2023 SR 4WD: Keep and add F/R lockers or trade for Gladiator Rubicon

My main hold up is water leak wet floor and seats PTSD from my Gen 1 Rubicon but installing F/R ARBs on the little 3rd Gen Tacoma axles sounds like a massive pain in the ass. Any wise words of wisdom? Nothing like that rocktrac 4:1 transfer case.

 

Not a fan of the 3.6 in the Jeep.
If your old Rubicon had the 4.0.
You’ll be disappointed.

 

I was facing the same dilemma. I kept my taco and picked up a 2011 jku Rubicon

 

Yeah it was the 4L with loooong stick shift. Wouldn't get stuck until the frame was at least a few inches under the mud. I don't care about the power of the 3.6 but it seems like a sketch motor at best. I prolly go with an extended warranty for sure on that.

 

I always wanted to like the Gladiators, but for actual off-road use, they’re boats. They remind me of the SxS’ we have at the farm with two row seating- they're great for nearly everything but off-roading,,,, can you say fourteen point turn around? The one without power steering is even more special. It’s funny because for everything other than hauling, everyone races towards the cheapest toy,,, the lil Kawasaki 4 wheeler.

 

im down in the Florida low country, no rocks, no elevation. Mainly wet muddy swamp trails to deer stands or scouting. And longer is better for pulling my boat and trailers. Also would coming in handy launching my boat into unimproved muddy/sandy edged ponds, lakes and beaches with no ramps.

 

Installing gears / lockers with the cores from ECGS is a single day effort.

 

how much more is it per axle doing it that way?

 

https://eastcoastgearsupply.com/c-1207123-assembled-3rds-clamshells-2016-2023-tacoma.html

Looks like about $1800 per axle for E-lockers with gears

 

Just weld the diff together and Dave money. Full time locked 4x4!

 

I helped frends do it a while ago, but you're saving money doing it at home. No staying somewhere for the break in fluid swap, traveling, and all that. It is not an apples to apples comparison.

Watch some vids about it. Total homegamer stuff.

 

Just offering an opinion from another perspective, I would never recommend a Stellantis (formerly FCA, formerly Daimler) to anyone.

Former finance director and general sales manager for a Dodge, Jeep, Chrysler, Ram dealership for over 11 years (from 2010 to 2021).

 

Jeep makes a great vehicle. Motor is a pile of shit. Replace the motor with an LS6 and you will be much happier. Good luck with a Jeep. Also keep the Tacoma, you'll be glad you did.

 

Jeep teased a 2-door Gladiator with a 6’ bed, but never made it to production. Might have given me something to consider vs the Taco ACLB.



OP - for the SR, maybe an air-locker in the front and a Truetrac in the rear. (ECGS)

 

They teased another one again at Easter Jeep Safari last month.

 

A newer Jeep is a pile of SHIT!!! IDK they hold their value.

 

They look cool, but
The Ford Bronco looks cool, but

 

Lock it. That's what I did years ago and love it. You can also regear at the same time.

The biggest issue is if you do rock crawling while fully locked it can be hard on some of the ifs steering components. So I use the front locker cautiously

 

yeah Id be afraid to dog the front locker very much in a taco. The front end is on the light duty side def wasn't set up for sustained front locker use unfortunately.

What front locker do you have, how often do you use it and how do you use it?

Im in florida, so no steep inclines or rocks. The worst stuff I see is soft muddy skidder ruts and soft muddy/watery edges of ponds and small lakes.

 

Just get a Power Wagon with a Willock Swivel on it. Comes with lockers....

https://www.hagerty.com/media/car-p...el-put-a-literal-twist-on-dodges-power-wagon/