Why not get a Jeep?

87!

 

Winning TW friendships, one dick post at a time.

 

<3

 

I owned my TJ (4.0 manual) from 2006 to 2012 (28k miles to around 65k when I sold it). Like I said, I never had any issues with it other than breaking the sway bar links a couple of times, and that was due to pushing it too hard, trying to keep up with guys running 35s and disconnecting sway bars.



Prior to that, I owned a '99 XJ (4.0 auto) from 2002 to 2006 (40k miles to 99k when I totaled it). Other than having to replace every single window motor, one by one, and a water pump around 60k, it was incredibly reliable as well. Never had an issue with the auto transmission. I did a bunch of college road trips in this vehicle. Pittsburgh to Boston, to NYC, to Virginia Tech, to DC, and hundreds of ski trips. Never let me down and was a beast in the snow. To this day, every time I see a good looking XJ on a used car lot, I want to pull over and take it for a test drive.



To your point, I do know a good amount of Wrangler guys who are constantly wrenching, but it's almost always because they pushed the vehicle too hard and/or don't understand simple physics, not a matter of an OEM part failing due to factory design flaws. When in doubt, throttle out isn't always the best approach, if you know what I mean.

 

I owned a TJ for 10 years and most of the time it was my DD. Added a WJ for a few years until it got wrecked. Both were great to me and I had no complaints. Put a lot of miles on both and did some off-roading in the TJ. No real issues other then normal maintenance on both.

Like you I have been looking at a Tacoma since I could use a nice truck. Basically have it narrowed down between a 2010+ Taco and 12+ JKU since I only want one vehicle now. Been flipping a coin and can make argument either way Going to look at 10 Taco this weekend and might pull the trigger. Since they are different vehicles might be more what you want. More important to take the top off or be able to easily haul things in admittedly more comfort? Really do not think there is a wrong choice which is why it is difficult

 

@Arailt Those are some great looking Jeeps. My goodness does that bring back some memories. I have had some great Wranglers and Cherokees, both of which I miss. At the end of the day, I know the Taco meets my needs right now and is a better all-around vehicle; however, my goodness do I need a Jeep in my life. Even if it is an older one. I think I'm just forever a Taco Jeeper!

Thanks for posting man, and welcome to TW! It's great to have your opinion around!

If I may chime in b/c I just made the decision between a '15 JK and a '15 Taco - the Taco meets my needs much better as an everyday DD. I do love Jeeps, and I have owned a lot - I'm a Jeep guy at heart. However, for me, they're just not practical and the Taco gets so much more done for me not only with kiddos and dogs, but also working around the house, moving things, camping, etc etc etc. Only you know your needs, but I ended up with the new Taco at the end of the day, and I'm going to pick up an older Jeep over the next few months to tinker around with and still get my 'Jeep fix'.

Maybe start a thread and let us know the vehicles that you look at and what you decide on? Oh, and pictures or it didn't happen!





EDIT: Spellingz

 

I only read page 1 of this thread, I admit i went looking for a jeep because all of my friends own one. I bought a 16' OFF ROAD edition and i spank every single one of my jeeper friends on sand in mud etc. I only have 1.5" leveling kit and 285's! So NO I do not regret my purchase !

 

Are things that much better in the Tacoma?
I can't speak at all to the 275, but I'm 6'5" and ~180 and I never had issues fitting in any of my jeeps.
I do touch just above the knee to the steering wheel in the Gen3s. My Gen2 std trans is pretty comfy, though.

 

Nice truck, and congrats! So what made you go w/ the Taco over the Jeep?

 

Why not get a Jeep? Because they don't make the 4.0 anymore. I had three Jeeps with the 4.0 (two XJ's and a ZJ) and they were great rigs. That 4.0 was such a torque monster that I could crawl over anything without touching the gas, and 3rd was good for anything from 5mph to 40 mph. And with the 5 Speed I could coax 20mpg's out of it pretty regularly. Loved it. Honestly if I didn't need something with a bed I'd probably still be driving an XJ.

 

So you're for it if I get an older one with a 4.0L then, yeah? That's what I'm hearing.

 

Yeah. New Taco and Older Jeep. As long as it's got a 4.0

 

I have seen some older TJs for sale also. Down the road I will prob get one as a weekend ride since I do love them. Now just need to find my new DD More then likely the Tacoma will win out since I like the hauling ability.

 

Very nice setup and congrats on the new ride, but your Jeep friends must not know how to drive .

 

He seems excited about his new ride - I didn't want to say anything...

 

@TacoTaco15 you're a better man than I, haha.

 

Hah I wish I knew how to post a video on here..... I have proof!

 

As someone who owned a TJ and a YJ and spent plenty of time on Jeep forums I have to say that there aren't many complaints about reliability. The common advice for someone buying a Jeep would be to find a TJ with around 100k miles that was used as a DD and not wheeled. The I-6 and I-4 engines are bulletproof. The Jeep is designed for off road, there is a reason the military uses Jeeps and not Tacomas. The drawbacks to a Jeep as a DD is the harsh ride, poor fuel economy, and the lack of cargo space. I know nothing of the JK and their reliability.

 

Last I checked the military doesn't use modern jeeps, but does use Tacoma's...



Not that it matters. I get your point that Jeep has it's heritage in the military but to be honest so does the Toyota Truck line.

 

Comanches only