Which transmission for offroad? -Newbie question

[yekiM]

Hi there,

I will be moving to Phoenix AZ from Sydney Australia in the next couple of months thanks to a promotion at work (Assuming my visa is approved). I have never owned a four wheel drive before, prefering sports cars but I have always been interested in offroading. I think that when I move to Phoenix I will be getting a 4x4 as my daily driver (I will no doubt start modifying it quickly as well).
As I am a novice when it comes to offroading I would like to know which transmission is best (most suitable) - manual or auto? I can drive manual with no problem though I am sure there are techniques specific to offroad use.
FWIW, I am looking a the Sport Trac at the moment.

Thanks for your help. Maybe I'll meet some off you in about 2 months time Dead Link Removed

Peace,
Mike.

 

[Ray Lobato]

Hi Mike, and Welcome to the website. I myself like the automatic. It is alot easier to deal with then a manual, especially going over hard stuff. you don't have to work with the clutch. Just my opinion.

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Happy Wheelin'
Ray L.
97 XLT 4X4 4.0L SOHC
Dead Link Removed

 

[Rick]

Mike, let me know when you arrive in Phoenix. Maybe we could go out wheelin' sometime.

Personally I like the control a manual transmission gives you.



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Rick Horwitz
Editor
explorer@4x4central.com
www.4x4central.com

 

[yekiM]

So I take that as far as you guys are concerned neither transmission has a distinct advantage for offroading - Ahh life a series of compromises Dead Link Removed At any rate they still may not have manual transmissions in the Sport Trac when I arrive so it may be a moot point.

Rick - I appreciate the offer. I'll post here when I have an arrival date.

Peace,
Mike.

 

[GJarrett]

Mike, you are correct. There are tradeoffs with each tranny being a better choice according to the situation.

An auto trans is much easier to use going up, over, and through difficult and steep obstacles. Just let the auto pick the gear and go. With a manual, you will get in the situation where you are slipping the clutch going up a steep obstacle, have to let off a little to take another line, and have your other foot on the brake at the same time to keep from going back downhill. The running joke for the situation is "do you have three feet?". There is a mod some choose to do to help this situation; they install a hand throttle on the gear shift so that their feet can be on the clutch and brake at the same time.

On the other hand, many times you will be going very steeply downhill, and the manual tranny lets you use engine compression as a brake. With an auto you'll be riding the brake the whole time. In those situations nothing beats a manual trans.

I enjoy the auto trans I have. I'll just have to replace brake pads a lot more often, and be more careful while wheelin' to not overheat them.

Hope this helped without muddying the choice up even more.


Gerald
"Nerves of Steel; Brain of Chipmunk"
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'99 Eddie Bauer 4x4 4.0L SOHC aka "The Jeepeater"
Mods listed in my Explorer Registry post 7/8/99
Dead Link Removed "What the heck is he doing out here in that thing?"

[This message has been edited by GJarrett (edited 03-31-2000).]