Need help

sixstringsteve

Well-Known Member
Location
UT
hey crawler dude, what are your mechanic skills? Are you pretty handy with a wrench? Can you change brake pads, spark plugs, and change your own oil?
 

crawler dude12

Active Member
Location
Orem
Yea never on the freeway, Mostly cause nowadays all my friends want to do is play videos games. I have a few friends that would go off-roading with me. But I don't have anything to take.

And I'm not expecting really anything out of a samurai. Just a possible trade opportunity. For one of my rc's

Yea I'm pretty handy with a wrench. A few summers ago I was taught how to do a a decent tuneup and service. Rotate and balance wheels, I even did some gps installs in a few cars. This summer I'm going to MATC for their automotive fundamentals class so next year (my senior year) I can take the automotive engines.
 
I rallied a Sammy for a few years. Drove all over the state and to SoCal twice. Ended up with a SOA, rear locker and 31's. I picked up another one a few years ago for one of my boys but then sold it (so I could finish my scrambler AND stay married) I was gathering parts to make a decent little DD/wheeler: 4.16 case, 3" springs, 30" tires, rear locker. I sold it all for pretty cheap. I think it's a decent daily driver for a high school kid, just remember it's gutless with a capital GUT.

A ranger would be decent and would have a LOT more power. I'd also consider an XJ Cherokee. Tires will cost the same no matter which of these 4x4's you buy (assuming 30-31" tires). There are lots of XJ's and Rangers on the roads, or have been, so lots of junkyard parts.
 

crawler dude12

Active Member
Location
Orem
So what's going to cost me more in the long run? Ranger or samurai? Also just another idea is to trade my rc for the samurai, sell it and buy a Cherokee or something different
 
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flexyfool

GDW
Location
Boise, Idaho
So what's going to cost me more in the long run? Ranger or samurai? Also just another idea is to trade my rc for the samurai, sell it and buy a Cherokee or something different

There is no good answer to this question. It depends on the particular vehicle. You should get someone who knows a lot about cars to inspect the choices and give an opinion. Also, set aside money for registration, insurance, gas, and repairs. These things can cost more over the course of a year than the purchase price of a very cheap car.
 
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Seven

Active Member
Location
Ogden southside
I can't say much about a 4runner as I have never owned one.

If the ranger has push button 4wd system, I would stay away. I have had several friends that have had troubles with that system.

having owned a samurai and cherokee. I would say at your age and situation, I think the samurai would be more fun. Like others said it is gutless, loud, feels like held together with bailing twine at higher speeds, however it makes up for it with be able to take the top off with the soft top models, SPOA is a mod that with a little skill and research can be done pretty economically. I really liked how small and nimble it was. it is also old enough that the mechanics of it are pretty straight forward, and everything is small enough that it is easily worked on.
 

crawler dude12

Active Member
Location
Orem
Thanks for all your advice. I'm still trying to finalize everything with the suzuki. For the trade I don't think it's a bad deal at all. My rc crawler is not worth as much as the samurai, but mine has no problems. The Samurai probably just needs the clutch cable adjusted, and has some damage on the drivers front quarter panel. As of right now if I do get the samurai, if will be mostly a shop project for this year.
 

Rot Box

Diesel and Dust
Supporting Member
Location
Smithfield Utah
Samurais are fun I had one when I was 19. Simple, cheap, capable off road and great on fuel. I posted earlier that I'd prefer an early 4cyl 4runner but if you can get the Suzuki for a good deal why not. Mine had a spring over suspension lift, 33" tires, gearing and more goodies... If I had to do it all over again I would leave it close to stock and just drive it.

20mph through the canyon (larger tire size I'm sure) is something I don't miss :ugh:
 

crawler dude12

Active Member
Location
Orem
Samurai trade fell through. But was offered a 1996 jeep grand cherokee with the 4.0 6cyl. It has a 2 inch lift and has 32" super swamper tires. Are the grand Cherokees any good? I know I'm not a huge fan of the grand Cherokees. I like the boxy look of the other style of cherokee, but I can live with the look if it will suit my needs.
 

moab_cj5

Well-Known Member
Supporting Member
The year and body style. Any Chrysler grand Cherokee before 98 was a ZJ. 99 to 04 was a wj. The body kits and width changed from ZJ to WJ, and the interior space changed too.
 

spacecase

Out Crawlin'
Location
SL, UT
this is the way i look at it C-dude, if you're not real picky about the rig (jeep, toyota etc.) buy something similar to what the people you're wheelin with are driving. especially since you dont have much money or mechanical skills as of yet.

say you want to come wheelin with me and some of the toyota guys, buy a toyota. chances are, if you break something we will have spare parts or at least be familiar enough with what you're wheelin to fix it fairly easy if you run into problems.

anyway.. just my 2 cents.
 
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