Automatic or manual?
CF Veteran
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 2,215
Likes: 635
From: Hangover, PA
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: 4.0L
Engine braking is a major pro to a manual - especially offroad. That really hasn't been mentioned. There have been so many trail rides I've been on where the rig in front of me rides its brakes while still going too fast down a hill and all I have to do is downshift and crawl. I do it in traffic too - look ahead, see all the brake lights and down shift to slow the vehicle down.
Plus, you can't get mad at a manual transmission for gear hunting... I moved a 6'x12' UHaul with mine last week and had to climb a grade to get up to the mountain to Asheville - just left it in 3rd gear/34000 rpm for the six mile climb.
But when it all comes down to it, it's definitely just a personal preference these days. I currently only own manual vehicles (two XJs and a Saab 9-2x Aero). The last automatic I had was an awesome 5EAT in a factory flat six Outback and it's "manual mode" legitimately provided engine braking and was fairly responsive. Still, it just wasn't a stick shift and that pedal & shifter action is what makes me happy.
I do sometimes miss the pure laziness of an auto though... only sometimes.
Plus, you can't get mad at a manual transmission for gear hunting... I moved a 6'x12' UHaul with mine last week and had to climb a grade to get up to the mountain to Asheville - just left it in 3rd gear/34000 rpm for the six mile climb.
But when it all comes down to it, it's definitely just a personal preference these days. I currently only own manual vehicles (two XJs and a Saab 9-2x Aero). The last automatic I had was an awesome 5EAT in a factory flat six Outback and it's "manual mode" legitimately provided engine braking and was fairly responsive. Still, it just wasn't a stick shift and that pedal & shifter action is what makes me happy.
I do sometimes miss the pure laziness of an auto though... only sometimes.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 642
Likes: 183
From: Northern California
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0 w/ Banks header & K&N intake
Yes, manual shifting is both fun and rewarding!
Engine braking is a major pro to a manual - especially offroad. That really hasn't been mentioned. There have been so many trail rides I've been on where the rig in front of me rides its brakes while still going too fast down a hill and all I have to do is downshift and crawl. I do it in traffic too - look ahead, see all the brake lights and down shift to slow the vehicle down.
Plus, you can't get mad at a manual transmission for gear hunting... I moved a 6'x12' UHaul with mine last week and had to climb a grade to get up to the mountain to Asheville - just left it in 3rd gear/34000 rpm for the six mile climb.
But when it all comes down to it, it's definitely just a personal preference these days. I currently only own manual vehicles (two XJs and a Saab 9-2x Aero). The last automatic I had was an awesome 5EAT in a factory flat six Outback and it's "manual mode" legitimately provided engine braking and was fairly responsive. Still, it just wasn't a stick shift and that pedal & shifter action is what makes me happy.
I do sometimes miss the pure laziness of an auto though... only sometimes.
Plus, you can't get mad at a manual transmission for gear hunting... I moved a 6'x12' UHaul with mine last week and had to climb a grade to get up to the mountain to Asheville - just left it in 3rd gear/34000 rpm for the six mile climb.
But when it all comes down to it, it's definitely just a personal preference these days. I currently only own manual vehicles (two XJs and a Saab 9-2x Aero). The last automatic I had was an awesome 5EAT in a factory flat six Outback and it's "manual mode" legitimately provided engine braking and was fairly responsive. Still, it just wasn't a stick shift and that pedal & shifter action is what makes me happy.
I do sometimes miss the pure laziness of an auto though... only sometimes.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 642
Likes: 183
From: Northern California
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0 w/ Banks header & K&N intake
It's a two-edged knife.
Manual 3.55 gears and knarley technical trails were frustrating. 4.88 gears really helped. Im running the bigger Dakota clutch and get in a groove slipping it to slow down beyond crawl speeds.
ive had people impressed I crawled buggy lines in a xj with a Manual. Then ill Stall on the easy stuff. 4low and 4.88s only go so slow.
Auto kinda has infinite slow speed since it wont Stall.
Id prefer a auto but haven't found it feasable because there's not much for beefy tourqe converters Butt the stock aw4 is supposed to hold up to some abuse.
Ive actually got a aw4 hanging out here for later on pipe dreams.
ive had people impressed I crawled buggy lines in a xj with a Manual. Then ill Stall on the easy stuff. 4low and 4.88s only go so slow.
Auto kinda has infinite slow speed since it wont Stall.
Id prefer a auto but haven't found it feasable because there's not much for beefy tourqe converters Butt the stock aw4 is supposed to hold up to some abuse.
Ive actually got a aw4 hanging out here for later on pipe dreams.
CF Veteran
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 3,636
Likes: 469
From: Southern OH
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: 4.0
It's a two-edged knife. The AW4 runs hot, but a larger trans cooler usually with a larger radiator. Chrysler places first and second gear ratios close and they place third and fourth close too. The resulting gap between second and third causes the little black box to rev the old I-6 above its smooth threshold on the tac when climbing or accelerating
CF Veteran
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 1,905
Likes: 346
From: Idaho
Year: 89
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: Peddles
In first gear the aw4 is fluid coupled will run hot if working hard no matter how much fluid or extra fluid capacity there is.
it can be made to lock the tourqe converter in first but that becomes troublesome on technical slow stuff. Could rig up a brakecswitch to unlock but or a hand switch on the wheel or just runna 5.9 cummins with a stout 727 and billet converter will appropriate Stall speed.
it can be made to lock the tourqe converter in first but that becomes troublesome on technical slow stuff. Could rig up a brakecswitch to unlock but or a hand switch on the wheel or just runna 5.9 cummins with a stout 727 and billet converter will appropriate Stall speed.
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 56
Likes: 7
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
I wheeled an AX15 on 4.56 and 33s for many years. I absolutely loved it after adding (and learning how to use) a hand throttle. The Northeast NAXJA crew is actually who gave me my user handle as I whined a whole lot as I was learning (I was also in high school). I have an auto now; I miss the manual. I'll likely swap in an NV3550 if the AW4 ever fails.
It's a steeper learning curve to be comfortable with, but the ability to hit the clutch to let off power immediately is fantastic when wheels lift, and is also amazing for bumping over or out of things. The hand throttle is very cheap and removes much of the fear of a manual while off-road (at least for me).
It's a steeper learning curve to be comfortable with, but the ability to hit the clutch to let off power immediately is fantastic when wheels lift, and is also amazing for bumping over or out of things. The hand throttle is very cheap and removes much of the fear of a manual while off-road (at least for me).
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 642
Likes: 183
From: Northern California
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0 w/ Banks header & K&N intake
Gear Ratios
Just the facts:
2.80, 1.53, 1.00 & .75 1st thru 4th Internal gear ratios for the AW4
3.92, 2.33, 1.44, 1.00, 0.85 1st thru 5th internal gear ratios for the AX5
This demonstrates the spacing of the gearing in the two respective transmissions as they came from the factory. Clearly the additional gear in the manual allowed closer spacing of the ratios then the 4 speed auto. The Automatic is shifted by the PCM/ECM programed by Chrysler. Both transmissions have proven to be capable on both street and trail
.
2.80, 1.53, 1.00 & .75 1st thru 4th Internal gear ratios for the AW4
3.92, 2.33, 1.44, 1.00, 0.85 1st thru 5th internal gear ratios for the AX5
This demonstrates the spacing of the gearing in the two respective transmissions as they came from the factory. Clearly the additional gear in the manual allowed closer spacing of the ratios then the 4 speed auto. The Automatic is shifted by the PCM/ECM programed by Chrysler. Both transmissions have proven to be capable on both street and trail
.
Member
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 224
Likes: 49
From: Colorado Springs, CO
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
I installed the AW4 transmission override switch on my xj from montanafab.com that allows me to keep it in 1st gear on steep downhill grades and it is plenty slow enough of a crawl. Was a good investment for what it does.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 642
Likes: 183
From: Northern California
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0 w/ Banks header & K&N intake
downshifting into 1st
::CF Moderator::
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 3,540
Likes: 416
From: SoCal
Year: 1987
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Thanks! indeed, that's a useful $185 accessory: https://montanafab.com/product/aw4-override-switch/
::CF Moderator::
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 43,971
Likes: 1,579
From: Prescott, Az
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
CF Veteran
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 3,636
Likes: 469
From: Southern OH
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: 4.0
I have been wanting to install one of these for a while just haven't got around to it. http://www.radesignsproducts.com/rail-controller.html
::CF Administrator::
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 14,479
Likes: 805
From: Blunt, South Dakota
Year: 97
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.6 stroker
Guess I'll add my .02...
Having driven both offroad, the answer is obvious.
It depends.
For general trail riding, normal backcountry type stuff, manual is great.
Rockcrawling, however, I prefer an automatic. There's so much technical driving happening, it's just one less thing to worry about...makes for a more pleasureable experience, in my opinion.
Having driven both offroad, the answer is obvious.
It depends.
For general trail riding, normal backcountry type stuff, manual is great.
Rockcrawling, however, I prefer an automatic. There's so much technical driving happening, it's just one less thing to worry about...makes for a more pleasureable experience, in my opinion.
