What's better? Serious question. Hoping to hear it from the TJ guys. Been drooling over one for a while now.
I know some pros and cons of each, but not all of it, having never had a TJ yet. Maybe there's only one way to find out (by jumping in and getting one)
Tacoma pro's (2nd gen '05-15)
-mid year model had less electronic crap on it
-can be 4L V6 manual, engine not crazy complicated, some power
-long enough to fit a crawl box
-truck bed. Kind of sporty like a car. But still a truck. Can tow
Cons:
-aftermarket parts expensive shit for no reason
-harder to mod. Want a 3" lift and bigger tires? Congrats, you need $1000 leaf pack for the rear minimum. Now add shackle hanger mount upgrade, better shock, etc. and well, you see where this is going
-IFS probably has limitations
TJ:
-better angles (approach, departure, breakover)
-heard good things about 4L I6 engine
-affordable but still holds it value
-parts affordable, not overpriced
-purpose-built; solid axles and articulation
-seemingly easier and cheaper to off road mod including clearing bigger tires and lift
cons:
-non Jeep people say they're unreliable. People with them say they're great. Maybe the reputation is false. If not, how hard can repairs be? Wrenching isn't rocket science
-maybe a little harder to sleep (no truck bed) and somewhat reduced towing capacity
I know some pros and cons of each, but not all of it, having never had a TJ yet. Maybe there's only one way to find out (by jumping in and getting one)
Tacoma pro's (2nd gen '05-15)
-mid year model had less electronic crap on it
-can be 4L V6 manual, engine not crazy complicated, some power
-long enough to fit a crawl box
-truck bed. Kind of sporty like a car. But still a truck. Can tow
Cons:
-aftermarket parts expensive shit for no reason
-harder to mod. Want a 3" lift and bigger tires? Congrats, you need $1000 leaf pack for the rear minimum. Now add shackle hanger mount upgrade, better shock, etc. and well, you see where this is going
-IFS probably has limitations
TJ:
-better angles (approach, departure, breakover)
-heard good things about 4L I6 engine
-affordable but still holds it value
-parts affordable, not overpriced
-purpose-built; solid axles and articulation
-seemingly easier and cheaper to off road mod including clearing bigger tires and lift
cons:
-non Jeep people say they're unreliable. People with them say they're great. Maybe the reputation is false. If not, how hard can repairs be? Wrenching isn't rocket science
-maybe a little harder to sleep (no truck bed) and somewhat reduced towing capacity