Gearbox choice ? Manual V automatic ?

There are a few cruiser wagons for sale from Qfleet.

My last 3 utes have been Qfleet and I have had a great run from them.

They seem to run out around the $30 to $35 K range.

I want something basic that does not matter if it gets a tiny little bit dirty :-) !!

The auto allows you to reverse slowly without riding the clutch & the same when hill starting with he van on

Regards Don

The idea is not to attempt to make things difficult for yourself. Get an auto and enjoy the trip. As Don said, autos are much better when maneouvering your rig.

PeterD

Not really Doug,

Your no different to me. that's why I stuck with the manual for so long. Even in low range my manual used to generate that awful burning smell from the clutch when trying to get the sucker up the driveway.

I don't know if you can manage it but why not try a test drive. Try to find a real steep reversing site that tests your current vehicle. Then visit a car dealer and "test drive" an auto of the type you are considering to buy. A sort of back to back test so to speak.

Ian

Do the army tow caravans?

lol,

Ian

I don't think that the driving ability has anything to do with what is the better transmission for towing (or 4wding or day to day driving for that matter)

Modern auto's are clever things that are easy on the rest of the drivetrain & apart from less (not much less any more) engine braking than the same vehicle with a manual transmission don't have to many disadvantages

I have a 4.2 tdi manual Patrol (i have never owned a auto vehicle so i have no bias either way) & tow a 23 foot 2500kg + van (full time on the road for the past 7 years) & there are lots of occasions when a auto would be a better choice than the manual (i have worked at toyota dealerships since 1982 so i have some experience on the pro's & cons of both transmission types on which to base my opinion

Regards Don

I am EX RAAF we used to tow aircraft !!!

I have helped tow an Air Garuda Viscount out of a bog !!

Beat that :-)

Ok, so what do the army us to tow there equipment, auto or manual?

I have only ever seen manual army trucks and Landrovers the RAAF had manual landcruisers. I believe the new M1 Abrams tanks do have an automatic transmission but PLEASE do not get me started on those useless heaps of crud ! :-(

The RAAF prefered tow vehicle was a manual 4 cylinder deisel paymover They were a compact vehicle with very low gearing and 1" thick steel bodywork so they weighed well over a ton. They could tow anything, just very slowly.

The RAAF preferred tow vehicle was a manual 4 cylinder diesel pay-mover They were a compact vehicle with very low gearing and 1" thick steel bodywork so they weighed well over a ton. They could tow anything, just very slowly.

The Bushmaster is an auto, isn't it? So are the LAVs, and tanks, their large buses and, maybe, the new prime movers. However, I don't believe the L110 comes in auto!

The Cruisers were poverty pack 100 series, therefore no auto available. Now that the 200 series is out, it would appear that the Army (at least) are buying poverty pack Prados plus troopies.

When I was in the only auto was the CO's Fairlane or Statesman !

Is there a reason for the difference between the HZJ105 and the HDJ100 gearboxes ? I find it surprising that they would fit a dodgy box in such a vehicle.

What would a changeover to a stronger box cost ? any ideas ?

The 1HD-FTE has 50% more power and torque than the 1Hz. The petrol motors also got the stronger box.

The lighter R151F box was also used in the Prado and Hilux.

And changeover to the stronger box
Check this link.

MMM Some food for thought there !

The prices of the factory TDs have come down, now that they have been around for a while, the cost of diesel is high, and a bit of panic is setting into the economy.

Heres a link to whats on Carsales. $35k for 200km or $45k for 100km may be better than the $60k you were thinking.

:-) I know I am not that smart but I still hope my IQ is higher than an automatic gearbox. if I cannot chose a gear to be in by now I should not be driving. :-)

I can see advantages in both I just think I would be happier with a manual.

Therefore you answer your question by yourself – it *IS* personal preference. :-)))))))

I just know by trying way too many autos that I will not be able to stand when it shift in situation that I would not and visa versa. Yes you can play by your right foot and force it to shift earlier or later, but I would prefer to play by my left one instead of studying what been programmed in this particular gearbox.

Cheers
Serg

Strange as it may seem I have been wrong in the past :-) but then I also don't believe everything a used car salesman tells me either !!!

By asking and listening to the advice of others here I hope I can make a more informed decision.

I just think $30k for a poverty pack V $60K for a nice 100 series TD.

There are a LOT of options and features I can add for $30K that I think are important.

I do not want a pretty, nice, good looking vehicle I want something that will tow and go.

Same was with me 2 years back. $20K well-used versus $50K+ shiny. I have chosen $20K option. Main reasons I can add so much for $30K is not a joke! Also I already managed to put couple of small underbody damages and if they are just small nuisance with my 10 y.o. LC, it would be p155ed me to the death if it would be relatively new car. If properly maintained it appears like those things can run endlessly. Although I think that getting older car and bring it up to proper condition only make financial sense if you mechanically minded. Depends what you after actually. If not for hard 4WD, but rather for calm towing then perhaps sub 100K (in milage, not dollars LOL) make most sense.

Cheers
Serg

I am not mechanically minded or good with my hands but I know what I can and cannot do !

I love my old utes and hate changing them the last one was a 2.2 lt petrol hilux 4x2 with 350,000km on the clock and original motor and gearbox.

We had driven it across the outback highway and on many many dirt road treks, on more than one occasion people had commented "That must be a really good 4 wheel drive to make it over that road"

By taking it slow and careful driving it could cover most tracks safely and comfortably.

We are only going to a larger 4wd to tow a van. I don't see that my driving style will change significantly.

On a trip we sit on the speed limit on highways but rarely go over 80kph on back roads and usually stop at least every 100km to take photos. If you travel at high speed you miss seeing the photo opportunities beside the road.

If the car already has dings in it them Margo is less inclined to complain when I put a few more into it as well :-)

"I agree that auto may have some advantages in certain situation for lazy people" So if we drive auto's we are lazy people ?? What a load of sh%t. Could you please tell me what the advantages are in certain situations for a LAZY person ?? May I ask what Vehicle you drive ?? If late model Im sure its ran by "not stupid piece of software" like nearly all new petrol and diesel vehicles are. Have seen many auto gear boxes in 4wdrives do big klms with no drama's. Being used as rock climbers, hard core stuff, and towing big heavy loads. The only advantage I see in a manual over an auto is decending extremely steep stuff. I know for sure my prado AUTO doesnt hold as well as my old diesel hilux did but for all other stuff is great. Might be your personal opinion but dont label people who drive autos lazy. I would prefer a nice continous flow through the gears when accelerating, then the traditional forwards and backwards motion you get when changing gears with a huge load on the back. Personal opinion only !! Regards Steve M

"Having disassembled a few autotransmissions for repair, I would not buy an auto vehicle"

Fair point. I'm sure someone will come along and post " having disassembled a few clutches and /or gearboxes for repair I would not buy a manual." to counter that argument.

I drive an auto and IMO it's a far better vehicle off road than a manual most of the time, and a dream to tow with.

"...I agree that auto may have some advantages in certain situation for lazy people, but staying in control far overweight this...'
Maybe I'm lazy or can't drive, maybe I'm always out of control, although i have driven manual for thirty years and still do occaisionally. Maybe my brain turns off whenI'm in an auto, or maybe the argument that only lazy people or people who can't drive manuals choose autos is completely daft in most cases. I say most because my missus couldn't drive a manual to save her life, she's happy to admit that. Me I drive an auto becasue of the advantages that they offer me.

Maybe we need to get rid of synchro gearboxes, self cancelling indicators, GPS navigators, electric starter motors and all those other things that make driving so much more convenient for us lazy bar stewards.

I did not mean to start an argument over this I know there are pros and cons to both sides. If one gearbox was better in all conditions and all situations they would not bother making 2 kinds.


I am very used to using manual gearboxes and very un-used to using automatics, I am asking opinions here and voicing my own limited knowledge.

I am sure none of the comments made are a personal assault on anyone or their choices. I could have asked "What is a better vehicle Toyota or Nissan?" if I really wanted to see a fight develop:-)

Via la difference !

PS My missus also dislikes auto boxes and prefers a manual. :-)

But we are more than willing to listen to any good reasons for or against.

Stephen,

You *ARE* angry and that shows me best then anything else that somewhere inside your soul you believe that I am right :-)))))))). Funny enough when this ridiculous (auto vs manual) arguments arises (consensus been done ages ago – it is personal choice), most angry and pushy those who drive autos while manual brigade usually says “I am happy with manual and do not mind if you happy with auto”. Interesting to know why. :-)))))

It is*PERSONAL* choice and you more then welcome to have you own preference. I have crossed Victorian Alpine in different direction 6 times in two different manual vehicles and not single time when I wish I had an auto. In contrast I drove auto Commodore from Melbourne to Townsville and back – worst, most frustrating drive in whole my life. Mine piece of sh1t (manual brand new SS) broken down and dealer give me rental, obviously auto one. What is better Nissan or Toyota? Do not know, but definitely know that not Holden :-))))))).

I have absolutely no problem if *YOU* more comfortable with auto, but that does not mean that *I* will be. Probably word “lazy” not exact fit in that sentence but I am sure you get what I was talking about. What I drive? Mechanically injected manual diesel if you interested to know.


Patrolman Pat,

About 80% of population believes that extra saturated photos with enormous field of depth from small digicam are fare superior to black and white ones with blurry background, but it does not means they are better. Clutches? Yep, have changed a few. Frankly clutch need to be changed much earlier that modern auto need an attention, but it cost peanuts if doing by yourself comparing to auto recondition. Modern autos reliable enough and do not consume more juice comparing to manuals. Furthermore - selling auto *MUCH* easier (have tried to sell manual quite a few times, so I do know). It is nothing about economy or reliability, but rather about having full control. Thing is 80% of population do not like to have control over photo processing and thus happily convinced themselves that those super-vivid colored pictures from digicams are better :-)))).

Cheers
Serg

Hi D200Dug, my reply wasnt aimed at you it was aimed at Serg, claiming people who drive autos are lazy. Yes we all choose what we want to drive either manual or auto. I have driven manual for years and wasnt untill we bought the prado I went auto. My wife drives auto, she can drive manual (if she has too) but hates them & chooses not to so got her auto in her new Toyota as she sits in traffic daily so auto is what she wanted. I bought the auto in the prado so if she wants to she can just jump in it and drive it also if we go some where and I decide to have a few she doesnt mind driving home. She will also drive with the trailer on the back (if Im in the car with her) with the prado where she wouldnt with the hilux (manual). I wish that she liked manual as both cars would be manual. I enjoy manual and myself find it not as boring as auto but I bought to work in with what my wife likes as well. Anyway she had to hand over the $$ to get the prado so I couldnt say too much :):) But I must say I really like the auto in the sand/beach compared to the hilux, but do miss the walking pace the hilux did on low range down steep stuff, I find the pardo in auto does/will get away from you on exstremely steep stuff but just a matter of changing my driving style etc. Regards Steve M

:-) no problems I just don't want to be responsible for a slanging match on my post threads.

I am after information and opinions.

Hi Serg, maybe I jumped too quick (usual) and maybe could have read it better and thought that you had chosen the wrong word but that just pi##ed me off when you decribed auto drivers as lazy. Yes everyone to their own opinion or the world would be a boring place. No offence taken, just read your reply. Give me manual diesel anyday for extremely steep stuff auto for the rest of it. Regards Steve M

Stephen,

You see I was right – you get auto Prado because your missus agreed to get new car, but auto only. Thus you compromise your feeling (because you love manual) and still unsuccessfully trying to convince yourself that auto *may* be better in *some* situation :-))))))))

Sorry, mate, could not resist.

Cheers.
Serg

PS I really should say “lazy driving” rather then “lazy people” – sorry if I offend you, it was not intentional.

No offence taken (now LOL). Was just wrong wording and me ready to jump down some ones throat here at work and read your post at the same time LOL. All good. But I truely like auto's !!All the best Regards Steve M

I am picking up a new 4WD next week
Guess what 5 speed Manual!!
I hope it will help the recovery of full left Knee replacement. the right Knee works OK now for what you use the right foot for.