Posted: 7/29/2026 12:55:50 PM EDT
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So, I am looking to move into a newer truck. I currently own a 2012 Sierra crew cab. It’s been a great truck with zero issues but I would like something smaller, newer, and more capable off-road. Looking at used midsize trucks, budget is up to 40ish but realistically would like to keep it around 30k/low 30s. I was fairly certain that I wanted to purchase a gladiator, however, the reliability of the 3.6 now that the vehicles are getting up in mileage is a concern. The camshaft issues those engines have appear to be getting more persistant and widespread. The diesel almost seems like a better option but at least with the 3.6 a whole new engine is fairly cheap and easy to come by. The eco diesel replacement would be far more expensive. A wrangler could be an option but not having a bed worries me. The Colorado zr2, second gen, in both diesel or gas is appealing. I know I will be giving up a good amount of off road capabilities compared to either of the jeeps, but it would make for a quieter, more comfortable driver the rest of the time. The ranger is also an option and the 2.3 is stout and my understanding is reliable. Can any of you guys share your experiencing with any/all of the trucks above. Or anyone with experience of moving from the utility of having a bed to an suv. |
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Originally Posted By INI: 26 Chevrolet Colorado Trail boss can be had for just under 40k. That's if you can deal with the Spartan interior and the cheap looking front fascia. I was dead set on the trail boss, but I really needed the LED headlights so I ordered a GMC Canyon. I could probably pick up a 2023 zr2 for around that much. May be worth checking out. How have you liked the canyon? |
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Originally Posted By Deerhurst: Honestly, frontier or last gen (or older) Tacoma. Those are really the best options. I’ve thought about a Tacoma, the aftermarket support is there for throwing in a front locker. The engine/trans combo in the third gens leaves a lot to be desired IMO. The frontier while a great value is just kinda blah, I don’t know. That sounds stupid, I know, but my father in law has one and it’s definitely not a bad truck. However, they just are not really great trucks. The pentastar is a turd too but at least that gets the zf8spd and a solid axle to take up for it. |
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Originally Posted By Deerhurst: …last gen (or older) Tacoma. Those are really the best options. Having owned previous and current gen Tacomas, I would take the new Tacoma over the previous generation, at least for the drivetrain. There are some things I like better about the previous model, but overall, the current generation is better. If you value rear passenger space, look elsewhere. |
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Originally Posted By blownfour: I could probably pick up a 2023 zr2 for around that much. May be worth checking out. How have you liked the canyon? Originally Posted By blownfour: Originally Posted By INI: 26 Chevrolet Colorado Trail boss can be had for just under 40k. That's if you can deal with the Spartan interior and the cheap looking front fascia. I was dead set on the trail boss, but I really needed the LED headlights so I ordered a GMC Canyon. I could probably pick up a 2023 zr2 for around that much. May be worth checking out. How have you liked the canyon? I love it, minimal issues so far, the ZR2 has less towing, and weight capacity if thats an issue. ETA: mine is a 2024 10650 miles though. |
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Originally Posted By blownfour: I could probably pick up a 2023 zr2 for around that much. May be worth checking out. How have you liked the canyon? I had a 23 Colorado ZR2 for a couple of years. Never had an issue with it. Nice truck. Lots of features. Plenty of power. Comfortable ride. Great off road. Hauled my 3,250 pound travel trailer just fine. Very relaxed on road trips. Engine maybe turning around 1,750 RPM at 70 mph but with plenty of torque. The 2.7L Turbomax engine seems to be one of the good ones. In hindsight probably should have kept it. Traded the ZR2 for a Gladiator Mojave as it was my Holy Grail Jeep and the discount was great. I quickly became disillusioned with it. Noisy at highway speeds. Wanders. Gets blown around on windy days. Down on power, especially when towing my trailer. MPG not so good. Plus the 3.6L engine has a reputation for eating intake cams. That was always in the back of my mind. Traded the Gladiator for a Ranger XLT FX4 with the 2.7L Eco Boost engine. Pretty good discount with the employee pricing. Only had it a month but really liking it so far. Comfortable, quick. very good MPG, easily hauls my trailer. I think this will be a keeper. |
Nobody is coming. It's up to you.
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Originally Posted By blownfour: I’ve thought about a Tacoma, the aftermarket support is there for throwing in a front locker. The engine/trans combo in the third gens leaves a lot to be desired IMO. The frontier while a great value is just kinda blah, I don’t know. That sounds stupid, I know, but my father in law has one and it’s definitely not a bad truck. However, they just are not really great trucks. The pentastar is a turd too but at least that gets the zf8spd and a solid axle to take up for it. Blah in what way? The frontier is definitely the most trucky of the small trucks. The Tacoma (last gen) reminds me of the old rolls Royce I drove years ago, except for the comfort part or any of the quality, in how it wallowed around. A couple buddies of mine have them. Another buddy has a D40 frontier which is quite different from the new one. The D40 is a decent little truck. Doesn't have any of the fancy stupidity the newer stuff has. I agree, I don't like the Atkins cycle motor in the taco and the automatic is dreadful though I think that about any automatic. Unless you want to spend you time wheeling a SFA is gonna suck more on the road, handle worse and ride worse. IFS will be superior in every day things and still do fine off road. Look at KOH trucks. All the Ultra4 trucks are IFS and do things a jeep will never do without mostly not being a jeep anymore. I went back 40 years for a small truck. It rocks! |
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Originally Posted By cb4017: I had a 23 Colorado ZR2 for a couple of years. Never had an issue with it. Nice truck. Lots of features. Plenty of power. Comfortable ride. Great off road. Hauled my 3,250 pound travel trailer just fine. Very relaxed on road trips. Engine maybe turning around 1,750 RPM at 70 mph but with plenty of torque. The 2.7L Turbomax engine seems to be one of the good ones. In hindsight probably should have kept it. Traded the ZR2 for a Gladiator Mojave as it was my Holy Grail Jeep and the discount was great. I quickly became disillusioned with it. Noisy at highway speeds. Wanders. Gets blown around on windy days. Down on power, especially when towing my trailer. MPG not so good. Plus the 3.6L engine has a reputation for eating intake cams. That was always in the back of my mind. Traded the Gladiator for a Ranger XLT FX4 with the 2.7L Eco Boost engine. Pretty good discount with the employee pricing. Only had it a month but really liking it so far. Comfortable, quick. very good MPG, easily hauls my trailer. I think this will be a keeper. Alright you are probably the perfect person to talk to about this. I will admit, my time in jeeps has been limited. I have plenty of friends with jeeps and been off-roading with them. We’ve rented wrangler rubicons on our last two vacations as a sort of extended test drive and I was actually surprised by how quite and comfortable it was, but, both times have been in places with pretty good weather and I’m coming from a 14 year old gm truck so the bar hasn’t really been set high. The pentastar reliability is my biggest concern. I don’t really tow so I’m not too concerned there. Payload is a different issue as that is generally how I have would tax my truck. If California wasn’t so fucking lame with everything I would buy a grey market Land Cruiser diesel and something practical as a daily driver. Best of both worlds. What was it about the gladiator that made it your grail truck? What top did you have on it? Did you use it to off-road? How often did you go out if you did? |
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Originally Posted By Deerhurst: Blah in what way? The frontier is definitely the most trucky of the small trucks. The Tacoma (last gen) reminds me of the old rolls Royce I drove years ago, except for the comfort part or any of the quality, in how it wallowed around. A couple buddies of mine have them. Another buddy has a D40 frontier which is quite different from the new one. The D40 is a decent little truck. Doesn't have any of the fancy stupidity the newer stuff has. I agree, I don't like the Atkins cycle motor in the taco and the automatic is dreadful though I think that about any automatic. Unless you want to spend you time wheeling a SFA is gonna suck more on the road, handle worse and ride worse. IFS will be superior in every day things and still do fine off road. Look at KOH trucks. All the Ultra4 trucks are IFS and do things a jeep will never do without mostly not being a jeep anymore. I went back 40 years for a small truck. It rocks! I don’t really know how to describe it without sounding pretty stupid. But some cars are just, I don’t know, boring. Even more boring than regular boring cars. The frontier is a good truck and absolutely the best value in the mid size market. It does stuff well but it doesn’t do anything really well. Motor: good enough power, reliable. Interior: not spartan enough to be a utilitarian vehicle but also not nice enough to be a place you want to be. Off-road capabilities: I guess the pro4x has a rear locker but there are no standout features in that regard. I have no illusions about being out wheeling every weekend but I do love within a couple of hours of some of the continents best wheeling trails. Now is the trade off of comfort vs capabilities worth it for a solid axle, I don’t know. If I’m being really honest with myself probably not. Like a stated above a two car solution would be the best choice, but I barely have enough time to breath between work, kid, wife. I would like to be able to take my son out on some wheeling/camping trips now that he is old enough to appreciate it and not complain or cry the whole day. |
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Originally Posted By ColtRifle: Don't buy a |
callmenoshie: "saying that females have the potential to be "bat shit crazy" is like saying the sky has the potential to be blue."
XCRmonger: "I've seen German Shit Porn that was sexier."
XCRmonger: "I've seen German Shit Porn that was sexier."
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Originally Posted By slappomatt: its all ass. all of it. I am in same boat as OP. want a fun compact 4x4 sub $40K and its just a sea of depression. Any brand will have its issues. Always has. But with the internet, we can find the info a lot easier. So, it appears every vehicle out there is garbage….but they aren’t all garbage. Forums will allow you to learn what to look for with any model of vehicle. Keep an eye on the potential issues and fix them before yours fails. Then, drive the vehicle and enjoy it. I own a 2016 Jeep Wrangler JKU. It’s not the most reliable vehicle. But, I replace things before they fail and as a result, my Jeep always gets me home. And, it has gotten me to some pretty awesome places too. |
"It behooves every man to remember that the work of the critic is of altogether secondary importance, and that, in the end, progress is accomplished by the man who does things."
Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt
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Originally Posted By MJ11B4P: Having owned previous and current gen Tacomas, I would take the new Tacoma over the previous generation, at least for the drivetrain. There are some things I like better about the previous model, but overall, the current generation is better. If you value rear passenger space, look elsewhere. The new one is light years beyond previous generations. The new engine alone is worth the buy in. |
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Originally Posted By ColtRifle: Any brand will have its issues. Always has. But with the internet, we can find the info a lot easier. So, it appears every vehicle out there is garbage….but they aren’t all garbage. Forums will allow you to learn what to look for with any model of vehicle. Keep an eye on the potential issues and fix them before yours fails. Then, drive the vehicle and enjoy it. I own a 2016 Jeep Wrangler JKU. It’s not the most reliable vehicle. But, I replace things before they fail and as a result, my Jeep always gets me home. And, it has gotten me to some pretty awesome places too. I agree with this to an extent. Sure the internet has a way of blowing things out of proportion, and allowing us access to people and experiences we wouldn’t have had previously. Beyond that though, it feels like we have taken a major step backwards in automotive reliability over the last 5-10 years. Before, it seemed like one manufacturer would have an issue. Or one engine in a line up would be the one to avoid. I’m sure there are a lot of confounding factors to this from fuel economy standards, Covid bullshit and how it changed the industry, to manufactures cutting corners to save costs and keep prices from really exploding considering how bad inflation has been. But nowadays every manufacturer seems to be having issues with reliability. Ironically enough, the thing that most people worry about with reliability in vehicles has actually gotten better over the years and that is the electronic components. Drivetrains are a fucking disaster across the board now. Or you have Nissan and while you don’t have to worry about reliability you have to worry about whether or not they will exist in five years and you won’t be able to get parts anyway. |
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Originally Posted By blownfour: I agree with this to an extent. Sure the internet has a way of blowing things out of proportion, and allowing us access to people and experiences we wouldn’t have had previously. Beyond that though, it feels like we have taken a major step backwards in automotive reliability over the last 5-10 years. Before, it seemed like one manufacturer would have an issue. Or one engine in a line up would be the one to avoid. I’m sure there are a lot of confounding factors to this from fuel economy standards, Covid bullshit and how it changed the industry, to manufactures cutting corners to save costs and keep prices from really exploding considering how bad inflation has been. But nowadays every manufacturer seems to be having issues with reliability. Ironically enough, the thing that most people worry about with reliability in vehicles has actually gotten better over the years and that is the electronic components. Drivetrains are a fucking disaster across the board now. Or you have Nissan and while you don’t have to worry about reliability you have to worry about whether or not they will exist in five years and you won’t be able to get parts anyway. You’re going to have to define the part in bold. It’s too broad of a statement to be factual. But if you truly believe it, what are the only vehicles you would buy today? |
"It behooves every man to remember that the work of the critic is of altogether secondary importance, and that, in the end, progress is accomplished by the man who does things."
Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt
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Originally Posted By blownfour: Alright you are probably the perfect person to talk to about this. I will admit, my time in jeeps has been limited. I have plenty of friends with jeeps and been off-roading with them. We’ve rented wrangler rubicons on our last two vacations as a sort of extended test drive and I was actually surprised by how quite and comfortable it was, but, both times have been in places with pretty good weather and I’m coming from a 14 year old gm truck so the bar hasn’t really been set high. The pentastar reliability is my biggest concern. I don’t really tow so I’m not too concerned there. Payload is a different issue as that is generally how I have would tax my truck. If California wasn’t so fucking lame with everything I would buy a grey market Land Cruiser diesel and something practical as a daily driver. Best of both worlds. What was it about the gladiator that made it your grail truck? What top did you have on it? Did you use it to off-road? How often did you go out if you did? Always been a Jeep guy and loved them. In the past I've owned a 2008 JKU Wrangler, a 2019 JLU Wrangler, a 2021 Gladiator Sport Max Tow and the 2025 Gladiator Mojave. Only had an issue with the 21 Gladiator and it was minor. A leaking rear axle seal that was fixed under warranty. That said, I never thought they were that great as an only vehicle for the reasons I mentioned earlier. I live in NV and have access to plenty of public land. Used to get off road a lot. All my Jeeps have had hard tops and I never removed them. I'd rather keep the dirt and dust outside as much as possible. I'm an old guy now and not as concerned about off-road as I used to be. Sounds like you're focused on the Gladiator or the ZR2 so I'll talk about those. Both are very capable off road. Depending on the Gladiator trim the ZR2 may be better. Gladiator: Jeeps are easy to modify with great aftermarket. The ECM can be programmed for different size tires, gears, etc. GM locks down the ECM so you would not be doing that with the ZR2. You can take the top and doors off if you're into that. There are millions of 3.6L PUG engines out there. They are generally considered reliable and don't all eat the cams. The ZF8 transmission is great. More room in the back seat for people or stuff. ZR2: Comes from the factory with 3" lift, rock rails, lockers, skid plates, 33" tires. 2.7L TurboMax engine has great power and is reliable. ECM is locked. Quieter and more relaxed on the highway. GM 8-speed autos can be problematic. They are both pretty good trucks and I think the difference is what you are focused on. If it's an only vehicle I would lean toward the ZR2. Whatever you get I would suggest you make sure you have a warranty. Feel free to PM if you have any specific questions. Almost forgot. There are pretty good forums for Gladiator and Colorado. |
Nobody is coming. It's up to you.
| @cb4017 I appreciate the reply and the insight into your experience with both trucks. I think my next steps is finding a way to do an extended test drive with the zr2 and ranger and see how it goes. This is somewhat of a primary vehicle, but my primary vehicle gets driven maybe a day or two a week on average as I drive a company car during work hours. My wife has an ev and that makes a much better around town car so I drive that most of the time running errands. |
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Originally Posted By blownfour: I don’t really know how to describe it without sounding pretty stupid. But some cars are just, I don’t know, boring. Even more boring than regular boring cars. The frontier is a good truck and absolutely the best value in the mid size market. It does stuff well but it doesn’t do anything really well. Motor: good enough power, reliable. Interior: not spartan enough to be a utilitarian vehicle but also not nice enough to be a place you want to be. Off-road capabilities: I guess the pro4x has a rear locker but there are no standout features in that regard. I have no illusions about being out wheeling every weekend but I do love within a couple of hours of some of the continents best wheeling trails. Now is the trade off of comfort vs capabilities worth it for a solid axle, I don’t know. If I’m being really honest with myself probably not. Like a stated above a two car solution would be the best choice, but I barely have enough time to breath between work, kid, wife. I would like to be able to take my son out on some wheeling/camping trips now that he is old enough to appreciate it and not complain or cry the whole day. For 99% solid axle is just bragging rights and useless. I hit Moab, trials like fins n things, with a Nissan Hardbody with IFS and 235/75/15 tires. I struggled in a few spots but it wasn't due to IFS. That is miles past what 99% of people will do with solid axle. IFS is capable and more comfortable. |
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Originally Posted By blownfour: I agree with this to an extent. Sure the internet has a way of blowing things out of proportion, and allowing us access to people and experiences we wouldn’t have had previously. Beyond that though, it feels like we have taken a major step backwards in automotive reliability over the last 5-10 years. Before, it seemed like one manufacturer would have an issue. Or one engine in a line up would be the one to avoid. I’m sure there are a lot of confounding factors to this from fuel economy standards, Covid bullshit and how it changed the industry, to manufactures cutting corners to save costs and keep prices from really exploding considering how bad inflation has been. But nowadays every manufacturer seems to be having issues with reliability. Ironically enough, the thing that most people worry about with reliability in vehicles has actually gotten better over the years and that is the electronic components. Drivetrains are a fucking disaster across the board now. Or you have Nissan and while you don’t have to worry about reliability you have to worry about whether or not they will exist in five years and you won’t be able to get parts anyway. Nissan isn't going anywhere. People have been saying they won't be around in 6 months for well over a year now. Japan won't let it fall. If Nissan goes under rin 5 years you will be 2 year out of warranty anyways and why would you go to the stealership for parts anyways? Learn who the OEM is and buy from them for half the price if you are worried about OEM parts. Yes, OEMs do make parts for different companies with different specs. |
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Originally Posted By Deerhurst: For 99% solid axle is just bragging rights and useless. I hit Moab, trials like fins n things, with a Nissan Hardbody with IFS and 235/75/15 tires. I struggled in a few spots but it wasn't due to IFS. That is miles past what 99% of people will do with solid axle. IFS is capable and more comfortable. Yes I fully acknowledge that a solid axle is easily overkill for what I would plan on using the truck for. |
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Originally Posted By mleaky: Frontier Another vote for Frontier. Better engine/trans than the Tacoma, stronger frame, steel bed. Better value too. The engine-trans combo makes it a rocket ship compared to the Tacoma. And it doesn't suffer from the terrible seating position that Tacoma has. The VQ38DD is now going into it's 7th year so they have had plenty of time to work out the kinks. If you are 5'8" or less maybe the Taco is a great fit for you. |
Atypical Millennial
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Originally Posted By Clicker58: The Nissan Frontier was on the top of my list until I discovered that they eliminated the water pump access cover. So to replace a water pump it is now 11 hours at book rate. I owned a last-gen Frontier for 10 years and 120k miles and never had an issue with the water pump. |
Atypical Millennial
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Originally Posted By djkest: Another vote for Frontier. Better engine/trans than the Tacoma, stronger frame, steel bed. Better value too. The engine-trans combo makes it a rocket ship compared to the Tacoma. And it doesn't suffer from the terrible seating position that Tacoma has. The VQ38DD is now going into it's 7th year so they have had plenty of time to work out the kinks. If you are 5'8" or less maybe the Taco is a great fit for you. Forgot about the plastic bed. Hard pass on that. Feel decently flimsy in my buddies 2016. |
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I had a 2020 Ford Ranger XLT FX4 that was dependable. The only reason for getting rid of it was the fact that it was starting to get hard for me to get in and out of the truck. My son has a 2023 Ranger With the Tremor package and it has been a good truck for him. The 2.3L Ecoboost has been used in the Mustang and Ranger for a while now and seems to be reliable. Plus the Ranger has the highest towing capacity in the mid size truck category. As mentioned, all brands and models will have their quirks. |
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Originally Posted By djkest: The strength of the Gladiator is going to be that 3.6 liter Pentastar engine and the 8-speed ZF transmission. Both are great. I'm curious to see what the new Jeep trucks are going to be. Supposedly at least one 2 door. Certainly seems to be a decent powertrain. |
BikerNut:
Normal people like motorcycles. Real people like motorcycles.
People who don't like motorcycles are just... weird.
Normal people like motorcycles. Real people like motorcycles.
People who don't like motorcycles are just... weird.
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ZR2 without a doubt is the best all around truck if you want on-road and off road capabilities and not have to sacrifice one for the other. I had a 2017 and I did some wild trails with it with only a size up to 33” tires over the stock 32s. I was at an off-road park in OK doing trails guys in jeeps were having a hard time with. Got into a few spots that the wife got out because she was so scared. We were on one trail that was about 45 up hill on rocks and sand. I put it in 4lo locked front and rear and just let it crawl up while I steered. On the highway it had plenty of power for passing at freeway space. I’ve had the ZR2. A 3rd gen Tacoma TRD 4x4 off-road and a Ranger Tremor. The Tacoma sucked on the highway and was worse after a lift and bigger tires. The seating position was also crappy. The Ranger was pretty good all around and towed the best, but the Fox shocks are garbage. I blew out no less than 4 of them with just daily driving and very tame off-roading. The Colorado was the most comfortable of the three. I put about 70k miles on it and changed one shock under warranty and a heater hose. I’ve had several jeeps and test drove a gladiator and honestly the gladiator didn’t impress me. It’s a compromise on a truck, it’s a compromise on an offroader. And unless you lift it and put it on 35s it looks like it skipped leg day. Then when you lift it, you start to deal with the issues that can bring. If I was going to get a midsize truck that needed good off-roading, a ZR2 would be my choice. |
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Tacoma. My 2018 3G TRD Off road Attached File My 2026 4G SR5 4x4 (Paid $37k new) Attached File |
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Originally Posted By blownfour: I don’t really know how to describe it without sounding pretty stupid. But some cars are just, I don’t know, boring. Even more boring than regular boring cars. The frontier is a good truck and absolutely the best value in the mid size market. It does stuff well but it doesn’t do anything really well. Motor: good enough power, reliable. Interior: not spartan enough to be a utilitarian vehicle but also not nice enough to be a place you want to be. Off-road capabilities: I guess the pro4x has a rear locker but there are no standout features in that regard. I have no illusions about being out wheeling every weekend but I do love within a couple of hours of some of the continents best wheeling trails. Now is the trade off of comfort vs capabilities worth it for a solid axle, I don’t know. If I’m being really honest with myself probably not. Like a stated above a two car solution would be the best choice, but I barely have enough time to breath between work, kid, wife. I would like to be able to take my son out on some wheeling/camping trips now that he is old enough to appreciate it and not complain or cry the whole day. Test Drive a Tacoma and a Frontier. The Frontier handles better and the engine is smoother and more powerful. The Tacoma is a smaller, lighter truck that makes several compromises- ironic considering the price. Taco doesn't have a fully boxed frame, and for about 20 years didn't have rear disc brakes. It doesn't have a steel bed either. All these changes made the Taco lighter which hid the fact that the engine/trans combos were pretty miserable both in terms of acceleration and fuel economy. Oh yeah, and the Taco's tailgate has been notoriously weak. My buddy bent his with a motorcycle... it folded like a Taco |
Atypical Millennial
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Originally Posted By Deerhurst: Blah in what way? The frontier is definitely the most trucky of the small trucks. The Tacoma (last gen) reminds me of the old rolls Royce I drove years ago, except for the comfort part or any of the quality, in how it wallowed around. A couple buddies of mine have them. Another buddy has a D40 frontier which is quite different from the new one. The D40 is a decent little truck. Doesn't have any of the fancy stupidity the newer stuff has. I agree, I don't like the Atkins cycle motor in the taco and the automatic is dreadful though I think that about any automatic. Unless you want to spend you time wheeling a SFA is gonna suck more on the road, handle worse and ride worse. IFS will be superior in every day things and still do fine off road. Look at KOH trucks. All the Ultra4 trucks are IFS and do things a jeep will never do without mostly not being a jeep anymore. I went back 40 years for a small truck. It rocks! Originally Posted By Deerhurst: Originally Posted By blownfour: I’ve thought about a Tacoma, the aftermarket support is there for throwing in a front locker. The engine/trans combo in the third gens leaves a lot to be desired IMO. The frontier while a great value is just kinda blah, I don’t know. That sounds stupid, I know, but my father in law has one and it’s definitely not a bad truck. However, they just are not really great trucks. The pentastar is a turd too but at least that gets the zf8spd and a solid axle to take up for it. Blah in what way? The frontier is definitely the most trucky of the small trucks. The Tacoma (last gen) reminds me of the old rolls Royce I drove years ago, except for the comfort part or any of the quality, in how it wallowed around. A couple buddies of mine have them. Another buddy has a D40 frontier which is quite different from the new one. The D40 is a decent little truck. Doesn't have any of the fancy stupidity the newer stuff has. I agree, I don't like the Atkins cycle motor in the taco and the automatic is dreadful though I think that about any automatic. Unless you want to spend you time wheeling a SFA is gonna suck more on the road, handle worse and ride worse. IFS will be superior in every day things and still do fine off road. Look at KOH trucks. All the Ultra4 trucks are IFS and do things a jeep will never do without mostly not being a jeep anymore. I went back 40 years for a small truck. It rocks! Everyone wants the OR TRD Taco which has a softer suspension but what they really should buy is the Sport TRD which is considerably better on the road. If one seldom actually off roads more then a two track occasionally, the TRDOR is a waste of money and the wrong choice unless you live somewhere where the potholes will swallow a car up and still be lower then the surrounding road. |
Liberals are a curious mix of communism and fascism, they want to destroy you but want to use your own money to do it.
I'm getting down to the last box, the others have all been destroyed...
I'm getting down to the last box, the others have all been destroyed...
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Originally Posted By djkest: Test Drive a Tacoma and a Frontier. The Frontier handles better and the engine is smoother and more powerful. The Tacoma is a smaller, lighter truck that makes several compromises- ironic considering the price. Taco doesn't have a fully boxed frame, and for about 20 years didn't have rear disc brakes. It doesn't have a steel bed either. All these changes made the Taco lighter which hid the fact that the engine/trans combos were pretty miserable both in terms of acceleration and fuel economy. Oh yeah, and the Taco's tailgate has been notoriously weak. My buddy bent his with a motorcycle... it folded like a Taco Huh, the new Taco does have a fully boxed ladder frame so where are you pulling your info from for it? |
Liberals are a curious mix of communism and fascism, they want to destroy you but want to use your own money to do it.
I'm getting down to the last box, the others have all been destroyed...
I'm getting down to the last box, the others have all been destroyed...
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Originally Posted By djkest: 1995-2023 models. Didn't know they finally fixed that deficiency. Originally Posted By djkest: Originally Posted By fxntime: Huh, the new Taco does have a fully boxed ladder frame so where are you pulling your info from for it? 1995-2023 models. Didn't know they finally fixed that deficiency. No one would have ever had an issue with the Taco's frame if it had been made of a different steel that resisted de-lamination and rust or had a quality coating. To be fair to Toyota, GM's small pickup 2004-12 frame was just about as bad but they [GM] didn't do shit for the owners. |
Liberals are a curious mix of communism and fascism, they want to destroy you but want to use your own money to do it.
I'm getting down to the last box, the others have all been destroyed...
I'm getting down to the last box, the others have all been destroyed...
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Originally Posted By fxntime: Everyone wants the OR TRD Taco which has a softer suspension but what they really should buy is the Sport TRD which is considerably better on the road. If one seldom actually off roads more then a two track occasionally, the TRDOR is a waste of money and the wrong choice unless you live somewhere where the potholes will swallow a car up and still be lower then the surrounding road. It really is bad. It's dammed near like driving something without shocks. It also doesn't load a load well. Small payloads cause massive squat. I honestly did not expect something that looks like a truck to be that bad when the competition figured it out 30 years prior. Now, I have some words about the shit shocks on the aftermarket but that's a different discussion. Didn't realize they finally went to boxed frames as well. I guess they finally caught up with 1986 Nissan with boxed frames and 2005 Nissan rear disk brakes. |
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Originally Posted By fxntime: No one would have ever had an issue with the Taco's frame if it had been made of a different steel that resisted de-lamination and rust or had a quality coating. To be fair to Toyota, GM's small pickup 2004-12 frame was just about as bad but they [GM] didn't do shit for the owners. C channel frames are generally less rigid and weaker than a boxed frame even before we got to them rusting out. A boxed frame can be lighter and still be more rigid and stronger than a similarly sized C channel frame. A boxed frame is just a better design any way you look at it. Especially for a truck. |
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Originally Posted By Deerhurst: C channel frames are generally less rigid and weaker than a boxed frame even before we got to them rusting out. A boxed frame can be lighter and still be more rigid and stronger than a similarly sized C channel frame. A boxed frame is just a better design any way you look at it. Especially for a truck. Originally Posted By Deerhurst: Originally Posted By fxntime: No one would have ever had an issue with the Taco's frame if it had been made of a different steel that resisted de-lamination and rust or had a quality coating. To be fair to Toyota, GM's small pickup 2004-12 frame was just about as bad but they [GM] didn't do shit for the owners. C channel frames are generally less rigid and weaker than a boxed frame even before we got to them rusting out. A boxed frame can be lighter and still be more rigid and stronger than a similarly sized C channel frame. A boxed frame is just a better design any way you look at it. Especially for a truck. It flexes more and weight for weight a boxed is stronger but the C channel on my 79 bronco was a beast sizewise, The cross braces and number of them also makes a big difference. |
Liberals are a curious mix of communism and fascism, they want to destroy you but want to use your own money to do it.
I'm getting down to the last box, the others have all been destroyed...
I'm getting down to the last box, the others have all been destroyed...
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Originally Posted By fxntime: It flexes more and weight for weight a boxed is stronger but the C channel on my 79 bronco was a beast sizewise, The cross braces and number of them also makes a big difference. You can always add more weight to make it as strong as a smaller and thinner boxed frame. What appears to be strong because it has a lot of cross members and whatever doesn't always mean it actually is. Take 2 cardboard strips and connect them with cross member toothpicks. You'll find that doesn't really help anything. |
| I've been looking at Canyon/Colorado's here in the North Texas area, and right now the pickings are slim. I've been looking at low-mileage <30K 2022-2024 models, and there isn't much to choose from. Everything seems to be white/black/Silver. I have stumbled across two bronze metallic ones, A Chevy and a GMC, but both sold before I could get to them. |
Politicians Prefer Unarmed Peasants
Caddyshack
Some men are morally opposed to violence. They are protected by men who are not.
Caddyshack
Some men are morally opposed to violence. They are protected by men who are not.
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Originally Posted By Deerhurst: For 99% solid axle is just bragging rights and useless. I hit Moab, trials like fins n things, with a Nissan Hardbody with IFS and 235/75/15 tires. I struggled in a few spots but it wasn't due to IFS. That is miles past what 99% of people will do with solid axle. IFS is capable and more comfortable. |
callmenoshie: "saying that females have the potential to be "bat shit crazy" is like saying the sky has the potential to be blue."
XCRmonger: "I've seen German Shit Porn that was sexier."
XCRmonger: "I've seen German Shit Porn that was sexier."
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Originally Posted By djkest: The strength of the Gladiator is going to be that 3.6 liter Pentastar engine and the 8-speed ZF transmission. Both are great.  the Engine is easily the worst thing about jeeps for the last decade or 2. new ones are probably the worst.
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callmenoshie: "saying that females have the potential to be "bat shit crazy" is like saying the sky has the potential to be blue."
XCRmonger: "I've seen German Shit Porn that was sexier."
XCRmonger: "I've seen German Shit Porn that was sexier."
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Originally Posted By slappomatt: the Engine is easily the worst thing about jeeps for the last decade or 2. new ones are probably the worst.Plenty of those engines go 200k+ miles without issue. The early ones did have some problems that have been addressed with the 2016 model year. |
Atypical Millennial