Another thinking about switching to a Gladi from a Taco thread

[Billkowski]

I think to an auto enthusiast there is a large emotional quotient to getting a vehicle, if a Rubicon or Mojave is not an obviously better choice to you at a glance, you will probably be happier with a Tacoma.

A Gladiator is rarely a rational choice and is not a decision you can really come to using logic, it is a delightfully compromised vehicle in alot of ways and if it doesn't speak to you, it won't be a good relationship.

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[Gvsukids]

Not the OP, but similar situation.....

20+ years of being a Toyota truck and SUV "fanboy" here going to check out another Certified Gladiator Rubicon today. Talk me into or out of it folks Clean Carfax and regular oil changes since 5k. Anything specific to make me walk away from a used Gladiator w/ 40,000 miles on the clock? TIA

Take it for a drive.

 

[biodiesel]

A Gladiator is rarely a rational choice and is not a decision you can really come to using logic, it is a delightfully compromised vehicle in alot of ways and if it doesn't speak to you, it won't be a good relationship.

I agree. This is why I encourage potential buyers to keep their Tacoma (or whatever their daily driver is) when purchasing a Gladiator.

 

[ZeeJay]

Not the OP, but similar situation.....

20+ years of being a Toyota truck and SUV "fanboy" here going to check out another Certified Gladiator Rubicon today. Talk me into or out of it folks Clean Carfax and regular oil changes since 5k. Anything specific to make me walk away from a used Gladiator w/ 40,000 miles on the clock? TIA

This is the wrong place to ask, I take that question to a Gladiator specific forum.

 

[Hootbro]

This is the wrong place to ask, I take that question to a Gladiator specific forum.

Like this one?

 

[JCappy]

Like this one?

Yea I am confused too

 

[gonemad]

I think to an auto enthusiast there is a large emotional quotient to getting a vehicle, if a Rubicon or Mojave is not an obviously better choice to you at a glance, you will probably be happier with a Tacoma.

A Gladiator is rarely a rational choice and is not a decision you can really come to using logic, it is a delightfully compromised vehicle in alot of ways and if it doesn't speak to you, it won't be a good relationship.

Have you driven a Tacoma lately?

I have. Both a 2023 V6 and a 2024 4 banger with a turbo.

I wasn’t even looking for a Jeep, and yet here I am.

 

[Billkowski]

Have you driven a Tacoma lately?

I have. Both a 2023 V6 and a 2024 4 banger with a turbo.

I wasn’t even looking for a Jeep, and yet here I am.

Don't have to, don't like the way they look. Boring, like most Toyotas.

 

[JTdiRtyD]

I can say this, after a week of owning mine I am happy with it.

- It's more comfortable IMO. Seats hug you a little more and you're not sitting on the floor. I feel like I can actually reach controls without having to stretch out, whereas the Tacoma with the low seating felt like I had to pull myself out of the seat more. More leg and head room, but less cab width so shoulder and arm room is a little tighter, but doesn't bother me at all.

- Even though it's only 2 years newer the Jeep feels far more up-to-date and modern that the Tacoma. More customizable features with the Jeep as far as the dash, what happens when you lock/unlock, etc. The Tacoma had some, but was very limited and felt outdated. Touch screen is far better. It's responsive, it doesn't take 2 minutes to start up, it's a much clearer display. I can actually make things out in the rear camera instead of it looking like a Nokia phone photo. I like that all of my climate controls are also in the head unit.

- It drives 100xs better. The Tacoma doesn't have a smooth powerband, it would have little almost unnoticeable hiccups throughout the rpms, the throttle was touchy from closed if rolling at a slow speed, transmission was unpredictable. The Gladiator is night and day better. It's smooth, shifts are smooth, torque converter lock is smooth.

- It does wander a little more, and some road surfaces are more rough, but overall the ride doesn't bother me at all. It feels better planted in corners, doesn't sway around like the Tacoma did.


So far very happy with my decision. And best of all, the tonneau cover from the Taco fit perfectly so I didn't even need to but a new one.

 

[JTdiRtyD]

Update on my 4x4 light.

Truck was in for most of the day today, turns out it was the FAD wiring. Too tight of cabling ties caused the wiring to fray, which matches what this TSB says.

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2020/MC-10177485-9999.pdf

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