ive heard alot of problems with the m5od i however have well over 270,000 miles and never had a problem the manufactors ARE trying to get rid of manual transmisson, why else would they put automatic transmissons in the jeep wrangler

 

14 years ago, I towed a 6000+ lb trailer from Houston, TX to Trenton, NJ with a 4-cyl 5-spd 84 Mazda B2000 that hat 90,000 miles on the clock. Everybody told me I'd kill the clutch and/or engine, but it did fine, because I knew how to use it properly!. Yeah, it wouldn't do more than about 55mph on a flat road, but it made it! I drove that truck for 120,000 more miles.

Now, I have a 99 4.2 auto F150 XL. I pull a 4200+ lb camping trailer, and it has absolutely no problems at all with it. No, you won't win any drag races against clapped-out Yugos, and you'd better make sure you stay in the right lane climbing hills, but it'll cruise at "normal" highway speeds, won't overheat, and you know it'll get you to where you're goin'!

 

My little reg cab '02 v6 pulled a 16' heavy fiberglass boat from Chicago to Dallas no problem. Then I had an even heavier 18' fiberglass boat with a big engine and it never gave me a problem on any boat ramp, and thats with regular tires and 2wd. In fact, now that my wife made me sell it, im looking for a 20' pontoon. Anything bigger wont fit in the driveway.

 

A quick update - I just got back from a 2,000+ mile vacation trip to Key West ujsing my '99 4.2 with about 260,000 miles on the clock, pulling our 4,200 lb. camping trailer. Maintained a steady 65 mph on Interstates, except on hills, and never had a problem with the 4R70W tranny or the engine. Only got about 8 mpg, but didn't use a drop of oil and never overheated, even with the a/c running and outside temps in high 90s.

I love my 4.2!