Automatic or manual

[sicklaser]

Hey everyone. Been ages since I've been on here but I'm hoping so find more time to keep caught up with what's going on.

What I was hoping to find out is if newer automatic 4x4's are only slightly better or worse off road? I have a manual 1990 Daihatsu rocky but looking at upgrading to either turbo diesel patrol or cruiser but don't know whether to go auto or manual. I know manual are better for definate gear selection but I have heard more people of late saying they going auto. I'm not too hardcore off road but still want something that will get me out of nearly any situation

if you have a manual and would probably go auto or vise versa I'd love to hear from you

Cheers

[oldmate]

gotta love an auto v manual thread. It's really personal preference and you'll hear about it.

I've had both auto and manual 80 series cruisers.
my preference is I really don't care. They both work well in offroad situations regardless of what people say. If anything the auto is easier to drive off road, just as it's easier on road.. It probably comes town to 'technique'

I ticked auto because I have an auto. It's mainly because i'm lazy though. My knee was copping it hard with the heavy duty clutches too.

[sudso]

I ticked manual because that's what I prefer but if I was doing hilly sand work most of the time an auto would be my preference

[crankycruiser]

Depends on wat sort of terrain u are driving and how much grunt ur car has...

if its got plenty of grunt i'd go auto everytime... cant beat an auto on rocky stuff...

but I have a manual at the mo

[bogged]

at last... a poll that hasnt been done before....

[macca81]

at last... a poll that hasnt been done before....

it makes a nice change from just a normal topic, polls make ALL the difference! i think this thread is much better than http://www.outerlimits4x4.com/ftopic114977 just because of the poll option!

[T_Diesel]

I wonder if this thread will make it to 7 pages of rubbish?

[beinthemud]

I did think the Poll was a Nice Touch

[alien]

this thread would be more viable if you selected the ratio of on and offroad you drove as well as the terrain you drive offroad - it would give a much more accurate representation of whether manual or auto is used on a specific terrain and better guide someone interested in purchasing for set requirements.

So to kick that off:

MANUAL
80% on road 20% offroad
Mud/Rock/Crawling.

[bogged]

this thread would be more viable if you selected the ratio of on and offroad you drove as well as the terrain you drive offroad - it would give a much more accurate representation of whether manual or auto is used on a specific terrain and better guide someone interested in purchasing for set requirements.

So to kick that off:

MANUAL
80% on road 20% offroad
Mud/Rock/Crawling.

also which actual engine/gearbox/model....

[coxy321]

I voted manual because thats what i've always had, and its what i preffer.

I have driven two automatic 4x4's, and while they are shyte on-road, they most certainly have their benefits off-road, and i am well aware of them.

Also, AFAIK, the Patrols only had the ZD30 ( )with auto, never had the TD42 (except for grey imports). Not too sure about the 80s transmission options though.

[beinthemud]

Tyres and Diff Ratios as well

[-Scott-]

Last weekend I got to drive a new td Auto Mitsubishi Challenger along a couple of tracks in the Victoria High Country.

I had some doubts about how it would go for engine braking, and discovered it was better than I expected - about what my manual petrol shorty was like before the crawler gears.

Another member on the trip had a td auto Paj with crawler gears, and, in low 1st, he was applying throttle down some hills - as I was in my shorty with crawlers.

Engine braking was the last question mark I had about autos off-road. Not any more. I'll be looking for a diesel auto for my next 4wd.

[sicklaser]

thanks for your reply everyone. info was exactly as i was chasing

oh and sorry i didnt do a search but i read the thread that was linked to above.

so it nearly seems auto is the way to go for most situations for most people.

thanks for your help again everyone

[RussKie]

I'm a lazy one with 4.2TD Cruiser auto - and it just goes everywhere I direct it to... Can't be bothered driving such a big girl on Sydney streets with manual (especially with my gf behind the wheel)

In issue #143 of 4WDAction mag they covererd this big question and compared Petrol vs Diesel and Auto vs Manual.
I think in the result Diesel/Manual was just marginally better than Diesel/Auto with Auto scoring better on some terrain (like sand).

So as it's been said above - it's a matter of preference.

[Yom]

100% converted slushbox user here. No more manuals unless the autos are crap.

[Gwagensteve]

The only place where a manual has an advantage over an auto in a 4WD is when distance cruising.

Very few people who "prefer" manuals have ever seen an auto being driven properly off road, let alone learnt how to drive one.

Driving an auto offroad isn't easier than a manual, but it is much more effective.

I have both an auto and a manual 4WD. I only own a manual because an auto wasn't feasible with the motor I'm running, and I have a line locker in it and 127:1 crawl ratio. It's quite good set up like this, but is nowhere near as effective as an auto.

Autos are more flexible - they tolerate changes in tyre size better too.

Steve.

[Ruffy]

I didn't vote because there are too many variables that i can't be bothered explaing.
But i liked my auto TB GQ cos it was lazy but i like my manual 2H 60 cos it's fun changing gears...

[beinthemud]

The only place where a manual has an advantage over an auto in a 4WD is when distance cruising.

Very few people who "prefer" manuals have ever seen an auto being driven properly off road, let alone learnt how to drive one.

Driving an auto offroad isn't easier than a manual, but it is much more effective.

I have both an auto and a manual 4WD. I only own a manual because an auto wasn't feasible with the motor I'm running, and I have a line locker in it and 127:1 crawl ratio. It's quite good set up like this, but is nowhere near as effective as an auto.

Autos are more flexible - they tolerate changes in tyre size better too.

Very few people who "prefer" manuals have ever seen an auto being driven properly off road, let alone learnt how to drive one


Thats Because Auto users are Soft


Steve.

[macca81]

Thats Because Auto users are Soft

or thats because you have never tried using an auto properly. or because your head is up your arse. either or.


they both have their places, and they are both good. but no-one who has driven both PROPERLY will ever say that one is shit or not.

i always thought manuals are what you need everywhere and that autos are crap or for people who cant drive etc, then i used one properly. they are harder to drive properly than people think! its easy to point in the right direction and push down the pedal, but to get the most out of it you actually have to think, often thinking more than you would in a manual!

dont bag it out untill you drive it

[Gwagensteve]

I'm going to assume that's sarcastic beinthemud, or really you're just showing your ignorance. There's nothing soft about driving an auto offroad, actually, many people think it's like trying to rub your stomach and pat your head at once. It's all about using your left foot, and it's quite a tricky dance, especially if you're used to a manual.

Get it right though, and you'd never choose a manual again.

I've had 4WD's for 16 years and an auto for 13 of those. Like I said, I drive a manual in the bush for the moment but I've built three auto sierras for club members and I've never gone on a trip where someone hasn't said "I want an auto" after watching what they can do.

Steve.

[beinthemud]

Thats Because Auto users are Soft

or thats because you have never tried using an auto properly. or because your head is up your arse. either or.


they both have their places, and they are both good. but no-one who has driven both PROPERLY will ever say that one is shit or not.

i always thought manuals are what you need everywhere and that autos are crap or for people who cant drive etc, then i used one properly. they are harder to drive properly than people think! its easy to point in the right direction and push down the pedal, but to get the most out of it you actually have to think, often thinking more than you would in a manual!

dont bag it out untill you drive it

Maybe you should pull your head out of Yours
Was Ment as a joke ,I dont realy Give to farks What Someone drive as long as they Give it ago

[Gwagensteve]

Fair enough, the sarcasm wasn't clear in your post.

Steve.

[beinthemud]

Fair enough, the sarcasm wasn't clear in your post.

Steve.

Ok Fair enough ,How do I show Sarcasm for future reference as I prefer not to cause Offence

[scuba steve 22]

(sarcasm)

i ticked auto too. not that i drive anything special, i just like the control at low speeds

cheers steve

[fjn00b]

just made it 50/50....manual because its fun

[rogerworkman]

autos are for amuptees and people who carnt drive

[beinthemud]

[quote="scuba steve 22"] (sarcasm)

i ticked auto too. not that i drive anything special, i just like the control at low speeds

cheers steve[/quote


Thanks Scuba


Here you go macca

[-Scott-]

autos are for amuptees and people who carnt drive

Been here six months, made three posts with absolutely zero useful 4wding information.

Yep, he's convinced me he knows his stuff.

[rogerworkman]

u must drive a auto