Jeep Wrangler engineers have never forgotten that a manual transmission is a crucial part of the analog off-roading experience. In today’s world of automated hill descent control and even self-fording luxury SUVs, it’s refreshing to realize that the original rock crawler still respects the purity of the sport of off-roading by offering a genuine manual transmission.

“My dad taught me how to drive a manual in the slush behind a Kohl’s in a turbo PT Cruiser GT,” said Corey Blomquist, who was immediately hooked. “When it was time to buy my first car, I knew it had to be a manual.”

Though the first Jeep Compass was maligned by purists for its primarily front-drive architecture, true enthusiasts of the manual transmission may remember that the cute-ute could be optioned with a surprisingly satisfying five-speed stick. As manuals go, the first Compass was an unsung underdog, delivering an extra dose of fun and soft-roading capability to those who gave the manual transmission version a chance. Corey ordered his 2013 model in cherry red, blacked out the steel wheels and threw all-terrain tires on for good measure. LED lighting, a winch and a brush bar helped “Geep” explore the snowy back roads of Michigan’s upper peninsula — and though unique in its own right, Corey soon felt the need to upgrade.

“Got into my engineering career and a few years later was able to afford ordering my white 2017 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara, “Yeti”,” Corey said. ” It had a 3.6-liter Pentastar engine and six-speed manual with the longest throw I’ve ever experienced. I’ve also never been bruised by a shifter when hitting a pothole before. Talk about being connected to the road! Every little vibration transmitted directly. It was an awesome experience to drive every single time.”

“Yeti” wore the full complement of bolt-on Jeep accessories thanks to an expansive aftermarket community. The pair traveled west on a week-long adventure through the national parks of Utah and Colorado, at times serving as a base camp among friends and other times transformed into a solo suite under frigid stars.

“As my adventure ambitions increased, my need for gear capacity and comfort for friends so they’d still go with me also increased,” Corey said. “When I heard a Jeep pickup was in the works and would still be offered in a manual, I immediately started saving.”

“One fateful morning at 1 AM, after cramming the last few bags of gear into Yeti to embark on a trip to Glacier and Banff with seven other friends, we hit the road and immediately experienced a very unsafe body sway,” Corey recalled. “Turns out we heavily overloaded the stock suspension and in order to still keep to our busy trip itinerary, we had to swap out and leave Yeti behind. As anyone who mods their car for a certain purpose can attest, it was painful to leave behind.”

It was the impetus he needed to place his order. When the books opened, Corey put his name down for a 2020 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon finished in white — a manual, naturally.

“I’ll be honest – I think Jeep could have picked out a more engaging, or just a higher quality, manual transmission for their latest Jeeps,” Corey said. “It’s still ten times more fun than an automatic, but I may or may not be plotting to swap out the trans for a different option should the opportunity present itself. Love everything else about Squatch though: tons of space for gear, very easy canvas to paint on, far more comfortable for long drives with passengers, extremely capable, and a blast to drive, especially with the manual.”

COVID-19 put Corey’s adventure itinerary on hold, but Squatch still made the trek to the Grand Tetons for a ski trip before lockdown. Silver Lake Sand Dunes, the venerable playground for Michigan’s off-road community, has been a favorite haunt. Several trips to the Keweenaw in the upper peninsula of Michigan for mountain biking served as the primer for the ultimate roadtrip goal: a trek from Michigan to Alaska by highway, all in a manual transmission Jeep.

If you’re an outspoken ally of the manual transmission active in your online owner community, DM @highmileage on Instagram for your chance to be featured in a TMGPS Member Spotlight.