Rubicon Max Tow build - manual transmission

[NC_Overland]

I think re-gearing would make the manual work better when towing and in general. Something like 4.56s with 33’s would be a good combination I would think. Rpms will be a bit high on the highway but not that bad. Basically the same as running fifth gear When all stock (on a rubicon).

It is a lot of expense for a small gain though. I guess you could put some sport sized tires on a rubicon for a similar effect but that wouldn’t look too great.

Have you ever driven a base model two door manual transmission JK or JL? With the 3.73 gears and the tiny tires that come on the steel wheels, they are fun to drive. I have no idea how much faster they are 0-60, but they feel quick and are fun.

Kinda the same principal you mentioned.

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[Gatorac]

I'd suggest you test drive the manual before committing to purchase. I love manual transmissions. All my other vehicles are manuals. I was excited to find a JTR 6sp at a local dealer in my price range and went to see it prepared to buy. It was not good. Seemed to me that the motor has been seriously torque limited by the ECU with the manual. I even tried really winding it out and I was still left disappointed. I can't imagine towing my race car behind it. I hopped into an auto Overland for a side by side comparison was flat blown away at the difference. Even with the 3.73 vs 4.10 gears. It's a shame. I'd love to have a manual in my JT but not the way they are now.

 

[HONCHO]

I'd suggest you test drive the manual before committing to purchase. I love manual transmissions. All my other vehicles are manuals. I was excited to find a JTR 6sp at a local dealer in my price range and went to see it prepared to buy. It was not good. Seemed to me that the motor has been seriously torque limited by the ECU with the manual. I even tried really winding it out and I was still left disappointed. I can't imagine towing my race car behind it. I hopped into an auto Overland for a side by side comparison was flat blown away at the difference. Even with the 3.73 vs 4.10 gears. It's a shame. I'd love to have a manual in my JT but not the way they are now.

The first red light is the 5:13 first gear ratio .. and it still stalls on flat ground . unless you rev and slip .

 

[NC_Overland]

The first red light is the 5:13 first gear ratio .. and it still stalls on flat ground . unless you rev and slip .

Really, that's not good. Even my JKU Rubicon with the old 3.8l and mercedes 6 speed would start off in first without pressing the accelerator if you let the clutch out slowly. It would start off in second with a little gas and clutch slippage.

 

[jalbrecht55]

My experience is in the JT sport you can take off from a stop on flat ground without giving it gas. But true, there isn’t a ton of grunt off idle with the 3.6. Low range in the sport seems to have similar stall resistance as high range in my Jeep LJ with 4.0L.

I haven’t driven a JTR, (just JT and JL sport manuals) but I sure noticed a difference between the (older) TJ/LJ rubicon and sport models, it felt like the rubicon is dragging the brakes or your pulling a trailer or something... in comparison. I’ve driven a bunch of these each back when they were new or almost new and couldn’t believe it but it’s what I felt. Is that still the case on the JT rubicon also?

 

[19JTRubiconEcoDiesel]

I believe the Aisin 6MT's max tow is 4500# on a Rubicon thanks to the matching 4.10 axle ratio. Sport/Overland are rated at 4000# with their 3.73 axle ratio.

Watch out for their Payload though. Rubicon has less payload due to its heavier hardware like axles, skid plates and the optional heavier steel bumpers.

 

[DreamedofaJeepSomeday]

Really, that's not good. Even my JKU Rubicon with the old 3.8l and mercedes 6 speed would start off in first without pressing the accelerator if you let the clutch out slowly. It would start off in second with a little gas and clutch slippage.

I can start on level ground in 1st without giving any gas, if I am not in a hurry.

 

[DreamedofaJeepSomeday]

I'd suggest you test drive the manual before committing to purchase. I love manual transmissions. All my other vehicles are manuals. I was excited to find a JTR 6sp at a local dealer in my price range and went to see it prepared to buy. It was not good. Seemed to me that the motor has been seriously torque limited by the ECU with the manual. I even tried really winding it out and I was still left disappointed. I can't imagine towing my race car behind it. I hopped into an auto Overland for a side by side comparison was flat blown away at the difference. Even with the 3.73 vs 4.10 gears. It's a shame. I'd love to have a manual in my JT but not the way they are now.

To offer a different perspective, there is another thread about towing where several folks were complaining about the hunting, revving, and poor mileage with AT. (I think it was the one about the Motor Trend article). Granted, I only towed once with my manual Overland, and 3500 lbs, but it was a very pleasant experience, and averaged 18 mpg on interstate. 1000 miles, so not a short trip.

 

[DreamedofaJeepSomeday]

I have a 6 spd JTR with 35s and Mopar 2" lift. Stock gearing for now. Towing performance out west, Utah, Idaho, Montana...is awful. I was towing a Harley Sportster on a 5 x 10 utility trailer (estimated 1500 pounds) from Utah to Glacier National Park. I regularly had to downshift to 3rd gear just to maintain 70 MPH. Not fun. I would highly recommend an automatic if you were thinking of pulling a trailer regularly.

I think the 35's are the problem here. I have a stock Overland, and had no issues towing 3500 lbs 1000 miles on I-95. Granted, the hills were mild, but even so I used 5th for flats and 4th for hills and averaged 18 MPG. Kept it to 65 MPH.

 

[Deleted member 30519]

I love my manual but yeah I don't think it would be good for towing.

 

[GLDHE8R]

The Aisin D478 is rated at 500 Ft-lb, the 3.6 is 260 Ft-lb. No problem handling the load of towing. I don't understand the issue people are having with stalling from a light? Remember 5th and 6th are both overdrive 4th is 1-1. don't try to pull a load in 6th. The auto stays in 6th 1-1 at highway speeds when towing.
Picking up our new 3000 Lb trailer this weekend will update on how it tows.

 

[DreamedofaJeepSomeday]

The Aisin D478 is rated at 500 Ft-lb, the 3.6 is 260 Ft-lb. No problem handling the load of towing. I don't understand the issue people are having with stalling from a light? Remember 5th and 6th are both overdrive 4th is 1-1. don't try to pull a load in 6th. The auto stays in 6th 1-1 at highway speeds when towing.
Picking up our new 3000 Lb trailer this weekend will update on how it tows.

Stalling from a dead start is just getting used to the clutch/available torque. As someone has pointed out, the V6 does not have a very heavy flywheel. Pros and cons there.

At the risk of repeating myself, I will repeat myself: I have a stock manual Overland, and had no issues towing 3500 lbs 1000 miles on I-95. Granted, the hills were mild, but even so I used 5th for flats and 4th for hills and averaged 18 MPG. Kept it to 65 MPH. .

 

[syreeves]

Read your OP and I have to say (what may already have been said) but if you are going to be towing a lot and with significant weight (for discussion purposes, more than 4,000lbs, more than 400lbs tongue weight, or lots of front surface area) then I personally think you are setting yourself up for disappointment with a JT. I guess what I think you should ask yourself is what is your PRIMARY need and what are your secondary wants? I hunt and camp a lot and have been driving a landrover discovery for years. I haul stuff occasionally (ski boat, fishing boat both less than 18ft, and a Boy Scout Troop enclosed trailer (14ft, 3K lbs) but those are not my primary goals so I expect to be able to live with the JT's limited capacity. I too am getting a manual.

Anyway - all power to you.

PS - have you considered a used late model Ram 3500 Cummins with their manual?

 

[cgflyer]

Just two cents (whose ever you want haha)...32,000 miles on my MT JTR. All with 315/70R17 (35's) right up until this past weekend (mounted 37's) on stock 4.10 gears. I have a Gibson exhaust and the Pulsar tuner. With the 35's I almost always ran the economy tune unless I was towing more than my trash trailer to the dump or to Lowes. With anything heavier on the highway, I would use the Tow tune. Heaviest load I towed was probably 3,000ish lbs. It does fine as an occasional tow platform, but I didn't have a break control (did order the tow package). My heavy equipment trailed that I had had surge brakes, so no need for the controller. The Pulsar is noticeable gains, but obviously not a SC. I have not towed with the 37's yet, but the truck drives fine (a little hesitation on inclines). I will re-gear to 4.56 likely, but for now I am ok with what I have...but like other comments, I would not want to tow with my JT every day, especially not something 24 foot long. I have a 20 ft pontoon boat and I did not like towing that the two hours when I bought it to get it home.

 

[Kc40]

I have a 6 spd JTR with 35s and Mopar 2" lift. Stock gearing for now. Towing performance out west, Utah, Idaho, Montana...is awful. I was towing a Harley Sportster on a 5 x 10 utility trailer (estimated 1500 pounds) from Utah to Glacier National Park. I regularly had to downshift to 3rd gear just to maintain 70 MPH. Not fun. I would highly recommend an automatic if you were thinking of pulling a trailer regularly.

With the mopar lift what was the drop on your hitch to pull the utility trailer?

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