Debating trading in Tacoma for FJ or 4dr Jeep

Jeep reliability is seriously lacking, and the newer Wranglers are overpriced. They do look sweet though. If I had tons of money for repairs and gas, I would definitely get one.

The FJ40's are pretty sweet. I don't know anything about cost or mileage, but I doubt the mileage is very good. My favorite colors are the hunter green and desert tan with the black accents.

If I were you, I would keep my truck for a few more years. It's only about 5 years old, and you said it's reliable. It's hard to resist buying the newest and greatest, but it is wise to keep what you have if it still works fine.

Just my opinion.

 

Only reason I'd ever buy a jeep is to be able to take off the roof and doors easily...and still look good afterward. If you want an awesome vehicle, look at a Toyota FJ...the FJ40

 

Tow trucks like Jeeps

 

My recommendation is to drive both the FJ and Jeep on fairly long test drives, maybe even the same route if you can. Then take your Tacoma on the same drive. I was considering trading for a Wrangler at one point as well and that alone sold me on keeping my truck. I think it's a great way to compare how all three ride. As for looks and functionality, you're the only one who knows what's right for you.
Above all, have fun test driving and shopping!!

My $.02

 

I just sold my 2000 TJ Sahara. I have nothing but good things to say about inline 6. Jeeps can be money pits, but the pit is very shallow, ex a waterpump is like $30. I replaced the radiator for $125. It's also very easy to work on.

Also had a 94 cherokee...same as a wrangler. She'd go in any direction I pointed her in and would not complain.

The I6 will run forever and then some more. Downside to a Jeep is the fuel economy. It's shaped like a brick and your fuel economy will be hit HARD.

As a Jeep owner, you cannot be worried about fuel economy....sorry, it's just the way it is.

If you get a wrangler, get one with a hard top. It's more secure and you'll only remove a soft top once. After the first time trying to get it back on, I promise you'll never take it off again. LOL.

I have never gotten stuck in my wrangler and been to places I've had no business being, but she just kept on trucking along. I have gotten my 89 toyo pickup stuck, probably cause it's a truck and light in the back. Wrangler has a short wheelbase so turning around on a trail is easy. The 4wd can handle anything as long as you have the right rubber. I truly loved my wrangler, but I needed a truck. So the wrangler had to go.

So....a wrangler is fun and can go anywhere. BUT the ride is loud and rough...it's a wrangler. She will kill your wallet in gas but same you money if you do need to replace parts.

Get the Sahara edition as it comes with a Dana 44 rear. Don't get the Rubicon unless you plan on doing some MAJOR off roading. Rubicon has front and rear Dana 44's.

Don't know anything about newer (non I6) engines....so can't help there.

I'd recommend a 4x4 Taco. You can go off road and still haul if the situation arises....and as my father in law pointed out....everyman needs a truck. Plus with a shell, you already have a tent if you go camping.

 

You hit that nail on the head, but Jeep really fucked up when they quit using the 4.0 in the newer Jeeps, it was laid to rest with the TJ. I have a 80 CJ5 and it has the older 4.2 carbbed inline six and it has been a bombshell proof motor, and they are very easy and cheap to fix. Still, that little Heep was a moneypit, I don't care much for the way the drivetrain was setup in those older CJs. Toyota for sure has a better built drivetrain that won't be much problem and be far more indestructible. Few years back, I rented a 4dr Rubicon in Arizona and went wheeling with it, they are off road capable as all hell but man that thing was miserably gutless out on the road. It's kinda sad, but I bet my 4 banger Tacoma would beat at JK Wrangler in a drag race haha. Not sure, but did they ever come out with the Pentastar engine or whatever for the JK? Hear it was supposed to be a huge improvement over that crappy 3.8 V6 they had before. Also the Jeep getting horrible mileage is true, worst I got with my CJ was 4 miles per gallon, it wasn't running right at the time but still, that's just horrible! When it is tuned up and running right, 13 miles per gallon is the norm usually. Jeeps are a lot of fun and I do enjoy driving mine on a nice day without the top and doors, but daily drive one? Never again, at least not a CJ or Wrangler.

 

Never had a wrangler, but a few grand cherokees and they were money pits (not shallow either.. maybe its different than wrangler)

I have always liked the jeep offroad reputation, and if you are a serious offroader, there is nothing wrong with a wrangler. Daily driver? They are loud, uncomfortable, worse on gas, less practical, less reliable and won't hold it's value like a taco.

That being said, you go buy what you want..

 

I can't agree, Wrangler holds it's value very well. I see 05 and 06 model TJs going for a average of 16k still, that's pretty damn good value. Can't go wrong with a Wrangler or a Taco value wise, both hold it really well. But about the noise, rough ride, and impracticability, that's all true.

 

get a 4x4 DC......be happy. It will be fine with two kids.

 

I love the 4 door Rubicons myself. However I'd never want one as my daily driver.

 

Bought a 07 rubicon JK (4 door) used for $18,000.00 had 27,000 on it unmodified. Put a Mopar 2" factory lift with Bilstien 5100, 35" BFG's, Mopar crawler bumpers, ect... Long story short loved it, top and doors off nothing better. As for milage I was getting 17 mpg. Only gripe was throttle lag, Super Sprint throttle booster fixed that. Rode like a car, I also owned a 1970 CJ5 so I know what I am talking about. As for resale, the Toyota dealership gave me $18,000.00 with out the hard top and 51,000 miles on the clock (sold that top the next day for $1,000.00 on craigslist) got what I paid for it minus the mods I didn't remove. Yea, they have a good resale. One thing I can't stress enough, it is definitely not a practical vehicle. I went from a pickup into the Jeep and knew in the back of my head I would miss a pickup. Needless to say, I now own a Super charged 2012 DC LB Sport (bought new, last Aug) and never looked back except on really nice days HaHa.

 

Just
Empty
Each
Pocket

 

The 2010 + Wranglers are wayy nicer than the pre 2010 ones......the 2012 and 2013 with the new motor and tranny are pretty sweet, but are pricey ( Sahara and Rubicon).
But you may notice that I did not buy one............

 

The new Jeep engines and transmissions are very reliable and its much more powerful than the Tacoma. Problem is narrow elbow room, noise, and ride/handling on road. The reliability is no longer an issue, neither is power. If they had the Pentastar and new transmission in 2010 I would own one instead of the Tacoma.

 

I had a 2007 JK 4door loved it and miss it. Amazing wheeler. Fun. The 2012 and up are sick. The pentastar engine is awesome

 

Nope, buying used vehicle around $20k

Thank you for your opinion. That's the general consensus i'm getting here and from other sources.
I am not trading in order to get the newest and greatest. I like to off road & I know my 2wd Tacoma has it's limitations. It has gotten me through many off road situations I did not think it would get me through. But, knowing it's limitations have prevented me from going places I really want to go. So, I really want a 4x4. That's the only reason I'm trading.

I'll have to do just that. I'll find both a Wrangler & an FJ I like, take them out for test drives and see how they drive. It will in fact be my daily driver so reliability and on road driveability are important factors as well.

Good response. Lots of information I need to know.
Unfortunately, gas mileage is somewhat important to me.
I agree that every man needs a truck. That's why I had planned to keep my truck as long as i could. The problem is that I now realize a 4x4 would make me much much happier

I have friend that has a early 2000 cherokee. It has given him so many issues that it makes me weary of venturing into the jeep brand. Most everything I've heard about wranglers is exactly that; great off road, but loud, uncomfortable, worse on gas, less practical, & less reliable. Plus someone else pointed out that the crash testing results were not as good as the Tacoma's results.

LOL. Well here in Southern California, the weather is usually nice
BUT, as even you said, they are not a practical vehicle. And for my needs, I need both a practical vehicle and want it to be 4x4.

 

I'll have to test drive a Wrangler just to find out it's rough & loud ride for myself. But unless the vast majority of people I've asked (including most of you here) are exaggerating, I think I'm going to have to pass on a Jeep... for now.

So I'm down to either a 4x4 Tacoma or a 4x4 FJ.

What's more practical? It would only make sense that a Tacoma is.
What's better Off-Road? likely an FJ with its shorter wheelbase.
What will I get? I don't know yet. I'll have to do some searching, some test driving, and some thinking. My wife is behind me on getting a 4x4. Except she really likes the Wrangler looks best, the FJ looks 2nd, and she says she's tired of the Tacoma. LOL

It is MY vehicle so I make the final decision.

 

I had a 2 dr JK lifted on 35s. Like others have said it was a beast off road.

As far as reliability - as soon as you start modifying the reliability of anything goes down significantly. My taco on 33s feels just as reliable as my jeep did on 35s plus when I read the issues that other taco owners are having here on TW I can't really say toyota is any better than jeep.

My hard top was very quiet even running MTs the soft top obviously is louder but you can't compare that to the taco.

Where the taco really shines is towing and hauling. JKs I believe are rated at 2k vs 6.5k of the taco.

Interior is personal preferance I'm 6' and they both feel the same except the JK didn't have as many cup holders...

Test drive different jeeps and toyotas and see what feels good to you.

 

Thanks. I'll have to google the different jeeps there are because i'm not familiar with them. JK, Wrangler, Rubicon, Sahara, etc. what the hell! lol

 

My buddy had an FJ and loved it. It did good off-road but did seem a little heavy. I recall his mpg was not great, but he had a lift and big tires.

My vote, though bias, is 4x4 tacoma. Before my wrangler, I had a truck. Like I said I loved my wrangler, but missed having a truck.

Good luck.