What are manual MJs like to drive?

[terrawombat]

70% of my vehicles are equipped with a manual transmission.  I don't necessarily prefer manuals it just kind of ended up that way.

 

Both styles of transmission have their place.  On my incredibly boring highway commute to work I prefer an auto.  Just about any other time I'm driving I like swinging the shifter around.

 

I will notch a tally under the manual transmission column for an event that has happened to me twice now on my '92MJ with AX-15.  The first event happened when the clutch slave cylinder fitting popped out of its socket and all of the clutch fluid instantly drained from my system.  No more clutch and I'm 10 miles away from home.  No problem - turn vehicle off, place in first, start engine with MJ lurching forward as the engine finally starts up (must have looked interesting from a bystanders prospective), rev-match shift the entire way home.  Second time happened just this past week where the slave cylinder finally gave up the ghost, this time 20 miles away from home.  Same procedure as above.  So, even when something fails on a manual transmission you can still get yourself home!

[JeepcoMJ]

All manuals suck in drive throughs and anything stop and go.  Nature of the beast.  Alot of leg work

 

Manual MJ's are a lot more fun to drive. But...they suck in drive thrus in the morning or at busy periods. So, basically, if you aren't a fatty eating mcdonalds every day, you will love it

 

Why do they suck in drive throughs?   You don't even have to hit the gas when letting the clutch out.   It's almost like lifting your foot off the brake to move a little.

 

[yxmj]

 

Going from ba-10/5 to AX15 the shifter is MUCH higher than before, but the throw is still short. I really like driving like this, its a tall shifter like my 70 ford but without to nut buster reverse position.

 

Here's a pic of how it sits.

That's not an XJ/MJ shifter. It's out of a YG or TJ Wrangler, and they have longer shift handles.

 

I have an '87 MJ 5-speed, and '88 XJ 5-speed, and a 2000 XJ 5-speed. The shift handles are all the same length. Shift throws are not massively long, but they're also not short-throw like a sports car. And it has to be kept in mind that the transmissions -- all of them -- aren't drag race transmissions. If you like to bang shifts like a drag racer, you WILL destroy the synchronizers in a short time.

 

 

Like the man says that is a TJ shifter.....if you can't find one the right lenghth.....become friends with sombody with some fab skills....they are easy to customize

[conker]

 

 

Going from ba-10/5 to AX15 the shifter is MUCH higher than before, but the throw is still short. I really like driving like this, its a tall shifter like my 70 ford but without to nut buster reverse position.

 

Here's a pic of how it sits.

 

That's not an XJ/MJ shifter. It's out of a YG or TJ Wrangler, and they have longer shift handles.

 

I have an '87 MJ 5-speed, and '88 XJ 5-speed, and a 2000 XJ 5-speed. The shift handles are all the same length. Shift throws are not massively long, but they're also not short-throw like a sports car. And it has to be kept in mind that the transmissions -- all of them -- aren't drag race transmissions. If you like to bang shifts like a drag racer, you WILL destroy the synchronizers in a short time.

 

 

Like the man says that is a TJ shifter.....if you can't find one the right lenghth.....become friends with sombody with some fab skills....they are easy to customize

 

I feel like I probably knew that it was a TJ shifter, since the trans is a TJ trans. Didn't really surprise me when eagle pointed that out.

 

Now to decide if I want a TJ ax4 shifter in my other Comanche...

[Dadinator]

Converted mine from aw4 to ax-15. 

All 3 of our cars, MJ, TJ and Focus are manuals.  As is of course is the V2K.

[Blue XJ]

I guess I don't mind it, give the leg a good work out.  I'd prefer that over my big block duster with manual steering.   Takes everything I have to turn that wheel in a parking lot, too much weight over the front end.

 

 

 

All manuals suck in drive throughs and anything stop and go.  Nature of the beast.  Alot of leg work

 

Manual MJ's are a lot more fun to drive. But...they suck in drive thrus in the morning or at busy periods. So, basically, if you aren't a fatty eating mcdonalds every day, you will love it

 

Why do they suck in drive throughs?   You don't even have to hit the gas when letting the clutch out.   It's almost like lifting your foot off the brake to move a little.

 

 

[mvusse]

My current daily driver is a 2.5 with the AX5 5 speed, but the 3.55 gears that came with the original AX4. It's got enough power to get out of its own way, but just barely. 5th is completely gutless, but fuel mileage is pretty decent considering it's a Jeep.

 

In the past I had a 94 Cherokee with the 4.0/AX15 combination, stock 3.07 gears, stock tires. The clutch was more like a switch with about 1/32" travel between fully engaged and fully disengaged, but it had plenty of power. 1st gear was almost useless, though, pulling away from a stop sign I'd shift to 2nd before I was halfway through the intersection.

 

Off road I would take an automatic over a standard any day.

[Eagle]

Same procedure as above.  So, even when something fails on a manual transmission you can still get yourself home!

Been there, done that. Also twice. First time was also about 20 miles from home. The second time was about 100 miles (fortunately, much of it highway).

[Minuit]

I just thought I'd bring some closure to this stupid thread. I'm now the owner of a manual MJ and couldn't be happier.

[HOrnbrod]

This stupid thread was closed almost a couple of years ago. Now you have opened it up again.   :yes:

[AMCJeepMJ]

3 of 4 vehicles at the house are autos; only the MJ is a stick and is the most fun to drive. Ok, I lie, I love driving the W211 daily and every moment is bliss, but the MJ is still a lot of fun.