M/T Gladiator vs M/T Tacoma

[mazeppa]

I was considering a Tacoma Access Cab and a Super Cab F150, but a Rubicon Gladiator was my finial choice. Cost was not considered in my decision, I decided I wanted a unique fun truck, all other trucks look the same to me. I have been very satisfied with each Toyota, Ford and Jeep Wrangler vehicles I have owned in previous vehicle.

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[kostik76]

I like JT 6 speed better but you have to see it for yourself. I liked the JK and it was a wild one especially off road. This is a matter of preference. As far as comparing these 2 again it depends what you want to get out of it. I wanted no roof and manual 4x4 operation as i do not like how Taco does it with the switch. I also like better view from JT. go test drive them

 

[jalbrecht55]

The Nissan is actually pretty ok, but it’s been 5 years since I last test drove one. I’d like to try one again.

At the time it felt more like a first gen Tacoma or the earlier (80’s) Toyota pickups that I had back in college. Busier ride, noisier, feels like an actual compact pickup. Driven back to back with a 2014 (previous generation Tacoma) it felt old and dated. Back seats are tight and upright similar to an older extra cab full-size but narrower.

The drivetrain also felt more connected and more “willing to play” than the Tacoma. They can be had super cheap ( four years ago I found a brand new base model v6 4x4 quad cab for 21k), but they dropped the base model with the 6MT.

At the time the interior in that plain monotone gray, the super ugly dash and a seat that caused my back to cramp up turned me off. But I did prefer the upright seating position to the Toyota Kayak. I also like how compact they are. Not available in the M/T but for example the long box 4 door frontier is the same length as a gladiator.

 

[jalbrecht55]

Speaking of weight ratings I thought this was interesting:

Sport base with tow

Sport S without tow

Here’s one I don’t understand: My JGC says 3200/3700 axle rating, GVWR 6800, but payload is only 1050. It scales at 5050lb empty with a full tank of gas.

 

[jalbrecht55]

Since I have no tow I got aux switches to get both the better amp and battery.

Good point on that one and also the trailer wire harness is standard equipment as someone had mentioned. So I guess the only bits you don’t get is the higher watt fan (probably shared with the max tow model?) and the backup camera zoom?

I wonder if a tazer or dealer can activate the backup camera zoom by changing sales order code and updating?

 

[basicGlad]

So I guess the only bits you don’t get is the higher watt fan (probably shared with the max tow model?) and the backup camera zoom?

Somebody else made a video trying to compare and find out what heavy duty engine cooling was. Seemed like only the fan. That photo you posted looks like my door card I still want to see a photo of a manual trans base sport no tow's door card

You're correct, I do have the hookups. I do however... Also have the zoom.

Also to the two other posters, great visibility, unique truck, fully manual and convertible were top reasons I went gladiator

 

[BLK HOLE]

I’ve rented the frontier many times. There isn’t a bigger pile of junk on the market. Never have I ridden in such horrid conditions for a newer vehicle. Their CEO is in prison but he should have been put on trial for that truck alone.

 

[Karnivoolfan]

I’ve rented the frontier many times. There isn’t a bigger pile of junk on the market. Never have I ridden in such horrid conditions for a newer vehicle. There CEO is in prison but he should have been put on trial for that truck alone.

The Frontier is a throwback to what trucks used to be. I like it but it is old. I would have it over a Tacoma though. That 4.0 6 speed combo is a delight to drive.

 

[Karnivoolfan]

I considered a Tacoma but the workers at Toyota aren't unionized so I ultimately scratched it off my list considering there is just as good of an option for a manual crew cab actually built by a union closed shop (Gladiator).

 

[kostik76]

I considered a Tacoma but the workers at Toyota aren't unionized so I ultimately scratched it off my list considering there is just as good of an option for a manual crew cab actually built by a union closed shop (Gladiator).

I think this is the worst reason. I think unions is the main reason for everything that is wrong with US cars and everything else that is done under unionized banner.

 

[BLK HOLE]

I think this is the worst reason. I think unions is the main reason for everything that is wrong with US cars and everything else that is done under unionized banner.

Yeah no kidding. Not being unionized would be a reason for me to actually buy.

 

[Ichthus]

Let’s not get too political here guys. He wants to support American workers with similar ideals. Unions are far from perfect, but they certainly aren’t responsible for “everything that is wrong with US cars”. Bean counters, engineers, product planners, designers, and executives have all played a huge part in blunders that have occurred...and some of those created the conditions that necessitated Unions in the first place.

 

[BLK HOLE]

Let’s not get too political here guys. He wants to support American workers with similar ideals. Unions are far from perfect, but they certainly aren’t responsible for “everything that is wrong with US cars”. Bean counters, engineers, product planners, designers, and executives have all played a huge part in blunders that have occurred...and some of those created the conditions that necessitated Unions in the first place.

"lets not get political guys!" But here's my 2 cents about it..." hahaha

 

[WXman]

The Frontier is subjectively better than the Tacoma in most categories. Both trucks are on 15 year old platforms with most of their sheetmetal also being 15 years old. Both are pathetic by today's standards. But, at least the Frontier does have some torque on hand for truck duty. And it does have disc brakes. And it doesn't have a plastic cargo box. And it's got a decent seating position. And it has more interior space. And it's significantly less expensive. If these two dog turds were my only options, I'd go Nissan 6 days a week and twice on Sunday. And yes, I owned a 2013 Frontier CC 4x4 and I did test drive a 2019 Tacoma TRD Off-Road prior to having my JT.

As far as the towing stuff goes, it all boils down to weight and suspension. Every option subtracts from the GVWR little by little. So, a stripper base model will almost always have greater payload remaining than a model with options. In the case of the Gladiator, this is why the Max Towing package is a bargain. $995 gets you the 6250 GVWR AND big payload/towing figures. Plus you get the wide track 32-spline HD axles, 850 watt engine fan, 240 amp alternator, etc. etc. It's a no-brainer. I'd say screw the manual transmission...the Max Tow package is the way to go.

 

[BLK HOLE]

The Frontier is subjectively better than the Tacoma in most categories. Both trucks are on 15 year old platforms with most of their sheetmetal also being 15 years old. Both are pathetic by today's standards. But, at least the Frontier does have some torque on hand for truck duty. And it does have disc brakes. And it doesn't have a plastic cargo box. And it's got a decent seating position. And it has more interior space. And it's significantly less expensive. If these two dog turds were my only options, I'd go Nissan 6 days a week and twice on Sunday. And yes, I owned a 2013 Frontier CC 4x4 and I did test drive a 2019 Tacoma TRD Off-Road prior to having my JT.

As far as the towing stuff goes, it all boils down to weight and suspension. Every option subtracts from the GVWR little by little. So, a stripper base model will almost always have greater payload remaining than a model with options. In the case of the Gladiator, this is why the Max Towing package is a bargain. $995 gets you the 6250 GVWR AND big payload/towing figures. Plus you get the wide track 32-spline HD axles, 850 watt engine fan, 240 amp alternator, etc. etc. It's a no-brainer. I'd say screw the manual transmission...the Max Tow package is the way to go.

Man I have driven them all and I personally have never experienced a larger pile of junk than the Frontier, to the point I was shocked they could even sell any of them.

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