Is it wrong to compare a '19 Taco vs. '19 Wrangler?

Wranglers require far fewer mods to tackle the level-3 trails in my area.

I cross-shopped the JL 4-dr when I got my truck. I didn't like the Jeep's loose steering (drawback of steering box vs rack & pinion), high seats, or the predicted poor reliability. Nail in the coffin was the price - I can add $10k worth of mods to my truck and come out less than a stock Rubicon. And Jeep had neutered the lower trim levels so much that I would have needed to get a Rubicon.

 

I think it's the swiss army knife thing about them all.....they're all useful 4WD / AWD vehicles that can almost do it all. Jeep's a convertible, Tacoma's a truck, Subaru's a wagon.

It's pick your favorite features out of the 3 and form vs function vs reliably (and price too I guess).....and most of them come in stick.

My family has 3 Wanglers (TJ, LT, JK), have had 8 Subarus between us all, and I've got a Tacoma.

edit: if the 4runner came in a 6MT I'd have gotten it over the Tacoma, and then there wouldn't be any comparison haha. I love my truck, but I can dream.....

 

Wranglers have their place. I've had 4 over the years and would buy another if the price were right on another used one. The great thing about buying older used wranglers is that they are easy no sell and get your money out of. Mine were all 3rd vehicle toys. When something came up such as the house needing a new roof they became expendable. I'd never consider a new one, nor one to replace a truck. They are fun toys, my trucks are tools that I need.

I've had hard and soft tops. Make mine a hardtop. I took the tops off both types at times. I preferred to remove the doors and leave the top on. You get just as much air and ride in the shade. Plus you get SOME protection from unexpected rain. Soft tops only give the illusion of security. If someone wants in they will easily get in and you're left with a damaged top.
Even without vandalism soft tops have a limited life. You'll replace it every few years regardless making a hardtop cheaper in then long run.

 

The steering was the first thing I noticed... It probably had a total of 5° of play before the tires started to move... that was kind of annoying. Then after a week of that, I had to get into my wife's Subaru and I was all over the road until I got the feel of the regular steering again...

 

That was an RC Wrangler. FYI.

 

Lack of a manual trans, the outdated dash and interior, lack of front locker and $47k starting price for a TRD Pro is what turned me away from the T4R.

 

What did you think of the seating position? My wife won’t ride in my 2013 Tacoma due to the “car” style seating position. She drives a ‘18 JL Wrangler. The Wrangler has a much more comfortable seating position and leg room. Compared to the Wrangler, it feels like I’m sitting on the floor when I’m in the Tacoma.

They are very different vehicles and she still compares them a lot too. Nothing wrong with it. People do it all the time.

 

With magnetic body mounts.

 

The seating position is what I miss most about my Wrangler.

Tacoma’s seating position is tough to love. Although my body must be morphing cause I don’t find the seat nearly as painful after seven weeks with it.

 

To me, it felt more like the bench style. I think because I have been driving a tacoma for so many years, that I prefer the tacoma seat style. But I did notice a few times where I went to put my left foot up against the back firewall or floor or whatever I put my foot on in my taco, the wrangler was missing that, and I was just kicking air. countless time I did this...

 

I was considering a 4runner as well, although I was aiming for the SR5 or Off road. I like the engine/exhaust sound way better on the 4runner than on the Taco, but the 4runner's interior is too basic for the price. I have nothing against simple interiors, but when I'm paying 40-grand for the vehicle, I want to see where my money's going.

Next gen 4runners should be interesting.

 

We like getting in the woods and having fun with our rigs in our family. Our Tacoma has always been a gear/kayak hauler and the Wrangler is the toy that we get into the woods and have fun with. Now that we have a rack for the Wrangler the Tacoma hasn’t seen any camping trips in over year and we stick to the Wrangler.
For our family, it’s just more overall fun: top down, doors off, hit a rock crawling trail where a truck can’t follow — that sort of thing.

One of the big selling points for my wife and I on the new Rubicon she is in is that we knew we wanted to get a set of 37s under there and tackle the Rubicon trail in a few years when the kids are older. I’m sure that most of you on these forums understand the amount of work it takes just to get a set of 35s under a Tacoma, much less... fitting 37s under one.

Here’s the list of parts you need to run 37s on a JL Rubicon:

1.) 2.5” spacer lift with shock extensions: $200
2.) 1.5” Wheel spacers ($150) or new wheels.
3.) Your choice of 37” tire.

Obviously it is not every Tacoma owner’s (or Wrangler owners, for that matter) to run 37s and go take on some of the most scenic and challenging trails that the country has to offer, but if that’s your thing, the Wrangler is the way to go.

 

OMG... That is something to talk about!

 

Higher backlash is inherent to the worm-gear steering box necessary with a solid front axle. (FJ80 Land Cruisers also suffer from it.)

I actually like the lower seats in the Tacoma. It's as if Toyota transplanted the ergonomics of a Camry (steering wheel, shifter, pedals, seats) into a higher vehicle. Makes the Tacoma drive more like a car. The Wrangler's taller seats make my knee hurt on longer trips.

 

You'd still need to regear going from 33" stock to 37" to have any resemblance of normal transmission shifting, so add another $2k.

Add another $700 for real sliders (stock rails are body-mounted), $1000 for real skids (fuel tank protrudes below the frame), $700 for real rear bumper (stock bumper is a damage multiplier).

 

Have you driven a JLR with the 8-spd tranny and 37s? Not optimal without regearing but the experience is much different than a JK with the same setup. You essentially just don’t see 8th gear but definitely livable. All the armor is nice but not necessary to get the tires under the truck and go have a blast with it.

 

The wrangler isnt that paltry. Sure we all hate Jeeps. Its the patriotic thing to do. It's a pretty decent product that hardly any manufacturer can compete with.

Tell me did the ZF-8Speed hunt for gears like the tacoma? Did it feel underpowered down low like the tacoma?

 

Sounds like you spoil her too much.

 

Lol, she is a little picky about seats and headrests, but she’s definitely a keeper.

 

Ha ha dude do you know anything?? Tacoma is way more expensive to modify. Jeeps are way easier and cheaper. And it’s not 2K for regearing try more like a 1000. When I had my JK it cost me about 1900 shipped for a front bumper with 20inch led light bar, sliders, and rear bumper with tire carrier and two six inch leds. Tacoma the best you can do is maybe a 1000 for a front bumper!! And don’t get me started on sliders costing anywhere from 600 and up!