Anyone here come from a Wrangler (JK/JKU) to a 3rd Gen Taco?

I traded my 2014 JKU in for a DCLB TRD OR. So far it has been great. The jeep served its purpose and was fun around the island of Hawaii but the Tacoma is more practical IMO. I can fit more people and stuff comfortably compared to the jeep. The 3rd gen is def more quiet and fuel efficient compared to the jeep.

 

I came from a 2012 Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon. I loved my Jeep and will probably own another down the road, but it wasn't right for what I need right now.

The Jeep had tons of features, for a jeep, but the tacoma sport I have has a lot more amenities. The tacoma is also a lot quieter on the road. With the jeep, the road noise on the highway can get bad enough that you almost have to yell to talk to a passenger. (worse if you have a soft top)

I was also very limited with tailgating and camping supplies. With the tacoma I will be able to load up whatever the heck I want.

Same goes for biking or snowboarding. More space to pack in my other toys.

I feel the jeep was more off road capable, but I don't think I will be unable to go anywhere with the tacoma.

 

Oh man, I didn't even mention the gas mileage. I was averaging 16 in the jeep. I am currently around 21 on the tacoma. That is a big upgrade in my opinion.

 

I went back and forth between getting a new 4Runner and a Tacoma. The 4Runner is undeniably more capable off-road, it has less rear overhang and shorter wheel-base (maybe better ground clearance stock too, but I can't remember). Plus the Trail can have the KDSS which is an awesome system giving great articulation off road and stable handling on-road. The 4Runner also has more comfortable interior, and the rear seats give a lot more leg room. However, I got the Tacoma for same reason you mentioned, it seemed to be the all around more practical vehicle, but a 4Runner with roof-rack and a small utility trailer (about $25 daily rental fee from Uhaul) can carry just as much if not more than a shortbed Tacoma can. I think the main thing for me was the manual transmission in the Tacoma, and the Tacoma felt like it had more power even with the automatic. Oh ya, and the Tacoma was $10k less ... $10k buys a lot of bourbon.

Maybe some day when I can have more toys I might get an old TJ or even a YJ ... but maybe I'll stumble across a barn with an FJ40 in it *swoon*

 

I traded my 2014 Rubicon JKU on the 7th of Jan for a 2016 TRD off road. The Jeep worked well except that I had to have the engine go thru a major repair at 15k and 26k and when the check engine light came on at 32K I did not even check to see just what the light came on for. Took the Jeep to the Toyota dealer the same day, explained to them the problem and came home with the Toyota the same day. The Jeep had never been off road at all. I have many 6x6s for off road use.

In general the Jeep was a fine vehicle. I think I just got a lemon of an engine. The Jeep service folks were very good and pleasant to work with, no problem there at all. I figure if one is making a good vehicle payment the vehicle needs to be reliable. This one was not.

 

That vehicle in your profile reminds me of the 5 tons I got to drive a bit when I was in the Army. I wasn't a driver, just an infantry medic, but I was "lucky" to be voluntold to get qualified for the 5 ton. Then whenever they needed a random person to drive one I had the honor lol ... I'm pretty sure I could drive over anything with one of those lol. I don't really know anything about them though, other than they were loud and road like shit (well I guess good for what they are lol).

 

I own both a 1990 Jevy (Jeep with a SBC) and 2012 4x4 Tacoma. If you are talking real offroading, where you got mud behind your dash, in your speakers and drown your engine plus mud in nooks and crannies that you still haven't gotten out in 10 years later, or rock crawling where you will slam a drive shaft on a rock, snap U-joints, slide sideways smashing your front quarter panel and breaking your side mirror get a Jeep.

If you want to trail ride, play in the mud a bit and look at a rock field saying, "oh hell no," get the Tacoma.

 

I second pretty much everything stated here. I really miss the off road capability of my jeep. But I enjoy the road manners of the Tacoma.

 

I'm pretty much sold on Toyota at least. Now I have to makeup my mind between the Taco TRD OR or a 4Runner Trail. Thanks again everyone!

 

just remember, the 4runner will get a new gen in 2017.

 

I'll probably get hate mail on this, but I made the mistake of trading in a 2009 Toyota Tacoma for a new 2012 Jeep (JKU) and it was one of the worst mistakes I've ever made. The Jeep was nothing but problems, as were many of them that year, due to casting sand being left in the blocks. After a $4500 warranty repair with 34,000 miles, I was driving her home and something fell out from under the dash onto the floor. I had numerous other problems as well. I traded her in before my warranty ran out on a BMW 328i - another mistake, not because of problems, but because of high maintenance costs. So, that being said, I traded that in on a 2016 Tacoma. I'm glad to be back. This will be my 5th Tacoma and I've never had a problem with any of the them.

 

I agree with most of the comments here. I added a 2013 JK and ran it along with my 2006 Tacoma. SLOW off-road capability is great, rode like crap at speed offroad. Replaced it with a 2016 Tacoma and do not miss it.

 

Just a quick reply before I head to work...............

I'm older and tired of wrenching all the time on something new so I have gone with Toyota the past two purchases. The new Jeeps really are much nicer then the older ones but they still have the roadability of something made in the mid 70s at best.

If I can't drive it with either a 15" TRD Taco or my 14" FJC with crawl, I'll drive around it instead. Besides, it's much funner watching someone else snap axles and destroy their rig.

 

I've had 5 Wranglers. I love them. All of them were manual transmission. However, they were merged with Fiat, and now Stellantis. I don't trust the reliability, so I bought the '22 Tacoma OR MT. I love it, but I do miss taking the top down. It rides much better. I don't worry about the reliability. I do find myself doing the Jeep Wave out of habit. They look at me as if I've lost my mind. I would go back to a Wrangler if I could trust the reliability. If Toyota came out with a truck ragtop I'd trade it in a heart beat. That I do miss.

 

I had a 2013 Wrangler before my Tacoma. I don’t miss it. They are fine for putting around town at short commutes here and there. Absolutely horrible highway/commuter vehicles.