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dajudge

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Rear discs are plain as day in those spy shots, so there's that

The drums on my 2005 Taco were hands-down the worst feature of it. They're supposed to "self adjust" which is complete horseshit. I was constantly tinkering with the adjuster star ratchets, and the shoes would clearance themselves again on even a short drive. Everything in spec and regularly checked. Just garbage brakes (at least on my high milage truck with lots of weight in the bed) with little power that didn't engage until deep and hard on the pedal, by which time you've already almost stopped (a mile down the road). Not confidence inspiring. I just never went over 65
I had the same problem with a Camry. I had to adjust the rear drums once a month just to feel like it was safe to drive. Worst brakes of any car I have ever owned and that includes my '76 Skylark I bought when I was 15.
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Carrotzilla

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No problem with a 4cyl. wish I could get a diesel hilux with a manual. Sticks are only going away in the US. Sad
 

Bjeepz

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Nothing like drums packed with mud locking up hahah FU Toyota for trying to convince dummies that drums are better. Been there, done that, not impressed. That said sure we can have problems with rocks getting caught in our discs..
 

onewhippedpuppy

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Drum brakes are the epitome of evil. There are few things I hate working on more.
 

Bbannongmu

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My wife’s 4xE is getting a Battery replaced so they gave me a manual Mojave I get to compare to my auto Mojave. I was excited to drive the manual, but after having it for a week the auto is 100 times better. I want to love the manual so bad, but it doesn’t feel the same as any of the other manual vehicles I have owned. I feel like with a peddle commander, centerforce clutch, and a b&m short shifter It would be so much better though.
The stock clutch is too weak and the flywheel is too light. Would have loved closer gear spacing but the Centerforce clutch and hydraulics is a huge improvement. 5.13 gears (37” tires) helps a lot too.
 

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Pescatoral Pursuit

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I absolutely needed one for the JT. After test driving one, I was severely disheartened. Its not that I had any difficulty shifting or anything, it just wasn't nearly as fun to row through the gears.
The first Gladiator I test drove was a manual because that's what I wanted in a part time off-road vehicle. I walked away with the same impression. It shifts like a delivery truck. Throws are too long to be fun. I could live with it if it wasn't my daily.

By the same token, the auto programming is not made for off-roading either so that has become a big disappointment. Many circumstances call for holding gear at max rpm and even in manual mode this transmission won't let you do it. Boo.
 

BaliMawr

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I had a stick 2006 Mazda3 for the longest time and absolutely loved it, so much so that I thought I absolutely needed one for the JT. After test driving one, I was severely disheartened. Its not that I had any difficulty shifting or anything, it just wasn't nearly as fun to row through the gears. If I ever got a wrangler (TJ preferred) I'll absolutely get a manual in it, but I just couldn't see myself living with one in the gladiator.

On top of that, the auto trans in the gladiator is pretty fantastic, and if I was buying a truck the difference in towing #'s for the auto equipped Max Tow over the manual was massive, so that helped ease my decision a bit. The deck was just too stacked in the auto's favor for the gladiator for me to not choose it.
Same here. I was set on a manual, but I needed the higher tow rating of the MaxTow. Can't say that I'm unhappy. Heck, it's got the best/most intuitive auto-stick of any I've ever used, including a BMW 3 series. My buddy bought a '21 JL 2 door with a manual, and now wishes he had gotten he auto. That being said, I do steal the wife's MINI from time to time for some clutch fun.
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