Tacoma vs. Gladiator

[TroutFishingInAmerica]

A couple nit pick items on the taco I had are: had drum breaks in the back, you had to reinforce the plastic bed if you had a topper, the electric shift to 4wd sometimes take a long time.

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[Gladiator addict]

you might find this useful https://highcountryoffroad.com/toyota-tacoma-vs-jeep-gladiator-2/

 

[jwolfejt]

It's not really an apples to apples game.
If I was strictly in the market for just a great reliable mid sized pickup the Tacoma would win every time.
I've had two, both of which Toyota warranted years past their original factory warranty. They're great, great trucks.

What they are not is top and doors removable, killer great looking inside and out, and upgradable to insane levels without serious body modifications.

As far as factory model to factory model, the Tacoma is extremely capable off road and a joy to drive on road.

This may have been true in the past. The current ones sure aren't built how they used to. The V6 is especially terrible - electrical issues etc. Dirt Lifestyle has feedback on his channel with his Tacoma - they are most definitely NOT more reliable imo. They are not the 22RE 5VZ or 4.0 trucks of yesteryear - the new trucks are far more cheaply made, with inferior components (compared to the older Tacomas).

 

[LostWoods]

This may have been true in the past. The current ones sure aren't built how they used to. The V6 is especially terrible - electrical issues etc. Dirt Lifestyle has feedback on his channel with his Tacoma - they are most definitely NOT more reliable imo. They are not the 22RE 5VZ or 4.0 trucks of yesteryear - the new trucks are far more cheaply made, with inferior components (compared to the older Tacomas).

I agree they're not the Toyotas of years past but they're still considered very reliable. The 2016/2017 had your typcial growing pains but they've been very good since.

Nate's problem is that he modified the shit out of his truck so far beyond what is typical for a Tacoma there's no telling what the cause is. The thing is as much a Tacoma underneath as a rock buggy is a Jeep and you can't use that as a metric for reliability.

Plus he's a Jeep dude branching out to gain followers. You know he has to post some breakdown porn for his Jeep followers who were pissed that god forbid he actually built something that wasn't a Jeep.

 

[jwolfejt]

I'm definitely not saying Tacos aren't long lasting. I don't think anyone in their right mind would.

My choice when I got my Gladiator was between the Tacoma TRDpro and the Gladiator. I went with the gladiator for the bigger backseat, more comfortable driving position, outward visibility, and of course the convertible factor.

I had a hard time getting comfortable in the cockpit of the Tacoma. But I really wanted to like it, because I've always wanted one, since the 90s, when it was just called Toyota "Truck" with no name. I haven't had any powertrain issues in any of the three Gladiator/Wranglers we've owned, but my Compass did need an engine at I think 32000 miles, under warranty. It was the 2.4.

I had a 95 4x4 reg cab (22RE) - one of the best vehicles i've ever owned (or will own). It was incredibly dependable - down on power but man what a truck - there was just about nothing you could do to kill it. The new Taco's are definitely a far cry from that. For example the old truck - it was more than adequately cooled for rough driving and would never overheat - new truck will randomly shut your truck off because the trans and engine cooling is not upto par. Old truck - 4wd on an incline ? NO PROBLEM (you have a manual transfer case lever - no electronics) new truck you have to be totally level to engage 4WD from what i've heard. Old Truck -

I agree they're not the Toyotas of years past but they're still considered very reliable. The 2016/2017 had your typcial growing pains but they've been very good since.

Nate's problem is that he modified the shit out of his truck so far beyond what is typical for a Tacoma there's no telling what the cause is. The thing is as much a Tacoma underneath as a rock buggy is a Jeep and you can't use that as a metric for reliability.

Plus he's a Jeep dude branching out to gain followers. You know he has to post some breakdown porn for his Jeep followers who were pissed that god forbid he actually built something that wasn't a Jeep.

I don't think its so much breakdown porn there are some very true facts (A friend of mine has a newer tacoma '19 or '20) forget which and yes 4WD engagement is finicky. The transmission shifting sucks (if you can get the manual all that goes away) - the 8speed in the Gladiator over the auto in the taco anyday. Also the electrical issues he talked about are true (probably not all trucks experience this) - it also could just be their recent shift to producing in a new plant (Mexico) that has caused some production issues - in either case It hink the 2GR-FXS is a fary cry (in terms of expectation) of precieved toyota reliability. Not anything with a Toyota badge is going to be bulletproof - my 3VZE 4runner was a basket case and imo is one of the worst engines they ever made. Not saying Gladiators are absolutely perfect - but they definitely shouldn't be counted out on the basis of reliability. Given all that i'd take a pentastar over the 2GR anyday. the ZF 8 speed over the 6 speed toyota auto. Solid Axles, real transfercase lever over what Toyota did with the current Taco. It was definitely the prime vehicle I was cross shopping with the Gladiator.

 

[jwolfejt]

Oh - one last thing - if they built new FJ79 landcruisers here - I would have definitely picked that over anything else on the market. But unfortunately we don't get that stuff here. Just incase. you think i am some myopic fanboy .

 

[dcmdon]

For me here was the bottom line.

Tacoma is a Toyota. Its also a 10 year old platform with primitive electronics. These are the best things going for a Tacoma. It will be reliable and will last forever, or at least until it rusts to pieces.

The Gladiator is a Jeep
1) amazing resale - this mitigates some of the risk with the fact that you may get a bad one.
2) inconsistent quality and reliability. Some seem to go forever with no problems. Some are nightmares from day 1. With many more nightmares than the Toyota.
3) Terrible Jeep dealers who can't seem to consistently diagnose and fix electrical gremlins that are endemic in these trucks.
4) Electrical gremlins.
5) Looks better
6) Better engine. Much better AT.
7) Doors and roof come off - this may be enough to override every other benefit of the Toyota.

In short the Toyota is more sensible because its more reliable. The Jeep is more fun. Do you feel lucky . . Kid??

 

[LostWoods]

I don't think its so much breakdown porn there are some very true facts (A friend of mine has a newer tacoma '19 or '20) forget which and yes 4WD engagement is finicky. The transmission shifting sucks (if you can get the manual all that goes away) - the 8speed in the Gladiator over the auto in the taco anyday. Also the electrical issues he talked about are true (probably not all trucks experience this) - it also could just be their recent shift to producing in a new plant (Mexico) that has caused some production issues - in either case It hink the 2GR-FXS is a fary cry (in terms of expectation) of precieved toyota reliability. Not anything with a Toyota badge is going to be bulletproof - my 3VZE 4runner was a basket case and imo is one of the worst engines they ever made. Not saying Gladiators are absolutely perfect - but they definitely shouldn't be counted out on the basis of reliability. Given all that i'd take a pentastar over the 2GR anyday. the ZF 8 speed over the 6 speed toyota auto. Solid Axles, real transfercase lever over what Toyota did with the current Taco. It was definitely the prime vehicle I was cross shopping with the Gladiator.

Nah he knows his audience and it was clear in his first few Tacoma videos he was getting flamed by his viewers for buying a Toyota. It's a stupid brand war but he's dancing that fine line of building an insane Tacoma to keep the Yota people happy while still showing the Jeep people he's still a Jeeper at heart.

And I'm not saying the Tacoma is perfect... it's hands down more reliable but it definitely has its issues and it's lacking in the capability department. The 4WD and locker engagement was just as finicky on mine and one test drive in the 6AT kicked off the search for what ended up being the only manual within 500 miles. The Gladiator does a lot better but in the sense of which one I'd trust to still be running great at 250k, its the Tacoma hands-down.

Though I will say, the #1 complaint I hear is the transmission and buying the manual or re-gearing to at least the MT's 4.30 makes it an entirely different truck. Toyota way overshot the gearing and it's just too tall which causes it to be sluggish off the line and hunt a lot at cruise. I did a third member swap for someone where we just did the entire assembly out of an MT and it was outstanding.

For me here was the bottom line.

Tacoma is a Toyota. Its also a 10 year old platform with primitive electronics. These are the best things going for a Tacoma. It will be reliable and will last forever, or at least until it rusts to pieces.

The Gladiator is a Jeep
1) amazing resale - this mitigates some of the risk with the fact that you may get a bad one.
2) inconsistent quality and reliability. Some seem to go forever with no problems. Some are nightmares from day 1. With many more nightmares than the Toyota.
3) Terrible Jeep dealers who can't seem to consistently diagnose and fix electrical gremlins that are endemic in these trucks.
4) Electrical gremlins.
5) Looks better
6) Better engine. Much better AT.
7) Doors and roof come off - this may be enough to override every other benefit of the Toyota.

In short the Toyota is more sensible because its more reliable. The Jeep is more fun. Do you feel lucky . . Kid??

And that's exactly Toyota's MO for their trucks and SUVs. The consumer-friendly stuff like the Camry and RAV4 get all the farkles and those people are the guinea pigs to test the new tech. Toyota has always focused on making the Tundra, Tacoma, and 4Runner as reliable as possible and much of that is through using proven tech that's old by any standard. It doesn't make it better than the Gladiator, just a different focus and its worked for them. I'd argue that the Jeeps everyone lusts after used to do the same thing.

If I'm picking a simple daily driver I'm picking a Tacoma 100% of the time but I wanted maximum fun so... yeah.

 

[badger719]

I don't think current gen Tacomas are particularly reliable compared to the competition. Sure, the 2nd gen trucks were tanks compared to what Ford/GM were doing at the time. My 2009 TRD DCLB was awesome and I put a ton of miles on it. The replacement frame was already rusting badly by the time I sold it though.

Now though if you browse Tacomaworld or the reliability surveys you'll notice that their reliability is average at best. So the #1 argument in favor of these trucks is out the window.

That leaves you with a mediocre truck riding on an antiquated platform with substantially less stock off-road ability then the JT. When comparing sticker prices the Tacoma is a little cheaper, but everyone is marking up Tacomas (used base SRs are going for over $40k in my area, jfc) Meanwhile JTs are still orderable under invoice, even if the base price is creeping up.

 

[jwolfejt]

For me here was the bottom line.

Tacoma is a Toyota. Its also a 10 year old platform with primitive electronics. These are the best things going for a Tacoma. It will be reliable and will last forever, or at least until it rusts to pieces.

The Gladiator is a Jeep
1) amazing resale - this mitigates some of the risk with the fact that you may get a bad one.
2) inconsistent quality and reliability. Some seem to go forever with no problems. Some are nightmares from day 1. With many more nightmares than the Toyota.
3) Terrible Jeep dealers who can't seem to consistently diagnose and fix electrical gremlins that are endemic in these trucks.
4) Electrical gremlins.
5) Looks better
6) Better engine. Much better AT.
7) Doors and roof come off - this may be enough to override every other benefit of the Toyota.

In short the Toyota is more sensible because its more reliable. The Jeep is more fun. Do you feel lucky . . Kid??

I'll agree with #2 there is definitely inconsistency. However your speaking about the new Taco's as if - they are Landcruisers - and they are far far from it. The new Taco's have had timing chain issues, oil consumption issues (other engines with the laser welded bores have this issue as well), still have water pump issues (with higher mileage ones) some inconsistencies in production where earlier engines were leaking oil from day 1. Coolant lines that leak. Alot more plastic etc. the 2GR-FKS is a far cry away from the 1GR-FE (much better engines imo) - than the 2GR. Point 4 on the new taco's is just not true at all - many of them have electrical gremlins from day 1. #6 in my opinion is the biggest shocker but absolutely true - i'd take the pentastar over the 2GR-FKS ANY DAY.

If you want the absolute best: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Land_Cruiser_(J70) I would take nothing over these. Over the years the 70 series/79 (I love the 80 series and prior as well) have been absolutely indestructible. I just wish we got these here. They are way overbuilt to last atleast 25 years and have proven themselves as expedition vehicles, military vehicles and just about everything under the sun/moon. This is the most reliable, durable Toyota (maybe vehicle) ever built - nothing else holds a candle. Whether you are a toyota guy or not - you can't argue against the 70 series land cruiser.

 

[MKAYMEOW]

you might find this useful https://highcountryoffroad.com/toyota-tacoma-vs-jeep-gladiator-2/

LMFAO " If you want a truck with a comfortable ride and great fuel efficiency, then the Tacoma is a good choice. "
Taco and fuel efficiency in the same line is wild.

 

[Dick]

Tacoma's are for girls. Taco owners on this site are excluded, of course, and no offense to any girls either.

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