I know I already answered this, but since we have broached the subject of fan-boi bias, haters, and vehicles outside the stated price range.... IMHO the perfect UT wheeling, camping, light towing, daily driver SUV is a Hummer H3 Alpha w/offroad package. Bone stock will get you a 300hp v8, 6,000 lbs rated towing, up to 35" tires, rear locker or front/rear lockers depending on year, small enough for pretty much any trail in UT but big enough to carry your camping gear, a nice utilitarian interior, plenty of options available such as Nav, big sun roof, or rear seat entertainment, and good on road manners. Stock vs. stock the only thing out there that will out-wheel one is a Rubicon. The H3 is also great for our winters here as they are full time 4wd. The downside? Almost impossible to find locally and a nice one will cost between $25k and $30k. If towing isn't an issue, the ~240hp I5 is adequate and an H3 Adventure (w/lockers) is far easier to find and under $20k.
The perfect vehicle situation for Utah...help me decide?!
- Thread starter johngottfredson
- Start date
- Location
- Bountiful, land of rocks
Plug and play it's beyond hard to beat a TJ or JK. ANYONE can buy/build one of these with bolt-on stuff to handle 95% of the trails in the state. They are belly-buttons (cuz everybody has one) but that's what makes them affordable to build. They are still new enough they still have decent reliability and some modern creature comforts (for a Jeep).
Not far behind are solid axle pickups from the '70s-80s, Toyota mini trucks or the always available and underrated YJ (there's been some nice built stuff on RME classifieds or KSL.com go for CHEAP). All have their advantages and drawbacks. You just have to research what'll work for you and make it happen.
johngottfredson
Threat Level Midnight
- Location
- Alpine
Im a big fan of the H3T for all those reasons. Again, if I was starting from scratch, I would probably want to get a truck/trail rig combo like that.
johngottfredson
Threat Level Midnight
- Location
- Alpine
Btw, I've been in the hospital since last night...my wife gave birth to a healthy baby girl 45 minutes ago! Woot!
You posted in this thread 22 minutes prior to this, are you saying you were on RME 23 minutes after your child was born
Congrats!
That means you posted this novel while your wife was in serious labor!!!
clfrnacwby
Recovery Addict
- Location
- NV
Well, congrats!
johngottfredson
Threat Level Midnight
- Location
- Alpine
Hey, I'm way more help to her if I have some healthy distraction. I almost passed out 3 times! Although, I never posted when anything important was happening...
- Location
- Bountiful, land of rocks
Hey, I'm way more help to her if I have some healthy distraction. I almost passed out 3 times! Although, I never posted when anything important was happening...
I have that exact problem
Spork
Tin Foil Hat Equipped
- Location
- Saratoga Springs, UT
Congrats on the new kid!
- Location
- Stinkwater
I like where this man's priorities are.
So I'm not the only one that feels this way? I hardly even comment on threads like this anymore because everyone has Toyota Koolaid stains on their lips within the first few replies.
Is this a Toyota focused forum? I think we Yota freaks are just louder. I bet the Jeep owners on RME still outnumber the Yota owners by a wide margin.
Louder, more annoying... However you want to put it
In response to the OP, the one bit of input I will give is the Sami should be out. I don't see how it fits into the equation at all given your needs. I love Sami's but yeah...
- Location
- Sandy, Ut
So I'm not the only one that feels this way? I hardly even comment on threads like this anymore because everyone has Toyota Koolaid stains on their lips within the first few replies... Louder, more annoying... However you want to put it
He asked for opinions, should we censor ours as to not annoy you and Bart's?
People are going to recommend what they know works and if they have a Toyota that works for them, why should they not recommend it? You can call it Koolaid, I call it practicality. Why don't you save your breath calling us "annoying" and sell him on why a Jeep or something 'other than Toyota' would work for his needs?
He asked for opinions, should we censor ours as to not annoy you and Bart's?
People are going to recommend what they know works and if they have a Toyota that works for them, why should they not recommend it? You can call it Koolaid, I call it practicality. Why don't you save your breath calling us "annoying" and sell him on why a Jeep or something 'other than Toyota' would work for his needs?
I'm not even annoyed, I just laugh it off. Wheeling a unibody makes a person grow a thick skin... something that the Toyota fan-boys could benefit from for sure.
I was wondering if I would offend anyone. You don't know me so I guess I should not be surprised. This is very much a joke to me as I'm not really a "jeep-specific" guy at all. I'm a big fan of whatever works for people and gets them out on the trail. Proceed. Sorry for derailing the thread
jeep-N-montero
Formerly black_ZJ
- Location
- Bountiful
Threads like this tend to be all over the place with suggestions, but as was mentioned you need to make a list of your preferred trails and other needs and see which rig suits them best. I have 5 vehicles because I feel they each fit their niche. We have a Chevy diesel, 2 built Grand Cherokees, a Mazda 3, and the Miata. One of the Jeeps is getting replaced by a 98 Montero this week or next and will be a better rig for its intended purpose. Having said that a truck is more useful than just about all of them, it will handle most back country trails, haul stuff, you can sleep in the cab or in the back, and they actually ride pretty smoothly.
The Montero is the most under rated vehicle on the planet, it will go places in stock form that will make your jaw drop. The 94-2000 models are over built from the factory with a 9.5 inch rear end and factory air locker and folks are running 37's on the stock axles, the gen 3 like yours on 33's will tackle 90% of the trails in the state while sucking up bumps like no tomorrow. Sure, it doesn't flex like a Jeep or an 80 series, but it will still get you up the same trails in comfort and style with just a bit more effort. Biggest downside is the lack of aftermarket support for them, but OME makes a great lift for them, then add some sliders from RRO or TG and be on your way.
The Montero is the most under rated vehicle on the planet, it will go places in stock form that will make your jaw drop. The 94-2000 models are over built from the factory with a 9.5 inch rear end and factory air locker and folks are running 37's on the stock axles, the gen 3 like yours on 33's will tackle 90% of the trails in the state while sucking up bumps like no tomorrow. Sure, it doesn't flex like a Jeep or an 80 series, but it will still get you up the same trails in comfort and style with just a bit more effort. Biggest downside is the lack of aftermarket support for them, but OME makes a great lift for them, then add some sliders from RRO or TG and be on your way.
johngottfredson
Threat Level Midnight
- Location
- Alpine
So I'm not the only one that feels this way? I hardly even comment on threads like this anymore because everyone has Toyota Koolaid stains on their lips within the first few replies.
Louder, more annoying... However you want to put it
In response to the OP, the one bit of input I will give is the Sami should be out. I don't see how it fits into the equation at all given your needs. I love Sami's but yeah...
So, a Montero for wife/family camp outs, truck for utility/tow rig/ camping, and Sami for playing around in the hills...would not fit my needs at all?
Did you ever answer what type of wheeling you intend to do with the "third" vehicle? I'm not sure if I read it anywhere above. If you just want to mess around in the mountains and on some easier Moab trails, heck yeah. My bro had a Sami and while it was a blast it's really just not the right platform for anything serious given the amount of modifications it takes to make it "hardcore." That being said, I still fully intend to build a little buggy out of a Sami or Kick/Track one day
jeep-N-montero
Formerly black_ZJ
- Location
- Bountiful
Where are the kiddos going to ride in the Sami?
- Location
- Sandy, Ut
You should teach a class, sound like pro.
And if you think I'm offended they you surely don't know me.
I'll second the Montero recommendations, I've been impressed with my experiences with them. Downside is aftermarket following. While initial price is lower than your LX I doubt they build is any cheaper if at all. Fwiw the standard 80 Series suspension is still cheaper than the standard Taco suspension so while rear bumpers and sliders might be more expensive on an 80, everything else is about 6's, I'd expect both to be cheaper to build (assuming all things equal) than the Montero.
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Wheeling a unibody gave me tunnel vision and I swear my hearing got worse.
I've been seriously contemplating a change from the buggy routine lately. I'd love a really nicely setup XJ or ZJ... but I also have a hard time not looking at the possibilities of outfitting a 4 door Tacoma. It would be kinda nice to lose my tow rig as well... until I really need one again. Daily driving a dodgy dodge for 11 years is wearing on me.
Good discussion & options in here.