Another thinking about switching to a Gladi from a Taco thread

[Janster]

Wow….that’s a shame about the Taco. I’ve owned 1996 and 2007 Taco - loved them both!! The biggest disappointment with the 2007 - it fell victim to the frame rust recall. They replaced my entire frame……I have photos somewhere of it sitting in the shop as a rolling chassis. I feared the truck would never be the same after they tore it completely apart. Too many clunks & noises - took it back to have things looked over. It was never the same after that. Not long after that, I traded it for a 2016 GMC Canyon. The Canyon was a nice truck…..It had transmission programming issues… would upshift too soon but wouldn’t know how to downshift when you needed it (chuggle/stutter). They replaced my torque converter thinking they’d fix the problem…. Nope….. I just got used to burying my foot in it…..

So, we decided to get a 2024 Mojave (gasser). We absolutely love it!! We’re not new to Jeeps - we’ve had a couple YJ’s and a WJ. The only downside to the JT…..the gas mileage. Totally stock on 33” tires…. and only 5,000 miles. I’m lucky to get anything over 16mpg. Right now (winter)? I’m getting 14-15mpg. But…lovin’ the jeep community again and it‘s FUN AS HELL going topless & doorless!!!

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[JCappy]

Wow….that’s a shame about the Taco. I’ve owned 1996 and 2007 Taco - loved them both!! The biggest disappointment with the 2007 - it fell victim to the frame rust recall. They replaced my entire frame……I have photos somewhere of it sitting in the shop as a rolling chassis. I feared the truck would never be the same after they tore it completely apart. Too many clunks & noises - took it back to have things looked over. It was never the same after that. Not long after that, I traded it for a 2016 GMC Canyon. The Canyon was a nice truck…..It had transmission programming issues… would upshift too soon but wouldn’t know how to downshift when you needed it (chuggle/stutter). They replaced my torque converter thinking they’d fix the problem…. Nope….. I just got used to burying my foot in it…..

So, we decided to get a 2024 Mojave (gasser). We absolutely love it!! We’re not new to Jeeps - we’ve had a couple YJ’s and a WJ. The only downside to the JT…..the gas mileage. Totally stock on 33” tires…. and only 5,000 miles. I’m lucky to get anything over 16mpg. Right now (winter)? I’m getting 14-15mpg. But…lovin’ the jeep community again and it‘s FUN AS HELL going topless & doorless!!!

Hopefully your mileage will improve a little. It took mine about 10,000 miles. In summer I'm getting anywhere from mid 18's to mid 19's depending on highway or local driving. It has now dropped to low to mid 17's with the winter fuel mixture.

 

[JTdiRtyD]

Ugh. I wonder if that's the rear locker sensor that gets oil seeping into it issue. Common issue in the pre 23 models. Easy fix. Jeep upgraded the sensor to a different type mid 23 and that's not an issue anymore....not that it helps you in your 22.
Course, it could be something else too. Bummer.

D'oh

I'm sure its fine, it's just ironic that the reason I have been hesitant is because reliability reputations and then this happens lol

 

[PAKraig]

I'm sure its fine, it's just ironic that the reason I have been hesitant is because reliability reputations and then this happens lol

Yep, I get the irony, but I'm going tomorrow morning to check out a 21 Mojave w/ 40k on it, and I'd be trading one of the world's most reliable vehicles ever, 2013 FJ Cruiser on the JT. Just not sure I can bring myself to do it....but I really like the Gladiators

 

[DanW]

Yep, I get the irony, but I'm going tomorrow morning to check out a 21 Mojave w/ 40k on it, and I'd be trading one of the world's most reliable vehicles ever, 2013 FJ Cruiser on the JT. Just not sure I can bring myself to do it....but I really like the Gladiators

Not sure if it helps, but I've got a 2018 JL Wrangler that was very early production 1st model year and my 2021 Gladiator, both Rubicons, and they have a combined 150,000 miles with no troubles outside of recalls on the JL that never really presented a problem for me. They've been two of the most trouble free vehicles I've ever owned. I've only owned the Gladiator for about 14 months, but I've put 20k on it and Jeep's records indicate no problems, just maintenance from when it was new.

I've beaten the hell out of the JL off-road and towed a lot with it. The Gladiator has just started its off-road career.

I wouldn't spend too much time worrying. Just enjoy it and expect it to be every bit as good as Toyotas. I owned two 4 Runners and they were great, but both had a few issues....more than my Jeeps have had, but still minor.

 

[biodiesel]

I wouldn't spend too much time worrying. Just enjoy it and expect it to be every bit as good as Toyotas. I owned two 4 Runners and they were great, but both had a few issues....more than my Jeeps have had, but still minor.

I agree. The forums are a great place to learn, but they can also be filled with a lot of noise. There are people who swear up and down that Toyotas in the last decade are just as bad if not worse than the Big 3, so it's just a matter of opinions and experiences.

I try not to get caught up in the drama. I think jeep did a fantastic job on the Gladiator in quality, capability, and overall performance, but there are folks on this forum who think Jeep has gone downhill and the quality is poor, etc.

My philosophy is to buy what you love and enjoy the ownership experience.

 

[ZeeJay]

I agree. The forums are a great place to learn, but they can also be filled with a lot of noise. There are people who swear up and down that Toyotas in the last decade are just as bad if not worse than the Big 3, so it's just a matter of opinions and experiences.

I try not to get caught up in the drama. I think jeep did a fantastic job on the Gladiator in quality, capability, and overall performance, but there are folks on this forum who think Jeep has gone downhill and the quality is poor, etc.

My philosophy is to buy what you love and enjoy the ownership experience.

Agreed, JT is fine truck. Like anything there are winners and losers in every model. My opinion overall quality isn’t any better or worse than the last 40 years for Jeep anyway. If your counting bits and bots, interior stuff not at all really. Jeeps had its share of drama in the past. Look at a WJ…..wheels great but what a turd, they had more bullshit problems, I could list them for an hour. Sure you squeeze 320K out of WJ but you’d go threw that list twice before it got there and probably just be done installing window regulator number 856. I could pick apart what a pile the 3.6 is, but I couldn’t do it without also picking apart what a pile the 4.7 is or the Magnum V8 heads that crack or plenum gaskets, can’t say how many water manifolds I’ve resealed on 3.8s either. I could whine about ZF trans issues, again couldn’t do that without whining about a 42RE or anything with an RE attached to it(save the 545). The FAD, anybody here remember the CAD, oh man what a jewel that was. Jeeps problem it has just gone too weird, too much weird tech and engineering. Keeping up with Joneses they broke rank from the TJ/XJ days, of course they had too. Jeep caught on to the fashionable trend of Jeeps and marked up prices accordingly because Jeep became a lifestyle for hot moms and super dudes who wheeled with the bros between gym visits, because bro man wouldn’t know what do to with a TJ. This stage of the game they have all gone down hill and the slide has picked up momentum since Year of the Super Killer Cold. I’m not sure there is right or wrong answer buying new anything today, it’s all a gamble. None seem to immune from failures and headaches and it’s not going to improve. My wife’s ‘22 Highlander the bench mark for which all crossover three row seating things are measured by is starting to have its little BS issues now 17K in. These cars are built to be thrown away like coffee pots in 36 months, they couldn’t care less if it makes 50,000 miles as long as you’re on to the next new one.

 

[PAKraig]

Thanks for the feedback. I've been on Tacoma, 4Runner and FJ forums for years too. If you'd believe only the negative on those forums there, no vehicles would ever be bought from any company I suppose. That's the biggest reason I removed myself from the new vehicle market a few years ago and bought an older platform in the FJ I have now. But back to needing a pickup and just can't justify 2 vehicles. If the 3rd Gen Tacoma had a bigger backseat, I'd already be back in another one. Gladiator has a good bit more legroom.
So, reliability of a 2021 Gladiator should be on par with a similar mileage 2021 Tacoma. Good to know.

 

[DanW]

I agree. The forums are a great place to learn, but they can also be filled with a lot of noise. There are people who swear up and down that Toyotas in the last decade are just as bad if not worse than the Big 3, so it's just a matter of opinions and experiences.

I try not to get caught up in the drama. I think jeep did a fantastic job on the Gladiator in quality, capability, and overall performance, but there are folks on this forum who think Jeep has gone downhill and the quality is poor, etc.

My philosophy is to buy what you love and enjoy the ownership experience.

That's funny because I've had not one quality issue on either of my Jeeps. Even my JK was pretty good...it had a few initial issues, but then ran 17 years and 195k miles before I sold it...in superb condition.

Quality anymore is more design than assembly. So I doubt the 2024's and 2025's have declined. Maybe the 4xe or E-torque in the Wrangler has caused a rise, but the 3.6 is rock solid and has the lowest warranty claim rate of a mass production engine in the industry.

Yes, the manual transmission has had recalls. I'm getting ready for my 3rd on my JL. But mine has experienced no issues other than the trips to the dealer. It drives and performs perfectly at 100,000 miles the same as it did new. I get a free new clutch soon, even though I've experienced no issues.

My brother ran a 2020 Gladiator Rubicon for 40k and beat the hell out of it with zero issues, too.

The internet thinks Toyota is the holy grail because of their obvious quality advantage in the 1980's. They are still great, IMO, but they have as many issues as any other make nowadays and have had their share of prolific recalls....massive engine recalls, frame rust, etc. It isn't that they aren't what they used to be. It is that the others have caught up.

So back to the Gladiator. The 3.6/8 speed might be one of the most reliable and long lasting power train combo you can buy, car or truck, today. It does not have direct injection, no turbo, and the most mild hybrid setup that can be found. OF course, if you remove the ESS and bypass the aux battery, you might make it even better, although I've had no problems. (I use a Tazer in both Jeeps to disable ESS).

Anyway, my observations have led me to this conclusion. Toyotas are great. But the fear I see in Toyota loyalists at the thought of driving anything else is just plain silly. Take a field trip to a Toyota dealer and go to any similar size/volume Jeep or Chevy dealer, and you'll see about the same size service department with about the same number of vehicles in it.

All that said, if you didn't have to sit on the floor in the Tacoma, I would not hesitate to happily own one.

 

[Charles 236]

Exactly this above. In a moment of confusion, I went to work in sales at a Toyota dealership. The vehicles were solid, but I discovered that the service department was plenty busy. It wasn't just maintenance, either. I asked one tech about the VVTi engine sitting on the cradle on the floor. Turns out they were just as reliable as the Mopar 3.6. So it really doesn't matter what you buy, that dealership will have a service department, and it will be busy.

 

[Janster]

Hopefully your mileage will improve a little. It took mine about 10,000 miles. In summer I'm getting anywhere from mid 18's to mid 19's depending on highway or local driving. It has now dropped to low to mid 17's with the winter fuel mixture.

Thanks! That’s good feedback….. Granted, the gas mileage wasn’t a concern when we bought it….but I’ll take anything I can get.

 

[JCappy]

Thanks! That’s good feedback….. Granted, the gas mileage wasn’t a concern when we bought it….but I’ll take anything I can get.

I'm with you. If I wanted good fuel mileage I would have bought something different but every little bit helps.

 

[salvino]

San Juan Island? If so that's got to be crazy getting in and out of that area. My Daughter and SIL are in Poulsbo and he works in Keyport. Nothing is easy to get to in that area but it sure is beautiful.

Yes, nothing easy about getting a rig on and off the island, But then once there the only really good reason to leave is a wheeling trip.

 

[Bully4]

Toyota made their reputation in previous generations. They always seemed to improve on an existing engine platform. Unfortunately, regulations and requirements seem to have forced manufacturers into new territory. All newer vehicles are much more complicated. I think they have all done a very good job at building comfortable and reliable vehicles with sophisticated technology.

Anybody remember the old days with electric chokes? Manual locking hubs? A radio with a dial tuner? No back up camera?

Imagine the difference between the old army surplus jeeps and a new Rubicon!

I will credit Toyota for honestly explaining an engine's oil consumption. There were a few pages in their owner's manual explaining that all engine's use oil between changes. If the oil level never changes, it is because of short trips and fuel, moisture contamination.

Nevertheless, I'll keep the Mojave. It puts a little smile on my face when I take it out. Maybe a small thing, but more relevant the older I get!

 

[PAKraig]

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

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