Outer Limits 4x4 Board

I know this has been discussed time and time again on every forum, but still wanna hear peoples views.....which would you choose and why?

I've always driven a manual and I prefer it as I feel I have more control. However the convenience of an auto appeals around Sydney's roads and means my gf could do some driving on long trips. I hear a lot of people saying the new autos are pretty good off road if you fit crawler gears in place of standard low range box.......

Personal choice.

Both have good and bad points.

Autos great every where but down hill, although this is easy to overcome with technique.

Manual great but auto is better at climbing and negotiating obsticals.

In the end it all comes down to what you like to drive.

Im not fussed will drive either.

Michael.

If you are talking about LandRovers with any of the TDI deisels, then I would go auto because the low range gear ratio in the manuals isn't low enough when the engine is off boost to negotiate steep rocky fire trails where you cannot maintain a constant speed. Maxi drive transfer gears addresses this problem to a degree provided you are not running too big a tyre.
I don't know if Traction Control is offered with manual transmission but I think it would also be a pain in the arse in some conditions due to insufficient gearing, and frequent stalling would occur. Stop/start city driving aside, I still prefer a good strong manual transmission with a wide spread of gear ratio's for ultimate control and reliability in extreme conditions. You can roll or push start a manual at low speeds if battery is down, or starter motor is cactus. If necessary you can limp along for short distances at a time in a manual with no oil or water/mud contaminated oil inside. Even with a fully lockable torque converter most autos have a gear reduction that is substantialy higher than manuals so engine braking and control when dropping off rock shelfs,logs etc is not as good.

Bill.

i like auto....
downhill engine braking can be rectified with good gearing...
and it gives you one free hand to hold on with

I converted mine to auto last year and haven't looked back. Manual was great for touring but if you like to play you can't go past an auto. I was always breaking CV's as well with the manual but the auto is heaps easier on the drivetrain.

Go the auto. Why change gears when you don't have to I say

I was sceptical of autos when I bought my first Rangie (a manual), then joined the range Rover cluib and found that the majority had auto bixes and we wern't doing wine and cheese trips either at the time and I was pretty impressed with how they performed off-road.

It wasn't until I upgraded to my second Rangie the 84 auto (awful Torqueflite) I was in paradise driving wise. The TF is a slug at the best, but made driving much easier on and off-road. Technique and experience is the way for downhills as others have stated here.

Have a 93 now and would't considre an manual if you paid me.

Reagrds,

Trav