Hi everyone, here's my question. I have lived in Utah all of my life and never had the chance to go off roading, crawling or anything like that. Now that I'm older, im tired of missing out and want to get into it. Being new I don't completely know what to start out with. So my question is what everyone's favorite vehicle is. I've looked into Tacomas, Broncos, Jeeps and I don't know whats best for a beginner. Pros and cons of each vehicle would be nice, I do have mechanical knowledge, just no knowledge about off roading and crawling.
New to 4x4
- Thread starter JDOUCAW
- Start date
- Location
- Stinkwater
That's pretty much every 4x4 out there, no modifications needed. Let's do this - what's your budget? Are you a big guy or is a smaller vehicle ok? Do you mind a rough truck-like ride on pavement? Do you need four doors? How much cargo space do you want?
Budget is around 15k or less, I'm around 6'2" so not something small, I'm indifferent to the ride type. As for body type, I like the 4x4 trucks like the tacomas, but not really looking for a Jeep or a Samurai.
Spork
Tin Foil Hat Equipped
- Location
- Saratoga Springs, UT
I got a Tacoma, mine is a older single cab but if I had 15k I'd be looking at an extended or double cab. I've had a Samurai (gutless), had a CJ7 (look at it wrong a bolt breaks), and the Tacoma has been my favorite. The only Jeep I'd look at is the 4 door, even then the lack of a bed would make me think twice.
Tonkaman
Well-Known Member
- Location
- West Jordan
At 6'2" you better ride around in a Tacoma to see if you even fit. The seat is about 8" off the floor so your legs are practically straight in front of you.
ricsrx
Well-Known Member
so if i have 10 to 15k to purchase a vehicle........
your money will go alot further with a toyota over a jeep,
how capable are you at mechanical work?, will you need to send it out for all the upgrades and repairs?
have you thought about upgrades and the costs associated with it?
don't tell me that you would be able to wheel it and be content with how it is set up
, once you get out and wheel you will be bitten by the bug , you will want to start changing it up!
your money will go alot further with a toyota over a jeep,
how capable are you at mechanical work?, will you need to send it out for all the upgrades and repairs?
have you thought about upgrades and the costs associated with it?
don't tell me that you would be able to wheel it and be content with how it is set up
, once you get out and wheel you will be bitten by the bug , you will want to start changing it up!
I'm 6'3 and while its not the most comfortable car i've ever had, I fit just fine in my DC first gen Taco. Better than I did in my second gen extended cab. I guess I shouldn't say fit in better, I can actually see out the windshield in the first gen.
Ummm, here we go I guess. I think it depends on if you really want to wheel or if you're looking to explore back roads. For local trails like Forest Lake or Rattle Snake, either would most likely do, but if you wanted to try something harder, Wayne's World or Constrictor, I would take a lightly modified (bolt on stuff) LJ over a lightly modified Toyota any day.
johngottfredson
Threat Level Midnight
- Location
- Alpine
Here you go:
http://www.ksl.com/?nid=218&ad=36918898&cat=402&lpid=4&search=&ad_cid=6
This is pretty entry level, but once you get into the swing of things you can always get something less fancy.
http://www.ksl.com/?nid=218&ad=36918898&cat=402&lpid=4&search=&ad_cid=6
This is pretty entry level, but once you get into the swing of things you can always get something less fancy.
I think I would be scared of tipping by driving over a basketball in that thing.
johngottfredson
Threat Level Midnight
- Location
- Alpine
The guiding principle should be that the actual vehicle isn't so critical if you're not circumnavigating the globe with it. Most places in Utah you are within walking distance of not dying. My first wheeling experiences were in my buddy's '85 Cherokee he picked up for a few hundred bucks, welded the rear diff, did the hockey puck lift, and we tackled most of the trails at Moab. I would pick a vehicle that has a strong following so that parts and repair tips are plentiful. My picks:
Jeep Cherokee XJ ('97-01): Pros - Ch$$p, strong, proven drivetrain, light, capable, plentiful, solid axles, lots of aftermarket support. Ch$$$$$$p. Cons - Old, no proper frame. "Tin can" feeling.
Jeep Wrangler (newest with light mods that budget allows): Pros - made for trails, gazillion parts, easy bolt-on mods, plenty of enthusiasts, top/doors come off. Rubicon package FTW: stronger axles, F/R lockers, lower gear ratio, etc. Cons - can be expensive to get into, Chrysler build quality...
Toyota Tacoma ('99-04, TRD package) Pros - Light, bulletproof, small size allows for narrow trail access, cargo capacity (shell, sleep in back?), multi-use vehicle (haul bikes, etc), plenty of enthusiasts, capable off road. High re-sell. Cons - High re-sell means high purchase price, aka Tacoma Tax. Quite ridiculous, actually. Way overvalued on the used market, but hey...still awesome.
Toyota 4Runner ('95-02) Pros - Toyota quality, small size, wagon configuration (sleep inside), factory rear locker available. Cons - Not as capable as jeeps, not as versatile as tacomas. Compromise vehicle.
Toyota Land Cruiser/Lexus LX450 ('94-97) Pros - Very heavy duty build quality, solid axles, lots of aftermarket support, high payload capacity. Better for overland/expedition type use vs wheeling, but can be modified to wheel quite well. Available front and rear factory lockers. Cons - expensive parts, heavy vehicle means 11-13 mpg after mods (before mods?), 17-20 yr old vehicles at this point. Some issues with head gaskets, weak brakes.
Vehicles to avoid:
Anything Land Rover
Anything that has been wildly modified in a buddy's garage while they were inebriated (most stuff in KSL rock crawler section...)
I would avoid niche or orphaned vehicles unless you just have a burning passion to be unique rather than practical (Isuzu, Mitsubishi...Unimog, humvee)
I personally don't go for vintage vehicles (pre mid 90's) unless that is verifiably your "thing" and you know you will love tinkering
Bottom line: Pick something that suits your personality, is in good working order, is a make/model with a decent reputation for reliability and capability, is within budget, and get out and have fun. It's not about the vehicle, its about the outdoor experience.
Jeep Cherokee XJ ('97-01): Pros - Ch$$p, strong, proven drivetrain, light, capable, plentiful, solid axles, lots of aftermarket support. Ch$$$$$$p. Cons - Old, no proper frame. "Tin can" feeling.
Jeep Wrangler (newest with light mods that budget allows): Pros - made for trails, gazillion parts, easy bolt-on mods, plenty of enthusiasts, top/doors come off. Rubicon package FTW: stronger axles, F/R lockers, lower gear ratio, etc. Cons - can be expensive to get into, Chrysler build quality...
Toyota Tacoma ('99-04, TRD package) Pros - Light, bulletproof, small size allows for narrow trail access, cargo capacity (shell, sleep in back?), multi-use vehicle (haul bikes, etc), plenty of enthusiasts, capable off road. High re-sell. Cons - High re-sell means high purchase price, aka Tacoma Tax. Quite ridiculous, actually. Way overvalued on the used market, but hey...still awesome.
Toyota 4Runner ('95-02) Pros - Toyota quality, small size, wagon configuration (sleep inside), factory rear locker available. Cons - Not as capable as jeeps, not as versatile as tacomas. Compromise vehicle.
Toyota Land Cruiser/Lexus LX450 ('94-97) Pros - Very heavy duty build quality, solid axles, lots of aftermarket support, high payload capacity. Better for overland/expedition type use vs wheeling, but can be modified to wheel quite well. Available front and rear factory lockers. Cons - expensive parts, heavy vehicle means 11-13 mpg after mods (before mods?), 17-20 yr old vehicles at this point. Some issues with head gaskets, weak brakes.
Vehicles to avoid:
Anything Land Rover
Anything that has been wildly modified in a buddy's garage while they were inebriated (most stuff in KSL rock crawler section...)
I would avoid niche or orphaned vehicles unless you just have a burning passion to be unique rather than practical (Isuzu, Mitsubishi...Unimog, humvee)
I personally don't go for vintage vehicles (pre mid 90's) unless that is verifiably your "thing" and you know you will love tinkering
Bottom line: Pick something that suits your personality, is in good working order, is a make/model with a decent reputation for reliability and capability, is within budget, and get out and have fun. It's not about the vehicle, its about the outdoor experience.
This is some GREAT information, I've been comparing and contrasting and researching everything and for what I'm looking to do with I'm looking at a lot of Tacomas and 4runners. Thanks for the pros and cons!
so if i have 10 to 15k to purchase a vehicle........
your money will go alot further with a toyota over a jeep,
how capable are you at mechanical work?, will you need to send it out for all the upgrades and repairs?
have you thought about upgrades and the costs associated with it?
don't tell me that you would be able to wheel it and be content with how it is set up
Most stuff I'll be able to do myself, and just getting into it, I'm sure as hell im not going to be content with anything stock
as for the cost of upgrades, it shouldn't matter because it seems like something I'm going to love to do.
ricsrx
Well-Known Member
sorry Bart i wasn't trying to start that argument,
Houndoc
Registered User
- Location
- Grantsville
I got a lot of good use out of our 2003 Montero Sport. Not a lot of hard core rock crawling (in Moab area have taken it on Poison Spider Mesa and Kane Creek) but pretty capable at/near stock. With 2" lift fits 33s. Has been a very reliable rig, with a number of small issue starting to creep up now that have hit the 200K mile mark.
Currently looking to add to our stable with another off-road/daily driver combo. Keeping myself on a tight budget, focusing on 2004-2007 4Runners, Tacomas, Lexus GX470s and H3s. There is a thread around with lots of recent good input into my search.
Currently looking to add to our stable with another off-road/daily driver combo. Keeping myself on a tight budget, focusing on 2004-2007 4Runners, Tacomas, Lexus GX470s and H3s. There is a thread around with lots of recent good input into my search.
Houndoc
Registered User
- Location
- Grantsville
Also depending on exactly what type of off-road you really want, nothing really wrong with a full-size pickup.
For exploring and camping they give you the storage and of course legroom for daily use (I have been using an 03 Silverado extended cab as daily-driver and hunting rig last 4 years). 240K miles and counting with near zero trouble (well, except for leaving it in Wyoming over New Years when alternator went out.)
For exploring and camping they give you the storage and of course legroom for daily use (I have been using an 03 Silverado extended cab as daily-driver and hunting rig last 4 years). 240K miles and counting with near zero trouble (well, except for leaving it in Wyoming over New Years when alternator went out.)