Manual transmission question

[Nordekai]

Morning, all! New member, here. Haven’t even ordered her yet. Still in the financial getting-things-ready stage. Had a TJ years ago that I had to give up.

I want my manual transmission back, but I had an issue with the TJ that’s been in my head since I started looking at the Gladiator, especially with the recall they had at first. Somehow (still haven’t figured out how I did it) I fused the throwout bearing to the drive shaft. I’ve been hesitant on manuals since. Of course, being in my early 20’s, I didn’t pay much attention or investigate further. To be old and wise you must first be young and stupid.

Has anyone experienced issues with the manual 6 speed? I’m wondering if maybe it was the way I drove that caused my issue years ago. I’ve been searching YouTube for videos on trail riding with a manual to see if I was driving wrong those years ago, but nothing really detailed. Any advice is much appreciated.

kai

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[87chief]

unfortunately there are a million things that could have caused that to happen on your previous rig. i've driven standard all my life and this has only (almost) happened on one vehicle. mine started making a little noise at different levels of clutch engagement. eventually got worse. i was able to spray it with a little white lithium and it shut up so i knew that was the problem. changed it out before it seized. i don't think this will be a vehicle or transmission specific problem. just know the way your car normally sounds and listen for changes.

most importantly, the clutch pedal is not a foot rest!

 

[Nordekai]

Good deal. Never really rode the clutch, only bad habit I can think of is putting the clutch all the way in and holding it in while slowing down in case I had to pop into gear for some reason … unless that’s what riding the clutch really means and I’ve been an idiot for over 20 years … which is always a possibility.

 

[Choatecav]

While I love my manual transmission and shifting gears, there is a world of stuff you need to read that has already been said here.

Look at this very long thread:

Manual Transmission Club | Page 165 | Jeep Gladiator Forum - JeepGladiatorForum.com

 

[Nordekai]

@Choatecav yup yup, already in there. Very … very long thread lol. Going to take me a bit to go all the way through.

Thanks!

 

[Fouts]

Definitely would drive one before i bought one. I had a manual in my JL and did not care for it at all. Driven manuals most of my life but this was different. Read up and test drive first.

 

[redriderjf87]

No regrets here with the manual, if you like stickshift I think you'll be fine. 1st Jeep but 5th manual.

Generally I try to put it in neutral and off the clutch at a stoplight if I know I'm not going to be moving right away. Probably not related to your original issue, but for what it's worth.

 

[jonsheritahe04]

Same as you I specifically wanted the manual and no regrets in going that route. That said you should go and drive both first. To me the auto was smooth and seemed to get up and move better but the MT was more fun. I opted for fun - again no regrets

 

[Nordekai]

Oh I’m definitely getting it for the fun factor. I’ll just have to do a bunch of mild trails first to re-learn stick off-road lol

 

[NachoRuby]

14,200 miles mine on mine so far in about 8 months. The manual transmission is a blast off-road. It's fun on road too. I think you'll like it as is, but, I'd get a pedal tuner. It makes all the difference in the world with rev matching and with taking off from a stop smoothly and quickly. It takes away the factory dead spot on the accelerator pedal. I didn't test drive both, because I had no desire in buying any automatic (never owned one), but if you're on the fence, definitely do test drive each.

 

[WoolyKris]

Manual owner gladiator here, haven’t had any issues with the transmission so far. Gearing is a bit weird, takes a bit to get used to, 6th is pretty much useless lol. While back had a stick WRX, the clutch disintegrated at 30k miles, I driven manuals for past 20+ years and nothing like that ever happened, sometimes bad luck strikes when you least expect it.

 

[Gvsukids]

I hope this thread isn't going to turn into https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/6-speed-manual-regrets.37154/

 

[Empty Pockets]

I’ve had a bunch of manuals over the years. The only one I liked better than the JT was my ‘05 Superduty 6 speed with the low-low first gear. No need to go into low range if you just needed a quick strong and low pull. The JT manual is great, 36,000 happy miles.

 

[Bbannongmu]

Love my manaul Gladiator. I think the factory gearing is a bit "tall" and the spread is a bit odd at first but you get used to it - its designed to be revved to get the 3.6 Pentastar into the power band. The clutch os very light and vague. I ended up putting 37" tires, 5.13 gears and a Centerforce clutch to make it perfect for my needs (towing, Offroad, rocks, work, play, etc.) but if I was just doing light Offroad and no towing and I could have risked the urge for 37" tires, the stock set up is adequate and fun!


#JTRSPARTACUS

 

[GCoop]

I'll also echo what others have been saying as well. Gearing is a bit odd at first even with the 4.10s in the Mojave but you do get used to it. 6th doesnt really come into play except on the interstate for me. Back roads are usually in 4th and main roads mostly 5th.

This is my 4th Jeep and I love the manual. No regrets at all.

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