For Those with a Manual... Care to Comment?

[Hawkeyes3312]

Article was found on MSN: (Just interested to see what the owners think)

https://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/aut...t-test-unhappy-marriage/ar-AAIYtmc?li=BBnb4R5

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[LongTimeListener]

Pretty sensationalistic, whiny article. I just finished an overlanding trip with my JTR 6MT loaded with gear and two guys and it did great.

I imagine the 6MT has been optimized for Rubicon gearing because Rubicon buyers are the ones, by far, who are most likely to order a manual. I can see where the Pentastar's lack of low-end torque could be an issue with Sport gearing, but that's more a well-known "feature" of the engine than any real problem with the manual. Trust me: it goes away in 4-Lo.

And his complaint about the manual being "angled toward the driver" and that being a problem? Lordy.

As I said in my own write-up, my only genuine beef with the manual is the clutch take-up, which can be a little tricky in first gear. Otherwise, it's a beauty. These hippies need to learn how to drive.

 

[drBassman]

Article was found on MSN: (Just interested to see what the owners think)

https://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/aut...t-test-unhappy-marriage/ar-AAIYtmc?li=BBnb4R5

Opinions are like a$$holes -- we all have one & sometimes they stink!

Author clearly does not know which combinations of options are permitted and which are not. E.g. can't get MT with diesel; can't get MT with max-tow package; etc.

Also, who in their right mind winds 2nd gear up to 60mph?!?!? I'm usually shifting 3rd to 4th before then.

I've read other articles that assert that MT is preferable over the AT.

 

[RavensEyeOffroad]

I really want to hear about towing a camper/trailer with 4.10's and MT. That is about the only thing I havent seen.
Daily driving seems pretty fine, most say its really fun even.
37's seem to be 50/50, Ive read you have to rev the engine out a bit more others say its all fine just watch taking off from a stop.

 

[AKDrifter]

The gears are weirdly spaced I agree. In normal driving 30 or so in 2nd would be over 3k rpm so you go to 3rd and it drops to like 1800 lugging the engine. I can set the cruise at 37 in 3rd and be fine though. I can use 4th at anything above 45 hills or flat ground. If they had a gear between 2-3 giving up one OD it would have been a smoother experience. I still like it though my Charger had the 3.6/8speed which was a great powertrain but if there's a manual option I will take it everytime.

 

[sawman]

I'm on the fence as well. Can't find one to test drive and all local sales people are totally clueless.

 

[RavensEyeOffroad]

I'm on the fence as well. Can't find one to test drive and all local sales people are totally clueless.

I'm honestly about to just get the auto.
Towing- auto
Big tires- auto
Every day driving - 50/50 manual is funner but auto is easier.
Overall I just want to run 37s and possibly tow a small camper and take kids+wife on adventures/vacation.
Eta I always think something dumb will happen and my wife will have to drive (emergency). Her trying to drive a manual would probably just finish me off to the grave anyhow. Lol

 

[Dr Kel]

The 2-3 jump is annoying, but you get used to it more or less. I still feel a 7-spd would be preferable to take care of that. Starting is imperfect, but I’m not expecting a German car sort of feel out of this thing.

I’ve towed a couple of different trailers with mine; it does very well under heavy load. You won’t use 6th of course, but I comfortably held 70 mph with a fully loaded bed and packed 6'x12' U-Haul.

I got lucky and was able to test drive one before getting mine. It sealed the deal on a Gladiator for me. Didn’t buy the one I drove though, but this one was identical.

 

[RavensEyeOffroad]

The 2-3 jump is annoying, but you get used to it more or less. I still feel a 7-spd would be preferable to take care of that. Starting is imperfect, but I’m not expecting a German car sort of feel out of this thing.

I’ve towed a couple of different trailers with mine; it does very well under heavy load. You won’t use 6th of course, but I comfortably held 70 mph with a fully loaded bed and packed 6'x12' U-Haul.

I got lucky and was able to test drive one before getting mine. It sealed the deal on a Gladiator for me. Didn’t buy the one I drove though, but this one was identical.

I like hearing that at least.

 

[sawman]

My use would be more of a daily driver to work. I do tow a tractor or other vehicle on occasion but used Chevy 2500's are so cheap, it's not an issue.
From what I've read, the MT is fine for that and probably better than the 5 speed TJ I'm driving now.

 

[RavensEyeOffroad]

My use would be more of a daily driver to work. I do tow a tractor or other vehicle on occasion but used Chevy 2500's are so cheap, it's not an issue.
From what I've read, the MT is fine for that and probably better than the 5 speed TJ I'm driving now.

oh yeah if you arent worried about anything but just the driving experience manual for sure.

 

[drBassman]

The 2-3 jump is annoying, but you get used to it more or less. I still feel a 7-spd would be preferable to take care of that. Starting is imperfect, but I’m not expecting a German car sort of feel out of this thing.

I’ve towed a couple of different trailers with mine; it does very well under heavy load. You won’t use 6th of course, but I comfortably held 70 mph with a fully loaded bed and packed 6'x12' U-Haul.

I got lucky and was able to test drive one before getting mine. It sealed the deal on a Gladiator for me. Didn’t buy the one I drove though, but this one was identical.

Is your Gladiator a Rubicon? (i.e. Does it have the 4.10 or 3.73 gear ratio?)

 

[LongTimeListener]

Overall I just want to run 37s and possibly tow a small camper and take kids+wife on adventures/vacation

Why do you want 37s? For the life of me, I don't understand the appeal. I overland a lot, and nobody I overland with runs 37s. 35s all day. One guy used to run 37s but switched back. They are seriously heavy and expensive, and they wear out your axles and suspension faster.

 

[RavensEyeOffroad]

Why do you want 37s? For the life of me, I don't understand the appeal. I overland a lot, and nobody I overland with runs 37s. 35s all day. One guy used to run 37s but switched back. They are seriously heavy and expensive, and they wear out your axles and suspension faster.

They look good.
I drive across the street to drop my kids off. I drive 10 minutes up the road to the gym/work. I suppose I could reword it to be that 37's would be the biggest tire I would run. There is a semi active jeep club around but I don't think they do anything outrageous trail wise. I guess I should not worry about that stuff right now.

 

[Elwenil]

I want 37s mainly to help with the wheelbase and the resulting breakover and departure angles. Around here the wheeling is mainly big trees, big rocks and mud. 37s on up to 40s are pretty common on the trails here.

As for towing, I would do either 37s or towing, not both. Big tires just make towing more complicated than it needs to be. Big off road tires are basically the opposite of what you want for towing Naturally some will want to do both, but the larger flexy sidewalls are not the best for stability and the larger diameter is going to hurt the overall gearing. If I get a Gladiator Rubicon and end up going to 37s I will probably drop down to 4.88s or so. I have 4.10s in my D60s on my Ramcharger and with the granny gear 4 speed it is tolerable, but it definitely needs more gear to crawl. The Rubi's low range will help off road, but the lack of V8 torque is going to hurt it with tall tires and mediocre gearing for both towing or off road.

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