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Another thinking about switching to a Gladi from a Taco thread

Texbaz

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Hi all, new here.

Lately I've been contemplating switching from my 2020 Tacoma TRD PRO to either a JT Mojave or a Rubicon diesel.

I love everything about my Tacoma except the lack of power, gear hunting transmission, and piss poor mpgs. With 32's I get 15mpg avg in the summer, and I'm expecting to see about 13 avg winter. Yes I know, its a Taco, not a Prius, but the lack of power combined with piss poor mpgs, I just don't enjoy driving it and dread long trips. I could live with 15mpgs if I had good, usable power. We live in MN but we head west multiple times a year pulling a ~2k lb off road squaredrop camper. I'll see 13mpg with the trailer, which is fine considering, but it lacks so much power its a non-stop struggle.


I've been lurking for a while and from what I've read it sounds like even a gasser JT is going to perform better, even when towing.

A) What are common JT complaints? For examples, a huge 3rd gen Tacoma complaint is non-stop gear hunting. Breathe wrong and it will constantly downshift looking for power. I knew this was an issue with the Taco, but didn't realize how bad of an issue it actually was. Seating position and lack of rear leg room, piss poor video quality from rear cameras making them almost unusable, outdated tech, buggy and laggy touchscreen, etc. are common complaints in the Tacoma.

Is the 3.6 gasser going to be an improvement over the Taco? Is it going to tow better? From what I have read, a Mojave on 35s will still see better mpgs and power than my Taco on 32s.

The diesel would obviously be much better, but the overheating issues worry me, and I haven't seen much for a good solution because it's poor airflow and poor cooling system design to fit the small engine bay. Are there ways to combat the heat?

Theres a 2020 Mojave at the local dealer I'm going to go test drive tomorrow I think. Unfortunately the closest Rubi diesel is 250 miles away. There are closer diesels, but I don't want to test drive any other model because they won't drive the same.

Came from a 2018 TRD OFF road. Had it for 5 years, low miles traded on a left over 2023 Mojave this past April.
Best noticeable are trans shifting very nice, engine (no more atkinson cycle) power close but 3.6 but pentastar smoother. Seating position much better for the driver in the Mojave more upright. Rear seat room much better.
Oil change can be done blind fold on the Mojave.
It's funny I worked 40 years in corporate aviation and the dash on the Mojave reminds me of the smaller aircraft I used to service, I like it.

Towing is better with the Mojave

Jeep Gladiator Another thinking about switching to a Gladi from a Taco thread Navarro MillsA


Jeep Gladiator Another thinking about switching to a Gladi from a Taco thread valleygods
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Minty JL

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Hi all, new here.

Lately I've been contemplating switching from my 2020 Tacoma TRD PRO to either a JT Mojave or a Rubicon diesel.

I love everything about my Tacoma except the lack of power, gear hunting transmission, and piss poor mpgs. With 32's I get 15mpg avg in the summer, and I'm expecting to see about 13 avg winter. Yes I know, its a Taco, not a Prius, but the lack of power combined with piss poor mpgs, I just don't enjoy driving it and dread long trips. I could live with 15mpgs if I had good, usable power. We live in MN but we head west multiple times a year pulling a ~2k lb off road squaredrop camper. I'll see 13mpg with the trailer, which is fine considering, but it lacks so much power its a non-stop struggle.


I've been lurking for a while and from what I've read it sounds like even a gasser JT is going to perform better, even when towing.

A) What are common JT complaints? For examples, a huge 3rd gen Tacoma complaint is non-stop gear hunting. Breathe wrong and it will constantly downshift looking for power. I knew this was an issue with the Taco, but didn't realize how bad of an issue it actually was. Seating position and lack of rear leg room, piss poor video quality from rear cameras making them almost unusable, outdated tech, buggy and laggy touchscreen, etc. are common complaints in the Tacoma.

Is the 3.6 gasser going to be an improvement over the Taco? Is it going to tow better? From what I have read, a Mojave on 35s will still see better mpgs and power than my Taco on 32s.

The diesel would obviously be much better, but the overheating issues worry me, and I haven't seen much for a good solution because it's poor airflow and poor cooling system design to fit the small engine bay. Are there ways to combat the heat?

Theres a 2020 Mojave at the local dealer I'm going to go test drive tomorrow I think. Unfortunately the closest Rubi diesel is 250 miles away. There are closer diesels, but I don't want to test drive any other model because they won't drive the same.
Well first and foremost.........drive them first.

I Highlighted your Taco issues........the same exist with a Gladiator. Form and function are the ultimate decision points. A Mojave is silky smooth compared to a Rubicon. I can say that because I have a JLUR and a JTM.

Test drives are free and can save you from either spending money or solidifying a move to another platform. BUT don't buy a Jeep thinking you'll save on gas money AND if towing is your need or jam.......read into the issues with the diesels.......its not all cupcakes and unicorns.

Maybe you need to try test driving a new Chevy Colorado if you tow.......420 ftlbs of tourques is the money outside of a Ranger Raptor......but their suspension is soft and youll have the Carolina Squat while towing.

Gotta factor everything in
 

legacy_etu

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I test drove a Willys and a Mojave. The Willys has 3:73 gears compared to the 4:10’s in the Mojave. The gearing in the Mojave feels like a better pairing with the trans. and helps mask the smaller torque number of the Pentastar. The transmission works beautifully. Coming from a Taco I’ll be shocked if you say you’re not impressed. Also, one thing no one has mentioned is the Mojave comes with better seats. There’s more padding and slightly larger bolstering. Also the Rubicon suspension is more floaty and the Mojave is tighter. Pick your poison based on what you prefer or are aiming to use it for. Keep in mind the payload ratings on both models as they are not that high.

One Minor annoyance with the Mojave is the Fox shocks sometimes squeak when it’s cold out. Usually only happens a few times until the suspension starts moving then goes away. Most spray a bit of silicone grease in the dust seal to remedy.

I tow a small pop up a few hundred miles a year with a weight of around 2.5K lbs. This is no challenge whatsoever and is totally stress free towing. I can't tell you what the mileage was though. I don't bother checking while I'm towing.
 
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KWin

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just buy the jeep :)
if you're serious about performance the max tow is the best performing JT (4.10 gears, and roughly 200 lbs less unneeded bs than a rubicon, and lighter wheels than mojave or rubi)
I came from a taco and everytime I have the regret thoughts I know I enjoy my jeep more. and I loved my taco.

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Sinagua

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I had a 2018 and 2019 Tacoma. Both were Offroad versions, the 19 was a fully loaded Offroad. I lifted it with a full Dobinsons including rear springs. Got to the point with it that the next step would be a cabin body mount chop to go bigger than the 255/85 pizza cutters I was running. My son now has this and I am running around in a 2023 JTR with a Clayton 2.5 and 37's. No matter what, MPG will always suck. I have a truck that meets my needs, that is the point.
 

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Stan H

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@Minty JL Well, when my JTR was new is was silky smooth , drive a Taco for work ..sucked worst ride EVER.. The shocks wore out on the JTR at about 50,000 drove it for another 25,000 before I upgraded the suspension . Now it's silky smooth again. My opinion all the factory shocks wear out .. but the interior the capability of the JTR blows the Taco I drove for work clear out of the water.
Just do it. And when the shocks and suspension wear out change em . Plenty of time to save 2,000 up by the time the shocks wear out and springs sag.
 

Camaroboi13

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I struggle to maintain 23 mpg in my Overland Diesel, 4.5” lift on 37s. I tow a 40 year old bass boat and I don’t feel anything back there. Never dealt with these overheating issues that you’re talking about. Life’s rough, buy a Jeep.
 

gonemad

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I don’t tow, so factor that into my otherwise worthless opinion, but I was driving a 2017 F150 XLT 5.0 FX4 Super Crew. Quite possibly my favorite , and MOST comfortable vehicle for my large carcass, of all time.

I wanted a smaller truck again. Had two others before.

Test drove a 2023 Taco at the end of the model year with normally aspirated V-6. Not exciting. In any way.

Test drove a 2024 Taco with turbo charged 4 banger. Which is what GMC/Chevy and Ford have in 2024. I didn’t want a four banger, or a turbo. Expensive failure mode. Not impressed

And I wasn’t even looking at Jeeps. But I like the dealership, and had good experiences with their Chevy store.

Ended up in a Gladiator for many of the reasons listed here. LOTS of legroom, front and back for a small truck. LOVE the smart transmission. Love the V-6 and it’s gearing. I’m in a Sport S, so I think it's 3.73. Perfect for me.

I do hate the freakin two battery set up which I learned about three hours after I bought it. I’ll deal with it.
 

DailyMoparGuy

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I’m on 37s in my ‘21 Sport with factory 4.10 gearing. I see 13 mpg around town not babying the throttle. Last road trip was 16 or 17 mpg through Vermont mountains.

I was closer to 15 mpg around town when I had 35s and 19mpg on road trips through New England/Appalachia regions.

I cant help you on the towing question though.

Edit: Well I guess I wasn’t quite on winter gas yet with those numbers above because I just averaged 13 mpg between Massachusetts and Outer Banks, NC 🤣.
 
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Baxter

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I came from a 2022 Taco that I bought new and put about 17,000 miles on before trading to the Gladiator. Had the Gladiator for about 4 months now and no regrets so far. . Don’t tow so can’t help you with that.
 

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Bully4

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I traded a 17 taco limited for my 21 Mojave. I really like the Jeep. Overall, my fuel mileage is very close to the Taco's. I pull a small enclosed trailer at times with my motorcycle inside. The jeep feels more capable at handling the trailer. I was always concerned about the trailer manhandling the Taco if you would get into an issue. If you look in the manual, Toyota claims a bunch of towing capacity; however, they only recommend 1000 lbs. unbaked trailer weight. I actually put brakes on my trailer just in case.

I don't miss the Taco. As noted, the tranny seemed to shift a lot. It seemed to always be looking to have the engine turning at 1500 rpms--fuel economy I'm sure.

To each his own, I'm really not looking back.
 

MudderNuker

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JTR auto here with 35" tires and lighter weight wheels. I traded a JTW for it but before that, I had a '21 Sierra 1500 AT4 diesel. What an engine! I retired and moved to our mountain house and the GMC wouldn't fit in the garage hence the reason for trading and to drop the monthly payment until my pension kicked in. My thoughts on your comment. MPGs will not be much better than the Taco, I average about 14.5 mpgs, rural driving with speed limits of 45 mph. Highway is much better around 19 mpg. Mind you, I live at around 7,000 ft. in elevation so that might affect MPGs and of course the power loss. I tow a camper that weights around 4,000lbs and you may experience gear hunting, but you fix that by switching to manual. I also have a cargo rack with gas tanks and traction boards that hurt MPGs. I sort of fixed gear hunting and regained a little power after installing a Scorcher GT. Gas mileage do not seem to have been affected by the Scorcher. Our last trip with the camper (around 200 miles) averaged 12 MPGs. Not sure if it helps with MPGs but I have a AFE Rock Basher exhaust and I love the sound. Very minimal drone if any but when you step on it, it sounds glorious with a little brap when it shifts.
 
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Thanks everyone for the replies.

I realize mpgs wont be much better than the Taco, but I see a lot of claims of 15-16mpgs with 35s where as I struggle to see 15mpgs with 32s on my Taco. I originally wanted 35s on the Taco but I knew it would be too much of an impact, so then I was considering 33s but still anticipating 13-15mpgs highway if I was lucky, so in a round-a-bout way if I can run 33s or 35s on a JT and still get around 15-16 then thats a win for me.

Test driving a 2020 JTM after work today. If I like how it drives I don't know if this specific one will be the one I work towards, but it may put things in motion. Will update with my thoughts!
 

GI Grandpa

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As a Mojave owner, if you plan in towing, the Rubicon tows better in stock trim. The springs on a Mojave are softer so if you're towing much over 2,000 lbs. or carrying a lot of weight in the bed, you'll want different springs or airbags INHO
 

Light

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I have a Mojave 2023 mpg is a joke with any truck you buy in this size category but I bought the Mojave over the Rubi due to the dessert runner platform. Heat is not an issue as I am in Death Valley and Mojave two times a year pulling 4000 lb trailer it is a brick so pulling mpg 14 driving from texas I get 18-19.5 at 75 mph unloaded. With 4:10 it is 1.5 inches wider and with cast iron suspension rather then aluminum in the Rubi it is very stable and smooth on the open road. Room in the back is beater then your truck but not by a lot. This is one of my two vehicles I have ever wanted and I traded in my Audi 5s for this and will never go back. If you want more room and more power go to an f150 or a GM product but if you want classic lines and a whole community of die hard Hans then the jeep is the way to go. I wouldn’t get a diesel they are expensive to repair there are a lot of heating issues and in some states like California $8 a gallon will kill you budget so mpg is overall cheaper with a gas engine good luck and I hope you find the right model to fit your needs
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