and trucks but I've never towed. I've also never drove a Jeep... My second question is how hard is it towing in a Mt? Will it come second nature to me to learn all the cues and everything needed to keep her on the road or backing up a boat at a boat launch or am I biting off more than I can chew?

What you say makes sense on towing. Although initially disappointed, i looked at small campers and you can get good ones under 4000 lbs, plus i am happy with my small 15' west wight potter cabin sailboat. As for backing it into the water, i found this video helpful:

 

[Rex3rd]

Funny enough that would probably be me. I guess it takes skills and practice lol

 

[Thorn-Engineering]

Quick question everyone. With there being so much play in the steering wheel is it more hands on and tricky when shifting? Also I've been looking up small campers around 3k pounds (need to look up boats). After doing research just a camper over 5k pounds is huge and I can never see myself towing that much. So 4500 for the Rubicon mt with a small 3000 pd camper would work out great. I don't ever plan on giving this truck up and I eventually want to get a small camper a small pontoon boat and a small trailer to pull ATVs and such so everything has to work out. I've drove several Mt vehicles cars and trucks but I've never towed. I've also never drove a Jeep... My second question is how hard is it towing in a Mt? Will it come second nature to me to learn all the cues and everything needed to keep her on the road or backing up a boat at a boat launch or am I biting off more than I can chew?

Rex, anyone ever told you, that you worry too much? As stated a day or two ago in this thread, occasional towing is no big deal for these M/T Gladiators, especially if the less than 3K pound range. The machine is more than capable of doing what you describe. Driving a M/T (with or without a trailer) will become easier with time and practice. I still stall my JK every now and then because I can't hear/feel the damn engine and I've driven M/Ts everyday since I was 16. I love having to shift and the "feel" I get between the road and the vehicle, even more so when towing. You're making the correct decision and heck, if you don't like it, I'm damn sure you won't have a problem finding someone new on here who would want it (without having to wait on FCA)!!

 

[chrcal14]

Quick question everyone. With there being so much play in the steering wheel is it more hands on and tricky when shifting? Also I've been looking up small campers around 3k pounds (need to look up boats). After doing research just a camper over 5k pounds is huge and I can never see myself towing that much. So 4500 for the Rubicon mt with a small 3000 pd camper would work out great. I don't ever plan on giving this truck up and I eventually want to get a small camper a small pontoon boat and a small trailer to pull ATVs and such so everything has to work out. I've drove several Mt vehicles cars and trucks but I've never towed. I've also never drove a Jeep... My second question is how hard is it towing in a Mt? Will it come second nature to me to learn all the cues and everything needed to keep her on the road or backing up a boat at a boat launch or am I biting off more than I can chew?

You'll do fine. I towed plenty in a manual.

Think of it this way, almost all those big tractor trailers you see out there tugging the biggest loads? Manuals.

You'll be in the wind and grabbing gears in no time!

 

[chrcal14]

Every where I look on here there is nothing but horror stories on delays and whatnot. It can’t all be bad, is the majority of people’s experiences bad or good? Reading in the forum you’d swear everyone’s orders are a disaster, but I see trucks at every dealer around here and a few driving around. There has to be some smooth builds.

What's out there are largely automatics pre spec shipped to dealers. Manuals being shipped are mostly moderately optioned Sport S and Overlands. Within 150 miles of me the auto to manual ratio is 435 to 26.

If that's what you're into, life is great! Lots to choose from.

 

[angrynewyorker]

What's out there are largely automatics pre spec shipped to dealers. Manuals being shipped are mostly moderately optioned Sport S and Overlands. Within 150 miles of me the auto to manual ratio is 435 to 26.

If that's what you're into, life is great! Lots to choose from.

My posts was referring to more than just manuals. There are horror stories everywhere. JB hell, KZ hell, D hell, you name it. How many are getting smooth, quick builds? Anyone?

 

[Cape taco12]

Quick question everyone. With there being so much play in the steering wheel is it more hands on and tricky when shifting? Also I've been looking up small campers around 3k pounds (need to look up boats). After doing research just a camper over 5k pounds is huge and I can never see myself towing that much. So 4500 for the Rubicon mt with a small 3000 pd camper would work out great. I don't ever plan on giving this truck up and I eventually want to get a small camper a small pontoon boat and a small trailer to pull ATVs and such so everything has to work out. I've drove several Mt vehicles cars and trucks but I've never towed. I've also never drove a Jeep... My second question is how hard is it towing in a Mt? Will it come second nature to me to learn all the cues and everything needed to keep her on the road or backing up a boat at a boat launch or am I biting off more than I can chew?

Towing won’t be bad unless you are trying to back the camper Into a tight spot uphill jackknifed. Then just put the truck in low range for more control.

I have towed my 5500k + boat and trailer around with my 20 year old M/T Tacoma with less horsepower, shorter wheelbase, drum brakes and no weight distributing hitch for the past 3 years. It’s only irritating when trying to maneuver it up a hill backwards without dragging the trailer or rudder.

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