Automatic Vs Manual

[ctskier]

Low and very low speeds going down a 40% grade are my concern. The manual also has lower gearing.
Crawler = 6.5881
Auto first gear = 4.7143

So lowest overall ratios for for Broncos with Advanced 4x4:
7-speed manual = 94.75
10-speed auto = 67.801

For standard 4x4:
7-speed manual = 79.92
10-speed auto = 57.191

Is that good? Asking for a friend

Sponsored

 

[CalvinT]

Is that good? Asking for a friend

You'll have enough engine braking to control descent speed with a manual. You'll have to ride the brakes with an automatic. Trail control does not control speed on extremely steep slopes. Also it uses the brakes to control descent speeds. A long descent can cause the control module to overheat.

Automatics have trail control for sand. You can get the same feature with a manual by just gearing all the way down and letting the engine idle. The Bronco will crawl at a slow walk.

 

[AZ_Liberty]

My biggest gripe with the Manual is how super light the clutch is.

Life is too short to drive auto-magics.

 

[AZ_Liberty]

You'll have enough engine braking to control descent speed with a manual.

Drove the Grapevine last weekend. Plenty of engine braking. It's not great like in a V-8 Mustang, but it engine brakes. Though even on the Grapevine I didn't really downshift much downhill, the Bronco is such a brick that it air-brakes plenty, even on a 6% grade.

 

[AZ_Liberty]

You can always buy a softer clutch spring (not that the OEM is stiff, I like the feel of it)
https://www.steeda.com/steeda-555-7032-bronco-clutch-spring-kit

Um... The Steeda spring it to make the clutch STIFFER, not lighter. Just like in the Mustang. This may have been my fault, as I asked them to make one for us a couple years ago.

 

[Oldhippie]

Low and very low speeds going down a 40% grade are my concern. The manual also has lower gearing.
Crawler = 6.5881
Auto first gear = 4.7143

So lowest overall ratios for for Broncos with Advanced 4x4:
7-speed manual = 94.75
10-speed auto = 67.801

For standard 4x4:
7-speed manual = 79.92
10-speed auto = 57.191

yes engine braking with a manual at 100+/1 is useful downhill @ 1-10 mph but in nearly 50 years of rock crawling with automatic transmissions I have never had brake overheating, excessive wear or any issues at those low speeds (modern disc brake systems are pretty darn good, way better than my 46 CJ2a drum brakes with c4)…plus the general rule of torque converter multiplication is x2 torque/gearing so a bronco auto has lower effective ratios than the manual under power plus smoother application and control (especially two footed)…but you be you…party on!

 

[CalvinT]

I won't be doing rock crawling. I'll be descending long mountain roads (up to 400 ft drop in elevation), and I'm not referring to Forest Service roads. They're pretty tame. True, not likely to overheat brakes, but I'm less likely to have wheel slippage using engine braking. And the 2x torque multiplication only applies when the engine is providing power. It doesn't apply when power is flowing in the opposite direction.

I agree with what you said about rock crawling. If I was doing that or climbing dunes, I'd go for an automatic.

 

[jsoa]

Um... The Steeda spring it to make the clutch STIFFER, not lighter. Just like in the Mustang. This may have been my fault, as I asked them to make one for us a couple years ago.

interesting, I might of misunderstood their description, this is what I watched which mentions softer and lighter, eh I dunno lol

 

[Mysecrethabit]

The Chinese manual transmission problem thread, is approaching 4000 replies, the auto trans problem thread is approaching 30 replies. About 80% of Broncos have the auto.

Do you have a link for the manual thread - the search results are so random - I've tried and it brought me here..

 

[MNBigfoot]

Do you have a link for the manual thread - the search results are so random - I've tried and it brought me here..

(1) Manual transmission scraping noise / grinding sound | Bronco6G - 2021+ Ford Bronco & Bronco Raptor Forum, News, Blog & Owners Community

Sponsored