Auto to Manual Swap???

[GP'n]

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Well.. yes.. But you're an old guy....

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Hey....I resemble that remark [img]images/graemlins/codger.gif[/img]

[the_fixer]

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Well.. yes.. But you're an old guy....

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Hey....I resemble that remark [img]images/graemlins/codger.gif[/img]

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Reminds me of how my father went from re-building engines on the weekends, to driving a "brand new trouble-free" Oldsmobile.

Try and stay young guys, getting old sux.

[NIX]

But if you ask anyone, they'll answer they hope to grow old. And I can't break in 3 horses in one evening after work anymore. But I know how to drive a stick. Even the GF tells me not to take an auto as a next Cherokee...

You might want to stick with the auto.
As for performance, look at the top rock crawling jeeps.....6 out of the top 10 are auto's.

But if you really want a stick.....go find a Cherokee that has one and transfer over all of you hardware....that would be a lot cheaper and easier than doing a conversion.

[the_fixer]

[As for performance, look at the top rock crawling jeeps.....6 out of the top 10 are auto's.]

It would help if you let us know where you got this statistic. Are we supposed to take your word on this topic DDawg?

[krabysniper]

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Are we supposed to take your word on this topic DDawg?

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Personaly, I would. [img]images/graemlins/violin.gif[/img]

Good point....
I believe I read it in Peterson's Off Road about 2-3 years ago, back when I was trying to decide what to do....several points raised...
1. Torque converter does exactly that...converts engine speed into more torque...or in other words, it's kinda like installing lower gears in your tranfer case.
2. Try up shifting while going up a steep hill...In most cases you come to a stop.
3. Modern automatics are just as tough now as most manuals.
4. The jeep chick does not complain when she drives it (translation, it's a lot easier to get her to agree to the price tag on your next mod)
5. The issue of using engine braking as you come down rocks has been solved by using a torque converter manual lock up switch.

And a few other reasons....basically, the differences have pretty well disapeared...hence, it is down to personal preference. My wife gets the female equilant of a woody when she stops at the store and people ask her about the jeep.....so, if an automatic enables me to continue my hobby with the wife's full support....then an automatic it is.....

[JohnXJ]

I gotta disagree with you about torque converters. They have no multiplying effect on the gearing. At best (that is full lockup) they transfer the energy from the crankshaft to the transmission input shaft at the same RPM as the crankshaft. In fact there are some power losses due to the weight of the converter and the nature of how it transmits torque. Much of the time the transmission input shaft is turning slower than the crankshaft. When the transmission input shaft reaches the same speed as the crankshaft, this is referred to as "lockup".
I have to agree that modern automatics used in these types of vehicles are very nearly as reliable as manuals. They are actually less prone to damage caused by poor driving technique, as there are no sychros to wear out.
Some possible downsides: an auto is more sensitive to temp, which is why there are so many coolers on the market. It is not possible to push start an automatic with out doing a great deal of damage to it. An auto is a bit heavier than a manual. An auto takes up more room in the tranny tunnel and is longer usually than a manual.
Personally I prefer an auto for an off roader. In a sportscar it has to be a manual.

[xjy173]

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I gotta disagree with you about torque converters. They have no multiplying effect on the gearing. At best (that is full lockup) they transfer the energy from the crankshaft to the transmission input shaft at the same RPM as the crankshaft.

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The nature of torque convertors is that at low engine rpms, the convertor is in essence a reduction gear. That is to say that the convertor out put shaft is turning slower than the torque convertor body (which may be thought of as the engine's flywheel.) This effect does not last long, however, and this reduction becomes "taller" as engine speed increases. Finally, it reaches a point where the input and output are rotating at nearly the same speed and the effective reduction is almost none. When a non-lock-up convertor reaches this point, it begins to generate heat. A lock up allows two things, cooler operation and a true 1 to 1 reduction.

[the_fixer]

So, even if we agree to dis-agree on the issue of the torque converter, wouldnt the gear ratios on the trannie be relevant?
The A15 ratios are (1st to 5th) 3.83 2.33 1.44 and 1.0. The AW4 (1st to 4th) 2.804 1.531 1.00 and .753

Discounting the arguments about ease of use (girls like autos), better gas mileage, trouble shooting, and dealing with getting stranded with an auto vs manual;
When you're off-roading, will you be better off approaching an obsticle using the 3.83 gear ratio (I know that the entire "crawl ratio" is a factor, but Im trying to keep this simple), or using the 2.804 ratio with a torque converter?????

What are your thoughts........