Thernlund

That's something I've only ever thought of doing in a performance sports car. I can't think of any reason I'd be doing it in a 20-year-old Jeep. At least not regularly.


-T.

Tbone289

I agree. There's really no "floating the gears" in a synchromesh trans since the gears are in constant mesh. I guess you could call it "floating the dogs". lol But I've seen a lot more harm than good done to synchros from not disengaging the clutch.

Tbone289

Most every light truck I've owned has been that way. I own a couple cars that are perfectly set up for it, and I heel-and-toe them regularly without thinking about it. When they're not set up well, I still rev-match but not while I'm on the brake.

jessenator

My Focus is the last manual at the house. It has the 2.3 duratec so I can short shift puttering around town.

If you follow the shift prompts on that tach, you're gonna have a bad time. it's simply calculated by speed and TPS, and nothing else, I imagine. I tested once to see if the prompt came up in 5th gear, that's how stupid it is.

investinwaffles

It's just fun for me honestly. I love the feeling of a perfect rev-matched downshift
But it does come in handy when I am entering an on/off ramp turn

It would be nice, not trying to drive my XJ like a track day racer but I always find myself wishing I could downshift, and ending up having to clutch and stay on the brakes to avoid having to quickly tap dance on the gas/brake pedal

Tbone289

I have two "Foci" with the MTX-75 . 2001 ZX3 2.0 Zetec and a 2012 with the 2.0L Ti-VCT. These are the cars I referred to above that are perfect for heel-and-toe. They don't have a lot of power obviously, but with good power-to-weight and modified suspension they're still a lot of fun to keep "on boil" and toss around on the backroads when I need to burn off some steam.

Agreed! After all these years of driving manuals it's become a natural thing for me and it feels awkward when I can't slide over and "blip".

jessenator

From what I've read the 2007 "not ST" ST trim that I have just about got the cosworth treatment before SVT pulled out completely. It's got a "softened" SVT suspension and in its stock form, the top end of the 2.3 is already setup to take 12 lbs boost. I know Cossy tunes the 2.3 for that crazy track day car. I nearly bought the china-made clone intake and was going to use it as a test bed for a turbo setup, but got a jeep project instead

I've heard the ZX3 SVT is just the right amount to give it that slow-car-fast feeling. Also heard that Getrag 6-speed is a bear to fix… Are you on focusfanatics forum? On the surface it looked a bit bro-tuner so I never joined.

I also almost bought the old ZX2 Escort after I parted with my lovable ****box Escort LX wagon—I really miss that car. Anyway… I've digressed.

The last SUV with a manual I owned was a '94 4Runner. That gearbox loved to pop out of 5th gear… I thought many times about getting a manual XJ, but I think my manual days are numbered.

Tbone289

My ZX3 has the SVT suspension. It's a fun car, but the Zetec isn't exactly a screamer. I always wanted a 2.3, but they're hard to find. IMO, the 2.3 w/MTX75 was really the best stock setup up until the Mk3 ST arrived. Even then the Mk1 and 1.5 are more fun to toss around because the Mk3 chassis has become a bit of a pig with newer safety regulations and more "numb" with EPS and stability/traction control. The MTX75 is a bit long in the tooth and unrefined in comparison to the chassis but it's simple and extremely durable and I wouldn't want it any other way. The manual was dropped as an option in 2016 or 2017 which left only the POS DCT.

I don't generally like automatics and my XJ w/AW4 is only the second one I've owned. The AW4 is the exception for me though, and it's good enough that I don't desire a manual in an XJ.

I was active on Focaljet from 2000-2005 and joined FF when I bought my 2012, because FJ was basically dead at that point. I was a moderator on FF for a short while but just became too busy with life. It was a bit bro-tuner at times, but there was good tech there as well, but nothing like here. My username on those forums is "TboneZX3".

EDIT: I just noticed your Escort comment... I had a '86 wagon once. It was a total POS but I sure miss being able to buy simple wagons in the US nowadays.

JSJJ388

I love driving a manual, though my jeep is an auto. Its my only auto. I go by tach until I know the vehicle, then strictly by feel. I also typically "float" gears since I learned to drive in a dump truck. Never had any problems from it except on throw out bearing in my truck, at 285k.

fb97xj1

Grind 'em till ya find 'em. No? Ok.

kgm

Are the Focus good cars? I need to replace my XJ with something mileage-friendly. I was looking at the Focus wagons.

SatiricalHen

I have the owners manual for my Comanche and it tells what speeds you're supposed to shift gears. I only remember 4th and 5th off the top of my head with are 40 and 45 respectively. The Comanche never sees 5th gear around town and rarely on the highway because it doesn't have the power to cruise in 5th. Once I do something about the running properly issue it will hopefully see more 5th gear.

Tbone289

Yes. If you end up looking at anything 2012 or newer DON'T buy an automatic. Manual only. I'm guessing you're not though, because there are no wagons 2012+.

All of the DOHC engines are good-2.0 Zetec, 2.0 Duratec, 2.3 Duratec. Don't buy a 2.0 SOHC Split Port Injection "SPI" engine.

Bugout4x4

My Daughter has a 2001 with the 2.0 zetec DOHC. It's a little formula 1 screamer but I highly suggest changing out the timing belt and idlers as a regularly scheduled maintenance item just cause. I think it is cool how they designed these with RPM controlled variable valvetrain dynamics, it probably increases the output by 50%. That thing has always impressed the heck out of me for being a small 4 cylinder. It has twice the power as the V6 in my Bronco II. lol

4.3L XJ

I drive strictly by feel. The XJ has an auto, but my tow rig doesn't. It doesn't even have a working speedometer. But with a load, the rpms go higher and lots of down shifts when braking. In town and empty, the rpms stay down. It all depends on the demands I place on it.