Re: dakota 5 speed vs. auto

From: Karl Kromer (karlk@ssl.berkeley.edu)
Date: Thu May 29 1997 - 17:33:08 EDT


>I used to have an automatic, but when I bought my
>Dak, I especially wanted the standard for my boat
>towing. I used to hate the way an automatic will
>not let you release the drivetrain from the load
>if the emergency brake slips. I would
>practically hang off the shifter lever to get it
>out of park. On the other hand the clutch works
>great. Put limited slip on it and no more ramp
>problems.

>Alan...

I found the opposite to be true. I used to have a 5 spd, and actually
wanted another one when I upgraded to my club cab, but the '97s had just
come out and I was getting a deal on a '96 (which had an auto). Towing with
the auto is much easier, especially backing the boat into my driveway. My
street is pretty narrow, so I have to do a lot of jockeying (especially
with the extra wheelbase) to back the boat in. The clutch didn't like that
chore very much. My boat is #2700, and I haven't run into the problem you
have. Do you set the e-brake first, and then put it in park?

I'd have to say my main gripe against the auto is the mileage hit (the 5.2
& 5spd got better mileage than my newer 3.9 & auto). Sometimes I miss the
stick, but eating in traffic is a whole lot easier now. I can also get my
non-stick driving friends to park the truck for me after launching my boat.

-Karl

 



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