Tacoma vs. Gladiator

One mans opinion from a mostly offroad perspective.

https://youtu.be/ThC_BJSfUC4

 

I watched that video last night.

 

I'll give it a watch when I have more time

 

Parked next to one a while ago.

 

The Gladiator might have an electric issue and bust a frame weld in the first year of ownership from what I’ve observed. Ooh excitement!

 

Well, there it is. Hard to refute his list.

 

Electrical issues are part of the game now with everything having a sensor these days, and if you don’t think Toyota steel isn’t a problem, I got news for you.

My Tacoma was infinitely more comfortable than my Wrangler. My Wrangler gets better economy, has a manual transfer case, and fits 35s with zero mods (on a rubicon). It’s all what you want.

 

I agree, but I also wouldn’t put Fiat and Toyota into the same category here either.

 

My bone stock Wrangler 17 JKU Sport is the biggest piece of junk I've ever loved. I know it's not as refined as these new Gladiators with none of the tech stuff. It rides awful but runs great. It is a great beach and off road truck. I see alot of stuck 4x4s, even Tacomas, but never a Jeep Wrangler. I live on the east coast only a few miles from the ocean so it spends summers in the dunes and in the sand. I take good care of it so theres no rust at all underneath. Its just fun. It's my wifes around town cruiser and my summer toy. I'll never sell it but I'd never buy another Jeep again. I'm on my third Tacoma and would buy another if they get the 4th gen right. IMHO Toyota is just way way better.

 

Comparisons are great since there are probably a lot of people cross-shopping these things. And this guy did a great job with the video. But in the end it's comparing a 4 year-old platform that was designed for off-roading to a 20 year-old platform designed to be a "cheap" work truck. The differences make sense in that context. It demonstrates how the Tacoma is woefully outdated at this point. (I still love mine!)

 

It is great to have people with money, like in the posted video, to give us a perspective that we wouldn't normally have. I am not being sarcastic and want to point that out as the written word can often come across wrong. This comparison comes up often, and I agree with a lot of his points as he comes across objectively, but I was pretty much out after the comment about 39's on the Tacoma. The Jeep is basically designed from the factory to initially accept 35's, if you want to go that big, I just do not see the Tacoma being the right choice, hence the lighter components. Also, diesel vs gas engine shouldn't be a comparison which I believe is the overall point he is making. I like both trucks and If I could afford it, I would have both as well. 35's on the jeep, 285's on the Tacoma. I believe there are so many differences between the two that they are not in the same category. I do enjoy these threads though. The Tacoma was designed to be a good, all-around truck for a fair price.

 

Well said

 

This is a really good point. "Best selling midsize truck", because most of them are white base model work trucks.

 

Thank you Sir.

 

To add to this I remember driving an older gen Wrangler Unlimited up Eisenhower Tunnel West side and the thing could barely do 40mph on 35” tires. I’m glad they got rid of that engine, hopefully the newer motors and transmission perform better.

 

I thought his review was fair. I would say that his Gladiator cost about $36K more than my Tacoma (I did a build online for a '23 Gladiator to get the $70K price). My 21 AC SR V6 4x4 was $34K. Imagine what you could do to your truck with $36K. That is before you even put money into tires and lift for the Jeep.

 

I've owned 3 Jeeps, and I'll never own one again for a daily driver.

Jeeps are fun weekend toys only.

 

dude is comparing apples against oranges

 

you can make one hell of a build for 36k but the frame unless you throw money boxing it in will always be a weak link

 

pros and cons to both, but they’re both great choices