Need a cheaper 4x4

Well, I’m looking to get out of this truck payment, with the used tacoma prices so high, now is the time.

I’ve been looking for old jeep cherokee’s 2000-2001
Now I’m looking at old ranger’s too.

I just need it to have 4x4 and be able to mount my wedge tent on it too. I’d be looking at old 2 door wranglers but theyre too short to fit the rtt

Any suggestions of other vehicles I should consider? Or even what model years to avoid? I know you guys have owned quite a lot of 4x4’s just looking for some advice.

Thanks,
Adam

 

I would recommend a Tacoma!

 

Does it have to be a truck?

 

Avoid the 00-01 XJs, they have the flawed 0331 casting head that cracks , contaminating the oil with coolant, resulting in ruined cam bearings. (You can swap the head if you find a good one that hasn't cracked yet. Low oil pressure is a common sign the damage is already done.)

The 00-01s also have the low pinion front diff if that matters to you.

The price of nice old 4x4s have gone through the roof, including XJs. I've had a few of them, and always end up back in one. They are so simple to keep running mechanically, and they are fun to mod and look awesome with a small lift and wheels/tires.

I'd recommend a nice late model WJ with the 4.0. Price is still affordable and easier to find in nice shape than an XJ.

 

K5 blazer

 

Used older Nissan Frontiers seemed to still have reasonably sane prices. I don't know enough about Nissan's to really advise beyond that... just know that I was looking recently and that's what I seemed to notice.

 

LC/LX470

 

2000 Frontier. Last model year before they got severely beat with the ugly stick, and first model year where they introduced a crew cab. Its a nimble little truck.


Good luck finding a clean example though. Most of them have not had easy lives.

 

I would also add, if you're looking at XJs or any 4x4 that is 20+ years old keep in mind the reliability and maintenance. It's fun to tinker with old cars/trucks, but when you have kids/wife/adult responsibilities, etc. depending on it as your daily driver, sometimes the car payment is worth the newer car. Just depends what you're looking for and how you intend to use it.

 

Trading high payments for a premium priced used 4x4 with unknown potential for repair bills might be worth the risks if you can do your own repairs.

 

Yeah, you can sell your truck for a lot right now. But guess what? You’re gonna over pay for a used vehicle too

 

I wish

Good point, I’m looking at old Frontiers too, and yeah goddamn they hit them pretty hard with ugly stick for a while there

Well the thing is, the payments aren’t killing me, it’s just that I’m moving to the northeast so i wont need the reliability as much as I do out here in NM where if my truck breaks down i could be sleeping in the side of a dusty highway with no cell signal. Back east i can walk to work if the old 4x4 quits on me.

 

I agree that the Nissan Frontier can provide good reliable utility for $$$ IF you take the time to find one that isn't near it's end-of-life. None of the generations are bad but I like the 2004 and older with the 3.3L slightly under powered but solid.

 

OP, would your RTT fit on an Xterra?

 

That generation of the frontier is one of the best looking trucks from the late 90s. Also love the design of the 1998 Chevrolet C1500 (the one with the square headlights)

 

I think so, might hang over a bit, its one of these (not my truck)
I should look at the xterras, now that u mention it, though i seem to remember them holding their value at almost tacoma levels

 

Not in my experience or my searching cars dot com. Check early to mid 2000s between Xterra's and 4Runners with ~120k miles. Big difference.

 

Tough it out and stay with with what you have till it's paid off. You'll thank me later.

 

I know it doesn't meet your requirements OP.. as it's not 4x4 (or inexpensive)... but this old pristine 2wd 5spd gem will probably run for another 300k miles.

If some TW parent is looking for an utterly reliable teenage proof vehicle.. this thing is practically a new truck:

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/5eda6158-0140-4b6d-8617-68ff113fe5bf/

There's been recent threads about super low mileage first gen Tacoma's where they fetched $45k.