Done..... poll added.

 

Voted!

 

I know what gear my automatic is in all the time as well, and I control when it shifts. Don't forget just because it has a D position doesn't mean you have to leave it there. The only downside I've found to the auto is the higher gears, at least in mine with 3.73s anyway.

 

i prefer a manuel because you can't bump start an automatic but to be honest i havent wheeled a rig with an automatic

 

I prefer manual since you can go from 1st to reverse faster and without hurting the transmission. Automatic is nice when you are on a steep incline and that is about it. The other reason why I do not like automatics is because they can overheat. My vote is manual.

James

 

get the auto. if you ever wheel with an auto or watch a pro crawler you will wish you had one. unless you are looking at a supra then get the 5speed the only time a 5speed is ever useful is on the street.

 

True, but I prefer watching the gauge going up and having to wait a little than burning my clutch in the middle of nowhere... This is also one of the reasons I have to swap to an auto.

David

 

Wow theres more votes for auto
Not what I was expecting

 

i have had both and i prefer the auto because i like to do faster offroading and i like the smother shift better. i also jump and charge hills and mud.

 

You can limp home with a burnt clutch. Even a fragged manual transmission.

You don't go ANYWHERE with a burnt automatic ...

 

I have used both off-road, and I prefer the versatility of an automatic trans. No stalling on hills and such, easing into and out of obstacles. Full control of the electronic autos is a must.

 

I've gone from an auto to a manual and now I'm back to an auto, all in the same truck. Running a 700R4 tranny with a Transgo stage 2 kit, this way you can drive it like an auto or pick your gear. I have a 4.3 vortec in front of it and dual tcases with stock gears.

 

Manual FTW.

 

Auto...it's just easier off-road than playing with a clutch. Now if we were talking road cars like Mustang GT's or Corvettes I'd have to say, smooth curvy blacktop & a manual!

 

hands down a manual. I wouldnt spend money on an automatic. I think for most applictations manuals work much better, better control, better mileage, more power. Plus toyotas auto trannys arent the best out there (atleast the older ones). But most importantly they are waaaaaaaaay more fun to drive. I cant imagine never shifting or anything it would be like you are hardly driving the thing. Driving a stick makes me feel like I am one with the vehicle. heh.In my experience most people who know how to drive a manual would pick it hands down over autos and most people who drive autos just never learned stick. Of course with 4x4ing its a whole different story. I can see why an auto would be good for mud or rock crawling. Still....manual for life. Damn those 4th gen 4runners and not having a manual tranny!

 

i learned to drive in a beat up 1954 dodge with a three on the tree...i was 13-16 years old and "4wheeled" it on my property and "drove" it around my neighborhoods.My whole life i have gabbed about why manuals are better and noone can claim they are much better than i am at clutch drivin.
most of my vehicles have been manuals...
uhm my vote goes for automatic tho. I am way versed in all the neet ways a person can squeeze,eek,and coax power and control out of a manual but quite frankly i just got done shoppin for a 4runner and i got the auto cuz i am plain sick and tired of shifting..haha
i just am so fed up with the this and the that of it!Yes a person feels like he is drivin true with a manual and all that but imho the two different shift systems each have about equal advantages and disadvantages.i for one am loving the relaxed feeling im gettin while drivin now...i can gaze out the window and enjoy the landscape more without havin to fight the rpms amd keepem in range or worry bout where to compression brake at and on and on..
i just feel like i am way more apart of the road trip exp now that i can free up all that previously used attention.
i like auto for streets for all the same reasons stated above and hills of mud or whatever but i will say that switchback heavy speed racing is a manual dominated thing...anyone who wants to learn speed and driving fast while turning,braking,and filing all the road hazard data then by all means get a manual!

i for one am of the mind that offroading is a laid back sport where one just sorta kreeps along real slowish with bursts of speed when needed and also the driver and passengers are part of the wildlife[i mean they are enjoying the outdoors at the same time.
an auto suits me fine for this as i can free up some of my attention to jjust hangin out and being mello on the trail...never mind the big story and tit for tat mechanical advantages v.s eachother i just really like the mood an auto takes me to..and it DOES get the jobdone.

idk..just my opinion..i like it alot for this particular hobby...one just has to play with it and master it the same as amanual and know how to control it and it will pay you back...

 

In almost all situations, I prefer the manual. As others have pointed out, you have better control, better mpg, and they are just plain fun to drive!

However, for rock crawling, I'd have to go with the automatic. It's hard to match the smoothness of the auto tranny. Some obstacles force you to slip your clutch then bounce over at way too fast of speeds when driving a manual.

Since the questions asks which I prefer for wheeling, I gotta go with the auto. But if manual with dual t-cases were a possible answer, that's definitely where I would be!!!

 

An old underpowered/higher geared truck and I say manual. A properly geared, newer or higher powered truck and I say auto for sure.

 

I gotta say a stick. I'm not gonna say it's better in all situations, but for me it certainly is funner! I'd get so bored not driving a stick. I remember back when I used to drive my 93 tercel witch was an auto and after 10min or so I'd be bored out of my mind. With my 94 (current DD) and it's 5-speed I never really get bored of driving. It makes all the difference.

Plus we're forgetting a saftey issue the Manuel has over the automatic. The ability to brake with the engine!

 

I say manual considering if your truck wont start you can always rol down a hill and start her! plus it gives sumwhat of a challenge