>
> Formula 1 racers do use a sequential shifter, which is 'manual clutchless',
> however, it IS STILL a manual transmission. The Ferrari 355 ($7000 option)
> can include the same sequential shifter, with an automatic mode for it.
> However, F1 racers do their own shifting, making them still a manual
> transmission. It doesn't matter if it's a stick, or levers on a steering
> wheel, it's STILL a manual transmission. My 97 Dak's a 5spd, but that's
> just my preference. I don't drag it, simply because it's a 4x4, and is
> inherently not suited to 1/4 mile. However, it does go off-road quite a
> bit, and I find the 5spd much more conducive to managing the rock-climbing,
> mud bogging off-road stuff.
>
> As far as towing stuff goes, if I was driving a Ram with a Cummins Turbo
> Diesel, towing a 15,000 lb horse trailer I'd (and have) prefer the
> automatic. It's just more comfortable. In fact when I was looking at
> Dakota's, I was also looking at full-size Ram's. I wanted an Auto in the
> Ram, though I was adamant about having a 5spd in the Dakota. Go figure...
>
> Pat Buthmann
>
> Proud owner of a 97 Dakota, 5.2 L V8, 4x4 Club Cab, 5spd, Black, All-black
> and nothing but Black!
>
>
I've never had a problem with an auto off-road, if you put it into 4L, you
want spin a tire, I know I've gone through mud axle deep with it in 4L,
and not even spin a tire. One time my brother got his Ford 4X with a
stick in it stuck and I had to take my automatic in there to get it out,
and never spun a wheel with it while pulling him out (Granted this might
just be because of differences between Dodge and Ford, but still). Besides
it seems to me that if you're going along in light mud with it in 2nd in a
stick and then you hit a big mudhole or something, and have to downshift
to 1st, that the split second there where the wheels slow down while the
clutch is in will make you get stuck, whereas with an auto all you do is
move the selector down, and it shifts it without slowing wheels down.
(Maybe I'm wrong, I'm asking here, because I've driven several sticks, but
I've never took one off-road, it's just hard to get someone to agree to
let you borrow their truck to go off-roading in, because of inherint risk
of damage while 4 wheeling).
Bruce
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Fri Jun 20 2003 - 12:07:54 EDT