What would you do???

[Bart]

I know I'll never build another buggy like I had but I know I want something that I can at least do Pritchett with. I'd prefer it to be a street legal machine also. Although I love BFE, the Hammers and Montrose, I don't feel the need to wheel that hard anymore. BTDT! Hate the repair time after such outings.

I have a few options open to me and would appreciate some constructive feedback. These are in no particular order.

First option: I have this 4 seater chassis with a running 4.3.
http://www.rockymountainextreme.com/showthread.php?t=69019&highlight=chassis Problem is I want something street legal. I could cut off all the roll bar and tubing and find a Toyota cab (with a title) to bolt on, some Yota or Waggy axles, a 350 tranny and a 300 t-case, leaf spring the front and 4 link the rear, and flat bed it.

Option 2: Find a CJ3a tub and stretch it and put it on that chassis on with about the same set up.

Option 3: Sell my 2001 crew cab Superduty, 2009 Carson car hauler and the 4 seat chassis and buy a built TJ, Grand Cherokee, or V8 converted Land Cruiser.
http://www.rockymountainextreme.com/showthread.php?t=69273

Minimum requirements would be 35" tires, selectable lockers f&r, all skids/armor, and a winch. Again, I want to be able to drive it to Moab, run Pritchett in it, and drive it home. This would be my daily driver when I wasn't on my Harley.

Some extra thoughts, I"m really tired of building stuff and especially building and selling, so this is going to have to be it for a while.

Any thoughts or feedback is appreciated.

 

[BCGPER]

Keep the truck and trailer, you'll need those for whatever you do.....


Then, get you a TJ or LJ. Use that as your daily, then build it as time and money permits.

(at least that's what others I know have done)

 

[Rot Box]

Tackling Pritchett (hard lines no bypasses) and staying street legal (being able to drive comfortably for a long distance) is something I vision my dream rig to be able to do.

I've thought about this for many years and the best option (Toyota wise) out there imo is to basically clone Lewis's double cab Tacoma or build a 4runner that is very similar. Full width HP kingpin 60, 14 bolt, lots of armor, the 3.4 V6 has plenty of power to move the weight, 37-40's (that can be covered by flares), unlimited gearing, 4 fullsize seats and creature comforts like climate control and a quiet interior. Following those lines you can take on almost everything Moab has to offer (within reason) but still be able to enjoy a camping trip in the mountains with the family.

I can't imagine having to drive out of a trail the same way you enter. Trailers seem like such a hassle to me, but again it's just not my cup of tea.

 

[Spidey]

Since you asked...
I would get an LJ or stretch a YJ and focus only on the most needed items. Cage, axles, atlas, four link rear, etc. The wheel base would be killer on and off road. Good Luck

 

[mbryson]

Bart, I hate to mention this, but you and I both have had a rig that can do what you ask. The only problem is the unibody.


I'm trying to civilize my "Jeep" a little, but don't really know how that will turn out. I'm pretty confident I won't want to drive it to Moab, run Pritchett then drive home again, but I would like to be able to run up to Prov. Canyon or the Snake trails in it comfortably without a tow rig/trailer.

 

[Bart]

I've thought about this for many years and the best option (Toyota wise) out there imo is to basically clone Lewis's double cab Tacoma or build a 4runner that is very similar. Full width HP kingpin 60, 14 bolt, lots of armor, the 3.4 V6 has plenty of power to move the weight, 37-40's (that can be covered by flares), unlimited gearing, 4 fullsize seats and creature comforts like climate control and a quiet interior. Following those lines you can take on almost everything Moab has to offer (within reason) but still be able to enjoy a camping trip in the mountains with the family.

Just to clarify, you can really buy flares that will cover tires on full width axles under a Tacoma or 4Runner? Did not know that.

Since you asked...
I would get an LJ or stretch a YJ and focus only on the most needed items. Cage, axles, atlas, four link rear, etc. The wheel base would be killer on and off road. Good Luck

I stretched a TJ once and would love to have that one back. It is just what I'd build again but I don't know if I'm up for such an intense build. This would mean selling my truck and trailer to fund the build which would also hamper the build. Also don't know if it would be cost effective. I would want A/C and auto along with a V8 with whatever I'd build.

Bart, I hate to mention this, but you and I both have had a rig that can do what you ask. The only problem is the unibody.


I'm trying to civilize my "Jeep" a little, but don't really know how that will turn out. I'm pretty confident I won't want to drive it to Moab, run Pritchett then drive home again, but I would like to be able to run up to Prov. Canyon or the Snake trails in it comfortably without a tow rig/trailer.

Thought about an XJ and if I could swing Crapmanchee's rig right now I might go that direction. The biggest drawback is the 4.0. I want to be able to tow a small trailer if I need to, and think a V8 is a must have, as long as I'm building my last rig ever. Thanks for the feedback and please keep it coming.

 

[Shawn]

I have two now, although I don't wheel the Cruiser like I use to... I just bought a sweet fully restored CJ7. The biggest problem I see in both our cases is, once you take it on Pritchett and you take a nice gouge out of the side of the body, what happens next? Yep, you start not caring about the next dent and the next scratch... next thing you know you are cutting it up.

If I drive to Moab in my CJ7, I will have to stick with the easier trails. Harder stuff is for the Crawler.

 

[Bart]

I have two now, although I don't wheel the Cruiser like I use to... I just bought a sweet fully restored CJ7. The biggest problem I see in both our cases is, once you take it on Pritchett and you take a nice gouge out of the side of the body, what happens next? Yep, you start not caring about the next dent and the next scratch... next thing you know you are cutting it up.

If I drive to Moab in my CJ7, I will have to stick with the easier trails. Harder stuff is for the Crawler.

As far as Pritchett, I've run it about 100 times and have never sraped anything other than a rocker or skid. That's also why I'd limit my trails to the hardest being Prichett. I think I could keep the body panels straight. Also, I'd only do Moab trips twice a year maybe and other wheeling would be limited. Maybe a trip the Rubicon or something like that.

 

[Seth]

You should have bought herjeep from Goat and Jenn.

 

[Bart]

You should have bought herjeep from Goat and Jenn.

Should of, could of, would of.... At that time I had an LJ of my own for sale.

 

[Cody]

I have something similar to what you are looking for. With the exception of rockpile, which I just don't care to try in my rig without a trailer, I can do pritchett without any problems.

However, it is a little stressful. When things inevitably break you have to deal with fixing them before heading home. I really really really miss having a trailer.

I think the "best" option would be a stretched TJ, LJ, or JK. The ZJ/WJ can be built to do what you want, and obviously I have no problem with them, but some would rather not deal with the unibody. I have never had any major problems with unibody and I've been wheelin ZJ's for 10 years now.

If you went the WJ route, I would find an 02-04 with the 4.7 to start with. They are probably far less expensive to start with, but might be a little more expensive to build. Bulit WJ's are soooooo sexy though.

 

[Corban_White]

If it's gonna be your daily, I'd definitely go with option 3 and of those 3 the LC would be by far the most comfortable every day. RockMonkey's cherokee looks to be both comfortable and capable also. I don't envision the tube chassis options being very comfortable day in and day out. A built JK is also nice but not cheep-especially if you want power.

 

[SAMI]

I'd driven my old blue '85 4runner down to Moab, run Pritchett, and drove home with no issues several times. I remember one time I did take a trailer ride back due to a tweaked rear driveline or something.

I'd imagine that a 1st gen Toyota is out since it's a bit harder for a family to get in and out of.. Long shot: I know of a 4 door Hilux diesel up for auction right now.. Get that, drop in a 4.7 Lexus V8, build it up.. Then you'd own one of the only 4 door Hilux' in the state let alone the US..

Other than that, I think that you'd enjoy the V8 80 locked and loaded.. Then all you need is a lift and armor.. You could have a setup serious trail/road machine for around/under $15,000.

 

[BCGPER]

Couldn't take all those "short bus" jokes, eh?

(you get used to it)

Should of, could of, would of.... At that time I had an LJ of my own for sale.

 

[LT.]

Sir, I am no expert by any means but, I think it may be helpful to know what "street legal" means to you. I don't know the Utah street laws well enough to give any educated advise. As far as a rig I think is street legal I would be real tempted to build off the chassis you already have. My rationalization would be based off of the saying, "A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush". A Toyota cab with a title seems to be a less expensive way to go. You already have a wicked cool chassis, one that has the potential to do anything you can throw at it. Simply putting a cab on it and using your own remarkable skills will make it worthy of any trail you want to try. After mating the cab to the chassis I don't see know what you would need to do to make it street legal. Perhaps headlights, turn signals, brake lights, reverse lights, hazard lights, and some sort of a removable fender cover. I am going to guess that wipers would be nice to have but may not be needed to be street legal. Fred Williams of Petersens 4wheel and Off Road had a cool idea for his truck he called Clampy. Simple fenders that could be removed while off road.

The reason I would not consider option 2 is becasue after you do all the body work to stretch a CJ3B you may not want to take it off road on some of the more extreme trails. Expensive and time consuming to repair and after seeing your last few rigs they all looked great. Keeping a truly hard core off road rig looking good either takes lots of body armor (heavy and cumbersum) or some wild fabrication. (Again, this does not seem like what you were trying to accomplish.)

Option 3 is also a no go. Selling your truck and trailer would be a step backwards. You will always find a need for a truck and the trailer is just nice to have. Especially if it is payed off. It doesn't cost you anything just to sit there. The line between a street legal rig and a hard core off road rig is blurred. What would you do if you were just wanting to take a long day or a short weekend trip to Moab and you did not have the truck and trailer? No, no, keep the truck and trailer. Work with what you have and stay within your means. Don't go into debt for your toys. Pay cash when you can and maybe even purchase all your parts used. I would bet you could get your rig together for less than you thought.

LT.

 

[Coreshot]

It's funny how these things go full circle. I remember when I was driving my V8 'cruiser to Moab and dreaming of the day when I could afford to have a tow rig and trailer to get home after I broke something. Now it seems everyone is trying to simplify things by having one rig to get you there and back along with the fun while there. I think it's a realistic dream, I just can't afford to put that much money into a vehicle.

 

[mesha]

I want to be able to tow a small trailer if I need to, and think a V8 is a must have, as long as I'm building my last rig ever. .[/QUOTE]

yeah right. Maybe last rig for awhile.

That being said I would keep the truck and trailer for sure.
then I would either finish the buggy or save and buy a streetable rig built close to haw you want already.

 

[Cody]

It's funny how these things go full circle. I remember when I was driving my V8 'cruiser to Moab and dreaming of the day when I could afford to have a tow rig and trailer to get home after I broke something. Now it seems everyone is trying to simplify things by having one rig to get you there and back along with the fun while there. I think it's a realistic dream, I just can't afford to put that much money into a vehicle.

On the contrary. I'm trying to get into a tow rig, trailer, buggy, expedition rig, and commuter car.

 

[Coreshot]

On the contrary. I'm trying to get into a tow rig, trailer, buggy, expedition rig, and commuter car.

Thats the spirit!! Fill up that driveway

 

[Greg]

Bart, I honestly don't know that a 80 Series Land Cruiser on 35's is anything I'd take on Pritchett. They have a good deal of body front, back and side to side... they're pretty large. 80's are huge for technical trails and IMO, 35's of a FJ/FZJ is about the equivalent of other comparable SUV on 33's.

I'm sure a talented driver in a locked F & R 80 Series with lots of body protection could get one up the trail without too much trouble, but I don't know that it would be a 'fun' experience, especially Rocker Knocker, RockPile, etc.

They are great offroad vehicles but I don't think of them as a rock crawler. The suspensions aren't build for lots of wheel travel and it's tough to squeeze 35" tires into the wheelwell. They make excellent Expedition rigs and work well that way, but if you're looking for a rig that will run Pritchett, I think you will be better off looking elsewhere.