what would you choose for an off-road rig?

I live in Wyoming and there were no good trucks here so we eventually got mine in California. My dad flew down and got it and drove in back in a period of 2 days I believe.

 

I would definitely get a UNIMOG. 16 forward gears, a crawl ratio that should be illegal, and you can get a diesel. If you can find a radio truck with the big fiberglass box on the back, it makes a GREAT camper. Rewired on of these for a guy a while back, used 12V LEDS for interior lights, and it was waterproof. Those things rock!

 

1985 Solid axle Toyota truck or 4Runner, all day every day.

 

Get a YJ!

 

Half-track.

 

I'll be honest, I love your Cherokee. My buddy had one and drove the effing wheels off it and traded it in during cash for clunkers and it was running fine with 195K on the odo...I had planned on getting one of these at some point for trails/camping/fishing etc. but my bro in law got a Tacoma and I really liked his.

Anyway, good choice. Be interested to see mods if you've done any (New tires yet?)

 

I haven't done anything yet. No time or money I was looking into lift kits, looks like I can get a decent 3" for 400-500 bucks. New wheels and tires will be about a grand either way. I need to change the rear brakes after checking them since they are almost gone. Mostly using it for around town car for now until I get some funds back. Sure is small compared to the tundra! I have gotten 20.x mpg highway with it. Pretty amazed since it has 170K miles. A few oil leaks I need to track down that I would like to fix and the axle seal on one side needs to be replaced. So, a few little things that are cheap to repair...but I have no time! Surprisingly, there aren't really any oil leaks on the drive way despite the oily underside.

 

Well, scraped up some money finally. 3" lift ($350shipped) and new cooper tires ($700 installed). Gonna paint the rockers this weekend. Fixed the brakes a couple weeks ago. What a PITA that was!

 

Nice. I traded my 00 XJ for my tacoma. I plan on buying another on down the road. They are easy and cheap to fix. Capable on and off road.

 

I'd go with a lifted and locked Bronco II or and zuzuki samurai.

 

first gen taco. YAY MANUAL LOCKING HUBS AND TRANSFER BOX BOOO ELECTRONIC BULLSHIT THAT FAILS. <--which is why i have a prerunner to later sas.

 

Exactly what i have

 

dont have any pics of one but my dream off road truck is a 2nd gen tacoma with solid axle rockwells. 5 something gears and a 383 stroker for the low end tourqe. and a marlin crawler box

 

It's hard for me to choose. I've owned a couple of cherokee's and I love how easily and cheaply they are modded, but I know its the same for 1st Gen Taco's too.

 

Just keep in mind that XJ's have a Unibody; if it gets cracked, the rig is toast.

I wheel with a lot of XJ's that have never had an issue and some that have. The easiest thing to do is gut it, flip it over and gusset the unibody with some steel.

 

nice truck!

 

sanded, bondo, painted the rockers last couple days

 

1. Another older (66-77) Bronco. built.

2. But as far as newer vehicles go it would have to be a 4dr Jeep Unlimited Rubicon. its all locked up from the factory, has the right wheel base. All you need to do is lift it, throw some 37-42 inch tires and a winch, and good to go!

my .02

 

Look above, I already got a Cherokee.

A 4 door is too long to be great offroad. Shorter is better. And, a stock engine/geared Wrangler will NEVER turn 37-42" tires. My buddy has a newer Rubicon, 2 door with wide 33s I believe. He says in the thick stuff and some hills he has a hard time turning them.