From Jeep Wrangler to Tacoma!

Hello all, been reading these forums a few weeks now on random information and figured it was time to join the club. I originally came from the rock crawler Jeep life, but having engine issues at 86k miles on my built Jk Wrangler, I was done. I have a few friends with 2012 and newer Tacoma, always telling me to get rid of the Jeep and I finally did. I bought a 2021 Tacoma TRD 4x4 Offroad shortbed in the Army Green. I went with the Icon stage 3 kit but with ext travel coilovers up front. Method Bronze wheels with some Cooper ST Pro MT. I wish I would of bought this Tacoma 3 years ago, rides really nice, plenty of power compared to that Pentastar 3.6L Jeep motor, and the Crawl feature works well. I'm not planning on crawling with this truck, those days are over and I'm perfectly fine with that. My name is Dustin, I'm 38 years old, I'm a structural steel fabricator in Arizona and looking to do more of the overland/light wheeling nowadays.

 

Congrats on the new truck. I had a 2012 2dr wrangler manual until recently. I thought I would miss my jeep when I got the tacoma but I really haven't at all.

 

Welcome to the TW forum Dustin, always Great to see another AZ Tacoma owner

Congrats on your TRD I fully understand the ' Jeep ' deal

'18 JK

 

Nice truck! Welcome to TW!

 

Looks awesome

 

I'm the same way, I don't miss it one bit. Especially the 12 mpg on 91 octane with 5.38 gears on 37's... No Thanks!

 

Jeeps IMO are at thier best being trailered to a trail. Used for its purpose and put back on the trailer. No reason to daily drive a solid axle rig in this day an age. That tacoma will be reliable, drive fine on the street, can be a work horse, overland, light crawling and drive back home no issue. I have a 96 4runner and 2012 tacoma. Not one has failed on the trail.

 

Welcome to TW!

 

Welcome to TacomaWorld

 

Nice Jeep, I had a 2015 JKUR and was in the middle of building my custom overland trailer for it. Might have to change a few things and use it with the truck instead.

 

Yep...agree 100% They don't last being a daily driver, I had issues from day one. People tell me Jeep stands for "just empty every pocket" but it really stands for "junk each every part" LOL.

Well I know a few guys with older Tacomas, FJ, 4runners, and swear on the liability of a Toyota. But they also say the 4.0L is the best motor. So we shall see with this 3.5 V6 LOL.

 

Thanks I'll check em out.

 

That was my end goal on the Jeep...Exactly like yours however life has a way of changing.

I'm intrigued with your Overland Trailer project, I hope you keep us posted on your progress

 

Welcome! I too and a former Jeeper. Love them, just not practical for home life. I had a 2010 JKU that I had done work too, and then up until last year, I had a 2002 TJ...the kids hated itAnd I think I found the source of my lower back problems! But as others stated, this past week, I learned what my SR is capable off on some relatively easy trails here in VA.

 

Will do, I just need to get motivated again so I can finish it. It's 75% done, just need to finish the doors, tire carrier, and tent rack on top.

 

Nice to see other Jeep owners on here. When I bought the truck, the salesman at the dealership told me a lot of people trade there Jeeps in for a Tacoma. I had a TJ also, best Jeep overall but definitely no room for kids. I have to say the only thing I hated at first about this truck were the seats. I'm 6'4 and found them uncomfortable, even with the powered driverside seat. I ended up ordering a pair of those Desert Does It spacers for the front seats, actually gave me more of a knee bend and solved the pain I was getting on road trips.

 

From one noob to another, welcome. Love the stance.

 

I'm with you here!! 2016 JKU manual to 2021 TRD Sport manual. Jeep was fun but not comfortable. Had only one check engine light (therostat) in 5yrs. But at the end of the day I had no good way of fitting a sheet of plywood or drywall. The rubi with 35s was useless hauling a trailer, nevermind when I actually put something in it!

Been reading tons on TW before I made the jump and have the feeling I'm in good hands with all the info available here

 

As sad as this will sound, I used to be a much bigger guy, and a TJ was no good for me in years past. But last year after some hard work I bought one when I got into and was able to comfortably drive it, and it was a manual. The 4.0 was clean and ran as it was supposed to, although trying to hit 55-60 on a acceleration lane as always a miracle. At least I was able to tune the JK to fool it into driving decent, esp when I put 37s on it.

The JK was nice. And my RAM was the best for room. At 6'2" I was a bit skeptical at first on the Tacoma but my buddy let me drive his 2nd Gen Pre-Runner and I fit quite well. Long story short, I bought a 2nd Gen last year...sold it back to the dealer for more than I paid, and then bought my Bro-in-law's '18 for payoff. I thought the 3rd gens were smaller inside, but I think it is in fact roomier. I like the off-roadability of the Tacoma while also hauling crap around, like all the stuff we are moving for when we sell our house! (although I need a bed extender).

 

Beautiful truck!