Ok, help me decide what to do for a rig

[lenny]

Heres the situation,,, I sold my TJ to get a car that went faster and got better mileage. Ended up with and SVT Focus , but I didn't think that I would miss having a rig this much.

Here is what I have to work with currently, 1983 Wagoneer with a 4" lift and 33's but the rig has around 210k on it and just doesn't seem like something that I would feel comfortable taking out for a weekend trip. I also have a 87 Wagoneer that has a bad motor and no t-case.

Here are my requirements for a rig....

1. Has to be semi-reliable as it will be used in the winter as a snow day vehicle as well as snowboard transportation
2. Needs to be able to tow 2-3k pounds, I have a 9X16 utility trailer that I use for yard work and all sorts of stuff
3. Would like the vehicle to get above 10mpg!!
4. Trail abilities need to be decent, but the hardest trails that I will be doing are something around Prichett or Behind the Rocks
5. Will not be driven as a daily driver, but it would be nice if the neighbors didn't think that it was a rotting POS

Here is what I have in mind, but I am not sure what the true $$ is going to end up as.

Build one of the waggy's, swap in something like a late 70's Ford 44 and 9 inch, find a NP208 t-case from a J truck to get rid of the POS 229 thats in the 83 right now. Rebuild the motor, or at least reseal it, and swap trans with the 87 that only has 91K on it.

Or, sell the waggy's for somewhere around $1500, use the money from that and a little extra that I have in savings and buy a early 90's XJ to build. Also have thought about another Range Rover or early Disco, have thought about a FJ-60 or 62 but most are rusted out in my price range.

What are your thoughts? Anyone have experience with swapping axles under the waggy's? Help me decide!! :sick: I have been following Houndoc's threads with great interest, so maybe just expand a little on what advise that you gave him. Oh yeah, I am fairly mechanically inclined, but I lack some tools such as air tools or a welder, but I know people with both.

Thanks

 

[Tacoma]

welll.... I've got a 360 and a 32spl GM 208 that would cost you... $300... then you could get some GM axles and call it a day.... but I'd sadly still have to say get the XJ. You'll get better mileage, they run better, they are cheap. On the other hand, tiny and no frame. If you decide to part that out I might take the lift off your hands LOL

 

[MattL]

Might be fun to do some swapping if you have the time and a place to work on it. Honestly i would scrap it and find something a little more compelte.

ott.
Whats the specs on the svt? Do you like it?

 

[RockMonkey]

Sell everything you can scrounge up to sell, and buy an older Toy truck or a first gen 4Runner. Do a solid axle swap, if necessary. Lift only as much as necessary to fit 35s, regear and lock the axles. Should fit all your critera and work better than any of your listed options.

Oh yeah, it has a frame.

 

[lenny]

Whats the specs on the svt? Do you like it?

02 SVT, 6 speed manual, 170 hp 2.0L Zetec with dual stage intake and a 7200 RPM redline Its fun, but I would like to get an aluminum flywheel and a Spec stage 3 clutch, as well as a tune to turn off the annoying traction control, after that it would be a STS short throw shifter, AEM cold air intake, Koni adjustables, Jackson Racing supercharger,,,,,, the list goes on!! :greg:

 

[Jeremy]

i agree with monkey boy. if i could do it all over again i would probably do a 4runner.

 

[lenny]

Sell everything you can scrounge up to sell, and buy an older Toy truck or a first gen 4Runner. Do a solid axle swap, if necessary. Lift only as much as necessary to fit 35s, regear and lock the axles. Should fit all your critera and work better than any of your listed options.

Oh yeah, it has a frame.

I have thought about finding a early Toy truck, but I was concerned that it would not be up for towing 2-3k pounds. Out of curiousity, what does a SAS cost to do on a IFS Toy? Wouldn't you think that dual t-cases would be neccesary for crawlin?

 

[RockMonkey]

I have thought about finding a early Toy truck, but I was concerned that it would not be up for towing 2-3k pounds. Out of curiousity, what does a SAS cost to do on a IFS Toy? Wouldn't you think that dual t-cases would be neccesary for crawlin?

Yeah, it'll tow two to three thousand pounds. And it will last a whole lot longer as a trail rig than an XJ will, due to the whole frame thing. The cost of an SAS depends on how much work you're willing to do yourself. I'd have Seth or Von give you a quote. Dual cases are certainly not necessary for rock crawling, but that's certainly a worthy upgrade you should keep on your list for when you have some extra cash.

 

[mbryson]

Yeah, it'll tow two to three thousand pounds. And it will last a whole lot longer as a trail rig than an XJ will, due to the whole frame thing................

Yeah, the FRAME is kewl. Listen to the monkey. The XJ would be AWESOME for your needs/wants if it had any kind of structural integrity. I'd go for a 4-runner (or might venture into a SAS S10 Blazer or Explorer--if you swing that way).

 

[SUPERFLY]

cruiser. all the way. i love mine, wish i had enough money to keep it

 

[lenny]

Yeah, the FRAME is kewl. Listen to the monkey. The XJ would be AWESOME for your needs/wants if it had any kind of structural integrity. I'd go for a 4-runner (or might venture into a SAS S10 Blazer or Explorer--if you swing that way).

I had actually thought about an Explorer, but I have heard that the t-cases and tranny's are not well built for a trail rig, and with the buy in cost, I wouldn't have any money for upgrades.

An S10 blazer would be cool, but anyone have any ideas on rear axle strength or even specs on drivetrain, cause I dont have a clue

 

[Darwin]

i would keep the wagoneer fullsize jeeps rock! sure the mileage is not quite as good but it's like a mastercard commercial. 1 gallon of gas 1.94, set of 35's for waggy 600.00 being different than 2,000,000 xj's priceless

 

[mbryson]

I had actually thought about an Explorer, but I have heard that the t-cases and tranny's are not well built for a trail rig, and with the buy in cost, I wouldn't have any money for upgrades.

An S10 blazer would be cool, but anyone have any ideas on rear axle strength or even specs on drivetrain, cause I dont have a clue

I'd count on CHUCKING the stock rear axle and IFS. Find a drivers drop D44 or better front and whatever matches the width in the rear ('81-91 Wags, solid axle F150/F250/F350 {a little wide, but there's lots of solutions to that}, etc.) and link up the front.

The 4.3L is a good mill. The 700/4L60 is at least decent and with a solid rebuild, a GOOD tranny. Then you've got the 231C (or an electronic version---233C?). Again, decent and serviceable.

The S10 Blazer/Jimmy is kinda weird. You've got a decent powertrain that gets a bad rap for reliability. No one's ever been able to tell me what's not reliable. :shrug: The older 'square' versions have kinda dorky interiors and trim, but they are CHEAP and I can't imagine the '93-94ish ones are very expensive either.


I've seen some decently built Explorers around. Some with IFS and some with a solid axle swap. I'm not a big enough F*rd fan to want to run one, but I'd bet the powertrain is at least 'OK' if not good with a couple of upgrades or swaps.


OK....and why not a '87-91 K5 (years with TBI)? They get reasonable fuel mileage (I got mid teens out of my Suburban with a 700R4), are CHEAP to buy, insure, modify, fix, etc. Kind of a do-it-all kinda rig. The biggest compromise is the width of the body.


See this thread......http://www.rockymountainextreme.com/showthread.php?t=27643

 

[Badcop]

I say XJ, yes its a uniframe, but like the SAS in a runner, theres solutions, like 4x4 angle iron and sleeving of the chassis. Anyways, XJ's are a definate build for a capable offroader, DD. When they come with very useable drivetrain (if you can find one without a 35) SFA and a decent tcase. Suspension is not expensive, and if you have time, used parts are abundant.

 

[lenny]

OK....and why not a '87-91 K5 (years with TBI)? They get reasonable fuel mileage (I got mid teens out of my Suburban with a 700R4), are CHEAP to buy, insure, modify, fix, etc. Kind of a do-it-all kinda rig. The biggest compromise is the width of the body.


See this thread......http://www.rockymountainextreme.com/showthread.php?t=27643

I tought about that, but I dont know how keen I am on a fullsize

 

[mbryson]

I tought about that, but I dont know how keen I am on a fullsize

Go drive one out of the Autotrader or something. (or are you not secure enough in your manhood ? ) That would be GREAT for what you're wanting to do and affordable which is always a plus.

 

[Milner]

Best option not listed....
Stop buying and selling rigs. Stick with one, build it they way you want and keep it.

 

[Tacoma]

They drive a lot smaller than you think..... plus, cheap as hell!!!!!

 

[lenny]

Best option not listed.... Stop buying and selling rigs. Stick with one, build it they way you want and keep it.

I can't help it, I have a disease!!!

 

[Milner]

I can't help it, I have a disease!!!

That's what I have heard, but that has nothing to do with vehicles.