JL vs TRD Off Road

How does a stock JL Sport (not Rubicon) compare to a stock TRD OR as far as simple off roading/trail riding is concerned (no rock climbing)? Not interested in modded out comparison here. Just the two vehicles in OEM form. Just running up and down fire trails and stuff like that.

Anyone have a Sport 2 door JL that also has/had a TRD OR?

Considering a base model Sport 2 door manual JL (BTW, not selling my 3rd gen TRD OR)

 

A Wrangler is the most capable off-road vehicle you can buy out of the box. Jeep’s Quadracoil suspension will give you greater articulation, traction and comfort on the trail. Whether that extra capability makes any difference on a forest road is debatable.

TRD OR has a rear locker; Sport doesn’t. However, if you add a rear TrueTrac LSD and a good set of KO2s or ATXs, a Sport will get you through hell back without doing much else to it.

One of Wrangler’s biggest assets is visibility: an upright seating position and a low, short, narrow hood provide great forward visibility in tight spots. Jeep seats are a LOT more supportive and comfortable than Tacoma’s. On the freeway Tacoma will ride more comfortably and handle more confidently.

The 8-speed is perhaps the best automatic on the market. Well worth it if you are thinking of getting a Jeep. Their manual shifters are known to be tractor-like in operation, if not in reliability. I owned several manual transmission JKs: they were a lot of fun, but I’ve heard of people having trouble with their linkages. I test drove a MT TRD OR and found the linkage shorter, smoother and more precise. Having said that, a 2-door Sport with a softop and a manual transmission can be very maneuverable and fun.

All JLs come with ESS (Engine Stop-Start): it turns off the engine when you come to a complete stop to save gas. I absolutely hated it. You cannot turn it off permanently; have to turn it off every time you get in the Jeep.

Be prepared to enjoy Soviet-grade assembly quality and customer treatment. When you test drive the JL, make sure to touch and feel everything. Newer FCA interiors tend to look like a million bucks until you touch them and realize many of those shiny surfaces are made of chintzy materials that look good from far, but are far from good.

There’s a glut of unsold JLs: don’t pay any more than 10% below MSRP. You may still be able to find an unsold 2018 JK Sport out there. I like JK better than JL for its greater simplicity, greater front headroom and no ESS.

Vehicle shopping is fun. Good luck!

 

For running up and down fire roads?

Not enough difference in that particular application to endure a Jeep.

I'm a former JKU owner. I wheel all year long - anything from fire roads, to ranch trails to some more moderate stuff that is a by-product of the type of hunting we do on private property.

I've not been put at any disadvantage by purchasing a Tacoma. There are some minor modifications I had to do to tackle some of the tougher stuff. I've even had to pull Jeeps out on occasion - but that is due more to driver error and inexperience that the capability of the vehicle.

 

My 3rd gen TRD OR is a manual. I really prefer manuals over autos.

Yes I have heard about QA issues with JLs, but TacomaWorld is also full of QA threads for Tacomas. I can't help but wonder if the internet is so problem focused that these problems are not as widespread with either vehicle.

I honestly am not sure why I want a JL. Perhaps a midlife thing? When I was a teen we had a restored 1945 Willys which was super slow (like 35hp), but that thing would climb up hills so easily. It was super basic with metal seats,a huge metal steering wheel, and folding windshield. No top or power anything.

Anyways, without the locking diffs do the JL Sports do as well as the ATRAC in the 3rd gens? I don't want a poser vehicle that looks offroad, but won't be able to handle the easy to moderate trails.