Another thinking about switching to a Gladi from a Taco thread

[JTdiRtyD]

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 Seating position and lack of rear leg room, piss poor video quality from rear cameras making them almost unusable, outdated tech, buggy and laggy touchscreen, etc.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.

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[HorneyBadger]

I came from a 2016 TACO to my first JT. Was looking at getting rid of it because the tranny sucked. Was looking at full size Silverado when they announced the Gladiator. Saw it as a way to get back to my jeeps. The trans is better and gas mileage is slightly better but I have no comment on towing. Definately the seating is better and more leg room in the back. And the JT is just more capable. Each JT version has its pro and cons. Mojave is good for the desert running while the Rubi is better for harder technical 4 wheelin. Just depends on what you are going to do when you are not towing. Good luck in your decision.

 

[Gvsukids]

Theres a 2020 Mojave at the local dealer I'm going to go test drive tomorrow I think.

Test driving will help answer some of your questions.

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/...about-trading-in-my-tacoma-for-a-rubi….46151/

 

[Advntrbound]

I don't think you'll see a huge improvement with power (seat feel) the 3.6l is pretty anemic. Fuel mileage isn't much better either. I baby my MT and still only get about 16mph with 35s and 3:73 gearing.

 

[JTdiRtyD]

I don't think you'll see a huge improvement with power (sest feel) the 3.6l is pretty anemic. Fuel mileage isn't much better either. I baby my MT and still only get about 16mph with 35s and 3:73 gearing.

From what I've found the 4.10s in the Moj and Rubi make a big difference in mpgs when running anything over 33s. But on that same note, I'll never, NEVER see 16mpg with 35s on the Taco.

 

[Redfour5]

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.

Blashphemer!!!

 

[Jobofly]

I am averaging 16.5 around town on my Mojave with 35’s. Highway I average 19. To me the 3.6 does everything I need it too. I tow my 5000lb travel trailer with no problem. I won’t win any races but you shouldn’t try to when towing a large camper.

 

[Free2roam]

Diesel if you can find one with low miles. I'm still getting 22 avg with all the weight and 33s. Yeah there are the more expensive this and that to it. But I wouldn't change if I could. You can run 37's without changing gearing with the diesel. My bud still gets 23+ on 37's
Edit: towing what if anything? MN should never have to many problems with overheating. I don't tow except a trash trailer. Never have derated.

 

[JTdiRtyD]

Diesel if you can find one with low miles. I'm still getting 22 avg with all the weight and 33s. Yeah there are the more expensive this and that to it. But I wouldn't change if I could. You can run 37's without changing gearing with the diesel. My bud still gets 23+ on 37's
Edit: towing what if anything? MN should never have to many problems with overheating. I don't tow except a trash trailer. Never have derated.

MN shouldn't have problems towing, but as stated I'm out west a lot. UT, AZ, CO...

 

[Free2roam]

MN shouldn't have problems towing, but as stated I'm out west a lot. UT, AZ, CO...

What are you towing?

 

[JTdiRtyD]

What are you towing?

~2,000 lb squaredrop offroad camper and additional ~500lbs in the bed. Might be making a switch to a lighter trailer next year, around !,500lbs.

 

[MassMopar]

23 Mojave 3.6 Auto w/ heavy factory Falken A/Ts (33s). When I towed w/trailer tires @ 30psi, I got 11.5 MPGs at 65-70mpg from MA-OH and back. Aired the trailer tires up to sidewall-recommended 50psi and I got 12.5. Not towing, I get 18mpg at 65 on the highway, high 16s doing 75mph. Completely depends on your trailer's profile and weight I'm sure. I'm 100% stock tire size, gears, etc. Only mods are a bed cover and mud flaps.
FWIW, I rented a taco TRD Offroad for a long roadtrip in 2020 (empty, no towing). Loved the supple suspension while unloaded, hated the brakes, and the boring-ness. The Mojave is a little stiff empty, and softens up with a little weight in it, which is exactly what you want. Interior fit and finish on the Jeep easily beats the boring taco.

 

[Free2roam]

~2,000 lb squaredrop offroad camper and additional ~500lbs in the bed. Might be making a switch to a lighter trailer next year, around !,500lbs.

Can't say for sure. But IMO that's not heavy enough unless you are trying to go 80+ up a steep ass hill. @Jefe1018 should be able to offer some insight.

 

[Hootbro]

It is probably good you are looking to test drive a Mojave as that is considered on of the best riding gladiators. You need to pay attention to the increased cabin wind noise coming from a Taco to a Gladiator. If you stick to factory tire sizes with the 4:10 gearing, you will probably like the towing capability.

Lastly, I think you will see slightly better MPG's vs what you are experiencing now, but nobody that has owned a Gladiator really sings the praises of the real world MPG use and once you go larger in tire size and add ons, that kind of goes out the window.

 

[Jefe1018]

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.

Can't say for sure. But IMO that's not heavy enough unless you are trying to go 80+ up a steep ass hill. @Jefe1018 should be able to offer some insight.

Are you planning to lift and/or upsize tires?

I’m just going to be honest, if you want to tow anything in a JT diesel with a lift and tires when it’s warmer than 80 degrees outside, be either ready to trade it in or spend big bucks on modifying it to see if maybe it works better.

Albeit, my truck was on 37’s with stock gears, I couldn’t tow an empty utility trailer, maybe 1000lbs, faster than 50-55mph without seeing 260+ oil temps. That’s pretty dangerous if speed limits are 75-80 like they are around here imo.

There are some climbs I’d see 260+ empty when ambient temps were 110ish at 75mph.

I was at a cross roads, the diesel had power and torque for weeks, but couldn’t stay cool enough to operate efficiently. The gasser wouldn’t be able to move well enough for what I wanted.

I got a power wagon. My ultimate advice is get a power wagon.

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