Wheeling with a manual

Never knew that either lol.was so hard for me to off-road first time in my truck. Hated the rolling back thing

 

I had a 2015 2.7L 4x4 manual and now have a 2016 V6 4x4 auto.

The manual is a absolute blast to drive in the snow, ice, dirt, mud. I can control how hard the clutch grabs and pick my gears to stay at certain rpms. Drifting like a boss in a empty icy parking lot or mad donuts in the fields. On the trails, you tend to go slower. The problem I had is I didn't have Auto LSD in 4lo and didn't do the yellow wire mod. In 1st gear in 4hi did not go slow enough to conquer some steep rocky uphills. Probably burn out your clutch if you trying to crawl. If it was geared down low enough with LSD or lockers, manual is fine. In mud, manual is better for rocking your truck back n forth if you get stuck.

Now that I got a automatic, trying to fishtail isn't the same, going up a steep climb, I can go slower smoother but I don't feel as connected to the truck like a manual. If you offroad a automatic, it's not a bad idea to get the tow package so you get transmission cooler, engine oil cooler and power steering cooler especially on hot days.

The reason why I got a Automatic is cause dfw is getting too much stop n go rush hour B.S traffic.

 

So the only time I really use the E brake is when I'm sitting on a steep hill. 99% of the time its either because its super steep and I don't want to ride the clutch to much, or because some numbnuts got to close behind me and I don't want to roll in to him, or if I don't want to roll in to something behind me.

 

Ibsontbhave a E brake so when someone gets to close just gotta find that sweet spot on the clutch where the rpm dips but it doesn't roll back and doesn't lurch forward. Pretty much do that at every intersection that's on a hill lol

 

Wheelin with a manual is awesome!! Is it harder than with an auto? yeah I guess so, your mixing in an extra pedal But I've always been of the mind that manuals make you a more "aware" driver, because you have to pay more attention to everything to drive correctly. Like others have said, 4 Lo is your friend and will surprise the shit out of you if you haven't used this friendly part of your transfer case Get out this weekend and have a blast on the harder stuff, you'll be back for more

 

Yeah after offroading with an Auto, I much prefer the manual. Just alot more RPM control and power when you need it. I know you can drop the auto stick in to certain gears, but it still doesn't put you exactly where you want it every time. The only plus is rollback is pretty nil.

 

Wheeling with a manual will teach you how to master your clutch footwork real quick. Its harder at first but once you get the hang of it, its more fun because it's more involved. You have complete control

 

Driven and wheeled manuals off and on for over 35 years years and this Taco is my last manual. Not because manuals suck, because the auto transmissions have gotten that good.

With a manual the e-brake and 4 low are your friends. Get off the clutch quickly each time and then stay off the clutch. Its amazing how you can lug these new computer controlled engines. "Back in the day" they would just stall and the detonation would destroy the motor.