Why should I get an automatic over manual Gladiator?

[Slapping_Rabbits]

What they are saying is true. the manual is more fun. I know this because i didn't have one for 12 years and now I do. Plus my other car isn't. It is more fun on a manual. Also, with the manual you do get off road +. I haven't tested it out yet, but the button is there. I don't even know what it does.

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[LongTimeListener]

To ask the question is to answer it. You shouldn't. People will argue that the auto is superior, and it is in most every way. Likewise, a salad is superior to a steak, health-wise. Your doctor can't give you a good reason to choose the steak. That doesn't mean you should stop eating steak.

 

[Rocksalt]

These are all things that were true when we were kids in the 70s and 80s but they aren't true anymore. The automatic can still be manually shifted, has zero maintenance for "life", lasts forever, has higher EPA MPG ratings, and you can't get it out of Park without the key unless you really know what you're doing. The manual has periodic clutch and slave cylinder maintenance, usually develops synchro failure just past 100K miles, has lower MPG ratings, and can be popped out of gear and rolled away in seconds.

I grew up with manuals too. Several manual pickups, two manual Wranglers, several manual Mustangs. Have a Mach 1 with a stick shift in the garage right now. But the fact is the 850RE transmission in the JL/JT is superior to the D478 transmission in almost every conceivable category. I guess that's why manuals in these 4x4s are seeing very low "take rate" and auto makers are thinking about cancelling them.

This

 

[drBassman]

I had a 1978 CJ-5 when I was in high school that had a 3-speed MT. It was a beater POS when I bought it, that didn't even come with a top. Hands down, it was the BEST vehicle I had in my youth.

I had a 1997 TJ when I was a young adult that had a 5-speed MT. I bought it brand-new, off the lot as soon as they had one with the inline-6 engine and MT. EVERY time I drove that Jeep it made me smile & feel good.

I have test driven several JT's. I've driven auto & MT; Rubicon, Overland and Sport trim levels. My wife cannot AND doesn't want to learn how to drive a MT. As I drove each of the AT JT's, I was seriously tempted to go ahead get each of the vehicles I drove, knowing that if the need arises, my wife could drive it, etc. The only reason I didn't do that was because I was holding out for the Hydro Blue paint...

The AT is a fine choice, and you will never hear me criticize or belittle anyone who buys one. As I said, I was tempted many times buy one off the lot, or even order a Hydro Blue one with AT.

In the end, for me, NONE of the AT JTs that I drove made me smile / feel as good as the MT does.

Therefore, the MT was what I ordered.

 

[Uparms]

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."

With due respect for the internet. I pust 150K on an NSG370 on a 2005 Unlimited and never an issue. I only ran 32x11.5 and only fished it 9 months out of the year for 5 years straight, no towing. Short 1st gear and 6tth was not tall enough. I was always looking for 7th. Was also used in the Crossfire.

 

[Uparms]

This 8 speed Auto has a some pretty deep roots in high end cars and trucks and is Chryslers version of ZFs 8HP. The Auto in the JT is an ZF 850RE if I am not mistaken.

""Chrysler Group LLC initially received the 8HP 8-speed automatic transmissions from the ZF plant in Saarbrucken, Germany. By 2013, in parallel with Chrysler Group, ZF had set up a new transmission production plant in Gray Court, South Carolina.[7] ZF Friedrichshafen and Chrysler Group have reached a supply and license agreement for the 8HP. Chrysler Group is licensed to produce the 8HP at the company’s Kokomo Transmission Plant and the Kokomo Casting plant, production began in 2013.This transmission is marketed by Chrysler under their own brand name, the Torqueflite 8.[8][9]

2nd generation 8HP products were released starting in 2014. Efficiency improvements over the original design include a wider ratio spread of 7.8:1, reduced drag torque from the shift elements, reduction in required oil pump pressure, and broadened use of the coasting and start-stop systems.[10] ZF estimated fuel economy improvement over 1st generation 8HP kits to be 3%. Refinements were also made with respect to vibration.

3rd generation 8HP products were released starting in 2018. Major improvements are total spread of 8.6 and a fuel economy improvement of 2.5% compared to the 2nd generation. There are several options in maximum torque available, also the gearbox is available with mild hybrid and plug in hybrid options: With 15 kW and 200 NM supporting boosting and recuperation in combination with 48 Volt technology up to 90 kw and 250 NM for usage with higher voltage. [11]"".

Max Torque is 500 foot lbs, 8HP50 (2nd Generation; a separate 850RE is for V6 Chryslers)[17]



https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ZF_8HP_transmission#Jeep

 

[BLK HOLE]

Only real reason to get the stick is personal preference I’m enjoying it more. Otherwise the auto is better for off-roading and DD.

 

[Bobzdar]

Auto can tow more, accelerates faster, better off road, better on-road.

Manual is more fun.

If it were a sports car, I wouldn't consider the auto. As it's my DD and pulls occasional towing duty and I wanted maximum off-road capability, I didn't consider the manual.

 

[DenverGladiator]

I've had a manual Sport S since July and honestly regret it a little. I drove a manual 2000 TJ as a daily driver for 14 years and loved it, even if it was a 4-cyclinder and sluggish. My biggest complaints on the JT are for towing our camper and driving in the mountains. With the manual, I'm limited to 4,000 or whatever, where as with an automatic Sport S, I could have went with Max Tow. Also, sitting in stand still traffic for 2+ hours to get into the mountains, stuck on an uphill 6-8% grade, pulling a camper, every other weekend is ______ annoying beyond belief. My foot still cramps just thinking about it.

I also wish I had the automatic for off-roading, although that only ends up being every few weekends.

My last complaint is since 2400 miles, the clutch has been vibrating/grinding some. Took to the dealer at 2700 miles and they said it's normal (it's not). Trying to find some time to get it into my regular mechanic to diagnose so then I can tell Jeep what to repair. Right now at 3900 miles.

As a daily driver, the manual has been fine, and yes, even enjoyable around town.

 

[Godfadr]

The 8-Speed Auto is pretty solid. That said, go with what you want.

 

[SecondTJ]

The Auto in the JT is an ZF 850RE if I am not mistaken.

Max Torque is 500 foot lbs, 8HP50 (2nd Generation; a separate 850RE is for V6 Chryslers)

850RE is built by FCA and 8HP50 is built by ZF. The 850RE is based off 8HP50

The 850RE is FCA’s volume model so it’s built in house. They outsource and purchase the 8HP75 and 8HP90 directly from ZF.

The 8HP50 actually has a 500 nm rating not lb-ft, which coverts to 368 lb-ft torque. This is why the diesel will use the 8HP75 and not the 850RE

So the gas V6 uses a Chrysler built trans and the diesel V6 will use a ZF built trans.

 

[AngelArmorNY]

Towing.

 

[SecondTJ]

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?.

Wouldn’t make a difference, neither JT trans can handle the Hellcat’s torque. You’d need a new transmission (8HP90 auto or TR6060 manual) either way.

 

[surge101]

I’m a manual car guy. I said I would never buy an automatic if manual was an option. I intended to do the same with this, until I read reviews. I realized that this platform just isn’t the best for an enjoyable MT experience and the manual for this truck doesn’t seem to be the best. I don’t regret getting an auto. As much as I love driving my gladiator, the only complaint I really have is it just isn’t very quick to accelerate. That’s fine, I don’t expect the quickest vehicle with this, but I realized I would probably be pretty annoyed with the sluggishness in a manual, especially one that doesn’t seem to be the best designed MT out there. I’m not going to get the driving experience I love in my manual sports cars in this, so I think getting the auto was a good decision for me.

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