So I have been second guessing myself a lot recently. Heres the issue. I bought my X thinking it would be good for snow and light off roading, as well has hauling around the wife, dogs, crap (and soon kids). So while searching for my X it was next to impossible to find a Manual trans, so I settled for an Auto, and was happy... Until I got off road and brought back all those sweet sweet memories of high school fourwheelin everyday afterschool. Now I'm slowly convincing the wife to let me pretty much turn this into a trail rig.:hypnose-big: However my opinion was to always have a manual for offroading. So here the issue... Can you swap a auto for a man tranny in a '03 X? If so would a non-mechanic be able to do this and if not what would I expect to pay at a shop? OR am I better off selling this for a Manual? OR is there really not that much to be gained (other than preference) by having a Manual? I appreciate any insight you all can give to this.:aufkopfhauen-big:



P.S. I wasn't sure which area to post this.

The choice to use manual or auto tranny's when offroading is a similar dispute to Miller Lite's "great taste, less filling" feud. It's pretty much a matter of preference. Both sides will argue their point and make good points about the strengths of each. I personally like an auto offroad myself. I just feel more in control when I'm on grades and off-camber probably is the big thing for me.

As for swapping it out... no way. Not your everyday shadetree mechanic weekend job. I would think trade-in on a manny. But THAT is strictly my opinion. Some may beg to differ on this. I just don't see it being worth the time and effort and expense for something that is more of a matter of preference than better performance.

I've done the swap on a few rigs, but nothing this new. I think it would be a lot of work, and expense on something like an '03 X. I think you'd be better off just buying the vehicle you're looking for in the first place. I spent about a year waiting for the right X to roll through the insurance auctions, finally found one that was fixable and had a stickshift.

No way... I asked this question with Nissan... To many sensors that are calibrated for the Manny THAT ARE DIFFERENT than the auto.... vac is also a serious block to jump over.

Clutch mounts and not to mention other eng. probs you will run into!

JUST switch gears and buy either one but don't pull parts... your hair will be next!

i like wheelin a manual better

but i also suggest not swapping

Thanks for you alls input. I think a manual is more fun to drive but I think I can make do with the Auto. I suppose I was just getting ahead of myself. Thanks

a manual is more fun to drive but a auto is more practical.. thats why the manumatic transmission is so amazing, to bad there isnt on in my X thought...