What would you do???

[Greg]

My vote would be for a solid axle Tacoma. Toyota, because it's dependable, even with higher miles, inexpensive to get parts for and simple to work on. Get a TRD so the rear is factory e-locked, swap in a Ford Dana 44 w/ an ARB and run some quality springs, All Pro, Marlin, Etc. Build it and gear it to run 37's, add some body armor and either an Atlas or add a Toyota crawl box to the factory t-case. The 3.4 will have enough power when it's re-geared that it won't be a slug on the highway, even better if you can find a supercharged 3.4!

I really wanted this thing, but it's just too far out of my budget.-

http://www.rockymountainextreme.com/showthread.php?t=69489

 

[cruiseroutfit]

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.

Your dead on the money Corey. Even in my short time in the 'industry' I've seen it come full circle and then back again. The popularity of buggy's while still existent has really shrunk in comparison to a street legal weekend warrior rig in the last 5 years. What will the next 5 bring?

I see a plethora of people building what they call a 'expedition' rig or a family friendly street-legal wheeler. Only to find out once they do the trails appropriate for that type of use, their families don't enjoy it and they are easily bored. Nothing against that type of person, but its an expensive lesson for many.

 

[N8RB8R]

Sale all the things you mentioned and buy this killer LJ thats for sale!

 

[Corban_White]

Sale all the things you mentioned and buy this killer LJ thats for sale!

Best solution yet.






If you can afford it.

 

[N8RB8R]

I would do some trade, I really like that Ford of yours! If I was to sale mine I think I would look for something like this http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=218&ad=8555662&cat=402&lpid=1, seems reasonable just upgrade the Rubicon Express long arm to the new radius arm stretch with the Gen Right corners.

 

[Bart]

I would do some trade, I really like that Ford of yours! If I was to sale mine I think I would look for something like this http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=218&ad=8555662&cat=402&lpid=1, seems reasonable just upgrade the Rubicon Express long arm to the new radius arm stretch with the Gen Right corners.

I'd love your rig and am open to trades if you'll take my truck, trailer and chassis straight across. :greg: Now back to reality. That TJ is very close to what I'd buy and stretch if it comes down to that option. The Gen Right stretch and fuel tank, and swapping a 44 into the front. Drive it for a few years then swap a 5.3 into it.

 

[Bart]

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.

Good points Greg. I watch a well built 80 and a similarly built XJ drop into Upper Helldorado last EJS. The XJ made it all the way through, while the 80 got wedged into the first obstacle and was pretty dented and broken when it was finally extracted after 3 hours or winching and pulling. The 80 would prolly not be Pritchett friendly.

Thanks everyone for the input, I'm compiling the information.

 

[Greg]

Good points Greg. I watch a well built 80 and a similarly built XJ drop into Upper Helldorado last EJS. The XJ made it all the way through, while the 80 got wedged into the first obstacle and was pretty dented and broken when it was finally extracted after 3 hours or winching and pulling. The 80 would prolly not be Pritchett friendly.

Thanks everyone for the input, I'm compiling the information.

That's a good example you saw firsthand. I think you'd be disappointed if you bought an 80 and expected it to run Pritchett w/o a problem.

They're heavy too... heavy-duty, but heavy. I took my FJ80 to the dump with a 4' x 6' trailer last week and I was almost over 7,000 #'s (including trailer) going in! No wonder it gets 11 MPG!

 

[BCGPER]

So Bart, where's that 72 Blazer option?

I've heard of people who actually wheel Chevy's. Could be a myth though...

 

[Bart]

So Bart, where's that 72 Blazer option?

I've heard of people who actually wheel Chevy's. Could be a myth though...

Hahaha, forgot about that option. Not sure I want to get into that much body work, and then I'm pretty sure I'd never want to Pritchett with it.

 

[Maverick]

Bart,

I'm kinda diggin' my current set up. Big green thing to wheel in and drive around town, cush tow rig that is also my cold weather and long distance daily driver.

Someday I'll want to get a 4dr JK...but may put that on hold if the kid(s) wants to build a rig.

The big green thing doesn't do as good as mbryson's GMCYJ but it doesn't do bad either, and it's a blast to drive regardless of where I'm at. A couple more tweaks and it'll even be tolerable on the freeway (simple driveline angle fix).

Build a cheap K5 blazer or SAS a newer 2dr tahoe. I was gonna start a "bench crawlin'" thread today about SASing a 97ish bronco. Or just build a simple TJ or XJ and have fun: 32's, lockrights. Or grab a YJ and do a cheap stretch, toss f*rd 3/4ton axles under with cheap lockers and run 37's, or 44/14 & atlas, or....someone elses project....or....

OPTION 1! You'll enjoy it! Morph into a street legal if you can.

 

[Maverick]

So??? What are you going to do?

 

[Bart]

Jury is still out. If I could find a cheap Toyota cab with a title, I'd prolly start in that direction. I found a rust free Grand Waggy in St George for a good deal, but it would need a full interior swap, 6.0 motor swap, full width axles.... Just don't know if I have another project in me at the moment. Guess I'll just wheel Carli's TJ for a while until I decide. Still tempted to sell the truck and get a built Grand Cherokee, and forget about wheeling Prichett. I need something to lead Hell's Revenge in come Easter Safari.

 

[Goose]

you know me, (I bleed toy) If you wanted to use the chassis you have there is a guy on here that has a cab like mine, actually hes parting out the whole rig.
I think personally Id lean towards a 4 dr taco, except for the fact that you want a V-8.
how big of a trailer are you wanting to pull with your rig?

 

[GOAT]

Jury is still out. If I could find a cheap Toyota cab with a title, I'd prolly start in that direction. I found a rust free Grand Waggy in St George for a good deal, but it would need a full interior swap, 6.0 motor swap, full width axles.... Just don't know if I have another project in me at the moment. Guess I'll just wheel Carli's TJ for a while until I decide. Still tempted to sell the truck and get a built Grand Cherokee, and forget about wheeling Prichett. I need something to lead Hell's Revenge in come Easter Safari.

I vote keep the truck, and buy a low-buck V8 ZJ. I've seen 5.9s come through that were auctioned for less than 3k. Wheel Prichett in style with a ZJ.

I enjoyed mine:greg:

*EDIT* Bart, don't listen to me. I still cant figure out what spring to run.

 

[Bart]

you know me, (I bleed toy) If you wanted to use the chassis you have there is a guy on here that has a cab like mine, actually hes parting out the whole rig.
I think personally Id lean towards a 4 dr taco, except for the fact that you want a V-8.
how big of a trailer are you wanting to pull with your rig?

The 4 dr Taco would really push the $ envelope. If I sold my truck and trailer I'd have about $14,000. Don't think I could buy and SAS one for that. Does the cab your buddy has come with a title? How much?

I vote keep the truck, and buy a low-buck V8 ZJ. I've seen 5.9s come through that were auctioned for less than 3k. Wheel Prichett in style with a ZJ.

I enjoyed mine:greg:

*EDIT* Bart, don't listen to me. I still cant figure out what spring to run.

Holy shizzle, glad you didn't sneeze at that angle. You'll figure out the spring rate after you run a few set ups. Keep the faith brutha.

 

[Goose]

I dont know him, one of my friends Bought one of his diffs, & said that he was parting the whole truck, I just checked & he has alot of stuff hes selling in the classifieds on here.
his user name is jasOn (cap on the o)

 

[1adam12]

there is a blue 85 runner on ksl that will do upper hellderado prichet and any thing else in moab and do 70mph on the way home i have seen it do it many times, its all toyota and on 37's

 

[1adam12]

http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=218&ad=8725347&cat=402&lpid=4
its a friend of mine and it works really well

 

[BenHanksRacing1]

OOHHHH Bart we all know that you will never be happy. Go get Jerry's jeep and beat it and have fun. Why don't you come down to moab with it we are headed out on thurs night OR do you not like to have fun!!