Auto Vs Manual for sand

Hey all,

I live on the east coast of Australia and have access to some awesome sand islands and beaches that I want to go camping on. Looking around there really isnt a cheap 4x4 market (while also new and reliable) outside of the Zukes.

What I wanted to know is your thoughts on the auto for sand driving? Main reason I would like the auto is it will also be my work vehicle so I will be in traffic, also my partner does not drive manual so I would like something she can also drive. Now the car will only be used for sand driving, no rock hopping or extreme 4x4ing just normal sand driving/island exploring and maybe the occasional fire trail or other well graded dirt roads.

Will the auto box make the car far to underpowered in the sand?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
Postal

I would say that the progressive way the power is applied with an auto would suit sand well. The way it can behave like it's slipping the clutch will remove some of the power drainage issues slightly and to counteract this auto's have lower diff ratio's I believe - someone will correct me if I'm wrong.

My understanding of Jimny auto boxes is that they can get hot easily, so you would have to consider an oil cooler if they don't have one or maybe a larger one if they do.

Kirkynut

I have a question if you don;t mind Postal. As far as I know there are 2 types of auto.
!. The age old one with fluid flywheel and epicyclic gears.
2. The modern type that uses manual box and standard clutch. These are controlled by hydraulics and electronics. I have seen this on a Citroen C3 and they are also used on wagons. They return the same mpg as manuals.
Question is which type is on the Jimny.??

type 1

Thought they might be. That will make them even thirstier.

I went to Fraser Island a couple of years ago and hired an auto Jimny whilst we were there. It had spent its entire life as a hire vehicle and had about 100,000 kms on the clock. It performed very well both on the long sand beaches and also on the softer inland sand. It was a vvt with the push button 4wd/low ratio and worked without problem. In the UK I also drive an auto jimny. On that I have fitted an additional oil cooler (they already have one in the bottom of the rad) from Think Automotive - Mocal - and would do the same if I were you particularly as East Coast summer temperatures can get quite high. When I bought my auto the gearbox oil was quite dirty and smelled slightly burnt. Not a good sign, but I drained the oil and fitted a new gearbox filter, and the previously mentioned oil cooler and now after about 10,000 miless the oil is still like new.
I think for sand driving an auto is good as it gives you seamless changes which in sand can make the difference between getting stuck or not.

Am I jealouse of what you are doing???!!! Have fun.