what would you choose for an off-road rig?

i had an 89 4runner 4cyl automatic..bought it from a kid i worked with for cheap(it was wrecked)..Fixed it up and wheeled the piss out of it..truck never got stuck except for once(let the gf drive it, and she got stuck in a rut in the MIDDLE of a dirt road) Rocked it a few times and it popped right out.

Id love to have one again, but theres no where to wheel it anymore.

 

i wanted a Cherokee (XJ) at first an still slightly do, there are plenty of them, cheap, even more mods to do to them than there are of them, and i like the small SUV style,

 

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here's my trail vehicle. it still needs the SAS, but with the rear end welded up this thing will go any where. but i am kinda biased because this is my first trail truck and havent expericenced a cherokee or anything of that nature. good luck on your decision.

 

Old 4Runner. No doubt.

 

I'd go with an XJ.

Like you said - XJ's are cheap and you can get a pretty newer one with less miles and a lot less rust. The newer the better.

As much as I love the toyota's - they are more expensive. The earlier years that are cheaper, are just littered with rust and harder to work on.

In my oppinion - it's all about finding a strong rust-free platform to start with. The 4.0L is a very strong motor with awesome torque for crawling. The AX15's are a good transmission. The only things that really suck are the axles and if you're wheeling it lightly, you can upgrade them to suite your needs (or swap them out completely).

If you are looking for an XJ - get the least amount of miles as possible. Those with around 100K miles usually ALWAYS have a main oil seal leak (you'll see oil dripping from underneath). That's something you can work on yourself - although I've never personally done one (never had to).

 

4runner...

 

I've swapped out the axles on my Wrangler.....D44's front & rear. I have 6x5.5 lug pattern too (same as toyota).

The only thing I personally don't like about the Cherokee's - is the Unibody.

 

I'd have to vote "other". Wrangler TJ. Like somebody said, you can get a '97 to '00 for the price you are wanting to spend. Plenty of part options (used or aftermarket). you get coil spring suspension with a full frame and fuel injection (stand it on it's nose and see how well that carb works).

Love mine, had 3, traded the newest one for the Taco.

 

If you're talking Wranglers - I'd get a YJ instead (save some $$ over a TJ). The 91-95's were fuel injected (might actually be earlier than that).

I dunno, but I'd think it's more expensive to lift a TJ than a YJ. Coil vs leaf.

But then again, I'm partial to the YJ's.

Newer XJ's will be fuel injected.

 

I voted other. You need a unimog

 

suzuki samurai.... SPOA, lockers, 31's and watch jeepers cry when you go where their 20K builds with 39's cant

edit... of the ones listed really any are good platforms... obviously the SUV's have more room but taco is lighter and a pickup (read bed) lol

 

that is definitely a true statement...i have seen some pretty mean lookin samurais.....if i didnt have a pickup already i would probably build a zuki

 

lol at the zuki... would be fun the trash and just generally beat up

 

Holy crap batman! !! that's some knarly lookin ride! ! !

 

samurais are easy to haul also very light even a 4cyl taco could lug one around to and from trail (on a small trailer ofcourse)

 

That's funny....

Are you exceeding your GCVWR sir??