4:10 Max Tow Vs 3:73 Manual

[Mudeater]

Hi Gladiator Forum! Researching and I have seen, read, and watched quite a bit about the different gears and configurations. I cannot afford the Rubi, but wanted a capable rig that I can add 35” tires and modest lift to.

Considering an AT Max Tow due to the gears- although I know the 4:10 V the 3:73 is a nominal jump. My concern is that the AT will be sluggish with the heavier and taller meats. I have read a lot of the posts that say it isn’t and this is the way I am leaning. Thinking the 3:73 AT would require a sooner regear.

Other consideration is an MT with 35” tires where I can better control the gears. I had this configuration in a JKU and was really pleased in and off road.

MTs are hard to find with the cold weather package, or else I would have just pulled the trigger with a 3:73 MT.

Thoughts from folks with similar set-ups?

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[whiteglad]

The auto with 4.10 gives a much lower first gear--plus torque converter--plus more overdrive for the highway.

 

[Incommando]

The auto with 4.10 gives a much lower first gear--plus torque converter--plus more overdrive for the highway.

This

 

[Mudeater]

This

Thanks for the info...I have also read quite a bit on this thread about the 35” and AT set-up. Just want to make sure I am not making a mistake buying an AT Max Tow when a MT might fit our needs better. My wife and I are both on board with the MT as the few we test drive were a blast!

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/...10s-and-the-8spd-behaving-with-the-35s.20345/

 

[Mr._Bill]

Thanks for the info...I have also read quite a bit on this thread about the 35” and AT set-up. Just want to make sure I am not making a mistake buying an AT Max Tow when a MT might fit our needs better. My wife and I are both on board with the MT as the few we test drive were a blast!

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/...10s-and-the-8spd-behaving-with-the-35s.20345/

Getting a MT is a personal preference. Some find them more engaging and more fun to drive. Getting one significantly reduces towing capacity. The AT is an excellent 8 speed and functions quite well. I grew up driving MT trucks. I'll take a good AT any day with no regrets.

 

[Sazabi19]

Unless you're 1 of those people who think driving anything other than a MT neuters them, the AT is better in pretty much every conceivable way. The real question is: Are you prepared to sacrifice all the positives of the AT to have the power/fun of choosing your own gear? I'm all for manuals but anyone pretending they're better than an AT at this point is only fooling themselves.

 

[LostWoods]

Unless you're 1 of those people who think driving anything other than a MT neuters them, the AT is better in pretty much every conceivable way. The real question is: Are you prepared to sacrifice all the positives of the AT to have the power/fun of choosing your own gear? I'm all for manuals but anyone pretending they're better than an AT at this point is only fooling themselves.

Hard truth for us MT fans. I've said it before and will repeat it: this is the best AT, bar none, I've ever driven and I drove a lot of vehicles in my wrenching years. No hunting, no dead spots in the ratios... it's just a fantastic transmission with the 4.10 gears.

The only functional thing (raking gears being the obvious pleasure thing) I miss from my MT is the engine braking... I keep finding myself not hard enough on the brakes because I'm expecting the truck to slow down a lot more. Manual mode works well enough on trail but otherwise, zero regrets going with the max tow package.

 

[Mudeater]

Many thanks for the additional details, experience, and opinions. I really appreciate it and from what I read, the AT + the 4:10 is likely the way we will go. Hard to beat an 8spd and we too enjoyed the test drive with this trans. Thanks

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