I know this topic has been kicked around a lot. But....... <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" />

I was out wheeling a bit today and found I like my 5 speed more and more each time. The ability to select 4 low and then take off in third gear is similar to first in 4 hi. Then to be able to manipulate the gear box is something I have come to like. I find streetablity of a manual is better, as far as cornering and passing(on rare occasions), then auto's I have driven in the past. I have not driven my 3.0 with a/t yet but I have had a great time with the 2.6 5speed so far. I have driven 4x4 Chevy pu's with a/t's in the service but never felt comfortable with the gearing with an a/t. Now the trails here are loss sand in places, deep mud in others, the occasional small hill, in places there's a few washed out areas on hilly trails that makes for fun tippy stuff. It's just the need to go from hi 4 to low 4 comes to often and it is nice to stay in low 4 and work the gear box more. Were unless the A/t has a manual valve body it's select low or 2 or drive and let the tranny do the thinking. I am more comfortable being more in control. I am hoping I like the A/t as much once it is running.

Of coarse ymmv and for sure when the trails are different then my area(which I'd say they're fun here but not really hard)

i like my 5-speed manual transmission ... i just don't try to shift gears in deep water or mud if i can help it ... pick a gear and stick with it <img border="0" alt="[Hillbilly]" title="" src="graemlins/notooth.gif" /> ... my Centerforce Dual Friction clutch upgrade helps tremendously, too, so that I get all the power I can to turn my 33 Super Swamper TSL bias ply tires <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />