2022 Gladiator

Jeep JL and JT 6 spd manuals are terrible. Im not just saying that. I know cuz I just traded in a 6spd manual Wrangler for my Tacoma less than 2 months ago. Had it for over 3 years and there were multiple safety recalls. Plus, its just a super light clutch. Its just terrible. I would strongly advise you look into all the problems that Jeep has with that 6spd....and then RUN!
Personally, I dont see ever owning a Jeep again. Maybe an old beater TJ as a toy, but thats it. They have gone completely downhill as far as reliability. Plus, that Gladiator is FUGLY!
But, if you do go that route, definitely get the automatic. Its actually one of the only things Jeep had made a definite improvement with.

 

J.E.E.P
Just Empty Every Pocket

 

The MT in the jeep is a steaming pile of shit due to the gearing. The AT is the other way around.

 

I'm here to say this is the best movie of all times.

That is all.

 

Would be nice to be able to fit 42’s with a 3cm lift though.

 

No way. I test drove a rubicon gladiator a few years ago. The fox suspension was surprisingly soft, but the motor was absolutely gutless. Of course, the Tacoma wouldn't win any races either.

 

I traded in a ram 1500 with the pentastar in for the taco. Engine and 8 speed trans work beautifully. I just couldn’t get pass replacing cam shafts and lifters at 75k miles

 

They sell it from the factory with a 392…

 

If the price was right, I’d consider switching for a Mojave. But, I’m not one of those righteous Toyota owners that thinks Toyota is the only manufacturer who can put out a vehicle that works. Honestly besides looks and mod capability I find the Tacoma really lame, but it’s quality has been decent which is really the only reason I chose it over what I came from, so I’m not unhappy with mine, but I am a bit bored and it really did not drive well in stock form. Had my 6sp Nissan Frontier not been a quirky, glitchy piece of junk, I would have been much happier with it than I am with my Tacoma. But the Tacoma solved the glitchy junky part so whatever. The Nissan drove way better though so I miss that. Anyways.


Regardless, besides the Mojave package, I think the Gladiator is a relatively poor form of a truck (worse than Tacoma) and if I were going with a modern Jeep, I’d probably opt for the Wrangler JLU Rubi with the manual trans 4.88 option and just give up on having a bed. I would put mats and such behind the back seat for interior protection (to protect against whatever I may carry in the truck bed currently which is the reason I have a truck). But Jeeps are way too expensive so for now, Tacoma it is. Also the Jeep gearing is pretty terrible. 1st gear is way low and 6th gear is decently tall. It’s an awkward balance of regearing to make 1st gear not become a granny while making the highway gears actually hold speed. In stock form the gearing really sucks, you have absolutely no power in 4th gear or beyond. And their clutch has a horrible feel.

Honestly once the Bronco works out its flaws, I’d be much more interested in a 7 speed one of those than any of the Jeeps, mainly because of the driveline. I want power and performance and neither Jeep or Toyota manual offer that. The Bronco should based on my 2.3 experiences and with a manual it should be a hoot. They got the gearing right at least and they have the power backing it. Jeep and Toyota have really meh manuals although I’d still choose them over the automatic alternatives.

 

I suggest reviewing this thread in detail:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/crashnburn80s-supercharged-gladiator-mojave-build.700918/

Including the parts where a 1 year old engine blew, though rods through both side of the block. Jeep refused coverage, but not before giving me a rental, then withdrawing coverage after I already had it a while sticking me with a bill they promised to cover. Wouldn't cover the engine replacement. Had to replace the starter. The batteries failed, replaced with new OEM out of pocket and they failed again. Jeep promised to cover towing when it broke down numerous times, but then billed me when it wasn't towed directly to the dealer. It was the biggest over-priced piece of shit I have ever owned, backed by the slimiest automotive manufacture I have ever dealt with. Lost over $30k in a little over a year of ownership with repairs and depreciation while having the truck in the shop for months. Owned my 2nd Gen Tacoma over 5 years, sold it for more than I bought it for. Never a single issue other than a battery replacement. The Jeep was a complete dumpster fire. Fuck that entire brand and parent company. Toyota all the way and never look back.

For some perspective, my 20 year old 210k+ Tacoma is unquestionably far more reliable than the POS 1 year old Jeep, which is now thankfully gone forever.

 

Get the truck you want. If someone mentions another vehicle on this forum people get pissed. I have had Wranglers for the past 20 years and never had an issue. I traded in my JL Rubicon for the Tacoma because I got into riding dirt bikes and needed to haul it.

The manual on the jk was garbage and supposedly they fixed it with the jl. The auto jl was a huge improvement over the auto jk, so maybe the manual is too. But with that being said, the manual on the Tacoma is garbage too in my opinion.

 

Only thing I would axe my taco would be for a pro 4runner

 

The JK 6 speed definitely sucked. Constant throwout bearing issues which is odd because they used the same throwout bearing from all the 4.0 NV and AX15 Jeeps from 04 and previous TJs and YJs and the bellhousing depth was the same yet the JKs had issues. The 6 speed was a Mercedes thing and it just sucked in many aspects although the ratios were fantastic.

The JL has a much improved short throw cable shifter trans, and it is strong and works well but the gear ratios are horrible. 5th and 6th are like 300 rpm apart on the freeway. 1st is super short, 2nd is decent but too tall to start in with that motor, even with a super low regear. 3rd is good and low but it’s far from 4th. Then you hit the dual overdrives and it’s just really dumb. Tacoma is not a lot better as you said, but it is somewhat better at least. The Frontier had the best manual setup for a truck I’ve seen, gear ratios and such, but then those have a pretty weak clutch and that issue plagues them as well as the dual mass flywheel that everybody hates. So apparently you can’t ever win no matter what you buy.

 

Jeep: American military gone mainstream and sold to the Italians.

 

Germans

 

Hey I’m Italian I would not buy that Shit Box

 

Sheesh. Sorry. The Dutch.

 

Other than the front end, I just find the Gladiator Fugly. I won't even mention the reliability issues....

Toyota isn't the recovery vehicle of choice, for just it's looks.