Thinking Of Picking Up An Mj

[TheDude]

I have a chance to pick up a 1989 Comanche with, 4.0, 5 speed, and 4wd for a good price. 

 

I already have a 1996 XJ with the AW4

I've only recently started learning to drive a stick using peoples cars at the shop I work at.  

So I'm wondering, how hard are these to learn on? 

I do hear the AX-15 is a pretty easy one to use.

 

[AeroNautical]

I can tell you from experience, any tranny with bad synchromesh is a pain to learn on. Luckily, with the 4.0 you've got alot of power, so it's forgiving if you don't give it quite enough gas when letting out the clutch. How many miles on the tranny? It's all pretty reliant on how well the PO took care of shifting, wether they took it easy while shifting or slammed the gears, grinding them. 

[robbie95]

I recently got a 91 2.5l 5 speed in April and it was pretty tough the first time around, but I just kept getting back in it and trying to drive the thing.. I'd say the toughest thing for me was definitely getting the feel for taking off.. Other than that.. I wouldn't hesitate to get it.. It is a blast to drive. I'm not even sure what transmission I have, I guess the ax-5.. I'm new to this whole thing but trying to learn.

[FrankTheDog]

Buy the truck, find a dirt road or field or a wet road.

Put it in four low, that'll make it really easy to learn standard.

That's how I taught my girls how to drive stick.

The ax15 has a fairly low first gear so it isn't all that hard in 2 high either.

It took me about twenty minutes to learn on my 1970 maverick when I was 16.

Three on the tree.

[mpace6a]

2.8 ax5 under my truck. Most I'd ever driven a standard before was backing my dads old ford escort into and out of the garage. Once my jeep was road worthy, i backed it out of the garage, and drove it around the block about 15 times. Easiest manual I've ever driven, then and now. Granted, my trans is about as loose as the nice lady who hangs out at the local bp askinig for cigarettes, but regardless, just read a little, maybe watch a youtube vid or two, and go do it. Once you get a feel for taking off from a stop, go to a cemetary or a large, hilly parking lot and get a feel for taking off on hills. Once your rollin its as easy as fallin off a horse backwards.

[robbie95]

Granted, my trans is about as loose as the nice lady who hangs out at the local bp askinig for cigarettes, but regardless

:rotf:

[Oddmodman]

I found learning on snow is easiest because you don't tear things up when your wheels can slip a bit.

[Stacks]

I think the thing that helps the most in learning to drive a stick is learning to feel the clutch starting to engage.  What I have done when teaching someone to drive a stick is do not step on the gas to start out.  it is entirely possible to from a dead stop in 1st gear without touching the gas pedal.  Get that down and you will pretty much have it made.  I usually use a deserted parking lot or dirt back road for practicing.  Hope that helps a bit!!

[TheDude]

Pics! I know it's a bit rough.. but, it doesn't look too rusty. I'm going to go look at it tomorrow.