6 Speed Manual Regrets?

[NortonJTSS]

6k lbs is more than I thought it could tow. That's quite a bit more than I thought. In that case, for sure I'd go manual with a Gladiator. I have nothing that even approaches that weight. That's nearly double what my JL is rated to tow, which I think is mainly due to the soft rear suspension.

I think the manual Rubicon is only 4,500 pounds... the automatic Rubi is over 6k

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[Jt-wrx]

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

haha, super accurate though, it should be a disclaimer for any manual tire kickers

 

[KX L]

I love my manual Mojave. That said, in my mind reverse isn't geared correctly. Have to slip it even on level ground to get her moving without it killing the engine. Steep driveways suck backing up.

 

[AustinL911]

Anyone know anything about internally regearing a manual transmission?

I found New Take Out Aisin D478's online for a relatively decent price and I'm over here scratching my head considering buying a spare to play around with.

For my setup (JTR with weight-conscious 35's, and eventually 4.88s) I'm thinking:
-A (numerically higher) lower reverse, to slow it down and make it more usable, such as when backing a trailer.
-A lower 1st gear, for crawling and stump pulling power. Would rarely be used on the street.
-A lower 2nd gear that is somewhere in between the stock 1st and 2nd ratios. Might not be needed with 4.88s
-3rd gear about the same. Maybe a touch lower.
-4th still 1:1
-5th about the same. Will probably be more usable with 4.88s
-A taller 6th gear for lower RPM cruising on the highway with no load.


eh?

 

[DanW]

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

I agree, but I did originally struggle with the choice, but just because the auto is so good on the JL/JT. I asked my wife her thoughts and she said, "It isn't a real Jeep if it doesn't have a manual." Well, that settled it. Funny, 4 years later she has a JLUR and she asked for an automatic. LOL! But she does like driving my Jeep still.

 

[seven30]

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

Ditto

 

[seven30]

Anyone know anything about internally regearing a manual transmission?

I found New Take Out Aisin D478's online for a relatively decent price and I'm over here scratching my head considering buying a spare to play around with.

For my setup (JTR with weight-conscious 35's, and eventually 4.88s) I'm thinking:
-A (numerically higher) lower reverse, to slow it down and make it more usable, such as when backing a trailer.
-A lower 1st gear, for crawling and stump pulling power. Would rarely be used on the street.
-A lower 2nd gear that is somewhere in between the stock 1st and 2nd ratios. Might not be needed with 4.88s
-3rd gear about the same. Maybe a touch lower.
-4th still 1:1
-5th about the same. Will probably be more usable with 4.88s
-A taller 6th gear for lower RPM cruising on the highway with no load.


eh?

I cant even find decent description of the D478. It would blow my mind if your able to find gearsets for it. FYI 6th-4.88 is close to 5th-4.10 stock tranny. If you do pick one up post pics of its innards for us please.

 

[OHJeeper]

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

Agree on reverse... on a flat space (like backing out of a parking spot) I can feather the clutch with no skinny pedal and not stall.

I can even pull forward out of a parking spot with no skinny pedal input and not stall.

37's with Rubicon (4.10)...

I will regear to 4.88 or 5.13 next year, though. I don't like the spacing in how I have to shift with the bigger tires. For example going up a steep incline from a stop I have to rev 2nd gear to almost 4k before I upshift to 3rd or it just bogs down. Sounds like I'm taking off in a jet...

But, I am not in a rush to get out of the 4.10... it's driveable and still fun

 

[AustinL911]

I cant even find decent description of the D478. It would blow my mind if your able to find gearsets for it. FYI 6th-4.88 is close to 5th-4.10 stock tranny. If you do pick one up post pics of its innards for us please.

I was thinking custom ground gears. Rushgears.com is just one site I stumbled upon that can custom grind them.

Disclaimer: I'm no transmission expert by any stretch. But, in my mind, provided there is enough clearance for them, it seems like it would work.

But like you, I have been unable to find much information on the internals of the D478. A lot of it would be an experimental learning experience.

 

[OHJeeper]

I cant even find decent description of the D478. It would blow my mind if your able to find gearsets for it. FYI 6th-4.88 is close to 5th-4.10 stock tranny. If you do pick one up post pics of its innards for us please.

I've thought long and hard about swapping the transmission for a Tremec 5 speed. The bell housing and input/output shafts may need to be modified, I haven't done the hard research to know.

But, my reason is for adding forced induction, not for my current setup. The Asin is only rated for something like 300 ft/lbs of torque (can't remember specifically, buried in my notes somewhere)

 

[Mr.volleyball13]

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.

Thanks. Glad to know you still prefer the manual after being able to drive a auto and manual back to back regularly. Lucky guy. I test drove a manual this past weekend and wasn't overly excited about it. I have always had manuals, never thought I would be questioning this decision, but the clutch and gear choice just seemed so foreign to me.

 

[seven30]

I've thought long and hard about swapping the transmission for a Tremec 5 speed. The bell housing and input/output shafts may need to be modified, I haven't done the hard research to know.

But, my reason is for adding forced induction, not for my current setup. The Asin is only rated for something like 300 ft/lbs of torque (can't remember specifically, buried in my notes somewhere)

Man Id hate to lose a gear. 6 is barely enough.

 

[NortonJTSS]

No regrets. I love it. I agree that you can pretty much do most driving in 1-4 and 5 & 6 are overdrives for the highway for better MPG. Also, I don’t find it a PIA to drop into 4th at higher speeds to get some acceleration. That’s part of the fun! I came from a 6MT 5.0 Mustang, so I knew it’d be a drop off, obviously in power (435hp to 285hp). However, I wasn’t expecting it to be so sluggish out of the gate. So I purchased the iDRIVE throttle controller. Problem solved, and I only use it on the U1 setting. The only downer for me was to learn how much tow capacity was lost vs the AT. But I wanted to have fun driving it more than towing with it. I can tow with my other truck.

I had the same experience by adding a throttle controller.. the ride became smoother because I didn’t have that delayed jolt after trying to get the gas pedal to respond.. stalling also became an afterthought because a tiny bit of gas input actually provided a tiny bit of gas. Overall driving experience just a lot better.. I noticed immediately when I took it out to go to the dealer. I can lock the throttle with a code so it’s like a security system too.
Hike IT X9 is the model I got

 

[NortonJTSS]

Clutch is easier now with some mileage on it now.

However, 3rd gear shifting into it, every now and then you really need to jam it in there. (That's what she said!). Can't figure out the cause. When it happens, try to make it happen again and it won't. Flat, hill climb, heavy throttle, light throttle. just very sporadic. Mostly not an issue but just every now and then it does it.

Any one else?

Yes I actually know exactly what you mean.. I’ve had that same thing happen many times with 1st and 3rd gear... but it’s sporadic and not that often.. makes you go, that was weird ? but then it doesn’t happen again for a while

 

[NortonJTSS]

We'll, it happened again. After taking the hard top for the summer, then removing the doors and putting on the tube doors, I took a drive. Once the oil got to full operating temp I hit a beautiful country road, accelerating hard off the corners, and then, with no warning.....




...a huge smile appeared on my face and I laughed out loud, as I once again was reminded why I love this manual transmission!

Ladies and gentlemen, I think that rests the case. What else is there to really discuss? ?

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