New to off-roading and the forum

[ndking1126]

I have long been planning on buying a 4x4 truck for hunting, towing/hauling and general weekend fun. However, a few weeks back I went out with a friend that has a TJ with 6" lift and 36" tires and we went up in the mountains and had a ton of fun trail riding and rock crawling. Entirely too much fun because now I want a Jeep instead.

I've got about $4000 to spend. Not that much I know.. but here's what options I've got. A recent death in the family made a 98 or 99 F150 4x4 extended cab, v8 automatic with 131K miles, in excellent condition, single owner, completely stock come up for sale. My price is $3000+gas to drive from the east coast. Don't know tire size, but I think it's the highest sitting version they offered in that model because it sits pretty tall. Pros- it should be very reliable, great for hauling that elk I'm after and there are still some trails I could get on. With a wife and 2 year old, money isn't as available as it used to be, so it certainly seems like the responsible thing to do.

Next option I'm considering is a YJ. I don't know much about what I can get in the $3000-4000 range, but it doesn't have to be pretty, that comfortable or daily-driver reliable. I'm not a mechanic but I've fixed a few things in my time cause I'm cheap and don't like paying mechanics, haha.

How much offroading ability do I loose choosing the F150 over a YJ in my price range? And if you are feeling really generous, how easy/inexpensive would it be to upgrade the YJ a piece or two at a time as funds come available? Anyway I could find out about the 4x4 system in the F150 (limited slip? 4x4 low? etc)

Sorry for the long post and thanks for your time!

 

[sixstringsteve]

Welcome! Glad you'r hooked on rock crawling, it's a lot of fun isn't it?

Wheeling a full-size rig like an F150 is do-able, but I don't recommend it. Most of the rockcrawling trails we run require extensive modifications for a rig that big.

For $3000-4000 you can get a well-built toyota pickup or 4runner that'll go a lot of places, and still be good for a daily driver. I think toyotas are probably one of the cheapest rigs to build big these days, although YJs can be built cheaply as well. Just remember, the most important thing is getting out and wheeling, not having the biggest, baddest rig. I get caught up in the modifications too much sometimes, and I need to remember that I have just as much fun in my small rigs as I do in my big lifted rigs.

 

[iamsparticus]

The F150 is not a bad rig to build at all, the only things you'd have against you is a long wheel base and big body but some like a longer wheelbase and dont mind the body.
The F150 will let you do most trails if you upgrade it a little, either the F150 or YJ could be upgraded a little at a time but the F-150 will be more expensive to lift but will handle more broad dutys and can tow stuff.
The YJ's are cheap and easy to find have lots of aftermarket support and came with the 4cyl or straight 6 engines.
Parts can be swaped in and out of both but if your going for cheap the YJ most likley will be the one, if you want a very versitale rig that can take you most places, gives you a bed to throw crap in and is built beefier than go with the F150 or go with a toyota

 

[iamsparticus]

Welcome! Glad you'r hooked on rock crawling, it's a lot of fun isn't it?

Wheeling a full-size rig like an F150 is do-able, but I don't recommend it. Most of the trails we run require extensive modifications for a rig that big.

For $3000-4000 you can get a well-built toyota pickup or 4runner that'll go a lot of places, and still be good for a daily driver. I think toyotas are probably one of the cheapest rigs to build big.

I second steve. If i had 3000 to 4000 bucks id get a toyota runner or pickup and forget the F150 and YJ. The toyota will be better in the long run as far as cheap, capable, and great to wheel as well as reliable

 

[ndking1126]

Man, you had to bring in the toyotas, didn't you? I have seen some nice tacomas like you've got in your avatar, Steve. I'm thinking 33s would be a good starting place for me while I learn. I know I couldn't keep up with my friend everywhere he went, but it would get me out there and back I'm sure. My one concern with those is their power. Seems like most are 4 cylinders (at least that I can find). Should I hold out for a 6 cyl?

Most of the trails we run require extensive modifications for a rig that big.

My goal isn't to build. Improve as I go, maybe, but what I buy is basically what I'm planning on rolling with for the foreseeable future. I guess what I'm trying to figure out is how much you can do without those modifications. I would likely put a leveling kit on the F150, but I doubt much more than that for a while. But you think I could find a Tacoma already lifted in my price range or would that have to be extra? I have always loved Jeeps, but don't want to have to deal with the repairs every says they constantly need.

 

[sixstringsteve]

Yeah, I love toyotas. Technically, tacomas didn't start until 1996. The truck in my avatar is a 1994 toyota "pickup". Yup, the make is Toyota, model is "pickup", not tacoma." So that might help in your search.

the 4cylinder toyota motors are actually better than the 3.0 6 cylinder motors as far as reliability goes. I'd take the 22re (4 cyl) over the 3.0 6 cyl any day, but I'm not a power hungry driver.

For rockcrawling a toyota, you don't need power; you just need low transfer case gears.

But if you like lots of power, a toyota isn't really the way to go. If you don't care about being able to tow a ton, or do doughnuts in the parking lot, then I recommend a '79-95 toyota pickup with the 4 cylinder in it. Toyota trucks had solid front axles (another thing you want for rockcrawling) from '79-85. For any truck after 85, you have to swap in a solid axle. Even with a budget of $3-4k, you can find quite a few toyotas with solid front axles. I'm not saying toyotas are the solution for everyone, but they're my favorite, and they're very cheap to build, and they're VERY capable.

 

[ndking1126]

Good to know. I don't have anything specific I need to haul, just seems like every once in a while its a nice capability to have. I'm trying to convince myself I should by this to have fun, not to be practical. Tacomas do seem like the best blend of both right now. I purposefully didn't ask about them, but I'm not surprised they were brought up.

Thanks for the input. Its all pretty new to me. I need to make a decision about the truck sooner than later. Hard part is I'm not in country right now so letting a great deal go is hard, I don't know what options might be available when I get back. I'll keep perusing my new favorite forum for the next day or two and see what else I can learn.

 

[sixstringsteve]

there will be tons of trucks available when you get back. It's definitely a buyer's market with the economy the way it is. Do a lot of research and get what you want. Wait for the right deal to come around, there are plenty of deals out there.

Go to ksl classifieds and look in the "rock crawlers" section. http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=231&cat=402&category=142

 

[iamsparticus]

the 4cylinder toyota motors are actually better than the 3.0 6 cylinder motors as far as reliability goes. I'd take the 22re (4 cyl) over the 3.0 6 cyl any day, but I'm not a power hungry driver.

Now wait steve how many 3.0L V6 toyotas have you owned?

Steve is right if you want a reliable, tough, great for wheeling right out of the box rig, and you need a truck bed you cant beat a1979 to 1985 solid axle pick-up or a 1990 to 1995 toyota pick-up 4 or 6 clyinder.
Hold out for a extended cab because you'll thank your self later, seriously if you dont plan on building the rig very much and basically need it to be able to wheel in stock form well then get a yota

 

[sixstringsteve]

Now wait steve how many 3.0L V6 toyotas have you owned?

ZERO, because I do my research before buying a vehicle

They v6s are good motors, but there's no question that the 22re is more reliable than a 3.0 (I'm talking headgaskets every 100k on the 3.0s).

But we'll save that argument for another thread. If anyone finds a 3.0 Toyota for a great deal, I say go for it. But I would never "hold out" for a 3.0, especially if the 22re's were available. that's all.

 

[sixstringsteve]

Oh, and one more piece of advice ndking, most people on the forum will agree that you should stay away from body lifts for the most part. There are a few situations where they are advantageous, but for a new wheeler, avoid the temptation to throw on a cheap 3" body lift to clear bigger tires.

 

[iamsparticus]

well i only said anything because everyone says the 3.0 have head gasket problems which is true for the original head gasket but when it is replaced by the new ones it fixes the problem trust me ive talked with the toyota guru professors at weber and read the TSB's on it. 240000 miles on mine and no head gasket problems father-in-laws 92 pickup 3.0L 155000 no head gasket problems, after the recall the new style gaskets fix any problems if your still blowing every 100k your doing something wrong not trying to argue just clear it up so noones miss lead

 

[ozzy702]

Toyota's are great all around vehicles. I'd say an 86'+ toyota will be about as expensive as a YJ to make trail capable overall though.

I would stay away from the F150 if you plan on using it for wheeling. If you've been bitten by the 4x4 bug the F150 won't serve your needs for long.

My first 4x4 was a 77 Ramcharger. It was a great rig and a LOT more capable than a 99' F150 but I soon realized it was just too big and too heavy to wheel. Mind you, this was back when 33" tires were HUGE. I bought an 84' toyota and had a blast wheeling that thing.

I'm on my third toyota now and can say with all honesty that they've treated me well over the years.

 

[sixstringsteve]

Oh, I remembered another tip:

buy a rig that's already built. It's not quite as fun as building your own rig, but you will save a LOT of money buying a rig that's already built. Take it from someone who has lost thousands from selling rigs he built :sick:

 

[jackjoh]

Welcome on behalf of RME and the U4WDA.
Be sure to read all the instructions in "Introductions & using the Forum".

U4WDA believes the four wheeling community is best served by:
1. Education thru the use of classes, pamphlets, and films to teach responsible conservation.
2. Use Auto Dealerships and suppliers for the distribution of information.
3. Support Utah Counties in obtaining Quiet Claims to roads within their jurisdiction.
4. Stays informed and work closely with all Government Agencies and local law enforcement.
5. Where practical uses peer pressure to keep OHV use within the law.
6. Inform local agencies and law enforcement of illegal OHV use.

We promote the following: BRC/UFWDA: National legislation, action alerts, lobbying, etc
USA-All:- Local legislation, action alerts, lobbying, etc
U4WDA: On the ground actions. Service projects, education, club training, broadcasting the needs of Usa-All, UFWDA & BRC to its member clubs. Require clubs to be members of Usa-All, UFWDA & BRC, tie it into dues.
Member Clubs: Rides, education, hats, jackets, newsletters, raffles, etc. Require membership in U4WDA
Individuals: Join a club and promote responsible use amongst fellow travelers.
BRC:- National legislation, action alerts, lobbying, etc
Usa-All:- Local legislation, action alerts, lobbying, etc
U4WDA: On the ground actions. Service projects, education, club training, broadcasting the needs of Usa-All & BRC to its member clubs. Require clubs to be members of Usa-All & BRC, tie it into dues.
Member Clubs: Rides, education, hats, jackets, newsletters, raffles, etc. Require membership in U4WDA
Individuals: Join a club and promote responsible use amongst fellow travelers.
http://delalbright.com/index2.html

http://www.sharetrails.org/recreation-toolkit

http://www.nohvcc.org/education/education.asp
http://www.u4wda.org
http://www.usaall.org

 

[TurboMinivan]

Here's another option for you

This is a tad bit over your proposed budget, but I feel it's an excellent return on your investment.

We just took in a 1999 Wrangler TJ Sport. It's got a great driveline: the 4.0L straight six, a 5-speed manual transmission, the Dana44 rear axle with 3.73 axle gears, etc. It has not been lifted and still wears its factory 15x8 Canyon aluminum wheels. It currently has some goofy tube bumpers and side step tubes, but you can correct those via spinning some wrenches. It is $6000 as it sits.

Need more info? You can shoot me a PM or call me at the number below.

 

[dash]

Hey,
i am new to your forum here i have been on the naxja forum and on the Cherokee forum and stumbled across this one and wanted to see who was out there locally that i can bounce ideas off of. I am newer to the wheelin but am a mechanic for a living so wrenchin is fun too. just thought that i would give a a shout out there.

 

[TurboMinivan]

Hey,
i am new to your forum here i have been on the naxja forum and on the Cherokee forum and stumbled across this one and wanted to see who was out there locally that i can bounce ideas off of. I am newer to the wheelin but am a mechanic for a living so wrenchin is fun too. just thought that i would give a a shout out there.

It would be better for you to make a thread in the newbie introduction forum, however I am also in Lehi and thus might be very close to you. Send me a PM and we can chat.

 

[Max Power]

Welcome to the forum. If you are serious about climbing over obstacles I would pass on a full size vehicle. They are heavy and can be expensive to build right. Buy a already built vehicle. It will save you money and get you on the trail sooner. A F150 would be great for mild wheeling such as exploring old fire roads. Go with your gut feeling on which vehicle to buy. It sounds like you already know what kind of wheeling excites you. Buy a vehicle that will work that type of wheeling.

 

[ndking1126]

you cant beat a1979 to 1985 solid axle pick-up or a 1990 to 1995 toyota pick-up

So what's so bad about the 86-89 other than no solid axle?
What's so good about the the 90-95 that makes is a viable option even though it doesn't have the solid axle?

Take it from someone who has lost thousands from selling rigs he built

Anything for sale now?