Just wanted to know how many other manual trans X owners there were out there. Here in Jax, NC I have yet to see another. I have also yet to see another 4x4... although there are are a LOT of X's here. (for those that don't know, jacksonville is a military town, whole LOT of people crammed into a little town)so I guess I could have missed a few here and there.

For those with auto's, as you are taking off from a dead stop, under normal acceleration, when does your trans shift?

For those with man, when do you shift and what rpm does your x stay at when driving 60mph? (under normal load I guess)

mines an 01 4x4 SE 5spd, if i like opening it up i shift really high (before redline of course) but i like to get all the power out but thats rare, regular driving i shift usually around 3000rpm, at 60 it revs at about 2600rpm

I cannot answer your specific questions but I love the auto. I have an 05 X and before this vehicle I have driven manual 4/5 speeds for 17 years. Auto is very nice in the city and in traffic jams. Will admit the manual is fun to drive but I don't miss it very much and I thought I would.

I'm running an '03 manual. I usually shift around 2800-3000 (except around 2200 going 1st-2nd), unless I am really looking for to burn out of a stop light or get quick acceleration, which is VERY rare (like when some jackass in an Exploder next to me is revving at a light). Anyway, I love the 5-spd, and I from what I hear from others around here I'm probably getting slightly better mileage. Only way I'd recommend an auto is if you're considering modifying your X to do rockcrawling. You are at a disadvantage with a manual if you want to rock crawl...unless you're just damn good

Hmm, I rarely shift below 3K - hehe . . . just can't do it. I average 15-18, so I don't think I'm doing too bad - on the highway I tend to stay at 65 or under, and I think that's the main difference.

As for rock crawling, if I was still in the southwest, I would have a set of the calmini gears. Problem negated

I love my 5 speed, but with the new 5 speed auto and the extra power on the '05, if I upgrade to the newer X it will be a tough decision... I still will probably go for the 6 speed tho. If I need a commuter, I'll just get a car THe X is my fun vehicle...

I also love my manual tranny 2WD. My local dealer is going to call me when they get an 05 Manual tranny in, so I can take it for a test drive and see what the 6 speed box feels like with that new engine. Should be fun. Then I have to try and persuade the wife into letting me buy one! lol. That might not be so easy.