Gladiator vs. Tacoma - Pic Comparison

that's cool, i can simplify for you...still looks like a Jeep, sooo meh

 

When the 1st gen, double cabs came out I thought that was the dumbest thing I've ever seen.
By late 2001, they grew on me. The white gauges, the tailgate down and the grocery rack extended.

Bought a new one in late 2001 and still dd it on occasions.

I like the Rubicon Gladiators with a small lift and 35's. Should have waited before I purchased my 2018 JLUR but the price point at the time was rumored to be near $70k.

 

Great point! Now they’re everywhere, but double cabs looked really bizarre to me initially as well.

 

I see the appeal, but I'd never have one.

I'd only want a Rubicon, it's $60k+ before tax.
Open top is useless where I live.
Solid front axle isn't suited to my uses.
3.6L is very "meh" for a $60k offroad toy
Wrangler is a better trail rig

 

Tacoma:


Jeep:

 

I recently left a Ford dealership that also sold Jeeps across the street. The mechanics told me the Gladiator was nothing but a Jeep body on a Dodge Ram chassis. Also said to expect the same quality you get from the Rams for reliability. Stick with your Toyotas.

 

I love it.

 

I like the Toyota better

 

Exactly!

 

Fixing a broken down jeep is probably still easier and less expensive then SASing a Toyota. Ive only owned Toyota's since my first car and I've done 2 solid axle swaps. My next truck is going to be a gladiator that comes factory with a diesel engine, 2 solid axles, and 2 lockers.

 

The Jeep gladiators def look very cool.

Friend has one and it drives fine on the roads. I'm sure slow paced off road it will flex better with that solid axle.

Buttttttttt... when we took that solid axle out to anza borrego and started to go fast it went from B+ ---> would not even consider renting it. It can be expected with any solid axle front set-up but it's a complete mess past 25 mph. Immagine the negative effects of having a front sway bar when you hit a deep pot hope on one side, and multiply that feeling by 10. In other words it rides exactly like the boat rides at disneyland. It's like why the hell do I still feel that bump shaking the frame/ cab. Forget about turning quickly through whoop sections or uneven terrain at any normal speed. Your head is gonna slap the side window at some point lol

One thing that the gladiators front solid axle does okay vs older jeeps is that "unsprung mass" bouncy feeling seen in most solid axles isn't too bad. You don't really notice the heavy unsprung mass as much with this new jeep. Maybe new factory shocks are actually doing their job on rebound stroke?

Point is...no matter how sweet or updated jeeps get there is one major disadvantage that is impossible to get around...and that's the crap solid front axle. I understand the ancient "wisdom" around solid front axle (more flex, stronger, cheaper...) but also understand that some people live near higher speed desert trails and spending some cash to have a safe and FAST ride is ok. A fully built out King of Hammers solid front axle car is = a bolt on long travel kit. Even with coil overs / bypass shocks and long arms on a jeep a mid travel IFS will smoke it at speed. Stop being so cheap jeep, and put a 15k IFS 4x4 system up front lol. They could sell it as the "go faster than 25mph" edition:

 

You should look into TTB swaps or expensive A arm 4x4 builds.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UED2PSUSxKU&t=201s

Dana 44 snouts / u joints and still IFS:

 

I would entertain a Gladiator if it were all electric, 4 wheel independent suspension and had two powerful electric motors powering all four wheels.

 

That’s a Bollinger B2

 

That’s true. The Bollinger will be a $125k truck. It’s not even in the same league as a Gladiator. Bollinger will be a limited production niche truck aimed at the 1 percenters. I’ll bet Bollinger wants nothing more than to be bought out by a bigger player.

 

You’re probably right. They’re badass but pricey.

 

My favorite Bollinger feature...

 

My buddy has a Gladiator, did a minimal lift and fits 37s no problem. We have reliability with the Tacoma but man what a process to even run 33s.

 

The look is iconic and harkens back 60 years. Not a wierd look in my opinion.

That said, while I like the styling I am skeptical on the reliability. By way of background I owned (bought new) a 1985 CJ7 (SOLD IN 1991)..loved that Jeep and still have a soft spot for them.