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Why no max tow with the manual transmission?

foo.c

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Most people that think they can drive a manual really can't. I include myself in that list, so I'm not putting anyone down.
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kd1yt

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I have an MT and I like it despite the clutch issues.

I read elsewhere on here, during one of the other clutch discussions, that there are something like 6,000 - 7,000 MT Gladiators on the road, as of early 2021. No way would that support the engineering and tooling and having a transmission maker keep a "JT-exclusive towing-focused MT" in production.

I truly like and strongly prefer MT. But in a modern vehicle that you really plan to do substantial towing with, an AT is better. I had the 8spd Mopar transmission in a 2015 Ram 3.0 diesel and it was far and away the best AT I have ever driven.

In choosing my JT I thought about AT vs MT and I decided that I don't predictably tow larger items, I like MT, and this may likely be the last opportunity I ever have to buy and drive an MT. If I expected to do any substantial amount of substantial towing, there is no doubt in my mind that the AT would have been the only sensible choice.
 

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ShadowsPapa

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I'm sure everyone here with a manual transmission can shift through 5 gears in 7 seconds.

 

foo.c

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It certainly is that is why I take great satisfaction passing dual clutch cars all day long. I like to drive my cars, not have them drive for me ;)
Yep, I don't race but it felt good getting the point by in my old C5 hooptie (manual). I passed an R8 in the rain once, which to me felt like a crowning achievement.
 
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flsupraguy

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Yep, I don't race but it felt good getting the point by in my old C5 hooptie (manual). I passed an R8 in the rain once, which to me felt like a crowning achievement.
A well setup c5 can be one hell of a track car.
 

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ShadowsPapa

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Manual Transmission = "Millennial Anti-Theft system." Ha. :clap: :LOL::giggle:
Naw, need to go a generation down - millennials I know can and do drive sticks. Look at all of the Japanese cars with fart cans around here. All manual transmissions. Both of my sons drive sticks and so does my daughter-in-law.
Millennials (and younger) around here have been driving manual transmission Hondas for years. And from the sounds of the exhaust, they know how to shift 'em.
 

DanW

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Lotta BS in here about the clutch being weak. The clutch recalls have nothing to do with it being weak. Nothing. Anyone who says it does is guessing and doesn't know what caused the recalls in the first place.

The transmission/clutch is properly rated to handle the power/torque of the 3.6. No doubt about that. It has to do with improper setup at the factory and by some dealer techs who performed recalls or clutch replacements who also set them up incorrectly. When right, they are fine. They just aren't rated to tow as much as the auto. That part is likely correct.

I've abused the hell out of mine for 49k miles now with zero issues. That includes hard driving, plenty of city driving, and towing a boat. I've done quite a bit of off-roading, but that's probably the easiest driving on the clutch/tranny because much of it is done in low range. It was set up perfectly from the factory and the dealership tech who performed the recall knew how to properly check it, so again, no issues. I've since added 4.56 rings/pinions and it is better than ever. (I'm running 35" tires.)

If one is planning on towing the heaviest loads, get the auto.

As far as wider axles, big brakes, and such, the Rubicon should get you all of that without the need for Max Tow.
 

NachoRuby

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Lotta BS in here about the clutch being weak. The clutch recalls have nothing to do with it being weak. Nothing. Anyone who says it does is guessing and doesn't know what caused the recalls in the first place.

The transmission/clutch is properly rated to handle the power/torque of the 3.6. No doubt about that. It has to do with improper setup at the factory and by some dealer techs who performed recalls or clutch replacements who also set them up incorrectly. When right, they are fine. They just aren't rated to tow as much as the auto. That part is likely correct.

I've abused the hell out of mine for 49k miles now with zero issues. That includes hard driving, plenty of city driving, and towing a boat. I've done quite a bit of off-roading, but that's probably the easiest driving on the clutch/tranny because much of it is done in low range. It was set up perfectly from the factory and the dealership tech who performed the recall knew how to properly check it, so again, no issues. I've since added 4.56 rings/pinions and it is better than ever. (I'm running 35" tires.)

If one is planning on towing the heaviest loads, get the auto.

As far as wider axles, big brakes, and such, the Rubicon should get you all of that without the need for Max Tow.
I think a big difference here is between the folks who bought the Gladiator as a "Truck that is also a Jeep" vs those of who bought to get a "Jeep that is also a truck". Of course, the JL has a short wheelbase, so there are those that say if you wanted a Jeep, you should get a JL. But then, there are also those that say if you want a truck, get a (insert pickup here). Luckily, jeep makes models to please both crowds.

I think all the viewpoints are valid, but I don't have any problems, concerns, or issues with the manual transmission, so I'm happy as can be. If I bought it expecting to tow more than 4500 lbs, (so to replace another truck), I'd be upset with anything but max tow, Rubicon automatic, overland automatic, or mojave automatic. But I bought it to get a jeep with a bed, so I'm content. It can tow or haul larger, heavier things than our wrangler, and it can still hold it's own on the trail (as long as the turns aren't too tight, and it's not dragging it's rear end haha).
 
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ShadowsPapa

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I've posted part numbers and images from 3 sites selling brakes for these - MOPAR and others - brake pads interchange suggesting the brakes are also the same. So far no one has proven otherwise. Go buy pads - they don't specify which level you have - just that it's a 202x JT.
 

NachoRuby

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I've posted part numbers and images from 3 sites selling brakes for these - MOPAR and others - brake pads interchange suggesting the brakes are also the same. So far no one has proven otherwise. Go buy pads - they don't specify which level you have - just that it's a 202x JT.
Yes, I was comparing with a max tow and a Willys I was out with, and I'm sure all of us had identical brakes. But I have the tow package, and I think the Willys did too, so I'm not sure if that gave us the "heavy duty brakes". I know it gives me the better alternator and cooling system though.
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