Where to start?

[Beerman]

Started looking at new jeeps this weekend. Not sure which way to go. Auto or 6 speed? Hard top or soft top? Would like to hear your opinions.:banghead:

[jpotts]

I guess it all depends on what you want to do. For me, I'd go with an auto, 2-door softtop, Rubicon. Just because I wound up getting rid of my hard top, buying a 5 to 1 t-case, and stalling all of the time on the trail. It's also not my daily driver, so I may have some different needs.

[btmsup]

when I was looking I wanted one that was already built ready to go, Rubicon with lift lockers, tires and gears. bumpers and armor, found one I feel I got a great deal.

[CJ5_Jeff]

I have the Manual with the hard top. I enjoy the manual but i hear that an automatic is nicer for off road, though i will never change from the manual. As far as the hard top goes, I would get it. If you don't like it you can all ways pick up a used soft top for a few hundred dollars.

GOOD LUCK

[terron gregg]

I have the Manual with the hard top. I enjoy the manual but i hear that an automatic is nicer for off road, though i will never change from the manual. As far as the hard top goes, I would get it. If you don't like it you can all ways pick up a used soft top for a few hundred dollars.

GOOD LUCK

and make a killing of the hard top

[Wayco]

Start to finish, it's all here: http://www.azvirtualjeepclub.com/showthread.php?t=444

[joedokes28]

My experience has been, a person either likes autos or does not. I am in the do not category and will never own a jeep/car/truck/quad with an automatic trans.

I bought my rubicon stock and my first mods were a RE long arm lift and 35" tires cause I knew I'd end up there anyway.

Welcome to the hobby and enjoy.

[joedokes28]

Start to finish, it's all here: http://www.azvirtualjeepclub.com/showthread.php?t=444

Buying a Jeep that's 'done" makes a lot of financial sense.

[AZXJ]

This Jeep is built!!! well worth the asking price and then some!!!


best of luck
Dave

[Wayco]

Buying a Jeep that's 'done" makes a lot of financial sense.

I agree, that rig is like a dream come true. At least $20k worth of upgrades, and all well thought out. Good thing we don't have any more parking space at our place, or Sharon would be all over it. :aagh:
The only down side of starting with something like that is you don't get to learn what it's like to do a hard 3.0 trail....
All you need to add to that setup is A LOT of seat time.

[Jdemonto@Airpark Jeep Sales]

x2, its better for driving skill to start close to stock and work your way up...

Its not easy on the pocket book though!

Jason

[4x4fever]

autos are great for crawling up steep rocky hills an standards are great for going down
hill. take your pick ,wich way do you want to go
KEEP YUR HUBS LOCKED IN,YUR POWDER DRY AN YUR BEER COLD! 4X4FEVER

[roadrashmike]

Started looking at new jeeps this weekend. Not sure which way to go. Auto or 6 speed? Hard top or soft top? Would like to hear your opinions.:banghead:

:smug:Hey Beerguy,find someone who is selling a use JEEP with most of the things you want on it. You`ll save alot of money that way.And it will tell what type of wheeler you are,if you think you know allready.
I got my first 4x4 thinking that I would only need it for minnor trails,so i didnt think i needed the -lockers,the under body protection, the lights and all the other goodies.
The first time I wheeled it I was hooked. I want to do something harder but didnt have right shuff. Long story short I traded it, got the one that fit me better and been wheelin ever since.
This is just my opinnion take it or leave it :stooge_larry:

[roadrashmike]

Started looking at new jeeps this weekend. Not sure which way to go. Auto or 6 speed? Hard top or soft top? Would like to hear your opinions.:banghead:

:smug:Hey Beerguy,find someone who is selling a use JEEP with most of the things you want on it. You`ll save alot of money that way.And it will tell what type of wheeler you are,if you think you know allready.
I got my first 4x4 thinking that I would only need it for minnor trails,so i didnt think i needed the -lockers,the under body protection, the lights and all the other goodies.
The first time I wheeled it I was hooked. I want to do something harder but didnt have right shuff. Long story short I traded it, got the one that fit me better and been wheelin ever since.
This is just my opinnion take it or leave it :stooge_larry:

[SavageSun4x4]

Started looking at new jeeps this weekend. Not sure which way to go. Auto or 6 speed? Hard top or soft top? Would like to hear your opinions.:banghead:
Auto Vs manual: Is THAT a question? That is like asking if you want meat on you Big Mac? Certainly the answer is manual, we all know that. But that is just me talking. Here is what you do, gather the facts for yourself.

This coming Sat or Sun head down to say the COSTCO on Hayden. They have about 50 or so HANDICAPPED parking spaces. Every time a car pulls into the handicapped space, walk over and check to see what kind of tranny it has, stick or slush-box. Add them up and see what the HANDICAPPED folks drive. There is your answer.

Hard top Vs Soft top: Look at the upper windshield corners of any Jeep that gets out an wheels up and down the washes. Many of us have to replace winshield frames every few years they get so bad. Thank gawd it doesn't rain out here much or we would drown driving down the highway.

Enjoy your new stick shift ragtop Jeep:):drummer:

[Heinz57]

Can not resist....Rag top, if you like to drive with the top down and enjoy the outdoors better. Depending on the caliber of wheeling you want to do..which you may have no idea right now...go to all the jeep or off road forums and see what changes people are making to their rigs to tackle the trail and not one that I could find are taking the auto out and putting a stick in but quite a few are taking the stick out and transplanting an auto. Or go watch some trips off road and watch the sticks and the autos and how they perform and then make your decision. Dont get me wrong the stick may be more enjoyable to drive in the city...i think!

Either route stick or auto get the rag top, the new ones are very quiet and the hard tops seem to heat up pretty good.

Good luck

[SavageSun4x4]

Can not resist....Rag top, if you like to drive with the top down and enjoy the outdoors better. Depending on the caliber of wheeling you want to do..which you may have no idea right now...go to all the jeep or off road forums and see what changes people are making to their rigs to tackle the trail and not one that I could find are taking the auto out and putting a stick in but quite a few are taking the stick out and transplanting an auto. Or go watch some trips off road and watch the sticks and the autos and how they perform and then make your decision. Dont get me wrong the stick may be more enjoyable to drive in the city...i think!

Either route stick or auto get the rag top, the new ones are very quiet and the hard tops seem to heat up pretty good.

Good luck
OHHHHH and I guess your trying to convince us that all those rigs in the HANDICAPPED parking spots with AUTOS are also off roaders :aagh:

Truth is the auto will outperform the stick in most offload situations at least 90% of the time if not more. And if I truly had to recommend a tranny then it would have to be a auto.

BUT with one caveat. I would tell anyone that I think entering into the world of offroad driving that a few years behind the wheel of a rig with a stick will teach you a LOT about success in getting past obstacles.

I think a lot of us much older guys and especially those that grew up in a rural environ like did. Ranch trucks, tractors etc etc and I was driving those long before I could get a drivers license. To me a stick is second nature, normal and its almost all I know. I personally have owned only 3 auto rigs in my life and that was due to having a sig other than could not drive a stick.

Bottom line: If you want to improve you driving skills fast, get a stick now and an auto later, otherwise just get a auto and go for it.

NOTE: Today's advanced autos will almost always outperform a stick setup. Some of the auto's now have as many as 7 forward speeds and can out shift all but the very best stick drivers.

[Heinz57]

Don, you are correct, it would certainly teach them a ton and everyone should know how to drive a stick. Suprised at how many people do not know how to drive a stick period, on or off road!! And yep, those in the handicap spots would be auto, I have been checking since your last post. With one exception...one had a stick but no handicap plate or sign.::eek:

[SavageSun4x4]

Don, you are correct, it would certainly teach them a ton and everyone should know how to drive a stick. Suprised at how many people do not know how to drive a stick period, on or off road!! And yep, those in the handicap spots would be auto, I have been checking since your last post. With one exception...one had a stick but no handicap plate or sign.::eek:
LOL, yea I am with you, I think it should be required that folks know how to drive a stick...can never tell when an emergency may come up.

Over the years of being single and dating a few gals with kids wanting to learn to drive I always jumped at the chance to teach them.

I knew a place NW of Dallas a bit and the farmer would let me teach kids to drive out in the pasture. I would show them the shifting, stopping the basics. Then I would get out, gather up mom and tell the son or daughter have at it and when they got to where they could drive it, then drive over that big pecan tree way other. Mom and me would head over with a picnic lunch, kick back and watch the kid go at. Amazing how good they got when no one was in the Jeep with them.

[knockonit]

My 91 yj is a stick, its set up with a SOA, pushing 35's and does pretty well, hand throttle helps, when it works, have a problem with cable breakage.

my tj is an auto, WOW, really like it, the wife likes it when its on all four tires,
I'd have to say for it to be little more aggressive i'd have to do a transfer regear, in four wheel high its a weenie, in low it does well, we'll see when i change out the gearing some,(maybe )
Didn't think I'd like the auto, but on long trips it does make a difference, (at least for me)
Hey don't know till you try one. good luck with a choice, I don't envy you, as you are beginning a long, expensive journey, :laugh2:

[Henthorn]

If you switch out to larger tires without regearing..your going to loose the overdrive anyways...

Get a standard!

(FYI--you cant push start an Auto when it dies......) Standards dont leak red fluid on the trail either..... :D

[SavageSun4x4]

Standards dont leak red fluid on the trail either.....

Any folks been to Moab or any other trails where the trail is on rock???

How do you keep from getting lost on the trails in Moab? Follow the AUTOMATIC transmission puke.

[knockonit]

Any folks been to Moab or any other trails where the trail is on rock???

How do you keep from getting lost on the trails in Moab? Follow the AUTOMATIC transmission puke.

Well someone has to lead:)