I'll know soon, I get my new TRD hilux this arvo. I have always had manuals, but I have a bung left knee, and I am getting old and soft already.
I've only had 2 fourbies; a GUIII 3.0 Auto patrol that was fabulous off road, and a 200 Series Cruiser (only come in Auto) and it is simply, totally and utterly breathtaking - will be even better with AT's on board...
I drove my Uncle's old Landy on the dirt for several years (he had a few thousand acres) and it was sweet too, but I'm old and lazy now.
I remember years ago, maybe 1982(?) watching an auto patrol or cruiser (forget which) on Aldinga beach in South Oz get hopelessly bogged - he'd lean on the throttle, nothing would happen, then boom! Everything spinning! That has been fixed, I tried spinning them last weekend on the sand and they didn't want to.
Cheers,
Tim
Carbon Really Ain't Pollution.
I'll know soon, I get my new TRD hilux this arvo. I have always had manuals, but I have a bung left knee, and I am getting old and soft already.
I'm with Chisel, the 5 Speed Auto in my 100 series cruiser is superb. I've had 5 4WD's 4 manual and 1 auto and the Auto is the best, probably cause it's got a V8 bolted on the front of it
Cheers
Cliffo
Towncar only the auto is nice and lazy, and for the top notch competitive stuff in 4x4, inbetween it's the manual for me, too many advantages with manuals unless owning all auto vehicles in warranty periods only.
Still I have yet to drive a new auto that doesn't frustrate and force a person to manually override at the shifter often to be rid of the inadequate slushbox choices it makes, more power helps here but...that is until I give up trying to drive it properly and just let it drive me beat.
cheers fnq
additional question......
Can you have an auto, that when put into 4 x 4 low range does NOT engage the front hubs. That is, are all Auto boxed 4BYS... auto hubbed ?
Reason for question..... I drop the Nissan into Low range when towing the big rig up the boat ramp.... very easy on the clutch etc. But having manual hubs, I am utilising the rear wheels only. I also do this to back up my driveway... idles up and also up the driveway at Agnes where the incline is..... steepish.
Cheers Phill
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I have a 100 series auto and a patrol manual. Landcruiser is a dream to drive on the beach and towing. I do prefer the manual when I do more serious 4x4 ing as it helps me select gears better and use the clutch to apply the power better when a lot of power is needed for a small move like in walking a rock creek bed for eg.
Marty
Phill,
I had to install hubs on my last 'lux to achieve what you are talking about, and a bypass switch on the 80 series gxl prior to that.
Not many two stick and hubs 4by's left now as you'd well know, manual or auto.
Thanks..
I'll stick to my man hubs for now.
If I upgrade, I'll be bypassing the auto's.
Phill
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I HATE AUTOS !!!
Having said that we just bought an auto rodeo 4x4 for towing and occasional city driving.
I am still not convinced, I have been driving manuals for over 30 years now and have only ever driven auto slush box company cars.
I think I am slowly getting used to the auto concept but I do not cope well with change
Ask me what I think in about 10 years time and I may have got used to the idea.
PS I cannot find anything wrong with the auto, I just don't like it
What about ow capacity??? Some 4x4's seem to down load the tow capacity if you buy auto. What is the tow Cap on lancruiser auto and patrol auto?
Cheers
Chris
Democracy: Simply a system that allows the 51% to steal from the other 49%.
You can't buy a new manual Landcruiser now. The auto is spectacular, and rated at 3500kg.
Cheers,
Tim
Carbon Really Ain't Pollution.
Auto all the way for me. After 15 years of thrashing manuals along the beach changing gears constantly I can sit back a relax and enjoy the ride now
A Proud Member of
"The Rebel Alliance"
the Rodeo / Colarado / Isuzu DMax has a tow rating of 3.000kg Not bad for a fuel efficient 4 cylinder diesel.
I really think there are three options today.
Manual Transmission.
Conventional Automatic Transmission.
Today's modern Electronic Automatic Transmision.
I don't think you can compare the last 2, to me they are like chalk and cheese.
I have a 2006 turbo diesel landcruiser and the electronic auto does everything for me whether I am on the highway, towing about 3 ton or driving a heavy load in the sand.
Greatest I find myself doing is hitting the power button if towing or beaching so it knows it is OK to upchange at a higher than normal rpm. when going down a long hill and sitting on the brake the dam thing evens changes down for me to give some engine braking, this took a bit to get used to at first!
Only time I manually hold it in gear is on any heavy downhill work or if going down a very slippery surface.
- Darren