Trail riding and mudding in a manual?
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trd_4runnin
New member
Manual transmissions are pretty highly regarded in offroading. As to why, I'm not sure. I can bet they are more difficult in a lot of ways, especially if you have never wheeled a manual, but I believe they can be quite advantageous as well.
Mr. Dabadina
New member
Some manual guys regear so low that they don't even need their clutches. So low that they can be in 4lo and in 5th gear and not need a clutch
pat161
New member
The gearing is the key. I am by no means hardcore but I travel down some unmaintained roads which do require 4lo and ground clearance to make it. Comparing my 00 2.7 5 speed w/ 4.56 axles to my 02 auto 3.4 4.10 it is really apples to apples. The 2.7 5 speed had such a low gearing overall that 1st gear was unneeded in 4lo. You could pretty much crawl anything in 2nd, and 1st was there if you really needed it. As posted above clutching was not needed often. If you are into hardcore rock crawling then you would definitely want dual cases with a manual, but I know plenty of guys who crawl with them.
techno
New member
My 4Runner was my first auto vehicle ever, all others have been manuals.
The auto certainly makes the driving easier and lets you keep both hands on the wheel most of the time, but I still find myself changing from D to 2 or to L much of the time. I definitely have to use the brakes much much more with the auto.
Manuals give far better engine braking performance, and a level of control thats hard to match in an auto. Yes, it takes more skill and practice, and missing a change on a steep hill can be a fatal mistake, but in the end I think I prefer manuals for the kind of off-roading that I like.
The auto certainly makes the driving easier and lets you keep both hands on the wheel most of the time, but I still find myself changing from D to 2 or to L much of the time. I definitely have to use the brakes much much more with the auto.
Manuals give far better engine braking performance, and a level of control thats hard to match in an auto. Yes, it takes more skill and practice, and missing a change on a steep hill can be a fatal mistake, but in the end I think I prefer manuals for the kind of off-roading that I like.
Mr. Dabadina
New member
My next 4runner is going to be a manual.
steezemcqueen
Moderator
you will have to get a 2000 or older then. i really wish the newer ones came with a manual
i guess thats what the FJ is for
i guess thats what the FJ is for
For 'trail riding', I prefer a manual; its all about the level of control you have while climbing/descending obstacles. With an auto, I was constantly riding the brakes, hoping the trans wouldn't up or downshift at the wrong moment, etc. With the stick it's all about finding the right gear (transfer case and transmission) to get you through it.
For mudding, and sand driving, I'd much rather be driving an auto! Being able to just mash the gas and focus on steering when things get sideways is nice. The auto shifts in a blink of an eye, compared to when you shift in a manual you can definitely feel the drag of the mud/sand pulling you to a stop. I've also found myself over-revving the engine with a manual; sometimes you need that wheel speed to keep forward progress, and forget to SHIFT!!!
JohnsD90
New member
you will have to get a 2000 or older then. i really wish the newer ones came with a manual
i guess thats what the FJ is for
yeah, its too bad they stopped, glad i got one though.
theizzardking
New member
man like some have been saying the manual is only really needed with a dual case crawling set up, it's not like in an auto you can't drop it in first or second anyways for steep descents and such, and for mudding i really have to say an auto is way easier, the manual is only advantageous in a muddy situation for bragging rights nothing more really, rocking back in forth in a stick is def. harder than an auto but you get the same results it's not like your rocking it back and forth between revers and 3rd or anything....and what like putting lower gears in an auto won't achieve the same thing as lower gears in a stick? as far as turning your tires or pulling you up stuff? i think it is the same, the only time where i can see where the clutch is advantageous is in a hardcore rock climbing sense where you need to pop the clutch to start up a rock or something,on any average 4x4 trail i don't really see the need for a clutch except to brag "oh ya i just did it in a stick!"
but hey that's just my experience and opinion from driving both on the average sort of trails i hit.
but hey that's just my experience and opinion from driving both on the average sort of trails i hit.
theizzardking
New member
side note
i can see how you could say you feel more connected to the road/trail with a stick but having any mech. advantage doesn't make sense to me.
i can see how you could say you feel more connected to the road/trail with a stick but having any mech. advantage doesn't make sense to me.
JohnsD90
New member
sounds about right, i just like stick more than auto.
With a manual, you are in complete control. An automatic takes away any skill/quality of your driving. Anyone can just mash on the gas and go in an automatic. Especially if you are talking about mud. Of course an auto is easier...just push and go. What moron would drive their rig into mud though? I mean really...mud?
My 4runner is an auto, but it wont ever even see the kind of riding I used to do. My taco was a manual and with 120:1 low range and a hand throttle I could outdrive many, and my brakes thanked me for it every day. The automatic had its advantages on the trail and certainly didnt need to be geared so low, but you lose so much control that I never felt the advantages outweighed the disadvantages.
My 4runner is an auto, but it wont ever even see the kind of riding I used to do. My taco was a manual and with 120:1 low range and a hand throttle I could outdrive many, and my brakes thanked me for it every day. The automatic had its advantages on the trail and certainly didnt need to be geared so low, but you lose so much control that I never felt the advantages outweighed the disadvantages.
theizzardking
New member
what are you talking about? ever hear of mudding? ever been to the northwest or the south?:rockthrow:
wow......
the control you speak of is just a user's feeling, there's no mech advantage, so keep puffing up your chest and tell us how cool you are and how lame i am becuase i don't wheel with a stick anymore.
i'm not going to argue my point anymore, i've said my piece and it's just my opinion, take it or leave it, i just know this moron in an auto can go most places anyone else goes, it's about the adventure for me not measuring *ocks.
Yes, I've been there..done that. Mudding is for HS kids. I'm not sure how old you are but you'll learn eventually.
As for auto vs stick, youre right there is no mechancial advantage...and if you are driving through a mud hole you probably prefer automatic because who wants to shift in the middle of a mud hole? Lots of competition rock crawlers are also automatic and it comes down to driver preference. If you cant drive a stick well enough to wheel it, im sorry for you. Mommy should have gotten you some lessons before she bought you a truck.
Who is arguing? You have an opinion, so do I, is that automatically and argument (see what I did there...).
theizzardking
New member
good for you man
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JohnsD90
New member
yeah i have no idea who would ever do that.
BTW, Mudding is for anyone who wants to have a little fun in there cars, so lighten up because the majority of people on here go offroading and mudding in their 4runners.
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offroading and mudding are not mutually exclusive. I am being light. I just know for a fact that mudding is lame. This is a fact and is not disputable :lmao:
