Vote on best option...

[Houndoc]

Alright, I know you are all thinking I should stop thinking and actually buy something. Soon, I hope!
So, vote for the rig you think makes the best options (factors being off-road ability, reliability and limited towing of roughly 5k pounds) keeping in mind the following facts:

1) Its gotta be fairly cheap, thus not money for lots of mods. Lift, hopefully locker and decent tires.
2) Not a daily driver. Off-road and hunting rig only
3) Have three kids. Need room and 4 doors is certainly easier.
4) Towing as I have posted about previously (thus no GC on the list)

Follow your vote with USEFUL comments if you wish ("such and such is a piece of junk" without supporting info is not useful).

Thanks and lets see who wins!

 

[great scott]

The Blazer and not just because I have ran one for almost 15 years now. Its a great wheel base, parts are cheep and easy to find, more bolt in engine, more bolt on axle choices, more bolt on transmission (are you getting my point yet ). Chevy's are cheep and easy with the Blazer having the best size. My K5 is now dead, after 10 years of hard core use there isn't much left to that big body, but the drive train will and is bolting into my next ride

 

[Jinx]

I have to agree with Scott, Chevy is good way to go. Availablity, cost, etc. The wag or cherokee has a chance but not with the towing factor, Scout parts aren't that easy to find and who the hell really wants a range rover, besides a soccer mom, anyways

 

[Milner]

I voted for the Bronco/Blazer/Ram Charger, but an older rover is not a bad idea. out of the box they are fairly capable and 4 doors. But, they are more expensive to modify, and a little light for towing 5K.

 

[mbryson]

I voted for the 'other'...... The Blazer/Bronco/RamCharger isn't a bad choice, but I'd go for the extra wheelbase of a pickup or Suburban.

 

[great scott]

I voted for the 'other'...... The Blazer/Bronco/RamCharger isn't a bad choice, but I'd go for the extra wheelbase of a pickup or Suburban.

My next ride (in the works) is a chopped up Chevy crew cab. I'm just not sure about the break over angle and maneuverability of the longer wheel base.

 

[ace]

I agree with MBryson. The Suburban is functionally not much bigger than a Blazer. My Suburban is very capable with no lift and 35" tires. Cheap to modify the in the same manner as a Blazer.

 

[Tacoma]

well, I now own both a Blazer and a Suburban, and they are good choices... Burb is damn long but then, you won't be wheeling stuff where that matters with the whole family in it. They're cheap to buy, cheap to build, cheap to fix, and cost a lot in gas.

edit: it's true that 35's fit with no lift. I have yet to see just how crossed up you can get without rubbing though. 2" lifts are cheap though, and so are cutoff wheels...

I am emotionally attached to fullsize Wagoneers/Cherokees, but they cost too much to build the motors and none of them have t-cases worth a sh*t.

 

[Darwin]

i've got a waggy and a bronco they both suck for towing. i'd rather have the long wheel base of a suburban if i was going to haul a family and a 5,000 lb load around.i'd definatly sacrifice a little off road prowess for safety mho

 

[yellowbronco]

79' Bronco or thereabouts, came with np435 tranny, D44 and 9" axles.

 

[lenny]

I voted for the Range Rover, I think that these are excellent rigs. I dont know about towing 5k pounds with the older 3.9L. I would say that if towing was a huge concern, I would opt for a later long wheel base Rover with the 4.2L engine. A little bit more torque down low!!

 

[Houndoc]

The voting is going about like I expected.....I must admit that except for four doors (or lack there of) the Blazer is my first choice. (include Bronco/Ramcharger since brand loyalty does not run deep for me).

Rover could be fun, but how much $$ by the time it is lifted and locked? Would expect much more than the others.

Have stumbled upon some waggys that sound fun, but the cost and parts is a concern in that regard.

Thanks for the input....

 

[kobyhud]

Blazer or FJ80 land cruiser with factory diff locks

 

[StrobeNGH]

Find an '80 Scout Traveler with a turbo charged diesel . . . that'd take care of any towing needs.

 

[Houndoc]

Only one little problem with the LC suggestions...$$$.

 

[lenny]

Rover could be fun, but how much $$ by the time it is lifted and locked? Would expect much more than the others.

The lift kits are almost exactly the same as other vehicles, approx. $400 for springs, through on a set of shocks of your choice lets say $200-$300, long-travel kit for the rear about $120, if you wanted to stay under 4" you dont need new driveshafts but I would recommend a set of caster corrected radius arms for the front about $500 for them depending on whose you get.

So to do a lift the proper way you would be somewhere between $1000 and $1200. If I was getting serious about wheeling I would put a LT-230 t-case in place of the Borg Warner t-case, that would cost about $700 to swap in. The next thing, and this depends of the year of the Range Rover, you might want to swap to a set of 24 or 30 spline Great Basin axle shafts for at least the year axle, some of the later Range Rover's came with 24 spline axles all ready where the early ones came with 10 spline axles.

Lockers for the Rovers are slim, but I would try and get a set of ARB's, lets say $700 for each and then $200-$300 for a compressor plus install.

BUT<<< this is if you cant find one with some or all of the stuff already on it. I found my last Range Rover, which was an 89 with everything listed above plus some extra stuff such as heavy duty steering and bumpers and rock sliders with a winch for $5000. Which was a steal, but I am looking for another Rangey and I found an 87 with a lift and tires already on it for $2200 (but if I was towing something I would be looking for a new motor, the 87 has a 3.5L that only puts out 150hp )

 

[lenny]

Okay I just had a thought.

What about a early to mid- 90's Ford Explorer?

I think that Spencerai used to have a mildly built Exploder. I think that with 5-6 inches of lift you can fit 33-35" tires, and these things are DIRT cheap to buy into. As far a towing 5K might be pushing it, but it would probably be better than a Range Rover for that weight.

 

[Jeremy]

i voted for other.

all the options are good ones, i personaly like bronco/blazer/charger option for what you are going to do with it. but waggys are cool too. mbryson has a good piont about the 'burban.

stop asking questions and buy somthing.

 

[Houndoc]

stop asking questions and buy somthing.

Probably the smartest comment yet!! :-\

Waiting to see what year end bonus I get so I have a firm budget. Have found some interesting possibilities out there...Leaning towards Blazer...best overall and I can live with 2 doors although a good waggy would be fun. We shall see....

 

[SUPERFLY]

FJ80 land cruiser with factory diff locks

CHA CHING!! $17,000+ (but i would kill for one!! )