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2012 6-spd and 3.6

4K views 39 replies 12 participants last post by  skihoser 
#1 ·
I am not able to locate a 12' 6-spd (except Rubi's with the 4:11) at the three dealers within 50 miles of my location, I am very interested in your experiences with this setup. I read earlier here that tip-in with the 6-spd and clutch left a bit of getting used to. I live in a hilly area and my DW is against a 6-spd. My 08' has the auto and it stinks. Would like to hear from 6-spd owners about their thoughts. Thanks.
 
#5 ·
I`m 2 months and 3,200 miles in on a `12 w/6speed 373 gears. My last Jeep was an `07 Rubi auto. I had no problem with the auto (4500 ft elevation and LOTS of mountain driving) but I have sold my beloved motorcycles and wanted something fairly practical, and that I can shift. You will love the improved power and fuel mileage, and to me just more "jeeplike" with a clutch. No regrets here...loving my jeep. :dance:
 
#6 ·
Thanks for the input. I will order the 3:73 gears also. Maybe my problems with the auto relate to it's "need" to get into lockup at about 25 MPH. I admit when on the road I drive light footed for MPG and if I burried my right foot a bit more it would stay in lower gears longer. I've had the trans re-programed and it didn't change. I live at 5340 ft and get about 180 inches of snow a year and love to drive the jeep in these conditions. We also have a Grand as the family car.
 
#8 ·
I am one of those that finds it awkward. The combination of the engine, clutch and hill start assist make for some odd feelings when pulling away from a stop. We've also got about 3200 miles on our 6 speed and the torque on the extreme low end seems to be improving as it gets more miles on it. The day after we got it I took it out to play in the pasture and it wouldn't even pull itself around idling in 1st gear. I had to put it in 4L or slip the clutch to keep it from stalling. We took it back out last weekend and it was doing fine in 2wd and 4H. The HSA still makes for some strange feelings at stop lights and signs, but we're getting better at driving around that annoyance. They should have made it only work in 4L.
 
#9 ·
I am one of those that finds it awkward. The combination of the engine, clutch and hill start assist make for some odd feelings when pulling away from a stop. We've also got about 3200 miles on our 6 speed and the torque on the extreme low end seems to be improving as it gets more miles on it. The day after we got it I took it out to play in the pasture and it wouldn't even pull itself around idling in 1st gear. I had to put it in 4L or slip the clutch to keep it from stalling. We took it back out last weekend and it was doing fine in 2wd and 4H. The HSA still makes for some strange feelings at stop lights and signs, but we're getting better at driving around that annoyance. They should have made it only work in 4L.
Thanks -- help me understand the HSA with a stick.:confused: I guess I thought it only came with the auto. I have been telling the DW that she will just use the hand brake to hold on a hill and start it that way.;)
 
#10 ·
I was understanding the HSA was only on the auto also... interesting
 
#16 · (Edited)
I read earlier here that tip-in with the 6-spd and clutch left a bit of getting used to.
I have no idea what you mean by "tip-in". I have a 2012 JK R with 4.10 and manual. It works great. Shift points are where I deem them to be. It will crawl at @ 1 MPH in 4 Low and the engine idling. It will start in 1st/4 low with no clutch. It is not particularly hard to launch from a start in 4 Hi or 2 WD. Overall, it is pretty low geared and is perfectly happy running in 6th gear at @ 1800 RPM and @ 50-55 MPH. It runs @ 2200-2300 RPM @ 65 MPH.

I had some minor adjustment to the long throw gear shifter after 12 years in very short throw Porsche 911s. Not the Jeeps fault, just a different set up.

All in all, I love my manual Jeep and would not enjoy it as much if it was an auto. Driving a manual in snow and on the trails is more challenging than an auto but I find it more rewarding too.

Question is, if your "DW" really wants an auto, that should be a more important factor in your decision, IMO., than what a bunch of loonies like me think on a forum.

I am one of those that finds it awkward. The combination of the engine, clutch and hill start assist make for some odd feelings when pulling away from a stop. The HSA still makes for some strange feelings at stop lights and signs, but we're getting better at driving around that annoyance. They should have made it only work in 4L.
The HSA works very well and is easy. You hold the brake on the hill a little more than necessary to keep it from rolling backwards and then remove foot pressure from the brake and work the gas and clutch. Pushing the brake all the way to the floor holds all the brake pressure when released and makes it a little more difficult to start smoothly. The HSA works very well, and does what it is designed to do. I find it easier than using the parking brake technique, which I am good at, but I now do just for practice. You can also do a heel-toe start which I used to do with the Porsches but I haven't tried that in the Jeep so can't comment on its execution in same.

HSA is present on auto and manual and works the same. No clutch on the auto, of course.
 
#17 ·
I have no idea what you mean by "tip-in". I have a 2012 JK R with 4.10 and manual. It works great. Shift points are where I deem them to be. It will crawl at @ 1 MPH in 4 Low and the engine idling. It will start in 1st/4 low with no clutch. It is not particularly hard to launch from a start in 4 Hi or 2 WD. Overall, it is pretty low geared and is perfectly happy running in 6th gear at @ 1800 RPM and @ 50-55 MPH. It runs @ 2200-2300 RPM @ 65 MPH.

I had some minor adjustment to the long throw gear shifter after 12 years in very short throw Porsche 911s. Not the Jeeps fault, just a different set up.

All in all, I love my manual Jeep and would not enjoy it as much if it was an auto. Driving a manual in snow and on the trails is more challenging than an auto but I find it more rewarding too.

Question is, if your "DW" really wants an auto, that should be a more important factor in your decision, IMO., than what a bunch of loonies like me think on a forum.



The HSA works very well and is easy. You hold the brake on the hill a little more than necessary to keep it from rolling backwards and then remove foot pressure from the brake and work the gas and clutch. Pushing the brake all the way to the floor holds all the brake pressure when released and makes it a little more difficult to start smoothly. The HSA works very well, and does what it is designed to do. I find it easier than using the parking brake technique, which I am good at, but I now do just for practice. You can also do a heel-toe start which I used to do with the Porsches but I haven't tried that in the Jeep so can't comment on its execution in same.

HSA is present on auto and manual and works the same. No clutch on the auto, of course.
Thanks for your input. I use the term "tip-in" as tipping into the throttle as you let-up on the clutch -- or, starting from a stop. Sorry:D. Your discription of starting on a hill was good - my DW won't have a problem with that. As you said, when the DW is happy, we all are happy :dance:. I will still try and get her to go for the 6-spd so time will tell.
 
#22 ·
I also have the 6psd and 4.10. No issues and love the drive. The clutch seemed a little long from what I was used to but it took no time to "feel" normal. As for the HST, I agree it felt a little funny at first but it worked well. That said after two weeks of driving I turned it off. At least you have the option of using it or not.
 
#23 ·
Thanks much. I am really leaning to the 6-spd. Been a while since I had a stick but am not worried at all. A dealer 50 miles away has a 6-spd Rubi that I may try and drive tomorrow. With the 4:10s it will be a bit different but it will give me a feel about the clutch take-up and how it feels altogether.
 
#24 ·
skihoser said:
Thanks much. I am really leaning to the 6-spd. Been a while since I had a stick but am not worried at all. A dealer 50 miles away has a 6-spd Rubi that I may try and drive tomorrow. With the 4:10s it will be a bit different but it will give me a feel about the clutch take-up and how it feels altogether.
With 4.10's just letting of the clutch with no gas it will move. I can do the same in 2nd. Your going to find 1st gear to be very
short and you will be shifting into 2nd In no time. Much easier to start in 2nd IMO.
The 6 speed in my jeep is different then any other manual I've driven.
Long shifts and the clutch pedal engages in the first 1/4 of travel. I hate it but will have it no other way :D

Auto + jeep = :nonono: :popcorn:
 
#25 ·
Auto + jeep = :nonono: :popcorn:
The days of "rough riding" are over!

5 Speed auto + remote start + nav + climate control + leather + color matched top = The "new" Jeeper....:punk: :popcorn:
 
#27 ·
KarlG said:
Ditto, again. The 1st-2nd shift in normal driving occurs @ 10 MPH. Getting used to the very long throw gear box involved lots of missed 3-4 shifts as the clutch was reengaged before the lever had made it all the way from 3rd to 4th. It went something like clutch in, pull back, clutch out, GRIND (GD IT!), clutch in, all the way back into 4th this try, clutch out.

Better, much better now, and all was my fault but a short throw, precise sport transmission this is not.
Slow is best especially as you get the RPMS up. I don't know if the 12 is different.
If I get the Rpms up to let's say 3000, just let of the gas--the RPM's will hold for a bit before dropping. When depressing the clutch the hang is still there but less-- Its very strange, I have read on other forums it's got something to do with either emissions or a heavier flywheel. It does take a little getting used to. I've only had my Jk for three months and just found out yesterday --why messing around--my jeep will pull itself along In 2nd just letting of the clutch.
I don't think that can be done with higher gearing :confused:
I'm assuming the the 12 with new engine would make driving the 6 speed even more of a blast.
 
#33 · (Edited)
I definitely have the hold or hang after releasing the gas on brisk acceleration. You can reduce it by holding a constant RPM just before the shift. On brisk acceleration, when the clutch is depressed and the throttle released, there is a very brief period where the rpm is still climbing with the throttle backed down, sort of an overrun. I had assumed it was an electronic throttle response that lagged and wasn't tweaked. :confused:
The HSA is a crutch for people who can't drive and has no place in normal street driving. I can see where it would be beneficial on the trail, but on the street it is an annoyance more than anything. The absolute worst thing about it is that the more you "need" it, the more of a hindrance it becomes. It doesn't let the Jeep roll backward down the hill, but it also doesn't let it roll forwards up the hill. This gets worse the steeper the hill is because you have to hold more brake to keep from rolling backwards. The stop light right before I get to my house requires quite a bit of brake pressure to keep from rolling backwards. When I try to go forwards I don't only have to overcome the hill, I also have to overcome the stupid HSA that's there for people that don't have good enough footwork to drive otherwise. In order to overcome both of those things, it takes quite a bit of gas to get rolling. About that time the HSA releases and the Jeep lurches forward. This is a huge PITA. What's wrong with people just learning how to drive?



I don't have the EVIC and the other procedures I've seen don't work to deactivate it. We are slowly learning to drive around this "feature", but why should we need a crutch to drive around another crutch?
I agree about driving skills. I first learned how to drive manual without parking assist @ 1975, (not counting motorcycles before then), and this is the first vehicle with manual that has had it. I think just about every manual shift vehicle being built today has some version of HSA and most can't be disabled. I didn't like it at first but got better at HSA use with some practice, including the very steep hill at the bottom of my driveway where we stop to get the mail/paper. I'm not sure how my wife is doing with this, but she also is used to a non HSA vehicle.
 
#30 ·
panthermark said:
:rofl:
Agreed...
If you don't know how to drive a manual on hills.....don't by a f&&%@$# stick shift!

That seems like a feature that should be turned off before you leave the dealer parking lot...unless you are about to hit some trails.

What is next for the Wrangler? Park assist?
Heated steering wheel? :popcorn:

:rofl:
 
#31 ·
:rofl:
:crazy:

I didn't even read that thread (I think it was on this site)...I figured it would be full of :firedevil:
 
#38 ·
Drove a Rubi 6-spd today and found it as I expected -- OUTSTANDING! What a blast. Even the DW only stalled it once and then she was smo-o-o-oth. Next it will be the ordering and price negotiation process. Can't wait.
 
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