Need help getting into OFFROADING

So, I am very confused.

I have a 2016 Tacoma. 1/2 wheel drive. I love the truck and use it to commute to truck and haul stuff. I now have co-workers AND friends getting into off roading. This of course all happened just after I bought my 1 wheel drive truck. . I mainly got 1 wheel drive because I only had dirt bike friends to ride with. Now I have dirt bike friends and 4x4 friends.

I am about to finish building an off road vehicle for a senior design project. I am about to graduate school.

I have a full machine shop in my garage. 2 mills, a lathe, TIG welder, press brake. I am looking to buy an older 4x4 vehicle to off road with friends and co workers. Looking to spend under 5000 for the vehicle and can budget around 3000 to build/buy what I need. What would you do if you were looking for an older vehicle to off road?

 

Buy a Toyota Pickup from the early 90's. I had one as my first truck and I loved it! Obvioulsy it won't have the phone charger or dual AC or maybe even have AC but it'll be a great off-road vehicle

 

I agree on the above. Just got an 89, and 92 for my boys first trucks. Obviously they will need some work but we have 7 months for one and 2 years for the other to bring them back to 100% road/fun worthy.

And 5-8k will build an absolutely bad ass toy pickup.

 

I got mine when I was 15 with money I saved up from workin with my dad and my parents paid for half for a birthday gift and we worked on it to get it perfect for when I could drive it (legally) hahaha and I think that's when I fell in love with toyotas

 

Or....just a thought....take your '16 and your $5k back to the dealership and get a 4X4. If you haggle correctly, you can probably end up with an OR. You'll spend less in the long run and the resale is better. Speaking of resale, your truck depreciates by the day, so it's worth more today than tomorrow, in theory.

 

Just trade your Tacoma in on a 4x4.....

 

What am I chopped liver over here! LOL

 

Suzuki Samurai project time!

 

Trade your truck in on a 4x4 or like the other guys said, get an early 90's Toyota 4x4 pickup or 4Runner with a 22re.

 

I'd buy an XJ. You can get a decent one for 3-4K.

 

1/2 wheel drive? 1 wheel drive? Man. That's a fancy differential...

Why not wheel your Prerunner? A lot of guys do it around here. Most weekend warriors would be fine with a 2WD especially if you practice recovery, and, have available trucks to pull.

 

and the art of airing down.

 

If you are serious about wheeling dont bother with anything that has an IFS. The exception is if going fast in the desert is how you define wheeling.
what you want is a 1985 or earlier Toyota pickup with the fuel injected 22R motor. 85 was the last year they were made with a solid front axle. Or get a Jeep. There are thousands of them out there and with your $8,000 budget you can get one that is already put together with some beefy offroad goodies.

 

K5 blazer, 52"/56" leaf springs, 14boltFF out back, Dana 60 up front, it would have about 4" lift, with a bit of cutting it will clear 40"s and flex like crazy.
if you have the fab tools and the know how, the most expensive part of the whole project would be the dana 60 ha

 

Get any older Toyota 4x4. Any one. Do your research on any particular model your considering, but for $5-8k you have a lot of options.

 

Take your truck out with your 4wd friends, with a set of good tires (KO2s), turning on your Auto LSD, you will be surprised what you can do with it. There are definitely benefits of having a 4wd but 4wd is not required in 90% of the roads that my 4wd bodies go into to 4wd,,, I just put it on low and go. Every time I go out, I hear,,, "I cant believe you got through that on 2wd, it must be the tires!". Now, It could be that my 4wd are posers and that you have bad ass 4wd friends.. but the only way to find out is to go out and ride with them.

Disclaimer: If you live in an area where it rains or snows, disregard my comments and go get a 4wd something. I live in Southern Cali and I am mostly in the desert and mountains. I also study the trail maps before going and I always ride with a body with 4wd to be safe. Get a CB or HAM radio if you are going primitive.