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Considering a Gladiator

RavensEyeOffroad

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So my wife and I are considering buying a Gladiator (Rubicon) in the next year (want to be completely debt free first).

We are torn on a single option however. I want a manual transmission she wants an automatic.
I prefer manual to auto in every way but most of my reasonings come from longevity's sake. A manual will just about always work. No limp modes, no shift solenoids etc.
I feel eventually an automatic will eventually have Gremlins appear and you'll want to just trade it in and repeat the cycle.

She wants an auto, doesn't feel
"in control" of a manual etc.

I've read reviews about the manual being not so great though, requiring high revs, a strange clutch feel but still relatively fun overall once used to it. My 2003 Rubicon was manual and there is a bit of an homage there for me.

Is it really a big deal? I know a ton of it is preference. We don't plan on towing much more than a lawnmower. As a die-hard manual transmission guy will i hate the auto? Would I maybe even hate the manual?
Thanks for letting me join the forum. :)
Ps don't put "happy wife happy life" lol
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WXman

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Well, I see it the other way. To me, automatic is the best choice for longevity and least maintenance.

I've owned many manual transmission cars, SUVs, and trucks. I currently still have a Mach 1 with a manual trans. But today's automatic transmissions are so good that they'll last a LONG time, usually more than 150,000 miles, before they need service. Meanwhile, a manual trans has throwout bearings that start squealing, clutch forks that wear out at the pivot, clutch discs that are considered a wear item, synchos that wear out, etc. All the manuals I've owned have eventually become a pain in the ***. My Mach 1 currently has 138,000 miles on it and the syncros are starting to go. It's hard to shift to reverse, and the 2 - 3 shift is rejected sometimes. The slave cylinder died in my F-150 and I had to carry DOT brake fluid with me 24/7 to keep the reservoir topped off. My last manual Jeep would randomly pop out of gear at times. The 2011 JK with manual trans I had made awful rattling noise from day 1. Dealership and other owners said it was normal.

Screw all that. The 850RE automatic is the way to go. Better gearing, more gearing, easier to use, zero maintenance, better resale, more towing power, safer off-road, and can still be manually shifted if you need to.
 

Mr._Bill

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I grew up with and liked manuals, until some jackass hit me at a stoplight with my foot on the clutch. Two knee operations later, and I'm happy to drive an automatic.

I can only offer one piece of advice. Whatever you buy, if the wife is not happy, you never will be, no matter how much you like what is bought.
 
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RavensEyeOffroad

RavensEyeOffroad

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I dunno. I had a 79 GMC Sierra with the sm465. If I still had that truck is have no doubt everything would have fallen apart around that transmission.
Even if it had failed I can swap a manual alot easier than an auto.
No filter or fluid changes really.
What is the story with checking the fluid on the auto? I've read it's a pita for some reason?
 
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RavensEyeOffroad

RavensEyeOffroad

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I grew up with and liked manuals, until some jackass hit me at a stoplight with my foot on the clutch. Two knee operations later, and I'm happy to drive an automatic.

I can only offer one piece of advice. Whatever you buy, if the wife is not happy, you never will be, no matter how much you like what is bought.
Well I mean she would only drive it once in a blue moon if ever. She absolutely never ever ever drives my current car right now and it's an auto. (Fiesta)
 

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Mr._Bill

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I dunno. I had a 79 GMC Sierra with the sm465. If I still had that truck is have no doubt everything would have fallen apart around that transmission.
Even if it had failed I can swap a manual alot easier than an auto.
No filter or fluid changes really.
What is the story with checking the fluid on the auto? I've read it's a pita for some reason?
The automatic transmission in the Gladiator is a sealed unit. Under normal conditions, it does not need fluid checks, or fluid or filter changes. It is a designed to last for a long time with no attention required. It is nice and smooth. It drives very well.
 

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Four words....... Happy Wife, Happy Life!
 

Mr._Bill

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Some things do sound good about an auto though. Push button start, it does sound good and revs nice, tow rating is also an obvious plus.
I will just say that after driving my Gladiator, I don't understand why anyone would want one with a manual transmission. I also live where it's hot, and use the remote start a lot.
 

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Get the Auto...I’m a car guy and have a couple of manual transmission fun vehicles, fun but it wears off quickly. I think you will both be happier with an auto and it won’t be impossible to sell when you are done with it. That being said, I’d understand if you do get the manual :like:
 
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RavensEyeOffroad

RavensEyeOffroad

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Get the Auto...I’m a car guy and have a couple of manual transmission fun vehicles, fun but it wears off quickly. I think you will both be happier with an auto and it won’t be impossible to sell when you are done with it. That being said, I’d understand if you do get the manual :like:
See that is what she says. I"not like you will have it forever..." but that is exactly what I want to do. Lol
I had to sell my 2003 Rubicon when my first daughter was born. We fell on hard times and had to sell the 2011 jku.
Like I said certain aspects about both are attractive.
 

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The new 5th gear being the JKs old 6th gear and the new 6th gear being even higher does not bode well with me. I have the 6 speed coming in the next week but I fear I'll have to take it straight to the gear guys to get 4.88s or 5.13s installed right off the floor. The JKs 6th gear was useless so I can't imagine the JTs 6th being at all useful below 80. The only way I'd use 6th is gear changes and I want to use it. I don't live on the Idaho portion of I-15 where the limit is 85mph. It's 65 here in Alaska. If I'd known the gearing of the manual before I ordered I would have strongly considered going automatic. The flip side of that coin of course is having the 2 overdrives you can go deep on gearing get pretty low and still have that 2nd overdrive you otherwise wouldn't use to save your mileage now that you can shift into it.
 
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RavensEyeOffroad

RavensEyeOffroad

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The new 5th gear being the JKs old 6th gear and the new 6th gear being even higher does not bode well with me. I have the 6 speed coming in the next week but I fear I'll have to take it straight to the gear guys to get 4.88s or 5.13s installed right off the floor. The JKs 6th gear was useless so I can't imagine the JTs 6th being at all useful below 80. The only way I'd use 6th is gear changes and I want to use it. I don't live on the Idaho portion of I-15 where the limit is 85mph. It's 65 here in Alaska. If I'd known the gearing of the manual before I ordered I would have strongly considered going automatic. The flip side of that coin of course is having the 2 overdrives you can go deep on gearing get pretty low and still have that 2nd overdrive you otherwise wouldn't use to save your mileage now that you can shift into it.
Yes I read about that early. Splitting difference between two gears etc. I've read people say "if it had my TJ's / JK gearing...." That stuff def concerns me.

How do they have heavy duty cooling (presuming it's transmission cooling) if it is a sealed auto?
Or is HD cooling for the engine?
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