6 Speed Manual Regrets?

[AustinL911]

3.73 with 6sp is a no-no. A 4.10 axle is minimum requirement for 6sp and only Rubi/Mojave offer it. (MaxTow is auto only).

Test one of those to get a realistic idea of what the manual is like.
Instead of a Rubi/Mojave its cheaper to just swap diffs for 4.88 or even 5.13 and you could
add a locker while your at it.

4.88 in 6th is like a 4.10 in 5th so the eco hit is not too bad plus gear spacing with 4.88 is way better than 3.73.

Fully agree with this. 6th in my JTR just isn't enough to be useful. I bought a new 7x12 aluminum trailer (1000lb) the other day and on the 6hr drive back home with it, I quickly learned how gutless 6th (and often 5th as well) was. I didn't use 6th at all while towing; it would just slow down. And if there was any incline at all, 5th would do the same. I can't tell you how many times I would have ACC on in 5th, get to a slight incline, and would drop 15mph before I noticed it.

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[Mr.volleyball13]

37's on my 2020 6 speed Gladiator Rubicon, 27,000 miles with zero regrets.

Thanks. I don't want to get an auto and be bored, but was worried that 6-speed was just too much of a miss hit to deal with. Glad to know the transmission can handle some bigger tires and still be enjoyable. How are you finding reverse? Will it be a problem if I need to back up a trailer of snowmobiles during the winter?

 

[Jt-wrx]

I'm at 2 years 4 months on my manual with 74,000 kms, speedawg cue ball shift knob, 4.88 gears on 37's, I tow 3000 lbs all the time, ABSOFACKINGLUTELY LOVE IT EVERY SINGLE DAY! magna flow street side exit exhaust, haul off-road snorkel and idrive throttle gizmo on setting 2...redneck Gtr, awesome ride

also please learn the pentastar it likes revs, 2nd stage oil pump doesn't start until 3000 rpm, aim for 3000 rpm when towing, for the manual on 4.88's with 37's that's 64 mph in 4th gear which is your tow gear 1:1 ratio

if your build is heavier and you're gonna tow heavier get 5.13's for 37's, that's all I got, I run a lean light build and a light low frontal area trailer so 4.88's are fine

 

[MoparDave]

Thanks. I don't want to get an auto and be bored, but was worried that 6-speed was just too much of a miss hit to deal with. Glad to know the transmission can handle some bigger tires and still be enjoyable. How are you finding reverse? Will it be a problem if I need to back up a trailer of snowmobiles during the winter?

Reverse is fine.
I haven't attached a trailer so I cant speak to that.

 

[Jt-wrx]

Thanks. I don't want to get an auto and be bored, but was worried that 6-speed was just too much of a miss hit to deal with. Glad to know the transmission can handle some bigger tires and still be enjoyable. How are you finding reverse? Will it be a problem if I need to back up a trailer of snowmobiles during the winter?

if I want to be lazy while backing my trailer up onto my driveway after an adventure I just throw it in 4-low, 4-low is also good for crawling a bank to get down onto the ice or traversing a ditch or just putting through the bush to go get your downed deer, but no trailer it's not an issue, 4-low is there for anytime you need to slow to a crawl and not use clutch lol

 

[Jt-wrx]

oh, if you're gonna run 37's you must re-gear imo, I went a short period on 35's and 3.73 axle and it was ok, never use 6th and hardly 5th, then had the 37's before the new gears showed up and ran briefly like that, it was painful, couldn't even start a steep incline driveway from a dead stop without smoking clutch and lots of drama...forget backing up that same driveway, 4-low then what once you get going? how to get into hi range on the fly? you can't so gears first, 4.10's won't get you much better, I wouldn't go any less than 4.88's for 37's, that's your minimum, I've got the miles to understand this thoroughly

 

[NortonJTSS]

Anyone have the pedal commander on the 6spd? I heard it works wonders.

I got the HikeIT X9 throttle controller and it's fantastic... so much smoother without that pedal lag

 

[DanW]

Everyone still enjoying their manuals? On the fence and trying to decide. Always had a manual in all of my jeeps and don't want to get away from it, however, read many mixed thoughts about the 6-speed. I test drove both a manual and automatic this weekend to add to the mix. Found the automatic pretty smooth. The manual was pretty sluggish and the gearing off. 3rd felt way too sluggish to recover out of a corner. Im I wrong and this transmission is just playing with my head? Worried after putting a lift and some bigger tires on my purchase, might be too sluggish to manage. Drove an automatic with 37's and it was manageable.

Can you order a Gladiator manual with 4.88 gears? You can now do that with the JL. Do that and it'd be fine with the manual and 37's. I'm running 35's on 4.56 gears in my JLUR and it is perfect. My brother has a Gladiator with the auto with 4.10's and has no desire to re-gear.

And yes, I love the manual more than ever. I just clocked 61k miles on it. No issues.The auto is nice, and my wife has a JLUR auto with Etorque. The auto is very nice. The Etorque is great, but I like the engine unfettered with that setup, so manual all the way. (Btw, I'm not even sure Etorque comes with the auto in the Gladiator.)

Driving two JL's, one auto, one manual, back to back on a frequent basis, I still prefer the manual.

 

[Demetrius]

I'm at 2 years 4 months on my manual with 74,000 kms, speedawg cue ball shift knob, 4.88 gears on 37's, I tow 3000 lbs all the time, ABSOFACKINGLUTELY LOVE IT EVERY SINGLE DAY! magna flow street side exit exhaust, haul off-road snorkel and idrive throttle gizmo on setting 2...redneck Gtr, awesome ride

also please learn the pentastar it likes revs, 2nd stage oil pump doesn't start until 3000 rpm, aim for 3000 rpm when towing, for the manual on 4.88's with 37's that's 64 mph in 4th gear which is your tow gear 1:1 ratio

if your build is heavier and you're gonna tow heavier get 5.13's for 37's, that's all I got, I run a lean light build and a light low frontal area trailer so 4.88's are fine

JT-WRX,
I also have the Speed Dawg cue ball shift knob. I can't get my factory shift knob off. Do you have any tips for me? I've repeatedly yanked and pulled up on it but am having no luck. Any helpful ideas from you or other forum members would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Rahkmalla]

Just the entire concept of regretting a manual transmission seems silly to me, like are people really buying sticks on a whim?

There's not too many kinds of transmission people:
1. Would gladly pay more for a manual. You should get the stick.
2. If the standard and the auto were the same price would still get the standard. You should get the stick.
3. Are only seriously considering the manuals because it's 2k cheaper. Nope, don't do it. Get the auto.
4. Only drives autos. Obvious, get the auto

 

[NortonJTSS]

My JT has a auto only because when I bought mine, every thing was shut down and I checked 6 dealers in FL, south Al and Ga could not locate a MT. That said the auto has been great so far (10K) but I still would prefer a MT. But that is personal opinion, and the fact most of the vehicles I have owned have been manuals. I learned to drive on a 50 Chevy P/U and my last manual was in a 2010 Mustang GT. I think you will be happy with either transmission.

Searching for a manual transmission at a Jeep dealership is like searching for a golden unicorn. I tried and tried just to get a test drive. Finally found one to drive and then I decided to just order one... took about a month and it was here. It's kinda sad really that every dealership doesn't have at least ONE manual to drive, if not more.

 

[NortonJTSS]

If the towing wasn't less, or lack of cold weather package, we might have looked at a manual.

I have a manual with cold weather package... those things aren't mutually exclusive

 

[Jt-wrx]

JT-WRX,
I also have the Speed Dawg cue ball shift knob. I can't get my factory shift knob off. Do you have any tips for me? I've repeatedly yanked and pulled up on it but am having no luck. Any helpful ideas from you or other forum members would be appreciated. Thanks.

I forget, just follow the YouTubes or instructions, it's sticky and I remember being nervous and fighting a bit but it finally came...and probably went flying, along with myself lol. Treat it like and adventure and you may rap your knuckles on something and you should be fine lol.

 

[NachoRuby]

Searching for a manual transmission at a Jeep dealership is like searching for a golden unicorn. I tried and tried just to get a test drive. Finally found one to drive and then I decided to just order one... took about a month and it was here. It's kinda sad really that every dealership doesn't have at least ONE manual to drive, if not more.

Depends on where you live. And what the local dealers like to stock. Mine always has a few on hand. Usually to gladiators, and a Wrangler or 2. Well, when they have stock anyways.

 

[Jt-wrx]

I have a manual with cold weather package... those things aren't mutually exclusive

yup my sport-s 6 speed had 3 options, hard top, cold weather group and tow package...it's all ya need

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