What better for rock climbing and trails

 

its all personal preference.

both make the tires spin.

 

auto, unless you have very good control with a clutch. but even still, auto.

 

a stick gets respect. I still get **** for wheeling an auto. but man it's nice just cruising over obstacles. if you don't plan on being in the more extreme off camber situations that need a real slow crawl, I'd do 5 speed

 

3 pedals and 2 feet. easy. An auto.

 

3 pedals, 2 feet, and a hand throttle on the shifter. 5 speed.

Its all personal preference really. I've owned and wheeled with both, I'll never have another auto. Especially after seeing how much better my 2.5 5 speed XJ crawls over everything compared to my buddys 4.0 auto XJ.

 

Auto

But do NOT trust park!

 

this logic is dumb. gear it right and you dont need to use the clutch. my buddy's old XJ wouldnt stall in low/low 1st gear unless you had both feet planted on the brake. would crawl itself upside down without even touching the gas pedal.

i prefer an auto because it is much harder to shock load your driveline and break parts.

 

i have used both i prefer the auto but i liked the feel of the standard too, but don't miss smoking the clutch ether....auto you need to make double damn sure that it stays cool!

 

Auto is easier on the trails but I do love shifting through the gears.
It's personal preference, really.

 

personal preferance. I prefer a 5speed the 4.0 has a stall rpm of something like 250rpm with is amazing I can heel toe with no issues. I like the added snap I can get from the manual drivetrain. plus with a manual it takes a bit more to be dead in the water so to speak bump starts flat towing. better MPG. but theres down sides to it clutch replacements damage to drivetrain parts extra pedal.

I have wheeled my brothers aw4 auto and with the 2nd gear lock conversion and neutral catch elmination. its easy to seem why people like them for cawling pick a gear and leave it. the down sides less power to the wheels. no bump starting hard to rock it out of a hole once you loose fluids your done. over heats easier.

most issues on both manual and auto can be sorted out with time money and practice wheeling.

 

All the "logic" presented here so far is only true for people who aren't capable of controlling a standard transmission.

gear it right and know what you are doing and it will be fine.

 

Going uphill over obstacles is easier with an auto, but long downhills will heat up your brakes.

At least with a stick, you can use engine braking. Also with a stick, you can rig a starter button to use for crawling. but the ignition has to be turned off.

 

I always shift it into neutral down steeper hills. but keep my hand on the shifter if I need to get it in gear and throttle out

 

I cannot fathom why one would want to be in neutral on steep hill descents.