Monster3663

For all you die hard love my 5 speed guys. Of which I used to be one. I have had 4 different 5 speed XJ's and now an automatic.I recently swapped the 5 speed out of my 1990 with an engine, auto trans and transfer case from a 1998. The automatic is definitely the way to go it makes wheeling so much easier. In the sand you don't have to always shift as sand thickness changes. If you have to stop in the middle of a hill or a climb to put in 4X4 or to low gear, you don't have to wish you had three feet. One for the clutch one for the brake and one for the gas pedal. The auto seems to pull trailers with more ease than the 5 speed. City driving is easier especially since I have 4.88 gears. The only con I found was slow climbing down hills or rocks that is the only time I miss the 5 speed's first gear. I went out three time since swap and it did great on pavement, rocks, sand, dirt and mud. Wish I had done it sooner.

PumpinIron

As much as I love a nice 5 speed I can say this for certain... I HATE being stuck in stop-and-go traffic in a 5 speed, that is the worst thing ever. For daily drivers I prefer an Automatic. For sports cars and weekend toys I like them to be a manual.

kal1fornia

I know what you mean, I used to think you were stupid if you bought an automatic to wheel in until I bought one and I love it for all the reason you do especially stopping on a hill plus it's far less work. Like you said though going down hill in low isn't as slow but it makes up for it every where else.