Guys,
Just wondering what the preference for transmission for off roading. I don't have tons of off-road time with my XJ, but I've always preferred manual. Having to work the clutch alot doesn't bother me, I'd rather have more control over power delivery and gear selection. Are autos better?

 

Its really personal preference but being a hardcore manual guy since i was kid i honestly dont mind the AW4 in my XJ especially in technical terrain

They're much easier to find, the AW4 is all but bulletproof, and when in technical off road terrain it makes life much simpler only having 2 pedals. It took me a while to convert but im pretty happy with the autp but will always love my manuals too.

 

My preference is dictated by the type of wheeling. Big rocks gets the automatic. Mud gets the standard. Deep snow, manual. Big sand, either

 

Your really opening up a can of worms with this thread. I am a manual transmission fan because they are more reliable, give you more control, they can handle more power and are cheaper to repair and maintain, both of my trucks are manuals for that reason. However my XJ is an automatic and I want to keep it that way, unlike many automatics the AW4 is a very good transmission that can take a lot of abuse. Mine had been poorly maintained when I got it, and with 240K on it and plenty of offroad abuse it still works perfect. A buddy of mine broke a line on his and drove it until it wouldn't move anymore, but after he fixed the line and filled it with fluid it still worked fine. I plan on adding the Rad Designs rail sifter to give me full manual control of mine so its almost like the best of both worlds. For offroad preferences mine is the opposite of what 4.3 XJ posted I like a manual for rocks and technical terrain and an auto for blasting though the mud.

 

Just about every XJ I have owned has been a manual so you know what my vote is. There have been times I wished I had an auto (steep hills with big rocks / rock gardens) but for 99% of the terrain I go through, a manual has been my preferred choice. Plus they get better gas mileage and are more fun to drive.