Can anyone tell me which transmission (automatic or manual) is best for durability and reliability for the 2009 Wrangler Unlimited?
Since the engine is from the minivan, is the automatic transmission the same one? The Caravan transmission has not been very reliable.

Thanks for your opinions.

 

in most cases auto is better as it takes out human error but if u know what your doing a manual can last just as long or longer.

 

It's kind of a catch 22. Sure an auto takes the Human out of the situation but if you're really good on the clutch a manual can last just as long as any auto. With an auto you relay on the computer and internal clutches.. What it comes down to is what do you really perfer driving. My-self nothing but the manuals. then again just sticking it in gear and going.. not too bad either...

I haven't heard of anybody have issues or tranny failing on them but what I've seen on the net is a few posts about guys that wheel with their auto's and becuase the skid plate almost touches the tranny it packs full of crud and when it gets hot tends to catch on fire..

 

Yep! :D it all depend on U, to me an auto is useful if you do a lot of city traffic, stop & go, but for maintenance it is more costly. If you want to put bigger tires / change gearing on the jeep you will need to reprogrammed the computer and it would be a good ideal to had a transmission cooler. As for the manual, it’s murder in traffic but much easier to maintain, you can get away with the reprogramming. And an auto is good for rock crawling = only 2 pedals to work with. As for me I’ve got a manual because that’s what I like.

 

Aren't autos a little harder on the braking system as well?

 

The auto is the 42rfe, same as Liberty, Nitro, v-6 dakota, v-6 Grand Cherokee. It's not new, but it's been pretty good unit.

 

what are your personnal preferences?
the auto tranny is ok ,,but dont pull more then 2000 lbs or it will succomb!

in a jeep i prefer manual ....