Ok let me just start off saying, I know a ton about cars worked on them for ever and owned a bunch, never a truck/suv.

For starters I live in Miami FL (right now) and I'm pretty much limited to mud, not really any rocks or much other grounds to drive on besides that. I'm looking to build a truck/suv for fun but don't know much about them. My last roomate had a chevy 4x4 with a 6in lift and 36in swamper's and it was a lot of fun.
I'm looking for something on the cheaper side so I wont feel bad about messing it up. The fact that I live down south on flat land really limits my options for used 4x4's. I dont really need a slow crawler right now. Something I could flog on would be more ideal for now.

I'd like some advice on a good starting platform. I keep looking around and really only find Broncos and F150's for american, and lots of Suv imports not really any trucks. I need it street able to get from place to place, but it wouldnt be a daily driver.
I know a bronco is a great truck (is the f150 more or less the same?) but other then that I'm pretty clueless about the other types, and dont really wanna waste money on something that isn't worth it. I also wonder about the top heavy stuff, dont want anything that could roll over more easy.

Any info would be great, I'll keep looking on the forum, but I didn't find anyone as clueless about it as me. Thanks

my vote would go for the 73-91 k model suburbans and blazers and the 73-87 k model chevy trucks. the parts are cheap and plentiful lots of aftermarket support and they are proven performers.

I agree or go to an auction and pick up a CUCV. that way you start off with a d60 and 14FF