Pro: gas, clutch, brake, all at once.
Pro: use over rough road, no surging pedal.
Pro: keep RPMs up and consistent while winching. Keep RPMs up while winching from outside the vehicle.
Con: if you let your kids play in your jeep, they may leave your throttle wide open. VROOOMMM next time you start.
I used the teraflex kit. It was easy. Now that Ive done it I could make one from bicycle parts just as easy though. (The TF kit is just bicycle parts)
X2, also nice if you want to keep rpm's up for jumping another battery or running heavy amp electricals (compressor, winch, etc) while parked. I also used the Teraflex kit (rather than bike parts) just because it all came ready to bolt on and I didn't have to go scrounging for small parts.
A hand throttle was one of the best mods I ever installed. It gives incredibly precise fingertip control of the throttle on rough trail conditions and it eliminates the possibility of a foot bouncing on the gas pedal and sending a shock through the drivetrain busting something. For those worried about the kids leaving it pulled into the high RPM setting, it's spring loaded and will return on its own once you let go. You would have to turn the little clamp at the pivot point to lock it into place to hold the RPMs up like for winching or OBA engine-driven compressor use.
Mine came from Rubicon Express and it had a cool helpful bracket for the throttle linkage cable installation but they no longer sell it. Transamerica was worried about liability so they told them to stop selling it. Tera's kit is the only other kit I'm aware of but it doesn't come with that bracket. Also, buy a throttle return spring from the dealer. Cut the spring off, you only want the plastic retainer. You can pass the hand throttle cable through it instead and then snap it over the ball on the throttle lever on the throttle body. Go to Lowes or Home Depot to get a crimp on cable retainer piece which will secure the wire in the plastic retainer after setting the required length.
I installed it on my TJ when it had its OE 5-speed, and then I reinstalled it after I converted to the automatic. It helps with both types of transmissions.
I have been thinking about adding a throttle cable to my 2004 Rubicon with the automatic. I have the cruise control which connects to the second ball on the throttle lever. How would I connect the throttle cable?
I also have cruise control on mine. I simply leave the clip on the hand throttle disconnected at the throttle body until I get to the trail then unsnap the cruise control clip and snap on the hand throttle clip...no tools needed.
I have never wished I had a hand throttle in any situation, have proper gearing and learn how to drive without rolling back. I must have a magical foot because I never have a problem with bouncing either..
Just my opinion. I'm glad I never got dependent on one.
Oh to be so skilled, I hope my foot becomes magical like yours some day. Actually I'm glad I never grew dependent on mine either... but like a locker, it sure is nice to have available when trail conditions are such that it makes a difference.
The bottom line is if you've never rock crawled on an extra challenging trail like is common in Johnson Valley with one, you'd never know what you're missing.
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