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My next rig...

pELYgroso

pELYgroso

'Merica
Location
LEHI, UT
Once the 'runner sells I'll be on the hunt for my next rig. I've had 1st gen 'runners for the last 6 years or so and had a few XJ's before that. (my 1st 4wd vehicle was an '84 XJ w/ the 2.8 v6) I love the 'runners but my wife would prefer something with 4 doors and A/C. I like wheeling alone but I want wheeling to be a family activity for us, so the 4 doors especially will be a must. I'll need to use half of the money from the 'runner for some bills, so my budget will be $2-3k for a new rig. The vehicles I've been thinking of are these:

another XJ -lots of aftermarket support, cheap, parts are plentiful
FJ62 -cool factor, little more space, I'm kind of a Toyota guy now....
Montero -???
Trooper -beefy rear axle, cheap

What else? I need the 4 doors, I'd like to run up to 33's, I need space in the back for a sleeping platform....What do you guys think?

I know a guy who would sell me his FJ62 in my price range. It has 208XXX miles but the engine was rebuilt about 5k ago, everything works (power everything w/ AC) and he already has a small lift, decent 32's and a sleeping platform in it, but it's pretty rusty around the fenders and the bottom of the doors.

There are plenty of XJ's in my price range on ksl, some even with a lift and tires. I'd like to be able to run RattleSnake, Hells Revenge, etc, but this will mostly be a rig that I want to be comfy so that my wife will go more often and be comfortable. I just want to get out more. We have a 2 year old and are planning on another before too long, so a decent size back seat plus rear cargo room are important.
 
sixstringsteve

sixstringsteve

Well-Known Member
Location
UT
you've narrowed it down to some great rigs. XJ, Trooper, Montero, 62, all cool choices. I'd recommend driving a few and seeing what your wife prefers.
 
SAMI

SAMI

Formerly Beardy McGee
Location
SLC, UT
62 hands down. I went through the exact same requirements and price range. I F'd up by going the Montero route, which cost me a total of $600. Learned my lesson and jumped into an FJ62.

Obviously with age, use, unknown maintenance, any vehicle at 15+ years old can, and most likely WILL end up with issues if not taken on by you. The engine went south in the '91 Montero that was "rebuilt" 10k miles prior; even had papers to document. The auto trans in my (new to me) '88 FJ62 took a major dump on me during our first outing in the mountains.. Any vehicle you get will have issues that are known at time of purchase, or found shortly after as you get to know the vehicle.

That said, the Land Cruiser is my 1st choice, XJ 2nd, anything else falls after that. Being that 90% of my friends are Toyota guys, I feel more comfortable if(WHEN) my rig takes a dump that someone is going to have a hook up on spare/used parts and have the know-how to help with pointers and advice. That's one reason I wouldn't rule out an XJ for myself, as you noted there are numerous XJ's already built in that $2-3k price range, parts are everywhere, and lots of people know them in and out.

...My $.02
 
SAMI

SAMI

Formerly Beardy McGee
Location
SLC, UT
BTW, got a used trans from a friend, paid another friend to install it since i have zero time and little means - and she's as good as new. :) Cost around $450, but it's worth it to keep this truck running. The 62 feels so more truck-like than the Montero did. The Montero feels like a large tin lunchbox; looks like one too. The 62 gains you a solid front axle over the Monty, or Trooper. The XJ obviously has a solid front axle with coils to boot, but then you're talkin a 15y/o unibody rig that has most likely been ridden hard and hung up wet. The 62 and XJ also have inline 6's going for them over the Monty and Trooper, which I like.
 
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pELYgroso

pELYgroso

'Merica
Location
LEHI, UT
SAMI, Did you stick with the auto or do the manual conversion? I'd like to see your 62 one of these days!! Perhaps when I deliver your holster (should be this week) I can take a look! I don't have much experience w/ the 60 series but the one that my buddy has looks pretty sweet (besides the rust) and I think it could be a good family rig. Should high miles worry me? How many does your 62 have?

But the XJ is definitely on my list! Steve, I think you have a good point w/ driving some and letting the wife help w/ the decision! I'm kiiiinda leaning towards the 62 at this point if I can get this particular one in my price range.
 
sixstringsteve

sixstringsteve

Well-Known Member
Location
UT
I like the 62 for coolness factor alone. Knowing you like big engines, as sacrilegious as it sounds, you might look for one with a chev 350 in it.
 
pELYgroso

pELYgroso

'Merica
Location
LEHI, UT
It's not that I like big engines....I just got tired of the 22re w/ the auto behind it. Although, I wish I still had that rig. the jeep 4.0 has plenty of power for me....not familiar with the I6 in the 62...SAMI?

I don't really want to search high and low for a 62, so if it doesn't work out with this one, I'll probably start looking more towards the XJ's.
 
SLC97SR5

SLC97SR5

IDIesel
Location
Davis County
It pains my Toyota heart to say this but...in your situation I would look for a stock 4.0 XJ.

Inexpensive, plentiful, easy to build moderately and simple.
 
Bart

Bart

Registered User
Location
Arm Utah
Gotta say I agree. I think for the money you won't find a more dependable rig than a XJ as long as it hasn't been beat. BTW, I love 62s, but when you take mileage, comfort, and maintenance, .... Yep.
 
gorillaxj

gorillaxj

Always building hardly wheeling
Location
SLC
I love my XJ, and I have found its the rig for me at this point. I bought it not really wanting it. but I was in school, starting my career ect and could not justify a 3rd gen 4runner and solid axle swap. the XJ had everything on my list, so I went for it. (Toyota guy at heart) It has actually been a great choice. land-cruisers are nice, just a bit on the big side for my taste.

if you do look into an XJ I would try and find a 97-99 with an aisan transmission. 4.0l and a... wait for it... wait for it... thats a TOYOTA transmission lol. thats how I keep my Toyota genes happy :)

but with that said ultimately I would still look into Toyota's too and see if there is a "deal" that allows one to fit the bill and your list.
 
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sixstringsteve

sixstringsteve

Well-Known Member
Location
UT
You could get a 2nd gen 4runner with the 3.0 for that price. You get IFS (which I perfer obviously). Aftermarket is huge, and if you get one with a blown headgasket, it's even cheaper. :D
 
Kevin B.

Kevin B.

Not often wrong. Never quite right.
Moderator
Location
Stinkwater
So, here's a thing, as long as we're talking about station wagons - Ford Explorer.

Stop laughing and hear me out. I've owned a '00 XLT since '04, bought it with 48k and it's at 180k now. In that time I've had to do the water pump and thermostat once when one or the other failed, and had to do the front pulleys last year. That's all. The 4.0 V6 is the same motor they put in Mustangs, it's strong and has lots of aftermarket goodies. The automatic has been reliable and smooth. It's got quite a bit of space inside for a mid-size, and is quiet and comfy and makes highway miles a breeze. It's got a lot of room inside, too, enough for a small family and a week of camping gear. It's been great for long-range road trips and backroading.

I've never put any money into it because I've had the 4Runner, but I've thought about this a lot and wondered how cool a rig it could be. In stock trim it handles corners like the shocks are full of jello - it wallows over bumps and generally behaves exactly how a soccer mom probably wants it to. I'd add a rear locker or limited slip, do a spring-over in the rear, and ditch the front torsion beam in favor of custom control arms and coils. I'd put a nice set of adjustable Bilsteins on all four corners, add sliders, and run 32s, and I bet it'd be a great family wheeler. It's rated to tow around 5000, 6500 if you found one with the optional V8, so if you had a hankerin' for a harder trail you could still get your 4Runner there without having to drag your wife kicking and screaming ;). And if more than one rig is too many and you just had to have it all in one package, it's supposed to be one of the easiest rigs to add a straight axle to.
 
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