Automatic or Manual transmission in a 4x4?

[ErwinRommel]

Which would you prefer? An automatic or manual transmission in a 4x4 truck?

Why?

[hotrodpc]

If I had my way, I would have a manual in about everything I owned. I used to be a Muncie guy myself. Until back in the day, I got sick of driving hard and breaking parts, like rear ends, driveshafts, and finally broke 2nd gear. An old guy told me go automatic and you will never break rear ends or driveshafts again. Of course with enough horsepower you can break parts with an auto trans too. I got into a situation where I had to go automatic in my daily driver because its what I had on hand, and I had to have a ride to work. So I converted from the Muncie to the Auto at that time. When I realized how plentiful and cheap automatics where to build, and realized they can also be fun with a high stall, a good shift kit and a ratchet shifter, I have pretty much been all auto since with execption of a couple. I had a 93 with 350 5 Speed, and also a 95 light duty 3/4 with 350 5 Speed. So its all up to you. I am not so sure you would have as much fun with an auto trans and a shift kit in the dirt, swamp or mud since you probably won't feel the shift, but it could keep the trans cooler. And being I have never gotten heavy into 4 Wheeling, mostly street racing, I really probably don't have an opinion on this as far as durability, but I think the manual would be more fun with some heavy duty 4 wheeling fun, but I also like the keep cost in mind. I can build 4 automatics to the cost of 1 Muncie, so even if I break an auto trans, so what. Go to the shed and get the back up trans that is ready to go right now. Can't afford to have a spare Munice laying around.
PS How you doing on your pursuit of Elly May Clampet???

[rc1richard]

I pull farm tractors and mini excavators a lot. I have not been able to keep a drivetrain together in a Chevy with an auto. With a manual , however , they do hold up for me.

[Kennyray]

Personaly, I prefer a manual trans,but if Im on a narrow trail the less I have to do the better, so an auto would be better in my book cause I got no clutch action to think of.

[hotrodpc]

Yep, I like manual, but auto is cheaper for me. As you see its matter of personal preferance. I'd have either and go with whatever it came with. I hear some rock crawlers want strong auto's, then I have heard a few that won't have anything but manual. The ones that want auto, say they actually manipulate the truck with lockers to actaull walk the rocks.

[Kennyray]

I'm just to old to be multi tasking like that off road anymore, when I was younger it didn't bother me.

[hotrodpc]

My daily driver is a manual with a sissy clutch, but I did that for a cheaper car, and better on fuel. I also will not have a 4cyl with an auto trans. Just not enough torque in a 4cyl to give up any torque you may have to be lazy and have an auto trans. My trucks are all auto and probably always will be since they are so cheap to build compared to manual.

[lukasmcdukas]

manual, manual, a thousand times manual. better downhill speed control, better wheelspin control... and have you ever tried rocking an auto out of a mudhole? 'taint easy. 'taint fun either. plus, you could burn up 3 or 4 clutches for the cost of burning up an auto trans.

rockcrawling i can see why one might opt for an auto, since powerbraking is pretty crucial, but then again i'm not much for rockcrawling.

[lukasmcdukas]

ps good call hotrod, been waiting to hear about Elly May!!! inquiring (voyeuristic) minds want to know!

[hotrodpc]

hahaha, in another thread Erwin was telling us about this kind of girl he wanted and was looking for. I told him it sounds like he is looking for Elly May Clampet.

Here is his quote from that other closed thread:
I like a girl who likes to wrestle in the mud. Grab a snake by the tail. Eat possum on the platter and coon-on-a-stick. Work. Make love under the truck while changing oil. Plow a field. Fight a fire. MMM..I better stop. Sorry people.
Yeah...man....but it seems I can't find a girl like that. I don't know if it is the Possum or the Coon that is the problem.