May be trading

Post a pic OP!!! Thanks for the update & Taco on!!

 

Well, you've lost me, but whatever.

Congratulations @Malchango - the Tacoma should serve you well. It seems you were set on a truck vs. an SUV. There's plenty of former 3rd gen Tacoma owners on this forum who went the other way...

 

When Fiat purchased Chrysler, it doesn't sound like they did Jeep any favors.

 

That is quite a few for a popular (?) vehicle being less than four years old. And that's just Carvana.

 

Having been to DVNP, I would really not trust a Jeep out there; We didn't see another soul for more than a 1/2 hour at a time.

 

Yup. My point exactly.

 

DV is a special place, there are some spots towards the north and west where you can be 50+ miles from civilization.

 

It's literally Mars with oxygen. I've never seen anything like it. I was astounded that the park entrance fee is the honor system through an ATM.

 

I am a big fan of Jeep products. I've had 3 WK2 Grand Cherokees and they were wonderful cars in all respects. I would be driving one if they were as capable as the 4Runner with an equal aftermarket support. I think some Chrysler group products are complete crap, but personally view Wranglers/Grand Cherokees as very reliable.
A neighbor/buddy in my off roading group has a Gladiator Sport (non locker) on 35's. He loves it and I have driven it, very smooth and seemed to have a bit more "pick up" than my 4R. Interior is smaller and not as nice as the 4R.
His wife has the new Bronco and I think he secretly prefers the Gladiator:

 

Something about the Bronco just doesn't look right. The 4R looks way better IMO.

 

The 3.6 with a 8 speed does move faster then I ever thought it would, my friend had one in a 2019 ram classic and I was honestly surprised. Did burnouts pretty nice even with bigger AT tires. I choose slower and more reliable though lol (4 runner). The 3.6 showed its weak point with one grizzly 700 in the bed and a king quad 750 on a tractor supply 5x8 mesh trailer to majestic trails in PA, he got good MPG towing to though which was surprising.

 

The only modern Jeep product I have been in was a Wrangler 392 that a buddy purchased. I was presently surprised with the ride quality and interior. Of course maybe it was the fact that no Wrangler should be that fast.

A Gladiaderp is just ugly in my book. I'll probably never purchase a mid sized truck again because they are pretty much useless for truck duties.

 

I drove a Jeep Gladiator while on vacation. It was a lot driving a camping tent if a camping tent could be driven. Jeeps are cool to look at.

 

A decision you will not regret, very nice trucks (had one prior to my 4R). Congrats!

 

I bought a new Jeep in 1990 that was a lemon. Paid +$1700 for the Chrysler 7/70k “bumper to bumper” warranty. Spent $3700 in repairs over 36 months. Nothing but problems. Twice while it was in the bay I had Jeep loaners leave me stranded. One was a GC with 136 miles on it. The whole Jeep experience for me was an absolute rip off in every way. Never again.

 

Just a few pics I had of the dealers pics. So far I’m loving it. Pretty amazing and not having to worry about being left stranded is a huge plus. The reliability of Toyota is unparalleled. Maybe if Jeep gets their shit to get someday I’ll consider it, but I’m not holding my breath. Side note this is new to me not new new. So I saved a bit. Came built somewhat so I’ll change some stuff make it mine and out those silly Jeep thoughts in my rear view as I’m hitting the trails. Thanks for the encouragement and setting me straight. Went sideways for a minute there.

 

Are those black rhino wheels? Holy crap they look good with magnetic gray.

They like the kind of wheels that are meant to stay dirty.

 

Thanks and yes the are. Black Rhino armory

 

I don't think you went sideways, maybe someday Jeep will win your business. In the meantime, enjoy that Tacoma. Awesome wheels, looks like the prior owner gave you a good start to the build, very nice looking truck!!!! Doubt there is one person on this planet who has owned a Tacoma and regretted it, I still miss mine some days.

 

I LOVE the Gladiator. I was set on trading in my 4R. Then I test drove it. Yeah, test drive it then decide. Its like driving on rollerblades with a rocket strapped to your back and the ice is choppy, your blind folded, and someone else has controls to the rocket so enjoy gripping that steering wheel for dear life at anything over 50.

 

@wolfman did you drive a prototype Gladiator with the Hemi that they're putting in the Wranglers? Complete opposite of my experience (sans the apparent increase in power over a 4R, though not that extreme). My friend's (lifted on 35's etc...) drove quite nice on the highway. Either way, we're all here for a reason, and that is that 4R's are great vehicles! I have read that some Jeeps are sketchy at higher speeds, so I certainly don't doubt your experience.

I really only use my 4R for off roading / camping trips with my neighbor buddies. They have a Gladiator, 2 of the new Broncos, an old BEAST Land Cruiser and a very very nice old 2 door 4Runner. Thoughts have crossed my mind about swapping over to something easier to fit 35's on, something with this or something with that. But, though my 4R may not be the most capable of my group (I am honestly nervous about a trip we are taking to Hole in The Rock, UT in two weeks), I know it will always start, it won't break down, it will get me home (unless I toss it off a cliff). That is the most important.

 

The main problem with Wranglers and Gladiators is they all drive differently. Any of them can have death wobble. 4R's are consistent and reliable.

 

I've wanted a Wrangler forever and test drove many. They all drive poorly. I am not hating. I wanted (and still do) a Wrangler badly forever but they just drive so so bad. I am dying for that new V8 variant but I am sure it will be more of the same just more fun off the line and more scary at speed.

 

It was a V6 manual. I want the new eight banger unlimited but I have no confidence it will drive any better. It will just be faster getting to the vague, wobbly steering at highway speeds. I will wait to check one out in person and if it drives nice I will own one. I just have no confidence in it anymore.

 

A couple weeks ago I saw what looked to be a new or fairly new Gladiator, in bright red, freshly washed, really sharp - as the first car in it's lane at an a big intersection... and it was not able to move as the light went green. At least a 10-12 cars were stuck sitting behind this guy and when I drove past in the adjacent lane and I caught a glimpse in my rear view the driver looked totally confused like he was checking all his systems as if maybe the the fuel lines to engine #4 needed to be switched on or something.

Big yikes but it was sort of a Toyota commercial moment for a couple reasons;

a) I had my rear glass down and my arm out the drivers window, with the wind in my hair.
b) I lane changed immediately into the lane he would have occupied if his truck didn't take a nap.

Only thing missing was I was not wearing sunglasses and I felt too bad for this guy to put on a grin but otherwise it was every reason you buy a Toyota over a Chrysler in one snapshot.

 

Sweet baby Jesus the hate for Jeeps is strong on this forum. Tons of them in my area, and everyone I know with one (including myself with 3 past Grand Cherokees) has had excellent luck with them. There are some Chrysler's I would stay away from (i.e. a Chrysler sedan), but Wranglers/Gladiators/Grand Cherokees have a very good reputation in SoCal, at least from my perception.