1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

First time wheeler...Jeep or Tacoma?

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by Veccster, Jul 10, 2009.

  1. Jul 10, 2009 at 7:50 PM
    #1
    Veccster

    Veccster [OP] bass turds

    Joined:
    Aug 8, 2008
    Member:
    #8407
    Messages:
    2,181
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Eric
    Pittsburgh - The City of Champions
    Vehicle:
    2020 Pro
    So I am torn...

    My wife drives a 2006 Grand Cherokee Laredo and I drive a 2009 TRD Sport. I am going to run some local trails this summer in one of these stock vehicles but am torn which one to use. Both are 4wd.

    I hate the Jeep! It's just not a very comfortable vehicle and I do not like the interior layout. That said, it is also a 2006 and has been in several accidents and has many body scratches (wife parallel parks on street in front of her office).

    I love the Tacoma! As we all know, it is a beautiful truck. It still has that new truck smell and I keep it clean! There are no scratches and I do not look forward to getting the first one on it (obviously will happen soon enough and I'll be over pretty quickly - but you know what I mean). That said, I would love to get it out on the trail and see what she can do.

    Which vehicle should I take out for my first trail run and why?
     
  2. Jul 10, 2009 at 7:53 PM
    #2
    Krazie Sj

    Krazie Sj Resident Jackass

    Joined:
    Oct 9, 2008
    Member:
    #9849
    Messages:
    13,771
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Power Serge
    LV-426 (Acheron)
    Vehicle:
    07 TRD Off Road 4x4
    Borla Catback Exhaust, Snorkel, 33s on either 16's or 18's, ARB Bumper, All Pro LT w/Walker Evan Shocks front and back, All Pro expedition leaf pack, 10,000lb Superwinch, Intake Manifold Spacer, Bed Rack with ARB RTT, Rotopack and Hi Lift mounted, Husky Liner mats and an air freshener from 1995.
    Jeep. You'll be busy enough driving that you won't notice the interior. Jeeps are pretty capable beasts. I know my GFs 01 Grand Cherokee is.

    Take the jeep cause it has scratches.
     
  3. Jul 10, 2009 at 7:53 PM
    #3
    wildjerseyfirefighter

    wildjerseyfirefighter I sell fishing and fishing accessories

    Joined:
    Dec 17, 2008
    Member:
    #11677
    Messages:
    7,937
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Joe
    NJ
    Vehicle:
    05 Tacoma TRD Sport
    stock, for now
    tacoma..cuz you can.

    Why would you want to take a grand cherokee wheeling?
     
  4. Jul 10, 2009 at 7:54 PM
    #4
    DeeKay21

    DeeKay21 Lieutenant Dan.

    Joined:
    Nov 11, 2008
    Member:
    #10651
    Messages:
    14,152
    Gender:
    Male
    Nevada/Utah
    Vehicle:
    06' TRD Sport 4x4
    Ummmm...the tacoma because its a TACOMA!!!!!:eek:
     
  5. Jul 10, 2009 at 7:54 PM
    #5
    derekabraham

    derekabraham Living vicariously through everybody

    Joined:
    Jul 8, 2008
    Member:
    #7822
    Messages:
    28,873
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    TW'S Hippy Liberal
    Portland, OR
    Vehicle:
    2002 4x4 4Runner
    Stick on hood scoop from Autozone.
    Take the Tacoma, you'll be surprised by it's capabilities. :D



    Scratches are inevitable, but hopefully the trails you'll be running won't have too many bushes to brush against the truck.
     
  6. Jul 10, 2009 at 7:55 PM
    #6
    Veccster

    Veccster [OP] bass turds

    Joined:
    Aug 8, 2008
    Member:
    #8407
    Messages:
    2,181
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Eric
    Pittsburgh - The City of Champions
    Vehicle:
    2020 Pro
    Because it's already scratched up and I wouldn't be as worried going down these trails for the first time.

    One thing that concerns me about the Jeep is that you cannot force it into 4wd. It is AWD and only kicks into 4wd when a wheel slips. I'm still looking into how that works but it doesn't have a lever, knob, button, etc to force it into 4wd.
     
  7. Jul 10, 2009 at 8:01 PM
    #7
    edc

    edc Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 5, 2009
    Member:
    #16841
    Messages:
    166
    Gender:
    Male
    ILLINOIS
    Vehicle:
    09 tacoma trd crew cab 4x4
    rcd 4.5" lift,relentless fab front bumpers,trd cai,17x9 motometal955,flowmaster40 muffler,cobra sxt cb,k2motor headlights,kl71 kumho tires
    Get the jeep.save your tacoma from damage and scratches.
     
  8. Jul 10, 2009 at 9:08 PM
    #8
    Veccster

    Veccster [OP] bass turds

    Joined:
    Aug 8, 2008
    Member:
    #8407
    Messages:
    2,181
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Eric
    Pittsburgh - The City of Champions
    Vehicle:
    2020 Pro
    As I learn more about the capabilities of my Jeep, I am leaning toward the Tacoma for off-roading. The Jeep has the Quadra Trac 1 system and cannot be locked into 4hi or 4lo. I do have AWD, which means all 4 wheels are always getting power (hence the shitty mpg). If a wheel begins to slip, the power is switched to the wheels with traction.

    Here is a video explanation...
    http://www.jeep.com/en/4x4/how_systems_work/quadra_trac/


    The system I DO NOT have is called Quadra Trac 2...
    http://www.jeep.com/en/4x4/how_systems_work/quadra_trac_2/
     
  9. Jul 10, 2009 at 10:23 PM
    #9
    Veccster

    Veccster [OP] bass turds

    Joined:
    Aug 8, 2008
    Member:
    #8407
    Messages:
    2,181
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Eric
    Pittsburgh - The City of Champions
    Vehicle:
    2020 Pro
    The Tacoma will be wheeled eventually because the Jeeps days are numbered. We hate the damn thing but want to wait a year or two because it's still new and is paid off (06 with 22K miles).

    Also, I'm new to wheeling so I want to determine which rig would be better on the trail (easier to drive). Keep in mind, the trails I'll be doing will be light / easy. I just want to get out there and see what it's all about. I'm hesitant to do that in my beautiful new truck.

    Although, if I take the Tacoma, I can take some pictures for everyone to enjoy. Hmmm...
     
  10. Jul 10, 2009 at 10:57 PM
    #10
    derekabraham

    derekabraham Living vicariously through everybody

    Joined:
    Jul 8, 2008
    Member:
    #7822
    Messages:
    28,873
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    TW'S Hippy Liberal
    Portland, OR
    Vehicle:
    2002 4x4 4Runner
    Stick on hood scoop from Autozone.


    You probably won't even need to bother with 4X4.
     
  11. Jul 10, 2009 at 11:19 PM
    #11
    Krazie Sj

    Krazie Sj Resident Jackass

    Joined:
    Oct 9, 2008
    Member:
    #9849
    Messages:
    13,771
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Power Serge
    LV-426 (Acheron)
    Vehicle:
    07 TRD Off Road 4x4
    Borla Catback Exhaust, Snorkel, 33s on either 16's or 18's, ARB Bumper, All Pro LT w/Walker Evan Shocks front and back, All Pro expedition leaf pack, 10,000lb Superwinch, Intake Manifold Spacer, Bed Rack with ARB RTT, Rotopack and Hi Lift mounted, Husky Liner mats and an air freshener from 1995.
    Ah, see we have the Quadra Trac II and it can be put into 4 Lo, otherwise it's like you said. Full time 4 wheel drive.

    You'd be surprised how good it is though.

    Jeeps 4x4 is more advanced than Toyota's.
     
  12. Jul 11, 2009 at 5:26 AM
    #12
    Brunes

    Brunes abides.

    Joined:
    May 31, 2008
    Member:
    #7011
    Messages:
    17,562
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Rotorhead
    Around
    Vehicle:
    08 Red/Graphite and Satin Black
    Inside: Tint, Wet Okole 1/2 Piped Red/Black Covers, Black Weathertech Digital Fit Mats, URD Short Throw w/ TWM Weighted Knob, USA Spec iPod adapter. Outside: 4300K Retro w/ Angel Eyes and Red Shrouds, 5000K Blazer Fog Light Retrofit, Debadge, Bed Locking Handle, Satin Black Rims Performance: TRD/Steigmeier Blower w/ 2.7 Pulley. 668 Injectors and 320 LPH AEM Fuel pump. URD UCON and 7th Injector. DTLT Headers, URD Y-Pipe, Wicked Flow Muffler. Suspension: Both: OME Shocks Front: 886X's and TC UCAs Rear: Dakars Armor: Relentless Front Bumper Relentless High Clearance Rear w/ Tire/Rotopax Swing Out Relentless Front, Mid, and TCase skids BAMF Diff Skid Recovery and Spares: Fullsize Spare Tire 2x2 gal Rotopax 1x1 gal Rotopax 1x1 gal Water Rotopax Warn 9.5XP-S Winch Hi-Lift Extreme 60" Ironman Off-Road Recovery Kit
    Take the Taco- Get a decent wax job done on it before...and everything will buff out. At some point in the future it will get a bit scratched or whatever....Just go for it.

    It's totally worth the good times had to get a few pin stripes!!
     
  13. Jul 11, 2009 at 6:07 AM
    #13
    Janster

    Janster Old & Forgetful

    Joined:
    Mar 25, 2007
    Member:
    #1138
    Messages:
    14,339
    Gender:
    Female
    First Name:
    Jandy
    Lancaster, PA
    Vehicle:
    2016 GMC Canyon SLT w/ LineX and....
    BOTH!!

    Take them both out...let the wife drive the Grand and you drive the tacoma.

    Why not?

    You'll have fun together and the wife will get 'more involved' with the offroading hobby and maybe...she'll warm up to letting you BUY things for your truck.

    Then - you'll have to switch drivers and YOU drive the Jeep and let your wife drive the tacoma.
     
  14. Jul 11, 2009 at 9:05 AM
    #14
    BlackRig

    BlackRig Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2009
    Member:
    #13900
    Messages:
    223
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Craig
    NE Ohio
    Vehicle:
    2021 SR5
    If you take the jeep, and something goes wrong, (hopefully not but you never know) is the wife gunna get pissy? Or what if it forces her to drive the taco for a week?

    I would only offroad in my own vehicle.
     
  15. Jul 11, 2009 at 9:13 AM
    #15
    Munkey

    Munkey Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 11, 2007
    Member:
    #1806
    Messages:
    78
    Paducah, KY
    Vehicle:
    2008 Radiant Red 4X4 Double Cab Sport
    OEM Tube Steps, Bed Extender, Pioneer Avic D3 with Bluetooth and XM Radio modules
    The only Jeeps I would have are the old CJ5's and CJ7's. I owned 2 CJ5'S and those things are indestructable.
     
  16. Jul 11, 2009 at 11:34 AM
    #16
    matthew5olson

    matthew5olson Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 21, 2008
    Member:
    #11782
    Messages:
    483
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    matthew
    pittsburgh, PA
    Vehicle:
    04 ext cab 3.4L 5spd 4x4 sr5
    K&N cold air intake, doug thorley headers, rear sensor simulator, flowmaster 40 series, magnecor plug wires, Royal Purple synthetic gear lube, airaid throttle body spacer, Hyperground system, flex-a-lite elec fan.
    Its a truck not a show car. Take the tacoma.
     
  17. Jul 11, 2009 at 12:51 PM
    #17
    Veccster

    Veccster [OP] bass turds

    Joined:
    Aug 8, 2008
    Member:
    #8407
    Messages:
    2,181
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Eric
    Pittsburgh - The City of Champions
    Vehicle:
    2020 Pro
    She's coming with me and, no, she won't get pissy. She has done enough damage to that thing. And we don't look at it as "mine" and "hers". They are our vehicles.

    Do you wheel your 09?
     
  18. Jul 11, 2009 at 1:01 PM
    #18
    luk8272

    luk8272 Poodoo

    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2008
    Member:
    #4929
    Messages:
    5,944
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Lucas
    Southern Louisiana
    Vehicle:
    07 Silver4dr. 4x4, V6 Shortbed
    5% Tint, Bug flector, vent Visors, Removed secondary air filter, Rear Spring TSB w/ Wheeler's Add A Leaf HD Pack, Icon 2.0 rear shocks, Toytec 3" lift up front with Total Chaos UCA's, Debadged, Billet Grille,TRD Offroad rims/17x9 Pro comp 6001 rims, Duratracs 265/75/16 or 285/70/17, Fog light anytime mod, Tailgate hose clamp mod, Pro-dry AFE filter. Extended Differential Breather, ABS on/off, 6000k LEDs from CSJumper, heads/fogs, ScanguageII, Devil horns, Devil horns on third brake light, Mounted 60" Highlift, Mounted Tool Box, Wet Okole Front/Rear Seat Covers, TW sticker, Midland Handheld CB,Painted engine cover, Revenge Fab Sliders, ARE Topper, Weather tech Floorliners, Camper shell, ultimate headlight upgrade. URD -3° exhaust cam gears, .5" XTP Intake spacer. Custom dents.
    I wheel my 07. I say take them both out, either at the same time or seperatly. Take the jeep first to see if the trails are wide enough. I don't like scratches or dents in my truck but when I am out its balls to the wall. Hence the dents and scratches on the passenger side.
     
  19. Jul 11, 2009 at 3:26 PM
    #19
    Janster

    Janster Old & Forgetful

    Joined:
    Mar 25, 2007
    Member:
    #1138
    Messages:
    14,339
    Gender:
    Female
    First Name:
    Jandy
    Lancaster, PA
    Vehicle:
    2016 GMC Canyon SLT w/ LineX and....
    I didn't realize you had an 09.....

    Screw that.... I wouldn't take a new vehicle out on the trails ever!!!

    If you wheel the nice new tacoma, you'll be worried and afraid of everything all day long. Every little noise you hear, every little twig, bump, scratch will annoy the piss out of you. Believe me - I've done enough Wheelin 101 trips with folks with new vehicles. Every 2 minutes, they're getting out of the vehicle looking underneath because they rubbed up againest a twig... That can't be a relaxing day on the trails when you're worried about shit all day long.

    Take the Jeep.... and have fun without any worries.
     
  20. Jul 11, 2009 at 3:46 PM
    #20
    brian

    brian Another Traitor

    Joined:
    Apr 15, 2009
    Member:
    #16011
    Messages:
    7,551
    Gender:
    Male
    Elizabeth City, NC
    Vehicle:
    2017 F-250 Powerstroke
    Why would you even ask this question in a Tacoma specific forum? Do you think we're all going to tell you to keep the Jeep? haha :)
     

Products Discussed in

To Top