Why should I get an automatic over manual Gladiator?

[Blisskiss]

After tireless passionate research I still cannot decide if I want to get an automatic or a manual.

It seems like the only edge the automatic really has for off road performance is being able to shift gears during a water crossing (in a manual the gearbox can become flooded), and maybe ascending steep inclines. But as with most disadvantages of manual if you know what you're doing you can negate the downside.

I could see myself sadly being stupid and letting my battery wear out and then with a manual be able to jump it into gear.

I could also see myself getting pissed off when the electronics hold me back when the automatic can't find the right gear at the right time.

Another huge pro for manual is the ability to replace the clutch easily and cheap. Whereas the automatics can be pricey and complex.

Please correct me if I'm wrong and offer unique insights where possible.

Now I do have one outstanding question.
If I were to swap the V6 Pentastar for a... let's say Hellcat, then would it be better to have a manual or automatic to make that transition, or would it not matter at all? I apologize but I just haven't gotten to that point in my research. Thank you for your knowledge.

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[jeeprscreeprs]

After tireless passionate research I still cannot decide if I want to get an automatic or a manual.

It seems like the only edge the automatic really has for off road performance is being able to shift gears during a water crossing (in a manual the gearbox can become flooded), and maybe ascending steep inclines. But as with most disadvantages of manual if you know what you're doing you can negate the downside.

I could see myself sadly being stupid and letting my battery wear out and then with a manual be able to jump it into gear.

I could also see myself getting pissed off when the electronics hold me back when the automatic can't find the right gear at the right time.

Another huge pro for manual is the ability to replace the clutch easily and cheap. Whereas the automatics can be pricey and complex.

Please correct me if I'm wrong and offer unique insights where possible.

Now I do have one outstanding question.
If I were to swap the V6 Pentastar for a... let's say, Hellcat, then would it be better to have a manual or automatic to make that transition, or would it not matter at all? I apologize but I just haven't gotten to that point in my research. Thank you for your knowledge.

I can't speak to a hellcat swap but seems to me you miss out on a lot of the baked in technology with a manual such as stock remote start, offroad+ mode functionality, and possibly the crawl control as well. however, the manual is cheaper both to purchase and maintain, more engaged driving (more fun as well IMO) and better in a shit hits fan situation as you have mentioned. the manual trans also still eeks out a better mpg rating if you care about that. I plan on purchasing the manual once i've got the dough saved up for my gladiator purchase. especially since I can definitely see this being the last generation of jeeps being offered with a manual, next gen i suspect it'll be either eliminated entirely or some sort of special order deal.

 

[Blisskiss]

I'm still up. Here's what someone said on FB,
"The nsg370 is a slow shifting transmission with limited max torque capacity. The shift detents are poor and the transmission is said to be prone to jumping out of gear although this may have been addressed with updates. Shift fork plastic components are prone to cracking causing shifting issues. Plastic parts are not repairable and new fork assembly is expensive."

 

[jeepguy225]

The automatic has a lot more off-road tech features that come with the JT (controlled crawl speed button, etc.). I really like manual (its not a real jeep or a real truck if it's not a manual), but everything I read from off roaders says the automatic is far superior in every way. The manual is only offered for nostalgia. I am still undecided on which to choose. I don't care about towing, so I'm still 50/50.

 

[Karnivoolfan]

I can't think of any reason sorry

 

[SoFunkyItsaCrime]

I'm a huge fan of manuals- have always owned, and historically, have always chosen them if offered. Not on the JT. Look at how low the torque peak is on the 3.6l. Then look at what RPM it is achieved at! You'd have to rev the p*ss out of it to make any power. This has been confirmed by driving a manual JL. I'm going with the auto in this one, but it still breaks my heart a little.

FYI- my VW Alltrack (lifted and chipped) is far better with the DSG than the manual too. It's true that the newest gen auto's are far superior. Sad, but true.

Also, i'm 6'5" and have a size 14 foot. On the manual, there's no "dead pedal" to the left of the clutch. in fact, the footwell tightens as you go deeper, forcing you to either have your foot on the clutch, or under it. It's a little strange. Not a big deal, with the generally upright driving position, but again- drive a JL manual vs. auto back to back, and you'll see what I mean.

 

[Foostrap]

Here's my take. I had several JKs with only manual. Hated the 5 speed auto. Junk... My JL is the first auto vehicle I've owned in 15 years and here is why. I went to the dealer a year ago looking only for a manual JL. The one manual they had wasnt configured how I wanted but they were committed to shoving me out the door with a new Jeep that day. They said have you driven the auto?? I said no and not interested. They said trust us give it a try. So I did. I apparently easily cave to peer pressure. I drove the manual first quite a few miles and up a pass. Came back and took out the auto on the same trek. The difference was honestly astonishing to me. The 8 speed auto is unbelievably more responsive than I could possibly be with the manual. Shifts at the right time and at higher speeds offers much more power than the manual. The manual shift option on the auto is also really impressive and gives you flexibility off road without burning out your clutch. I felt a little dirty purchasing the auto and hate that I contributed to the imminent future death of the stick shift but a year later I haven't looked back. I encourage you to drive both in a JL and see what you think.

 

[homerun]

I'm still up. Here's what someone said on FB,
"The nsg370 is a slow shifting transmission with limited max torque capacity. The shift detents are poor and the transmission is said to be prone to jumping out of gear although this may have been addressed with updates. Shift fork plastic components are prone to cracking causing shifting issues. Plastic parts are not repairable and new fork assembly is expensive."

True but they are not using the nsg370. Try looking up the Aisin D478.

Also I don’t think it will handle a Hellcat power or torque, hence the less towing and the fact it can’t be paired to the oilburner.

 

[Charlie]

I would say the biggest thing holding me back from getting a manual is the ability to tow. The tow rating drops 3,000lbs or so when you go to the manual. I plan to tow with my truck, my 7,000lb dump trailer and eventually a camper. If it has comparable tow ratings, I would have gone for the manual.

Also something that eliminates the manual option for me is I want the diesel. I have a 3.0L CRD engine in my Grand Cherokee and I love it.

 

[homerun]

Check out this thread.

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/auto-or-6-speed-and-why.8926/

 

[drogers]

I would say the biggest thing holding me back from getting a manual is the ability to tow. The tow rating drops 3,000lbs or so when you go to the manual. I plan to tow with my truck, my 7,000lb dump trailer and eventually a camper. If it has comparable tow ratings, I would have gone for the manual.

Also something that eliminates the manual option for me is I want the diesel. I have a 3.0L CRD engine in my Grand Cherokee and I love it.

It’s 4500lbs on a Rubi, and 4000 on the overland and sport.

 

[jeepguy225]

The manual offers nostalgia and pretty much nothing else. The automatic beats it in every other way, especially off-road and smooth as silk on road, from all of the info I have been reading about it. Someone complained that the JL manual did not feel like a jeep stick shift, but more like a Honda civic because the clutch pedal and shifting was too smooth and easy feeling, instead of that CJ feel. I'm die-hard manual, but I think I will go automatic for the first time ever!! :O

 

[jalbrecht55]

I think the auto is going to work better 95% of the time for most people. I also bet that you get 150k out of the clutch and by then the MT is making some odd noises or grinding a bit when you shift (speaking to the NSG but hoping the new one is better) but the auto lasts “the life of the vehicle”.

This new 8 speed is a good design with I suspect a much higher torque rating than the manual (just look at the tow rating delta). Yeah.... the auto is the way to go but to be honest the only reason I’m personally interested in the gladiator is that its a pickup with a manual trans.

The Tacoma is the truck I want to love but don’t. It’s just not comfortable to sit in and the v6 throttle has enough delay that it’s more like “work” to drive, which kills the fun.

The Frontier is budget friendly and the right size, and the motor/trans work nice together but dang, drive a new one and you’d swear it was 10 years old right off the lot. But it is over a foot shorter than the JT and can be had brand new 4x4 crew cab v6 for $25k (a couple years ago when they offered manual crank windows with the manual trans I found a new one for $21k).

So given all that the manual trans is the ONLY option I would consider!

 

[TennesseePA]

come to Nashville, TN and drive me to work a couple days in a manual then decide what is best. My ZJ is a 5 speed and my left leg is twice the size of my right after I drive it to the clinic for a couple weeks.

 

[Lou3.6]

The automatic has a lot more off-road tech features that come with the JT (controlled crawl speed button, etc.). I really like manual (its not a real jeep or a real truck if it's not a manual), but everything I read from off roaders says the automatic is far superior in every way. The manual is only offered for nostalgia. I am still undecided on which to choose. I don't care about towing, so I'm still 50/50.

Why ? Disregarding the notion that the manual is "only offered for nostalgia" - YOU should consider everyday things like
The Ages of those who will Operate it. Their abilities to Multitask (not referring to operating a phone while driving), I mean - eye / hand / foot coordination in difficult terrain situations, or even in everyday wet/slick roads or snow ! I've had 3 different 5-speed Manual Cars before going Automatic . I hated Auto initially (stubborn reaction, in hindsight, at age ~49, when got the 1500 Automatic . Too many times (initially) I'd find myself breaking and holding my foot down on the clutch after stopped . . . Especially in an emergency breaking situation ! It's like Manual drivers "think" they have 2 break peddles ! When in fact by doing that, you Lessen the breaking ability of the vehicle, since the wheels become "free spinning ( no resistance ) . SO the decision is not as simple as an expression of ego or being "manly" or . . . ?
I had a Navy buddy who bought himself a Manual Mustang and no matter how hard I tried to teach him . . . he just never "got it" ! Always slipping the clutch at stop lights . . . He nearly got into or caused so many accidents, it's a wonder he never did while I was in the car ! After a year he sold it for an automatic, and I was relieved and he was a "happy camper" after that . I remember it well, we had both attended the same Sonar A and C schools to gather in San Diego and got assigned to the same Fast Frigate out of Mayport, Florida (Jax.) . We've remained friends ever since (1984 > now), even though 1850 miles apart.

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