4x4 - manual or automatic?

[FromHere2Timbuktu]

I'm about to buy a Toyota Landcruiser for crossing the Sahara to Mali. I was going for manual gear box but most are automatic and someone suggested automatic are better for sand driving. Is this true? And is it a problem having automatic with a view to bump starting situations?

Any suggestions welcome

[Piotr]

Hi,
in my opinion for offroad driving only manual gearbox has a right to exist.

Piotr

[walkstx]

I have to agree with Piotr. My 4X4 experience is in Mexican jungles/cloud forests, so I can't speak to sand. But, in the mountains you can burn through a set of brake pads with an automatic when going down mountain. Besides, you want to be in control of the engine speed and clutching...manual is the only way to do this. And, yes there is the occasional bump start or tow.

Walkstx in Texas

[ChrisC]

Hi

lots of desert drivers swear by auto as you do not lose momentum when changing gear that you would in a manual - there are plenty of either available here in the UK. - but it all comes down to personal preference and what you feel comfortable with

[Pumbaa]

Agree with all the posts.

Automatic is better for sand driving than a manual (loss of momentum etc..), but my preference is definitely for a manual for other off-road use. Much better for steep hill work and slow stuff.

So I suppose the question to ask yourself, will it be used for desert/sand driving more that other stuff?

[Graham Smith]

The real ultimate is an automatic fitted with an Extreme valve body from
Wholesale Automatic Transmissions

Then you can get a torque converter lock-up from the same people.
All the advantages of an automatic, which you can lock in a particular gear when doing severe off road descents etc.

I liked the auto in the Sand, and towing a trailer it outperformed a manual 60 series which wasn't as loaded as mine. This is only relevant in very soft sand as all cruisers with decent tyres will cope well with sand due to the low down torque of the 4.2 engine.

Here is a clip of my rig descending Van Zyls Pass in Namibia. Low range 1st. This is without the TC lock up mentioned above.
YouTube - Landcruiser and Trailer Decend Van Zyls Pass

A friend has recently had issues with the AT fluid overheating while doing an overland. He has since improved his driving style and the problem has cured itself. So really at the end it all comes down to how you drive and what you want to do with it...

Good luck
Graham

[FromHere2Timbuktu]

Thanks for the messages. I'm not going to be looking for sand but ...sort of still feel as torn, but think I'll go for my gut instinct, the bump starts have it and look for a manual - wierd how hard they are to find.

[Pumbaa]

One way to reduce chances of overheating transmission is to run full synthetic oil in the gearbox.

One particular brand that copes really well with hot conditions is Redline.

I'm running Royal Purple synthetic oil in the gearbox and diff. I was originally going to use redline, but because we are going to be in very cold conditions as well, it was suggested to use Royal Purple.

RP is a bit thinner than Redline and will work a lot better in colder conditions.

It is a bit pricey, but it will definitely prolong/protect your gearbox better and will reduce chances of overheating.

There might be someone on the forum with good knowledge about oils...

[gilghana1]

Another huge advantage of an auto on a trip is on really bad roads - imagine a really heavily potholed gravel road and lurching between 3rd and 2nd for 4 hours - probably even more fatiguing on a broken up asphalt road... clutch and gear, hand off wheel, hand on wheel etc several hundred times. On the roads around here an auto would be a real bonus. That alone would make me go for an auto if I was buying an 80 or patrol in the UK.
Gil

[mattsavage]

I do like a bit of Elvis.

Mario, I guess your Blue Suede Shoes like to engage that clutch and be part of the vehicle. Having a manual does make you feel more 'as one' with the vehicle.

But I Can't Help Falling in Love with the ease of the auto. So much less to do.

Don't be Cruel, get some fully synthetic oil. Like Pumbaa says, it's very good stuff.

It's Now or Never kedze!

Thank you very much (said in an Elvis kinda way)

[gilghana1]

Alternative scenario:
Early morning, sun already hot and humidity off the chart. Head is pounding after loads of red wine round the fire the previous night. After 20mins farting around with the dusty roof tent cover and wrestling with zips you already are covered in dust and grime and sweating like a rapist. You climb into the car and switch on. Grab the Elvis tape, slot it in and the tape deck chews it up 'cause it is so full of dust. Eject the Elvis tape while swearing and pounding the dashboard. Slot in 1st gear, turn to your partner and say "next time two weeks in a hotel in Tenerife". <BG>