Good all around 4x4
 

Anyone know of a good all around 4x4 that's decent and cheap? lol bit of a contradiction I know.

Looking to get something relatively soon as I just sold my Acura Legend, but prefer something that may require a bit of work because I am mechanically inclined like that.

Must be post 2000 and under or around 200k.

Any and all help in my search is appreciated!

Matties

Budget?

:troll:

Anyone know of a good all around 4x4 that's decent and cheap? lol bit of a contradiction I know.

4Runners of any year, Toyota Trucks of any year, early Xterras, Rangers, Exploders, YJ's, early TJ's, CJ-7's, Cherokee's, Commanches, Pathfinders, Nissan Hardbodies, etc

disclaimer: decency and cheapness vary wildly among the above

Looking to get something relatively soon as I just sold my Acura Legend, but prefer something that may require a bit of work because I am mechanically inclined like that.

Plenty of those around

Must be post 2000 and under or around 200k.

Around or under 200k as in 200k of the 250k lifespan of a Ford Explorer, or 200k of the 650k lifespan of a Toyota Tacoma? Much like performance automobiles, the mileage is of less concern that the upkeep. Find something that has had decent maintenance records and just happened to have something expensive enough break that the owner is looking to sell. That'll be your golden ticket.

Any and all help in my search is appreciated!

As above, knowing your potential budget will help considerably.

Matties

Brianies

slightly biased,

gonna say go with a 4runner.

3rd gen, 2000-2002.

plenty of mods, km's will be in your area, and reliable trail rig and family hauler.

if you're budgets a bit higher i'd go with a 4th gen 4runner with a V8.

those cast iron blocks are bullet proof lol.

DONT get a Jimmy, Blazer or Explorer , I found them to be poor quality and I don't trust them when I am in a rural area. I had a lot of 4x4 switch issues on my 2001 Jimmy when I was about 17 and they are not that good for 4x4ing. Parts are cheap but not worth it imo.

Xterras are going for less than 5k now but they are HORRIBLE on gas. I also had a 2nd gen Pathfinder and the gas mileage was Terrible. 4x4ing was VERY good and it handled amazing, just couldn't stand the bad mileage.

I just bought a 2nd gen 4Runner but I have only put literally 5km's on it so far. I read a lot of reviews and it seemed the best for what I needed. Do some research so you don't waste your money! GL

4runner. 2nd gen's are the cheapest but 3rd gens have the best motor. The only problem with the 2nd gen motor is that it's a pig and it's gutless but it's reliable as hell.

Or you can try and find yourself a tacoma around that year but you'll be paying a little bit more money

fixed

any 3.4L or 4.7L toyota truck... rock solid reliability...

nothing a set of gears won't fix

with 7.5 inches of ground clearance ... 2001 - 2007 subaru forester is pretty capable, reliable and affordable too :)

I'm being biased here too like T4RAWR but I like the old Jeeps better. Everything is really simple and easy to fix.

I'm thinking of selling my 82 CJ7 if you're interested. Everything in it is pretty well stock except for the engine which is a built Chevy 350, 4.10 gears in the axles, LocRite locker in the rear and a traclock in the front. New 4" Rubicon Express springs, new shocks, braided stainless steel flex brake lines, and 35" BFG mud terrains. Brand new battery and master cylinder installed last week.

It does need a little bit more work to be road worthy and it hasn't been on the road since all the mods. If you're interested, send me a PM.

Oh man, you'd love my ex-boss' CJ-8. All the same stuff done plus 1/2 hardtop and hydro winch

Well I needed something more for haulin 3 little ones around that will get me to some of my fav. back lakes... I ended up buying a 2004 escape that needs a bit of work done to it for 1500. Suits my needs well. Looked at actually a few Jeeps, but prob is they usually only seat four, and I need it to seat at least 5. All the toys' I looked at for the price range I was going into had over 300000k and cost at least a thousand more. Maybe when the kids are a little bigger I can really go out and play, but those days for now are temp. behind and before me... lol

I've been eyeballing this Cherokee: 1999 Jeep Cherokee XJ Limited - Auto

The 4.0L motors last if they are maintained. Decent interior room for a family. If you could snag it for $5k you'd be ok.

The 2nd and 3rd gen 4Runners are a pretty solid choice though. Very reliable, good fit and finish.

I think when we decide to do in the wifes 2006 Caravan, I will give her the Escape and get myself a 3rd gen runner. I know a few people that have them and swear by them...

cherokee is a pretty good platform to build too.

4.0L AMC with an aisin transmission and you have yourself a pretty damn good combo. easy to lift and plenty of aftermarket stuff for it.

:sweetjesus:

Im gonna hijack this thread for a second and ask: How come 4th 4runners are unpopular off-roaders? Everyone seems to be diving for 2nd or 3rd gen, but the nobody considers the 4th gen.

2/3gen have a lot of parts that can be interchanged and strong/affordable aftermarket/used parts support and 4th gens are expensive.

4th gens are expensive.

that doesn't mean they dont get wheeled. my friend runs a 4th gen v8 modded from the ground to the top with about everything you need.


there is actually a ton of aftermarket support for 4th gens, go check out t4r.org

the reasons 2/3 gens are more popular are because they're cheaper. the 3rd gens specifically in limited trim with rear locking axle makes life alot easier for people who dont want to strip the truck down and build it from the ground up. with a little lift and tires you're pretty much good to go.

4th gen doesnt have the rear locker? Seems counter intuitive since they have a solid rear already

4th gens have several things going against them.

- more expensive
- more expensive aftermarket
- no factory lockers
- shitty factory gearing
- shitty departure angle at best even post bumper because of awful rear end design
- X-reas
etc


The thing is that a 3rd gen limited provides 80% of the comfort of the 4th gen, at half the price and without having to replace EVERYTHING when you mod it. I can run up to 35's on my factory locked 4:30'd 3rd gen without having ever touched the diffs. Parts are readily available, more extensive aftermarket support, etc.

If you mod a 4th gen, you unfortunately HAVE TO mod from the ground to the top, because you're going to end up replacing everything.


Even the 3rd generation after 2000 no longer had the rear locker - just the center diff.

Lexus LX450 1997 (Landcruiser)REDUCED!

1997 lexus lx450
has locking diffs $5500 negotiable. check it out.

for the target market (pavement pounding daily driver weekend warriors) the 4th gen makes perfect sense.

the trade off in the 4th gen is the locking center torsen vs having a rear e-locker.

for everyday driving the center torsen is much better than having the rear e-locker.

for actual wheeling the e-locker 3rd gens make way more sense. my trail edition is basically the same as a 3rd gen with a rear e-locker. its a great truck but sometimes i wish i had the torsen center WITH the rear e-locker.

how bad was the pathfinder on gas? im actually looking at getting a 2004 pathy.

how many km do you get on a tank with city/hwy driving ?