Why Jeeps?

Just sold this one, won't pass smog, time to cut it up, turn it into another rock buggy.

 

Wanna donate that d30hp and aw4 to my wrangler project!!?!

 

My JKUR with bumpers, skids and a lift rode fantastic and stable with stock tires for the first 3 years. I took it all over the place including a bunch of trails in Moab and did incredibility well. After the stock tires wore out i tossed on some 35's and that was when it started to behaved slightly unstable and wandered a bit. Now on my second set of 35's and still not like how it was with the stock tires but oh well, minor inconvenience.......for the wife! haha
I bought my Tacoma thinking it would replace the Jeep as a daily driver. Jeep still my daily driver and still does all off road duty . Plus my kids fit in the jeep better too.

 

According to my nephew, who has a Rubicon, Jeeps are Toyota rescue gear. If I ever need rescued you can bet he'll be last on my list to call. I have to admit he does have a pretty nice rig.

 

Here's my take, for what its worth.
Before I had kids, I had an old 1978 CJ5. It was loud, it was hot, it was cold, it had no storage or amenities to speak of, it rode like a refrigerator with wheels (35"). But, as a young man, none of that really mattered...I loved being able to take it literally anywhere on or off road AND I loved the cool factor. Had it for years, easy and cheap to work on.
Got married, had 2 kids. My Jeep was not gonna fit the bill anymore so went through the vehicle stages of parenthood (Toyota sedan, Toyota minivan, Mitsubishi SUV in that order.) Everything was fine, all were fine daily drivers, all had no problem going well over 200,000 miles. I was happy. Family was happy.
Kids graduated university. I turned 55. Memories go back to how fun that Jeep was. Nostalgia kicks in (or midlife crisis if you prefer). Test drive a 2017 Rubicon...ugh, forgot how bad that ride was as a daily. Damn, no storage either. Now I am older and realize...amenities actually do have some importance. I remember how reliable my Camry and Sienna (and my kids' Corolla) all were. Start researching. Ah...something that mixes fun of my old CJ5 with the amenities I have grown used to...and the reliability I have grown used to. More research. Find TacomaWorld. More research. More test drives. Short list new vehicle to Tacoma (manual off road) or Colorado/Canyon (diesel). Have not yet made final decision...but definitely leaning towards the Tacoma as I have never had a good GM experience even though we are eligible for the employee discount
Bottom line...Jeeps are GREAT FUN. They are capable. They are a lot of things...but what they are NOT is a daily driver (imo) A Tacoma (or other 4x4 midsize truck) IS a daily driver that has almost as much capability as the Jeep. For most people, their daily driver is also their recreational vehicle (if they recreate at all)...a Tacoma gives the best (or near the best) of both worlds.
Like the Tacoma, most Jeep buyers may never take it off road and truly enjoy its capabilities. Which begs the question, why are so many people buying Jeeps (and Tacomas)? All boils down to that thing that first got me into that 1978 Jeep CJ5....the cool factor.

 

That's why I have a Tacoma and a Jeep. No reason not to.

 

I agree, here is a pic of my CJ5, V8, 4sp, locked, lots of fun at the beach.

 

Beautiful

 

Here is my Wrongler. Sold and shipped it TX, got stupid amount of money for it.

 

Another pic of th CJ with the dog.

 

Its a Jeep thing.

 

Wifes XJ above.

 

So if you compare a TRD OR to any Wranlger other than a Rubi, which is more offroad capable?

 

My tj is not a rubi.... and way more off-road capable.

Apples to oranges

 

Wrangler.

 

Even with no locking diff?

 

honestly, the locker in the Tacoma OR isn't really required. The ATRAC and hill descent are far more used in my truck. I have engaged the locker twice on the trail in nearly 3yrs... and I don't exactly baby it.

The jeeps off-road ability goes well beyond the lockers, 4low ratio, fd ratio, and electric sway discos. It stems from the pedigree of a vehicle that is specifically built for the task.

solid axles
Mid engine
Good approach and depaeture angles
Flat belly
And shorter wheelbase.

This items will always provide a vehicle when suburb of road ability.

Even with the locker the OR still doesn't have the big things that make the wrangler shine off the pavement.


Hill decent and atrac are why I bought the OR! Simply amazing systems.