M
what could I buy for...
- Thread starter Houndoc
- Start date
LT.
Well-Known Member
- Location
- Los Alamos, New Mexico
One other vehicle that you may want to check out is a full size Chevy Blazer, Ford Bronco, or if you can find one a Dodge Ramcharger. The reasons I would look for one of these full sizes are:
1) Full width axles and are of the half ton varity. Most jeep folks end up swapping these in their rigs any how.
2) They already come with V-8's from the factory, usually. And I don't think that there are too many folks that would argue about the great Chevy 350.
3) Easy enough to find and modify for just about any application. There are plenty of companies that specialize in these trucks.
4) Inexpensive to build. Here again I am thinking Chevy Blazer.
5) Everyone has some knowledge about a full width Chevy.
If you are concerned about going where the Jeep folks go don't worry about it. Any of these trucks will go. And if you are like me and purchase a Dodge Ramcharger they are ugly anyhow. Who cares about keeping that ugly sheetmetal in place anyways.
Just my .02.
LT.
1) Full width axles and are of the half ton varity. Most jeep folks end up swapping these in their rigs any how.
2) They already come with V-8's from the factory, usually. And I don't think that there are too many folks that would argue about the great Chevy 350.
3) Easy enough to find and modify for just about any application. There are plenty of companies that specialize in these trucks.
4) Inexpensive to build. Here again I am thinking Chevy Blazer.
5) Everyone has some knowledge about a full width Chevy.
If you are concerned about going where the Jeep folks go don't worry about it. Any of these trucks will go. And if you are like me and purchase a Dodge Ramcharger they are ugly anyhow. Who cares about keeping that ugly sheetmetal in place anyways.
Just my .02.
LT.
rondo
rondo
- Location
- Boise Idaho
I would stay away from XJs. One of my jobs in the Army included managing a 1/2 dozen of them, and they all broke down. On mine the motor mount blew out. Then the charging system. They were a headache.
I've seen them four wheeled and if they get tweeked the doors don't like to close. If you lift them they get terrible gas mileage.
I think you cannot go wrong with toyotas. from what i've seen in yotas after 1986 is the front diff is not all that strong. i've seen them blow up.
I think Nissans are a great buy too, but the weak point is the tie rod ends and idler arm. there are aftermarket upgrades for those.
I would also stay away from Isuzus. The zuzu guys love them but our family back home has owned two and when the engine blew, the cost of a new one was out of this world!
For the kind of $ you want to spend, a mitsu sounds good.
Or get a full size blazer or bronco. (i don't know much about ramchargers). if you can get past the bad gas mileage, they should be a reliable and solid platform for wheeling.
I've seen them four wheeled and if they get tweeked the doors don't like to close. If you lift them they get terrible gas mileage.
I think you cannot go wrong with toyotas. from what i've seen in yotas after 1986 is the front diff is not all that strong. i've seen them blow up.
I think Nissans are a great buy too, but the weak point is the tie rod ends and idler arm. there are aftermarket upgrades for those.
I would also stay away from Isuzus. The zuzu guys love them but our family back home has owned two and when the engine blew, the cost of a new one was out of this world!
For the kind of $ you want to spend, a mitsu sounds good.
Or get a full size blazer or bronco. (i don't know much about ramchargers). if you can get past the bad gas mileage, they should be a reliable and solid platform for wheeling.
Last edited:
He already has a Mitsubishi, and is not happy with it.
I can only dream of how great that'd be... Wheeling your DD can really put the damper on trips.
Houndoc
Registered User
- Location
- Grantsville
No, I love the Mitsubishi....only reasons to consider a change are
1) few upgrade options. Front ARB is about it. Of course, if I do that and new tires (needed anyway) and I have front locker and 33s.
2) I need to seperate the trail rig and DD. I ask myself if keeping my '03 Monty as a trail rig is cost effective (although it gives me the peace of mind on mechanical reliability, which I have pointed out repeatedly is very imprortant).
Monty has been a good rig, both daily driver and off road (has run Kane Creek, stock except for tires, and Poison Spider, after the lift).
thanks for all the suggestions and input.
I'd keep the Mits, and pick up a $1000 Toyota 4runner(seating for kids) removable top.. somethin that is capable, and easy to work on.. parts are cheap, and relatively easy to find. Cut the wheelwells out and put in some 33's, 2" lifted spring and stuff 35's into your cut out fenders.. Or rear springs up front and a small block in the back for super cheapProblem solved
Last edited:
Houndoc
Registered User
- Location
- Grantsville
I'd keep the Mits, and pick up a $1000 Toyota 4runner(seating for kids) removable top.. somethin that is capable, and easy to work on.. parts are cheap, and relatively easy to find. Cut the wheelwells out and put in some 33's, 2" lifted spring and stuff 35's into your cut out fenders.. Or rear springs up front and a small block in the back for super cheapProblem solved
Only that would give me a trail rig, a guzzler and no cost effective dd.
well you never mentioned mpg's... sheesh
ok new plan.. get a 1st gen 4runner for beating on.. and then find a 2nd gen with the 22re.. way better mpg's than the 3.0, and more reliable as well..
Both easy to find, both good mpg's, you could easily find the two for under $4-5k..
ok new plan.. get a 1st gen 4runner for beating on.. and then find a 2nd gen with the 22re.. way better mpg's than the 3.0, and more reliable as well..
Both easy to find, both good mpg's, you could easily find the two for under $4-5k..
Last edited:
Seven
Active Member
- Location
- Ogden southside
What about the sami?
I can't believe no one has brought up a suzuki samurai. You can pick them up for cheap and are fairly inexpensive to modify and lift. I believe they still are the cheapest lockright locker. and lifts are so variable. along with the sami I would back up the XJ also. I have one and have been happy so far.
I can't believe no one has brought up a suzuki samurai. You can pick them up for cheap and are fairly inexpensive to modify and lift. I believe they still are the cheapest lockright locker. and lifts are so variable. along with the sami I would back up the XJ also. I have one and have been happy so far.
BlackDog
one small mod at a time
- Location
- Proudly Deported to ID
Saw this last night, if you want to head the Sami route, this would be a great option.
http://www.planet4x4.net/forums/sale/8951-87-samurai.html
http://www.planet4x4.net/forums/sale/8951-87-samurai.html
Seven
Active Member
- Location
- Ogden southside
I guess I have to also wonder what Daily driver means to him. If he only drives 5 miles to work and then just around town, and if he does not plan on carrying much then the Sami is a good fun choice. However if he works 20 plus miles that includes freeway driving and wants to carry alot then the sami is not what he should want. I had a sami and thought that is was great for around town and it was fun, however if I ever had to take a long trip in it I was hesitant. soft tops can be loud when your going down freeways, along with that the sami would be one of the last vehicles that I would want to do an evasive manuever around some jerk while doing highway speeds.
Corban_White
Well-Known Member
- Location
- Payson, AZ
Build the Monty and get a cheap fuel efficient car (15-20 yr old corolla, civic, etc.)
- Location
- Grantsville, Utah
Subaru Outback.
Rodeoman
Registered User
- Location
- Taylorsville, Ut
well let me try on this.
the way I would do it is:
Keep the Monty as trail rig and build it up as your experience and wheeling style mandates.
Get yourself nice 4cyl compact car for commuter car, usually you can buy them for like 6k or less with low mileage.
There is no perfect solution to this and you will have to make up your own mind on this. Bying someone elses built vehicle might be a good but it could also be pricey experience especially if the rig has been jerry rigged.
just my $0.02
the way I would do it is:
Keep the Monty as trail rig and build it up as your experience and wheeling style mandates.
Get yourself nice 4cyl compact car for commuter car, usually you can buy them for like 6k or less with low mileage.
There is no perfect solution to this and you will have to make up your own mind on this. Bying someone elses built vehicle might be a good but it could also be pricey experience especially if the rig has been jerry rigged.
just my $0.02
my vote is an '85 Toyota 4runner. EASY to work on, MINIMAL upgrades to fit and wheel with 33's, 20mpg or so if geared right, reliable motor, solid axle, cheap parts, topless option....I don't see any downfalls, unless you're looking for something that gets better than 20mpg. Ya might have to be patient til one comes up, but they do now and then. Even an 86-89 (4 cyl) with IFS will still wheel dang good with a locker in the rear. definitely my vote.
skykrawler
Jeep its whats right.
- Location
- West Jordan
For an 85 DD commute, I wouldnt recommend a XJ, they arent the best on dependability. For wheeling and cheap wheeling you can do an XJ, swap out the rear axle with an 8.8 from a explore. Dana 30 in the front will be more than strong enough.
Yotas are a great choice as well. I had a 1989 Yota pickup, it had 456,000 miles on it, it was on its third engine but original tranny. So they are great running vehicles. Wish I would have done the SAS on it though. IFS on those with the torsion bars up and a shackle lift, they dont ride so well or wheel so well.
Blazers are fun to, cheap, real cheap. Usually come with the V8 in them, have a dana 44 in the front and a 12 bolt in the rear. Also if you go 74 and older it has the full top to take off in the summer.
I work at an auto parts place and I have had so many calls on parts for Isuzus, I would stay far away from them. Parts are expensive and they go out.
Samis are great vehicles, they have the little 4 banger in them and you can build them up to be a pretty mean machine for a reasonable price.
There is alot of choices out there, I would recommend having a crawling vehicle and a DD vehicle being two different vehicles.
Yotas are a great choice as well. I had a 1989 Yota pickup, it had 456,000 miles on it, it was on its third engine but original tranny. So they are great running vehicles. Wish I would have done the SAS on it though. IFS on those with the torsion bars up and a shackle lift, they dont ride so well or wheel so well.
Blazers are fun to, cheap, real cheap. Usually come with the V8 in them, have a dana 44 in the front and a 12 bolt in the rear. Also if you go 74 and older it has the full top to take off in the summer.
I work at an auto parts place and I have had so many calls on parts for Isuzus, I would stay far away from them. Parts are expensive and they go out.
Samis are great vehicles, they have the little 4 banger in them and you can build them up to be a pretty mean machine for a reasonable price.
There is alot of choices out there, I would recommend having a crawling vehicle and a DD vehicle being two different vehicles.
O'neal
?????????
- Location
- evanston wy
I'm going to point you in the direction of a toy or zuk as well.I've alway's liked toyota's,easy to work on,part's are easy to find,extremely reliable and can take a beating.
I also like the zuk's....room could be better though,Mine ride's like a caddy down the highway get's decent mileage considering how it's built,the only downside to a zuk is the lack of power.
I also like the zuk's....room could be better though,Mine ride's like a caddy down the highway get's decent mileage considering how it's built,the only downside to a zuk is the lack of power.
You are going to have some issues with a 33" tired cherokee for 3-4K.
Why is no one mentioning Sidekick's??
Im running 32" tires, locker 4" suspension.. body... etc
You can find a good Sidekick, Sami for about 1500 bucks, about the same as a Cherokee, but more reliable with big tires.
You will however not be able to tow anything, but if you want a maintnence free trail worthy and much better reilabilty over the long haul foreign is in.
TOyota.... or Zuk....
Why is no one mentioning Sidekick's??
Im running 32" tires, locker 4" suspension.. body... etc
You can find a good Sidekick, Sami for about 1500 bucks, about the same as a Cherokee, but more reliable with big tires.
You will however not be able to tow anything, but if you want a maintnence free trail worthy and much better reilabilty over the long haul foreign is in.
TOyota.... or Zuk....