I currently own a 01' Xterra. Don't flame me but it's a 2wd. Prior to owning this suv I only owned cars. I'm not a complete novice at off roading. In the military I drove a hummer that I really loved. I could take that thing anyplace. I have now been bitten by the off road bug and would like to purchase/heavily modify a good off road vehicle that I can use to take myself and my son out exploring/camping/going places we probably shouldn't be going. I've been doing a lot of reading recently on the different types of 4x4 vehicles. What I'm thinking thus far is I want a larger vehicle. Something I can put alot of equipment in and room for 4. This guy has created something along the same lines as I was thinking. http://www.imajeep.com/ Though his looks "pretty". I'm not interesting in purchasing a brand new vehicle then putting a few more grand into it. I would rather purchase something older and then put the money into it. I'll keep the Xterra as my primary vehicle the other one will only be brought out on weekends, when the weather gets really shitty. What I need is some good advice on vehicles. Things I'm interested in are reliability, ruggedness, modifiability (that is a new word I just invented I think). So can you guys help a new brother out?

:confused:

O boy,you probably should have left out the fact that you drive an exterra!The best thang you can do is sit here and use the search button for all your needs,if it has to do with 4x4 than it has been talked about here.Put on your thick skin because here it comes!

O ya welcome fruit cake:flipoff2:

yes yes I know my xterra is a candy ass thus the post. I want to change my ways. I've been reading through the posts but most of what I'm getting is specific points on vehicles. If I go into one of the specific threads they are all biased to there particular vehicles. I'm trying to get a semi unbiased opinion.:D

You're better off @ JU (http://jeepsunlimited.com/forums/index.php?)

they can help you FOR SURE. Unless you really don't want a jeep.

Look at 4-runners,Land crusers.Plenty of room for the kid.

If you are looking for something reasonably cheap, room for 4 and storage space, I would suggest an older K-5 Blazer. It should already have decent running gears under it, so about all you would need to do is a little lift and some tires of choice, lockers, etc.
Plus, the top comes off for those nice spring days.

Check out your local 4x4 clubs. They usually know what is available in your area, and you get a chance to look over different vehicles...

www.okoffroad.com - has links to most of the 4x4 clubs in OK.

May i suggest looking at Cherokee's, very capable on the trail/interstate and room for family and gear.


I was looking for an SUV years ago and had narrowed it down to the Cherokee and 4 Runners. I found that the 4 runners were a bit more money and lacked a solid front axle in the year range i was looking for.

You can pick up an older XJ (Cherokee) and install a 4.5-5" lift and have a capable vehicle for what you wanna do.

I'd also suggest selling that Xterra...you wont need it with a newer XJ built conservativly.

If you need something larger than a Cherokee i'd second the older Blazer suggestion.

The XJ Cherokee does seem to be the front runner in my research. Are there any particular years to look for? Any lemon years to be aware of? Is there a standout model to shoot for?

okcrawler thanks for the link. I'll check that out.

If your gonna modify it to fit your needs, you can buy just about anything. Most of the time you end up with barely any of the original vehicle left. Hell all i've got is a frame, rear axle and half a body. The XJ does seem to fill your needs, but i dont like the unibody construction, and i dont fit well in them. For some reason my legs are always jammed into the dash no matter how i set the seat. If your under 6' tall this may not be a problem.

Dallas

Chosen, be aware.

The ultimate stock 4x4 IS out there.
It's cheap, reliable and far from ordinary.

"Scout... Anything else is just a Heep." :flipoff2:

1985 4Runner for sure!

Definitely look at 4Runners. Even older Land Cruisers if you want the room. Some LC's have factory electric lockers. An older K5 Blazer is also a good choice. More HP and lots of room. You probably don't have TOO many tight trails in OK. That would be my only concern with the full sized Blazer.

Good Luck with your purchase.

John

I would go with something that will take a desent beating. Also I would go with something that used parts are everywhere. For you to get into it and keep it cheap, I would go with either a Bronco or Blazer. Either one is easy to lift, parts inter change with trucks, and if you liked driving the Hummers they will be closest in size.

But in the end it is up to you what you like.

Solid axle 4-runner or a Cherokee would be my first choices. Both Seem to do well with a pretty mild buildup, plus you would have a pretty wide variety of aftermarket/technical help since there pretty popular.

Guys I really appreciate the info. Now all I need to do is figure out all the correct terminology I keep reading through in the other posts. I'm not a complete meat head in a garage but I have no idea what alot of this stuff means. Any suggestions on figuring out the whole tire size/lift kit debates I keep seeing?

It really depends on how hard your gonna wheel it. For just camping and goin out in the back country I would tend to believe a 4" lift with 33's (if they will fit) would be a pretty good bet for ya, unless you want to get a little more nuts. But the 4" should take you anywhere you want to go if you get a decent flexy kit.

Go with the '85 4 runner- one of the toughest, most reliable, best wheeling rigs out there.

Originally posted by Chosen
The XJ Cherokee does seem to be the front runner in my research. Are there any particular years to look for? Any lemon years to be aware of? Is there a standout model to shoot for?

okcrawler thanks for the link. I'll check that out.


Just look at anything newer than 91 when the HO 4.0L came out. With proper maintenance you'll easily get over 200K miles with it.

The newer body/interior style started in 97 and production ended in 01.

I'd shoot for 4.5-5" lift and run 32's with no cutting of fenders for now. You'll have a very capable wheeler to learn the sport and still be able to drive cross country comfortably.

Model depends on what bells and whistles your after. I personally like the Classic for looks, and my wife drives a Country model which proceeded the Limited.

Sought after options include an overhead console and rear soundbar,towing package,fuel tank skid,tow hook kit.Etc..

2 transfer cases were available in the later years, the NP231 and 242. The 242 has the capability of full time 4wd, nice option if your from an area which gets frequent snow/ice.

Aftermarket sources for this vehicle is getting quite large.

I'd suggest a 4 door model for a family.

Check out www.naxja.org for XJ specific info.

ok according to my internet trowling I think the 96 grand cherokee will fit my needs just about right. Now one more question for you guys for a while and I'll leave you alone until I buy the thing. v6 or v8?

like someone else said go with the K5 blazer

In my opinion..... 78 or 79 Ford Bronco. I actually own an 87 XJ at the moment, but the 78-79 Broncos are just so damn simple to modify. They fit all of your criteria. Large enough to haul gear and four people. Plus you could cut the fenders and fit some 35s under it. They already have a decent flexing suspension/ stout running gear/ and a pretty good aftermarket. If I were you, I would buy a cheap and ugly 78-79 Bronco, cut the fenders out, add some 35x12.50 Swampers, put a Holley Avenger Off Road carb on it/ add a mini spool in the rear and beat the ever living shit out of it. :D

Originally posted by Chosen
ok according to my internet trowling I think the 96 grand cherokee will fit my needs just about right. Now one more question for you guys for a while and I'll leave you alone until I buy the thing. v6 or v8?


The V6 was never an option on a Grand Cherokee (ZJ) They had either the 4.0L inline 6 or the 318. There was a few years where they produced a 5.9 Limited though. Stay away from the first couple years which had a V8 option, something about the motor not being positioned correcly.

Only ZJ specific boards i know of is at www.jeepsunlimited.com and www.nagca.org