Your thoughts on the 6 speed manual in the Gladiator?

[STLMike]

I'm a fan of manual transmissions. My vette is a manual.

I had a 2020 gladiator sport M6. It was tolerable, not great. It became a big problem when I put 35's on.

I got rid of it for a 22 auto and couldn't be happier.

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[NachoRuby]

I'm a fan of manual transmissions. My vette is a manual.

I had a 2020 gladiator sport M6. It was tolerable, not great. It became a big problem when I put 35's on.

I got rid of it for a 22 auto and couldn't be happier.

It would be great if all the manuals came with 4.1s, and the Rubicons/Mojaves had an option for 4.56 or 4.88 axle ratios. 35s on my Rubicon with 4.1 is about the limit before regearing would be needed. Still good though. But I could imagine 35s with the 3.73s in an already heavy gladiator would be tedious.

 

[rj74]

its horrible, worst manual i have owned in almost a dozen jeeps. makes me wish i would have kept my WIllys that i traded for my Rubicon. horrible accelleration when compared to the automatic unless you are flogging on it.

 

[NachoRuby]

its horrible, worst manual i have owned in almost a dozen jeeps. makes me wish i would have kept my WIllys that i traded for my Rubicon. horrible accelleration when compared to the automatic unless you are flogging on it.

Strangely different experiences for the same vehicle. I love it. I don't mind letting it rev though. The automatic has to rev too, most just don't notice it. When I had a 3.6 ram (auto of course) as a loaner, it revved to the stratosphere all the time, which helped me realize that's just what the motor likes. It likes high RPMs. Every slight hill and it was 4000 rpm +. Same engine, same torque curve. But the automatic gets a pass on the high revving thing for whatever reason. Modern gas engines, especially NA ones, love RPMs. I let mine have what it wants. Drives great! I don't flog on it. But I let it stay in its powerband, for sure.

Once you let the engine hit 2500, 3000 plus RPMs, it comes alive. A lot of drivers like to keep the RPMs low all the time. That's old school. We don't make torque that low with this motor. Let her rev. Let her free. It's fun. Obviously, you don't need to cruise with RPMs that high all the time, but if you're willing to actively downshift, as the automatic does, when you're ready to scoot, it will reward you. It's not fast (at all), but it's no pig, if you use the whole powerband (peak torque at 4400, peak hp at 6400). The automatic definitely uses the whole powerband, but a lot of manual owners are scared to or don't like to. Letting the engine get to the powerband isn't flogging it.

 

[hjdca]

its horrible, worst manual i have owned in almost a dozen jeeps. makes me wish i would have kept my WIllys that i traded for my Rubicon. horrible accelleration when compared to the automatic unless you are flogging on it.

IMHO, All the Rubicons with 4:10 gears are under geared from the factory for 33" tires. The AT masks that with it's torque converter, but, it becomes more obvious with the manual tranny. The Rubicons with 33 inch tires should have come wit 4:56 gears.... IMHO, if you love manuals and want to stick with it, go to 4:88 or 5:13 gears - depending on your next tire size. This really does change the game - in terms of acceleration, quickness, ease of clutch work, and much less shifting on the fwy. It really is that much of a night and day difference.

 

[bryanklay]

I bought a 2020 overland with the manual and i started the change from the 32 inch tires to 33 inch tires when i bought the vehicle and it seemed to need a larger gear at that time. I had to replace the clutch at 26000 miles right after i did the break-in on new 4.56 gears. With a new clutch, gears, and i went to 37 inch tires, the jeep feels better. Should i have gone to 4.88s, i am not sure. I am happy with what i am running. I do agree with the fact the 3.6 needs to rev higher because of the powerband.

 

[Gvsukids]

its horrible, worst manual i have owned in almost a dozen jeeps. makes me wish i would have kept my WIllys that i traded for my Rubicon. horrible accelleration when compared to the automatic unless you are flogging on it.

Did you test drive the Rubicon before making the trade?

 

[Zachattack50]

Its great. The clutch is a little different for sure. Eventually we will go with an aftermarket setup anyway. So far, no issues with 37's and 3.73's. Cardinal sin I guess to not "re gear" lol. All in good time. Truck gets down the road fine. Running 16.5 mpg, which is as good as the jku we traded in was doing, so lifes good.

 

[JTDay]

I have a 3.73 rear with the 31.5 inch factory highway blimps. Compared to my sports cars, I rate the manual experience in the JT a 1/10. Compared to other Jeeps and trucks with manuals I've driven but not owned, I rate the JT a 3/10. It comes down to a few things that I think are preference and a few that I think can be changed with a regear and a better aftermarket clutch. I'll eventually regear and re-clutch and I have a feeling my perception will change quite a bit. The other things, I'll just live with; every vehicle has it's quirks.

 

[NachoRuby]

I have a 3.73 rear with the 31.5 inch factory highway blimps. Compared to my sports cars, I rate the manual experience in the JT a 1/10. Compared to other Jeeps and trucks with manuals I've driven but not owned, I rate the JT a 3/10. It comes down to a few things that I think are preference and a few that I think can be changed with a regear and a better aftermarket clutch. I'll eventually regear and re-clutch and I have a feeling my perception will change quite a bit. The other things, I'll just live with; every vehicle has it's quirks.

I only just test drove a willys with the 32" tires and the 3.73 gearing, so I don't have a lot of experience with that gearing. It seemed fine there. But from what you and many others say, it seems like by putting 3.73 gears in any manual JT, they did a disservice to what could be. 4.1s were good for me on the stock setup for my Rubicon, and are still fine now on 35s, but not quite as lively. But 4.56 would have been better on a Rubi as a baseline, and 4.1 on the models that come with smaller tires. But, as you say, every model has its quirks.

 

[seven30]

its horrible, worst manual i have owned in almost a dozen jeeps. makes me wish i would have kept my WIllys that i traded for my Rubicon. horrible accelleration when compared to the automatic unless you are flogging on it.

>horrible accelleration when compared to the automatic unless you are flogging on it.<
I floor the auto to get it to accelerate and let it do its thing. I also floor the MT and touch limiter before shifting. May not win any drag races but sure isnt slow either. But my clutch is well broken in and I know how to use it.

 

[mark walk]

>horrible accelleration when compared to the automatic unless you are flogging on it.<
I floor the auto to get it to accelerate and let it do its thing. I also floor the MT and touch limiter before shifting. May not win any drag races but sure isnt slow either. But my clutch is well broken in and I know how to use it.

allways owned mt you just have to know how to use them drive it like you stole it

 

[SteveInOrlando]

My biggest complaint at this point with the MT is the Reverse gear. Even with the improved clutch, the reverse is so tall that is can make life a pain when trying to back up a hill, or back a trailer up. I needed the manual. I love the manual, as long as I don't need reverse.

A re-gear might help; I can't remember the last time I needed to go 50MPH in reverse!

 

[Darrin NC]

Have a 21 Willys with a manual and stock 3.73. If I want to go to a 33 inch tire after the stock 32inch tires wear out will i feel the difference?

 

[JTDay]

The real issue imo is how poorly the pedals are spaced and the lack of thigh bolster in the seat. The trans tunel in these trucks is pretty massive so you end up with the gas pedal too far left and the brake pedal LEFT of the steering column. Not good. Again, just a quirk of the vehicle/personal preference. I never see anyone mention this so it must just be me ?

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