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know a jimny-driver in denmark who has a auto and a 4,16-1 transfer. (rocklobster) sweet :woohoo:
that is the way to go. he is running 30".
he has converted his from a man. to a auto.
I swapped my manual for an auto from a Vitara. It works very nicely - but was not a simple conversion. If I had my time over I would swap the whole engine & box in one go.
I never used to be convinced about Auto off road - until I drove one and now wouldn't have anything else. I don't think tyre size is relevant to Auto / Manual (Sorry Kirky).
The negatives are that you loose some power and most of the engine braking. it also makes it less economical.
The positives that you gain torque and that it smooths out shocks in the transmission which helps reduce breakages. The big win for me is that on a hill climb, there is no worrying about what gear you are in to give enough speed at the start and torque at the end - it will just change as necessary. Unlike a manual, when it changes, you do not loose power or traction. On most hill climbs you can stop and gently pull away mid climb which is almost impossible in a manual.
X-Eng Simon wrote: I never used to be convinced about Auto off road - until I drove one and now wouldn't have anything else. I don't think tyre size is relevant to Auto / Manual (Sorry Kirky).
The negatives are that you loose some power and most of the engine braking. it also makes it less economical.
No need to be sorry Simon - The only thing is that I have been led to believe that Jimny auto boxes are not the strongest and that overheating can be an issue - I'm guessing partly due to the high ratio's the Jimny comes with as standard as it has to work harder. An oil cooler might solve this - I don't know.
The other issue as you say is the lack of engine braking - even in the 1st gear holding gear, with the ratios being so high you have little if any engine braking, which is the other awesome thing about a Rocklobster. It makes decents safer and far less scary!
So on any other vehicle, I'd want an auto too, for exactly the same reasons.
Kirkynut
The underdog often starts the fight, and occasionally the upper dog deserves to win - Edgar Watson Howe.
The reason for over heating is just that it is a very small box with very little oil - a bigger oil cooler is a must if you use it off road with big or little tyres.
Engine braking is an issue with all autos. You just have to adapt your driving style a little - and learn to use your brakes.
Although people say you must not use your brakes on hill descents, it's just because it's difficult not to break traction if you use them. However, with a little practice, it's perfectly possible and once you learn it is far more effective & controllable than engine braking.
I tend to use left foot braking with the auto - so you are balancing power & braking dynamically. This allows you to use max torque but use the brakes to keep the speed low. Ideal for rock crawling & technical bits, particularly with a smaller engine.
