As far as i can tell the manual transmission is rapidly decreasing. (sigh) how does everybody feel about this and would you pay to put a custom manual in your automatic in the future?

No I wouldn't. I have wheeled with both and driven on the street with both (I have 2 of each right now). For me, automatic is the way to go offroad. The only advantage a manual has that I've experienced is going down steep hills and keeping it from shifting. Going up hills or climbing rocks I find it to be a giant pita. I will probably get a gear reduction box for my trade to fix this.

On the road, It can be a pain to drive a manual as well. More exciting... for awhile.

Just my opinion of course.

This.

Bottom line is this: What type of driving do you do?

Offroad? Auto all day log.
Drifting? Manual.
Stop and go traffic? Auto.
Road course racing? Manual...

You get the idea....

Manuals are fun for sports cars but off roading I'd rather have an automatic.

Manuals are fun for ten minutes, after that it becomes a chore.

I was never going to drive an automatic, until I bought a Jeep. They just make more sense in an XJ. IMO, nothing against people who love their 5spd.

Haha i just don't enjoy automatic I'm a challenge seeker. Everybody has their preference.

I've always preferred automatics. I learned how to drive on a stick shift and even though I was already used to it, it was a chore.

2.5 years DD my 97 w/AX -15 90+ miles a day and I am seriously considering shopping for another XJ with an AW4. Im tired of manuals after 25 years straight minus 2-3 years. They offer a lot of control at the expense of a lot of effort.

I looked at some manuals before I got my current xj. Thing is, if I got a manual I would have burned a lot of clutches offroading. But in a street vehicle, yes I would like to have a manual

where are you seeing a decline? I see them in new diesels, economy cars, sport cars, pickups, pretty much everywhere it counts. the rest can be automatic for all I care. so they aren't putting a standard option in EVERY car now. oh well. it's most likely a car that a manual enthusiast was never going to drive in the first place

it's really not much more of a challenge until you get into really steep climbs. and by then it's too late, you will lose momentum while shifting into 2nd and slip back down to the bottom.

I prefer 5 speed almost all the time. but after a few seasons of wheeling you start to appreciate comfort more than anything lol

I have never owned an automatic vehicle, in the UK seems a lot more the norm to have a (stick shift).

I'm a little lazy so auto all the way.

I miss driving my dads 3 on the tree Chevy truck when I was a kid though.

I know this sounds crazy but somehow driving and operating that 3 speed column shifter had a calming effect to it, I loved the simplicity of it.

My son got me hooked on 4-wheeling when we bought him an XJ. It had an auto-tranny. I did not have very much experience wheeling. Went wheeling with my son-in-law and his dad. Kept crawling up his dads' tail with the auto (He did not want to beat up his TJ and crawled down the trail so slow! No obstacles just a lot of little boulders) and hated having to brake so much down hill to give him space. So I bought my XJ with a 5spd. After having it for about two seasons I have to agree with everyone else. Wished I bought one with a auto tranny. But I love my Jeep and will live with it. Just will be gearing it as low as I can.