Drizz Posted January 25, 2009 Share Posted January 25, 2009 Who uses what transmission and what do you prefer for off road driving? I currently have a Manual 200TDi Disco but will be building a 110 and debating an Auto box... Discuss.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Young bobtail Rhys Posted January 25, 2009 Share Posted January 25, 2009 I have an auto v8 that I sometimes compete in and would use nothing else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ste clark Posted January 25, 2009 Share Posted January 25, 2009 i love my manual boxes too much!! i know that the serious off roaders use auto boxes but its just personal preference for me!! think autos are probably better for the reason that if you try to change gear in the sticky stuff in a manual you will probably get stuck.... you will never have this in an auto!! still i only have 200tdi motors and i have never come across an auto 1 yet!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lrfarmer Posted January 25, 2009 Share Posted January 25, 2009 for off roading i,ve only used a manual but may be buying a V8 auto RR for the fun days and keep my manual 90 for RTVs as i get on well with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turbocharger Posted January 25, 2009 Share Posted January 25, 2009 You need to drive both to make a judgment. I converted from manual to auto and I think it's improved the car's driveability - especially offroad (and in traffic) but I might have rethought the decision if I'd known how much of a hit I'd take on my fuel consumption. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roachy Posted January 25, 2009 Share Posted January 25, 2009 Auto all the way!!!! just drive mine and see what you think Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Humphreys Posted January 25, 2009 Share Posted January 25, 2009 Auto is the way to go. Paul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smo Posted January 25, 2009 Share Posted January 25, 2009 Depends on the use really. I have until now been manual however my d-lander is auto because it seems to give additional control needed in winch challenges. On the other hand Jez and the HOFS gang are positive that manual is the way for them - its a totally different type of comp tho and the manual gives them the control they need. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drizz Posted January 25, 2009 Author Share Posted January 25, 2009 You need to drive both to make a judgment. I converted from manual to auto and I think it's improved the car's driveability - especially offroad (and in traffic) but I might have rethought the decision if I'd known how much of a hit I'd take on my fuel consumption. How much harder has it hit? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roachy Posted January 25, 2009 Share Posted January 25, 2009 Dont forget the Auto is alot easier in the drivetrain, smoother power delivery so less chance of snaping things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T1G UP Posted January 25, 2009 Share Posted January 25, 2009 My preference is auto. Both road work and off road. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roverdrive Posted January 25, 2009 Share Posted January 25, 2009 Each has it's advantages. I would not neccessarily agree about not getting stuck changing gear in the slippy stuff. I found that using second gear for trials wasn't such a good idea after failing a dusty hill climb. The box changed down into first halfway up, and the increased torque broke traction. Just a case of re learning an appropriate gear for the terrain. Didn't make the same mistake again, and would never to back to a manual box. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FridgeFreezer Posted January 25, 2009 Share Posted January 25, 2009 The easy answer: All engines suck, all gearboxes suck. Only you can decide if you prefer manual or auto - the pros & cons ultimately cancel each other out so it just comes down to what you want for how you're going to use the truck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich_P Posted January 26, 2009 Share Posted January 26, 2009 I like manuals, and I like automatics. The only thing about automatics that I'm not particularly keen about is how they can sometimes disengage on overrun during a descent, a quick dab on the throttle soon sorts that out mind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Escape Posted January 26, 2009 Share Posted January 26, 2009 I started offroading in a manual Defender, so I am biassed. But have since driven a mate's RRC with auto and got a P38a 4.6 auto myself, both on and offroad. For me, the automatics lack a certain degree of control, when you aplly the throttle I find it difficult to judge how much power is being used by the torque-converter and how much is making the wheels spin. I'm sure this would get better with practice. To gain a bit of control, I usually put the autobox in 'manual mode', to lock it in the gear of my choice (in the P38a, when in low, you can not only prevent upshifting, but also downshifting, making it behave much like a manual except offcourse the inevitable slip of the torque converter) Onroad, it's quite comfortable, especially with a nice V8 to compensate for the losses. My dad used to have a 2.0 Merc auto, and thet was quite gutless compared to the smaller engined 1.8 manual I drove at the time. Furthermore, the fuel consumption and less direct engine braking puts me off. With the trailer, it's nice not having to worry about downshifting on slopes, but I still prefer the added control (or at least the idea of being more in control) of a manual. So much so, I have now gotten a P38a 4.0 manual and am planning to switch the engines, keeping a 4.6 manual and selling a 4.0 auto. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turbocharger Posted January 26, 2009 Share Posted January 26, 2009 I went from 26-28mpg down to around 20mpg, although I'm hoping to chase some of that back with the VGT and a higher ratio t-box. It sounds low but it's a V8 box and torque converter behind a 300Tdi and I really can't face pulling it all apart again to start experimenting with it... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martin-s Posted January 26, 2009 Share Posted January 26, 2009 i run a td5 auto on challenge events well happy with it would never go back to manual Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
therealboss Posted January 26, 2009 Share Posted January 26, 2009 I too have a TD5 Auto (Disco) and I think Auto is better, I have a 90 Manual but think that the Auto is better for off road (better control). At the end of the day, it all comes down to what you find better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ciderman Posted January 26, 2009 Share Posted January 26, 2009 From all the good statements made about Autos and off road ,Its convinced me to change from manual to auto , I have only briefly driven auto off road and was impressed with the controlabilty of the whole aspect . So a vote for auto from me . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jules Posted January 26, 2009 Share Posted January 26, 2009 I'm fitting a 2.8td to a 110 but I'm not using the auto its comming with as I was told on other forums that the Auto is not realy up to it so I going to us the 5sp V8 box up against the new engine. not I deal but I have a 40k manual which will be strough enough but a auto which is iffy so I'm going for the safe bet of a manual (although I don't really want a manual) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dollythelw Posted January 26, 2009 Share Posted January 26, 2009 I vote Simex! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Escape Posted January 26, 2009 Share Posted January 26, 2009 I vote Simex! There's always one throwing a spanner in the works. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
protoprincess Posted January 26, 2009 Share Posted January 26, 2009 On the other hand Jez and the HOFS gang are positive that manual is the way for them - You forgeting the power of Foo - it gives you more that 2 hands when you need it the most Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat_J Posted January 26, 2009 Share Posted January 26, 2009 Torotrak Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smo Posted January 26, 2009 Share Posted January 26, 2009 You forgeting the power of Foo - it gives you more that 2 hands when you need it the most Having been there several times when Mouse was being built i know you need more than 2 hands on occasions too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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