Jeep Gladiator

Of course, you are correct! There are a WHOLE lot more places to four-wheel than in snow and that is where A-TRAC alone shines!!!

I did a test of the systems in snow (and posted the results here on TW), what little we get in the mountains near San Diego, lol... and I found that engaging the rear locker (with A-TRAC on) was the best setting in low range.

This is because A-TRAC is not active unless the speed drops below 3 mph (with the rear locked), ie. you just about or have gotten stuck. At that point, the A-TRAC locks the rotation of the front tires and muscles you out... then deactivates over 3 mph, and away you go.

This is why I try to educate on TW because unless you have seriously tried all the traction options, you won't know and just get frustrated with them.

In 4L, you have several choices. The 3rd gens may have some kind of TRAC action now?:

*Standard mode, A-TRAC Off: Open Differentials
*Rear Locker On, A-TRAC Off: front diff is open.
*A-TRAC On: front and rear diffs are open. 'Locking' of spinning tires (to the traction tire's rotation) only as needed to move. If no forward movement, due to resistance, then give it heavy pedal to move on. I discover that when climbing One Tri Hill, (see video below) as the steepness halted my climb but I mashed the gas pedal and the A-TRAC woke up or went into overdrive and took me on to the top!.
*Rear Locker and A-TRAC on together: front diff is open unless speed is below 3 mph.

>>> When I say differential is open, I am also meaning there is no limited slip traction control. A-TRAC doesn't change the differentials but does match tire rotation across the differential as a locker does. It is just automatic and 'unlocks' that matching when it is not needed.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CG3KhKR0NJk

 

How good is A-Trac in something like this where you need 100% traction at all 4 wheels without wheel slip ??

https://youtu.be/TgSk6dydlpo

 

That is hardly a stock vehicle... modified rock crawlers need lockers! LOL

My A-TRAC or traction control education posting is aimed at those wondering how they work on their factory stock Tacomas, which are NOT available with a front locker but are very capable with A-TRAC instead.

 

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, as they say. I think the Tacoma is ugly AF, especially the front end, but I didn't buy it for its looks.
You need only hang at TW for a short time to see all the aesthetic mods that serve no actual function other than improve the looks to know that many Taco owners feel the same way.
I'd still have my JKU Wrangler Sahara had I not owned it during the recent "gas costs $4 per gallon" era - with the bigger tires it got too expensive to enjoy.

I said this at the time when details about the Gladiator were first released - it looks like their engineers paid close attention to many Toyota/Honda/Chevy/Ford/Dodge complaints and addressed them in their design. Example - TW whining about a lack of lockable storage under/behind the rear seats - Jeep addressed it. There are enough similar examples that I bet there are TW members who are Jeep engineers involved in the design process of this thing.

 

Gonna be bad ass!!!

https://youtu.be/H-dZYeg2qQE

 

Definitely going to be a bad ass jeep !!

 

MT or AT?

 

A built Rubicon would be bad ass! Nuff said

 

………...and would cost $60K+!!!!...…………………………...

 

Have to pay to play! If you want the goods that is. I'm sure you spent a few bucks on that TT RS

 

Obviously, the Gladiator is going to be a fantastic off-road vehicle. For me, the Tacoma just makes more sense. All I need is a 4x4 to access a local beach.

It came down to build quality, length of service, and price. For my particular circumstances, the Taco won hands-down.

 

For sure, not knocking the Tacoma. That's why were all here. Had one since 1999. Love it. One reason I'm considering it is at some point I want to trade our RV trailer to a motorhome and you can't properly pull the Taco with all the AT and auto TC crap (unless you get a dolly or DS coupler - neither one I would want to deal with). I wish they stayed with the manual TC like the FJ's and 4runners. (a few gripes with the Taco but its been great) I need a truck for work stuff so this is right up my alley but well see in a year or two??

 

The new Rangers are flat towable.

 

There is no need to justify your post to me.

Didn't think you were knocking the Tacoma, and no big deal if you do - your opinion based on your personal experiences and needs.

This forum flourishes on new and different ideas presented, and hopefully accepted, respectfully.

For my wife and I, we cross-shopped a Tacoma, Crosstrek and Wrangler. There are probably not three different vehicles capable of a few similar things. I never expressed an opinion on the three until the wife had driven them all.

For the final decision/choice, we played HGTV "House Hunters". Went to dinner, discussed all three and immediately knocked one out. To my surprise, the wife knocked-out the Subaru - just too "nerdy" for us.

She loved the Wrangler - thought it was "really cute", but she felt she did not want to take it on long road trips - Whatever the choice, it was going to be her daily driver for a year and she would be driving from Jacksonville to Houston and back two or three times a year.

That left the Tacoma. She loved the ride, the styling, the interior, and the fact that our son's 2008 Tacoma has been trouble-free since new.

Frankly, I was prepared to "debate" Wrangler v. Tacoma, but just ordered another beer and smiled. The Tacoma had always been my first choice. Eight months later, we have never regretted the choice.

 

But its a Ranger! All kidding aside if Ford decides to put the 6 cyl ecoboost in one of those (either 2.7 or 3.5) I'd be interested. Although I heard it's pretty quick as is. Quicker than the Tacoma with a 4cyl turbo. Just read my latest Motortrend mag. That's what spurred my interest. Articles on Midsize truck comparison and Gladiator. BTW MT put the Tacoma last place. They bashed it! Turning the computer off now. LOL

 

You just have a fugly 2nd gen

 

My parents just got a Ranger, said they would have got the Taco if it was more RV friendly.

I thought i was going to be more impressed with the 2.3 EcoBoost then I was. Im happy with my v6.

 

I went to Jeep.com again, I see the base model Sport has manual doorlocks and manual windows. Saw this in the Sport Standard Features:
Interior Design

• 120-MPH Primary Speedometer
• Base Interior Accents
• Base Steering Wheel
• Cluster 3.5" TFT B&W Display
• DO NOT USE - See JP, KA classes
• Front Seat Area Carpet
• Silver Platinum I/P Bezels

https://www.jeep.com/build.gladiato...ERC,DEM,TW2,WFJ,D5,SDD,UAG,DMF,X9,PE4,23R,APA

Every trim except the Rubicon has the same odd "DO NOT USE . . ." bullet. Talk about upselling . . . .

 

https://youtu.be/OumBf8R_2wo