'13 Tacoma vs. '13 Rubicon

[TownDiver]

I apologize if this posts twice, my computer went haywire

Hey all,

So I am in need of some advice here. Unfortunately I am no longer getting the 110 I desired, maybe it was a twist of fate (cruel or blessing I may never know) but I am now seeking another vehicle to conduct my research this winter and next spring. The research involves ice diving then later desert enviornments and living out of my vehicle for weeks at a time on a lot of backcountry roads and trails(hooray!). After the research is finished I plan on going to Central and hopefully South America with the same vehicle. I started looking around this week and found the two below. a '13 Tacoma and '13 Rubicon. The chosen vehicle will also become my DD for a while.

I have managed to take a 4.0L manual Double Cab short bed for a test drive the other day. I really like the ride, but after the needed topper it will cost as much as a local '13 manual 5dr Rubicon. Hoping I can get some advice from those who might have one or the other. I'll be driving the Rubicon next weekend to compare and see which ride and set up I'll like better. I like that the Rubicon is already equipped with what I'd need to make most trails aside from an upgraded suspension which either will need I believe. I'm used to a good old fashion HEMMT or HMMWV but their a bit out of my price range! (Most)Any input would be helpful.

Jeep: (Still have yet to drive so going off advertisement and past I've seen)
Love the Rubicon and modularity.
Better ratio
Locking front and rear diffs
Smaller amount of space and enclosed body keeps gear warm!
Still have yet to drive it!
More people to work on it here (Wyoming)

Tacoma:
Love the ride, but even though I'm not the biggest guy I feel a little wide at the shoulders)
Less Modular
More Space in bed
Have to find a way to keep gear warm in bed (Thought about an electric blanket hooked up to the outlet in bed)
More dependable history


Plans for the rig include carrying the following over 6000 miles (for starters):

2males 1female all average build
Carrying 3persons worth of dive equipment 60pounds per person
6-9scuba tanks 40pounds each
RTT with changing room coming off of the back and connecting to the tailgate for the ice dives and donning dry suits. Thinking frontrunner with the T-Top roof annex.
Propane grill w/tank
Fridge
Some sort of rack system to hold all tanks in place while going over rough trails


So has anyone had one or the other and/or know of any issues with either or any flaw in my thinking? Known/forseen issues with the models? Any thoughts that might make this easier? I'll also be setting a lot of this up over time as funding allows me to. I realize that getting a used vehicle is an option and just put the money into it that I save from not buying new, but I feel like a new car might just be the better investment as I'll know what happens to it.

Thanks all!

(This is also being posted in the Jeep section to avoid biasis :snorkel: )

 

[SSF556]

With the gear you are talking about hauling go Tacoma....

 

[TownDiver]

Could you expand a bit please?

 

[Clutch]

Tacoma has more room for gear. You'll be out of space real quick in the Ruby. Though a small trailer would cure the space issue.

Both great platforms though.

 

[p nut]

Rubicon is pretty sweet, but if I were to get one, it would be for 100% recreational purposes. For what you're looking to do, it's a no-brainer to go with a truck.

 

[Plannerman]

I think you're going to run out of space very, very quickly with both vehicles, although the Tacoma will give you more volume. I would venture that you're also likely to exceed the GVWR of both vehicles with the program you're anticipating. IIRC, the Tacoma can carry a bit more weight than the Rubi.

 

[TownDiver]

Ya this is something I overlooked completely. On the jeep thread they were pretty quick to point this out. At this point I think it is starting to look like a trailer could be the way to go. As I stated on the jeep side. Those tanks will prove to be missiles if there is an accident.

 

[Clutch]

Those tanks will prove to be missiles if there is an accident.

I would build a cage for them, whether carried in a vehicle or trailer.

just an example




you might be better off in a half or three quarter ton extra/crew cab...any brand will do (they all are pretty much good anymore)

since this is the Toyota section, here are two Tundras, plus since you said
you're going to South America, there are some countries that carry the Tundra.

http://www.toyota-global.com/select_region/latin_america/

 

[surlydiesel]

I'm going to make 2 suggestions. First, you should get a half ton something, truck, suv, ect... for the amount of weight you want to carry and people vs. space vs. load carrying capacity. The tacoma is going to get cramped really quickly with people and things. The back seat of that jeep is a joke for long trips and I'm a little above "average" size but at 6 foot 215 pounds, it is not great in the back. Tacoma is better but a Crew Cab Tundra is terrific or a Crew Cab domestic.

All that being said. If you want to keep in a certain size range, I would go with a 4runner based on what you described. Everything is inside keeping warm, it can do the RTT and you can do tons with suspension for the load you want to carry. Heck, I would look for a low milage V8 one and build it they way you need it.

Best,
jorge

 

[p nut]

Or a 100-series Land Cruiser. But if you can make a Tundra work, I'd go that route. That 5.7 is awesome for trailer duties.

 

[29centTaco]

What they said. I have both and neither will serve three people and a bunch of equipment on an extended trip well. An extended time in the poorly angled back seat of the JK will lead to homicide. When the person in the back yells, "Shotgun!" They'll mean it.

 

[evilfij]

I don't see either being sufficient for 3 people and gear. Even a 110 is tight for 3. As others have said, I would go to a crew cab pickup or full sized SUV.

For two, either choice would be great, but the 110 would be better.

 

[Mikeg175]

I have owned and wheeled both of these vehicles . I built them both up . I would take the Tacoma or Tundra over the Jeep any day . I was a Jeep person for over 30 yrs . I made the mistake of trading in my Tacoma for a full size Dodge ( because of towing ) , found it to drive great except when towing . I traded it in after 5k miles and 3 months ( took a beating ) . I bought a trail edition 4runner and will be building it up . The Toyota have locking rears and Atrac which is almost a locker . I could take Tacoma anywhere I took my Rubicon , with greater comfort , more gear , better gas mileage , more reliability and more power . I had to supercharge ( Rips ) my Jeep and it still was wanting power on the trails . I got the 4runner because the first thing I did on my last 3 trucks was to get a color matched Ares cap for them , so figured Id just get a 4runner . I lose a little space , but I never used my truck beds to their capacity anyways .

 

[xmadcowx]

Double check your heating blanket idea on the rear outlet. Some of those things can be pretty power hungry and that fuse doesn't take much to blow. I have only ran christmas lights (worked fine) and a chop saw (not so much) off of it. Just check your numbers is all i'm getting at.

 

[codename607]

Having owned a Rubicon I would suggest going with the truck because of the space. Plus I had a couple different issues with my Jeep and when I asked people for help the always said "its a jeep thing". So need less to say I traded for a FJ.

Not to go off topic but I would look into something bigger. With the amount of weight and space you require I would look at a full size truck or SUV. Good luck and let us know what you decide.