What trail only rig would you chose? If you had to do it again-or for the first time...

Those would be great for trails for their size and maneuverability. When you put your lockers in are they always activated by air comp and switch?

 

Not what I want but this guy is selling for 1000. Tempting. Front end accident looks like.
Looks minor

 

So I assume under ford ranger solid axle means SAS not that abortion of a design (TTB) a friend of mine wheels one of those and now pending one tons. But he wheeled it hard. He used to get 2-3 trail runs out of the axle before the housing blew up and all the guts would come out the back. Pretty hilarious as he would eat a few shafts and it would take him about 30 mins not bad. Then inevitably the driveshaft would be spinning around under the truck with the pinion flange still attached

Since the housings were basically free he would strengthen them with extra steel and slap a new one in ever other trip with a bed full of shafts. But yea avoid the TTB at all costs.

only pic I can find of his truck and my dog. the damage pics must be on my external hard drive. My vote would be to buy a Toyota Mini-truck someone else has already SAS’d. Add a doubler and 37s go anywhere for a good price.

 

Wheres none of the above?

 

Gotta be a jeep. I love my Tacoma and they're great off road. But in the trails.... Can't beat a jeep.

I had a grand Cherokee. 04 4.0 at i6. That thing even handled the trails better than my off road trim Tacoma, both factory. That's not to say the tacomas can't, but the jeeps can just do it better. For a trail dedicated rig, I'd be looking for an xj if it's limited to your list. Horrible on the road, but great off the road.

 

Really?? Those look like OG BFG MTs.
Heres my YJ with KMS which were the same exact tire as an MT, just with some sidewall lugs.

 

I have used everything from Detroit Lockers to ARB Air Lockers. Open diffs work ok until you start getting into more difficult situations. I like at the very least lock the rear. I definitely don't abuse my stuff, but not afraid to use it. Rolled a few rigs just out playing. Here is the last XJ I rolled and turned it into a buggy.

 

XJs rock, I have built up several of them. Great Moab trail rigs.

 

Exactly, BFG MTs. I had quite a few of these.

 

I actually have one of those beasts, but with a bit less rust (none)

Detroit locker in the rear and Detroit TrueTrac in the front. It will go anywhere it can fit.



With the "roller" 351W and 4.56 gears, it has a ton of torque down low (it will roast those 35's).

But TBH, it is just too big for a lot of the tight trails. It has a very tight turning radius but the vehicle itself is just a bit too wide.

And don't ask about MPG. It requires depression medication.

 

That's sounds terrible! Where did he find all that free shit??? I need that hook up lol

keep it friendly round here! Name something worthy then under 2 000 bux? I was going to add that originally - but keepin it simple

Exactly my thoughts! (OG KM 1?)

 

Under 2 grand and trail only? Any old straight axle one ton single cab truck. Pull the bed off, chop the roof, build a roll cage and put some 38s on it and wheel almost any trail you want for a little more than the purchase price of the truck, assuming you have the tires and wheels.

XJs are good to cut the wheel wells out and put some 31s on, weld the diffs and wheel it floored everywhere until it blows up and send it to the scrapyard and repeat. I've owned a few XJs and did this, also had the above yj and wheeled that and hands down the best and most reliable wheeler I ever had is my current 1st gen tacoma. I have wheel some insane hard trails with it both IFS and solid axle and can count on one hand how many times it has broken in 15yrs. That YJ was broke evreytime it went into 4WD.

Under 2grand take all the toyotas and half the heeps off there LOL!!

 

Detroit locker gotta be less $$$ then the air set up?? More effective to have though ??

Did you have auto or manuals?? What did you find worked better and for durability?

I see myself burning clutches with dedicated trail use. But I know there are 2 camps for auto and manual when it comes to off road. Just wondering cuz you seem to have driven a lot.

I would love one of these as a family hauler. I've always liked full full size like these. 7 pasdenger and then room for a piano. Even the Fords excursion. Minus the diesel

 

Those are hard to find in good shape like that. Practically a 5 foot bed in the back too lol

 

Not sure I follow the strategy : you get a 1 ton for the power and axles but take the bed off to make it more maneuverable?

Also IFS holds it own due to reliability ?

Not arguing just some interesting points you make

 

Yea you already have the big axles, v8 , a good trans. Dont need the bed if you are only going to go out and do some crawling, fit everything in an action packer.

I only broke 1 CV when I was IFS and that was on year 8 of wheeling with a crawl box. I only broke 2 other parts and they were both rear u joints and my own stupid fault. A 1st gen tacoma on 33s, a rear locker and with a crawl box is a beast and a total sleeper rig. I really only put the solid axle under it because my IFS was getting worn out, I wanted a front locker and I couldnt physically fit down the trails I wanted to go on.

 

My 1978 CJ5 caught hell when I was younger. It is just for Sunday rides now.

 

Just to slightly offset the amount of douche buggy pics.

 

I want a regular cab