Wrangler or Tacoma?

My dad drove a Jeep when I was a kid. Took us out to CO on some wheeling trips - had me totally brainwashed. I built a ‘97 TJ in high school and a bought a stock ‘00 XJ later when I moved west. They were both a lot of fun but overall unreliable pieces of shit. Wrecked both of them and was thankful in both cases. Used the insurance check from the totaled XJ to put a down payment on my current Tacoma. I like the look and spirit of the new Gladiators but will never have another Jeep as a DD. Would love to get an early 70s CJ or J4000 to play around with one of these days.

 

The best Jeeps on the road are arguably the ones that aren't much Jeep anymore. You know the ones with Ford, GM, and Atlas parts

 

Before getting my Taco a few months ago I only had my 2004 TJ 5 speed MT with the inline 6 that I bought brand new in August of that year. Off the lot for just over $21,000 then. With just over 200,000 miles on it has served me well. For about 150,000 all I really did was change fluids and spark plugs. I did have to replace a starter but it was fixed under warranty. Now things have been failing which I expected with that many years and miles (clutch, water pump, dash lights, etc.)

So easy to work on and even with the soft top I didn't think it was too loud. It's not the most practical but the jeep does well in the city IMHO as it was easy to fit in most parking spaces. Hell I was able to fit into some "compact car only" spots lol.

Now that I have a home I needed a truck. I love my jeep too much to give it up but I love my Taco as well. I am on the fence on just turning it into a trail rig.

 

Yup, unless you like spending all your money and time chasing down problems all the time.

 

I traded my 17 Wrangler two door in for a 19 Tacoma a few months ago. After a few months of ownership, I prefer the Tacoma hands down. The wrangler is more capable off-road than the Tacoma (especially because of the lift, tires, winch, etc. that I had on the Jeep). However, never did I once "need" the off-road capability. The Tacoma is plenty capable on the trail, but also offers more utility on the road as well. It can carry more, tow more, drive further, is more comfortable, is quieter, and so on. Part of the reason I never took the Jeep on the crazy trails is because it was my daily driver and I didn't want to break it. The trails I took the Jeep on, the Tacoma will handle fine. So for me, Tacoma offers me what the Jeep did and so much more. I'll get another Jeep eventually, but not as a daily driver.

 

Jeeps are kind of in the same category as motorcycles, boats, ATVs, etc. to me - they are toys. If it's not nice enough to have the top off I don't want to drive it lol. I'm also not a fan of any Wranglers past the '06 year. I'd probably buy a Roxor and street legal it before buying a Jeep... Especially since the new 2020 Roxors are now styled like FJ40s instead of CJs.

 

That’s fair lol

my JK is now just a toy. The Super Duty is my DD and if I’m gonna drive in the spring or fall in the warm weather it’s in the Jeep with top and doors off

 

I’ve had lots of Jeeps...Wranglers and Cherokees. The best Cherokee I had was a 1999 2 door 5 speed. Just try to find one of those today! Sold it to take a job back in Africa, but would love to have that one back. Tacoma’s and Jeep’s...obviously different animals. I’ve had great luck with my Tacoma’s and truth be told will never buy another Jeep ever since they stupidly got rid of that indestructible straight six and went with the mini van v6’s.
Idiots.
But that’s just me

 

You pair that mini van v6 with some 4.88 gears and it really comes alive

personal experience lol

 

Now that I've moved back home for school, I'm blessed that I can play musical vehicles in our house with my Dad's 2nd gen Raptor and Mom's JLU Rubicon, I will say the JLU Rubi is awesome to drive, handles amazing (better than my Taco), Alpine sound system is TONNNNNNS better, heated steering wheel, bad** LEDs, you can even stick 35's on it stock, noise is minimal unless doing 80 on the highway and the new Jeep is way better thought out than our Tacos. That being said the fit and finish is definitely what you would expect with a FCA product and doesnt come close to my Tacoma or Dad's Raptor, but mom only drives 3k miles a year and she wanted a Jeep. It is definitely overall a more capable, better thought out, more fun vehicle IMO if than the Taco, but it will definitely not last 100k+ miles without some love and there is where our trucks shine. GL with your decision.

 

Okay, whole ‘nuther thread, and probably whole ‘nuther forum....but this Land Cruiser was a truck! What a horse!
(and changed a whole lotta tires.)

 

Owned 4 Toyota pickups over the years 1989,2006,2011,2016. But will always own A Jeep to, My 2006 TJ

 

2020 jt gladiator truck and jeep,doors off roof off etc.you even have a convertible for the summer.I am trying one of these vehicles right now with oversized tires on it and some extras I added and so far I am liking it.I love my taco's but I wanted to try this out and so far so good.

 

last two Jeeps I built and the taco. Going to a JL next. The gladiator is way to long to wheel. Is a foot longer than the taco which is 4 feet longer than my JK. In the northeast is not conducive to wheeling.

 

This is my take on Wranglers/Gladiator and Tacomas. I have always liked the Wrangler but never owned one, I have driven them on plenty occasions from friends, family members and even rent them in HI for weeks. And this is what all of them have said, they are NOT practical vehicles at all, fun to drive around town and short trips but that's about it. When the Gladiator came, I was a little disappointed for not waiting and closely compare it with the Tacoma. I would of giving the Gladiator a shot if it wasn't for the ridiculous price, nonetheless being very nervous that Jeep is owned by Fiat... The Tacoma on the other hand, is a very practical and dependable truck even for businesses, they are cable to do as good as the Wrangler off road as well. Im VERY pleased with my purchase of getting my 2018 Tacoma TRD Sport, trouble free to this day!!!! However, I would love to own a Wrangler/Gladiator for the fun factor.

 

ill be looking for you in your taco tomrr maybe we will pass one another some day in mass.

 

You Never Know !!

 

One is a Toyota and one is a Chrysler. The legendary difference in reliability is the primary reason to shift. The Jeep could be good, but it's still a Chrysler.

 

Toyota is having its share of issues lately,I have talked to many techs and there is a lot going on we don't always hear about.they are reliable but most manufacturers are having issues because the technology is moving faster than they can keep up and there will be some problems with every make and model.

 

Ill update the first post as well but, Ive had a few jeeps and tacomas now. Will own my current one till the powertrain warranty will run out and then will sell it and buy a Tacoma once they have some sort of Hybrid system