UglyDuck

Hey everyone. I'm planning on doing a Ford 302 conversion at some point. I wanted to get some opinions on which style trans would be the best way to go for on and off road application. My XJ now has the AX15 5 speed which I like. I was going to use Novak adaptor kits to bolt in the engine to the AX15. Now I'm wondering if it would be better to put in an auto trans for off roading as it would eliminate clutch slip starting up hills.
What are the different opinions on what trans style to go with? I'm not looking for what trans to install, just what style, Manual or auto?

Thanks.

TheJerm

Type of trans is all personal preference, Ive wheeled both and really like the auto BUT i rock crawl a straight drive for the simplicity and fuel mileage to the trail.

s14unimog

I love the manual for down hill decent but I recognize it's harder to wheel. Still, I wouldn't have it any other way. I'm not so sure an ax15 would do well begin a 302

TheJerm

AX15's are pretty stout, I know 1st hand that it can live behind a 360 in a CJ

mud-dog27

My XJ came stock as an auto and i liked it for ease of driving offroad but an auto is a lot more high maintenance and they dont like heat, my AW4 was great for 5yrs until i over heated it 2x and just generally ran it hard offroad and towed a bit with it, this all eventually led to its death.

with that said ive also got a toyota bush truck thats 5spd and driven numerous other 5spds off road and although it does require a bit more finesse in some situations i do prefer the 5spd to the auto, which is why ive converted my jeep to the AX15.

In the end its like TheJerm said, its all personal preference as some people cant drive standard or they think they can and end up burning through clutches then blame the trans and some people just prefer the ease of the auto and the ability to simply hammer down without having to worry about shifting

freegdr

standard shift all the way

papaj

Standard all the way im auto but standard is the way to go. 2-3 mpg better too

Gorillaxj

Used to be a stick guy, my XJ is the first auto I have owned, because I couldn't find a decent Manual XJ at the time. I was bummed for a while, but I love the auto for towing and off road. I wouldn't go back if I did it again.

When you have big tires and are off road gearing plays a bigger role with a manual, lower t/case gears and diff gears helps a lot with off camber/high load starts.

But its all personal preference, one isn't "better" then the other.

jomps

yes I prefer the manual

cdawall

An auto is and always will be easier to use offroad. With a 302 I would run a 4R70W without a doubt. Bolt it to a 1360/1360 doubler and call it good.

96rokee

It took me 6 jeeps before I got my stick shift.
I DO NOT plan on switching back.. possibly ever with any car I own in the future.

Not only does it give you more control over acceleration and braking. And better control of rpms up and down hills. It also makes you a safer driver I believe. ESP around town and stuff it just makes you pay attention more knowing you have to shift and clutch..

Idk maybe its just me but for example I haven't texted or eaten anything while driving my stick. And I used to be a little bad at that.

austinjoe13

I've never wheeled with a stick so auto

andecase

in my opinion manual
reasons: more control, less maintenance, less worry about breaking, funner than auto, better for high way

the auto is alot easier to drive and lets you take your attention off the rpms, what gear your in, and shifting, and put it to other important thing while wheeling, alot better for city driving

but if your along time manual driver your attention wont really be on shifting cause it will be second nature to shift and such

i personally will switch my jeep to manual the very first chance time and money will permit.

if you do alot of deep snow/mud wheeling manual is a definite winner but for an all around it may be auto

andecase

you just haven't grown your third arm yet so you can do all those

cdawall

How is a manual better in snow/mud? If you need control lock the auto down. Starting and stopping is going to be easier in the auto.