"and 100 more" (nth256)
10/23/2020 at 13:00 • Filed to: None
0
21|
"and 100 more" (nth256)
10/23/2020 at 13:00 • Filed to: None | 0
| 21 |
EDIT: Y’all have given me a ton of good ideas, thank you!
I have the itch to... i dunno, throw away perfectly good money, I guess... and I’ve been finding myself watching lots of offroading/overlanding videos lately. When i was growing up, my dad would take the family out on day trips in his lightly-modified IH Scout 80, and I would love to start doing that myself now.
I recognize that it’s not exactly a cheap hobby, but i figure that with a good base to start with, I can slowly start taking more adventures, slowly upgrading as I go to unlock more and more difficult routes. I’m not looking to do major rock crawling, mostly just trials, service roads, powerline roads, etc.
Because of where I live, most of these trips will be out of state, by necessity, so not only will my vehicle need to be stout off the pavement, but at least somewhat well-mannered while headed to our destination.
I am planning to need space for four adults and two dogs, plus camping, safety, and extraction equipment. I assume this means I will be carrying cargo on the roof. Some trips may or may not include the dogs or a couple of the humans, but I want to be able to take everyone.
I am thinking exclusively in terms of used cars. I’m not looking to buy something nice, only to accidentally beat it up on the trail. If I need to head to the junkyard to buy a replacement door or engine part, I would like to have options. Decent aftermarket support would be nice, as well, but i realize the older I go, the less support will be available. 4WD is a must.
So that said, listed below are some ideas that immediately come to mind. I’m definitely open to suggestions!
3rd-gen 4Runner:
4th-gen 4Runner:
2nd-gen Rodeo/Passport:
GMT400 Tahoe/Suburban:
Zaphod's Heart of Gold
> and 100 more
10/23/2020 at 14:14 |
|
Lexus GX460/470. Basically the global land cruiser in Lexus guise, good towing, good comfort, not a crawler but will get you off pavement without issue and is the most likely to get you back home.
4 adults and 2 large dogs plus gear is asking a lot for this kind of vehicle without getting into something enormous unless all of you can pack really light. If you aren’t traveling through weather extremes heat/cold/rain you could get a crew cab truck with a bed rack that doubles as a cage, dogs in the back, gear on top, people inside. Again we’re getting into large vehicle territory but something like a Tacoma should have enough room if you aren’t all giants (note: I am a giant)
|
and 100 more
> Zaphod's Heart of Gold
10/23/2020 at 14:19 |
|
Can confirm, we are not giants. The largest among us is my oldest, who is probably 5'9" but is likely to be a 6'er before too long.
I had briefly thought of pickups, but kinda walked back from it. 4-passenger pickups are plentiful now, but in the era of vehicle I’m thinking they weren’t always so available. But definitely a good suggestion, thank you!
DipodomysDeserti
> and 100 more
10/23/2020 at 14:19 |
|
4Runner prices have been getting pretty stupid in rust free areas. They were approaching, and sometimes exceeding, Land Cruiser prices for early ‘00 models when I was looking ten months ago. I ended up getting a Tundra, but their prices have started to get stupid as well.
UserNotFound
> and 100 more
10/23/2020 at 14:21 |
|
How about my ‘97 ZJ.
Name your price and it’s yours.
Seriously, I’ll pay you to take this thing.
|
and 100 more
> UserNotFound
10/23/2020 at 14:22 |
|
A little small for what I’m thinking, but Just Jeepin’ might want to take a crack at it.
|
and 100 more
> DipodomysDeserti
10/23/2020 at 14:23 |
|
Toyota tax is absolutely a thing.
ShrimpHappens, née WJalopy
> and 100 more
10/23/2020 at 14:25 |
|
3rd-gen 4Runner: Not quite as spacious on the inside as you might think
4th-gen 4Runner: Regarded as flawless, so Toyota tax
2nd-gen Rodeo/Passport: I’d be concerned about parts availability/price
Tahoe/’Burb: Plenty of space, plenty of parts. Size and weight will be drawbacks in certain situations.
T he Xterra fits your bill as well. A Frontier with a shell on the bed kinda would, too. Heck, same for the Tacoma, though if you need cheap, cheap means old, and if you’re in a rust area, old Tacoma means frame rot.
Everyone knows about the XJ Cherokee, but the WJ Grand Cherokee isn’t bad. They’re cheap, too.
|
and 100 more
> ShrimpHappens, née WJalopy
10/23/2020 at 14:30 |
|
Fantastic thoughts, thank you!
Xterra is a definite maybe. XJ is a very obvious answer, but they’re a bit short on space. WJ might not be bad, though. Probably the most spacious generation of Grand Cherokee, if memory serves correct.
Pickups are a cat egory that I initially ignored, but I’m warming up to the idea.
Thank you!
|
UserNotFound
> and 100 more
10/23/2020 at 14:31 |
|
In all seriousness, though, the suggestion below of an LX is not a bad one. A GX is another option too. I don’t like the driving position in 4Runners or Tacomas.
Also, how about an Xterra?
https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/826784181/overview/
https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/825653503/overview/
|
and 100 more
> UserNotFound
10/23/2020 at 14:36 |
|
I know that the overlanding crowd has glommed on to GX/LXs recently, and for good reason. I never really considered them an option before, but I’ll look deeper into them.
Definitely not opposed to the Xterra either.
|
ShrimpHappens, née WJalopy
> and 100 more
10/23/2020 at 14:37 |
|
I’ve had a ‘96 XJ and an ‘04 WJ. The WJ definitely had more occupant space, but c argo space was probably about the same.
Kid Cobalt
> and 100 more
10/23/2020 at 14:39 |
|
I have a 2004 4Runner and love it, but even by myself I can fill up the entire cargo area and back seat with cooler, tent, chair, sleeping bag, food, water, etc.
Land Cruisers and Lexus LXs aren’t all that much larger inside than the 4th generation 4runner—and the Lexus GX460/470 are the same chassis (Land Cruiser Prado in the rest of the world) as the 4Runner.
With four people and two dogs, I think you’ll have to go
big—four door full size pickup or a Tahoe/Suburban/Expedition.
MUSASHI66
> and 100 more
10/23/2020 at 14:42 |
|
Crew Cab pick up with a topper. Dogs and cargo under the topper, humans in the cab, and you can always add a roof rack for more cargo capacity.
Even if you find a vehicle large enough for everything, do you want to be in the same space with the camping dogs who might be wet and dirty?
After having a Pilot and trying to facilitate driving around with 4 adults and 2-3 dogs for a hike, and trying to keep the interior clean from wet dog shakes, I am never going back to an SUV. Truck + Topper crew for life!
Textured Soy Protein
> and 100 more
10/23/2020 at 14:47 |
|
3 unibody ideas...
3rd gen Mitsubishi Montero
Has 3 rows of seats, very roomy inside bc unibody, slow as balls, but extremely capable. The Limited has the best transfer case and a rear LSD on the 01-02, 03-06 have a slightly bigger motor and ditched the LSD for traction control.
R52 Pathfinder / Infiniti QX4
Equivalent in size on the outside to the 4Runner, but much more comfortable inside. The 3rd gen 4Runner is narrow and cramped, the 4th gen the seats are on the damn floor. Later models with the VQ V6 are pretty solid, earlier ones are dogs. But the VQ is only paired with a 4-speed auto so mileage is kinda ass. The Pathfinder LE and QX4 have full-time 4wd.
WJ Grand Cherokee
Loveable piles of crap. Super comfy grandpa recliner front seats. Variety of different 4wd/engine combos. The I6 is the bulletproof/efficiency option. The V8 with Quadra-Drive has a full 3-LSD setup. I had both a WJ and a WK, I’m more nostalgic for the WJ. The WK was nominally more refined but still a plastic fantastic 00s Mopar interior and has more electrical gremlins. The only electrical gremlin I experienced in the WJ was burned out seat heaters.
|
and 100 more
> Textured Soy Protein
10/23/2020 at 15:08 |
|
Fantastic, thank you!
I have a soft spot for Mitsubishis. Definitely gonna take a look.
Pathy is a good choice as well; wasn’t this the last generation with a live axle?
WJ was suggested earlier, definitely easy on the wallet (at least, getting one; after that, J ust E mpty E very P ocket). I have a WK2 now, sadly only 2WD, but i love it.
|
and 100 more
> MUSASHI66
10/23/2020 at 15:09 |
|
Fair points, thank you! Pickup is definitely looking like a good option.
415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°)
> and 100 more
10/23/2020 at 15:11 |
|
A 4th gen 4Runner is good, my friend has a nice one and it’s a lot cheaper than the new ones! The older Mitsubishis and Isuzu are good, I have been in those across places like Tibet and they did just as well as the Land Cruiser that was with us, actually the only welding we did was on the Toyota believe it or not.
|
Textured Soy Protein
> and 100 more
10/23/2020 at 15:29 |
|
Well, I said the wrong Pathfinder, whoops. R52 is the current crossover one. I meant R50, w hich is unibody with a live rear axle.
The R51 that came after this was based on the Frontier body-on-frame platform, but with an independent rear end . I tried one once and it’s a bigger more trucky vehicle but without appreciably more interior room. It just feels lower quality as well.
Speed
> and 100 more
10/23/2020 at 15:34 |
|
If it were my money, here are the first two rigs that would be on my list.
The 3rd gen 4runner. I like the V8's in the 4th gen, but I think the 4x4 system, smaller size and lighter weight of the 3rd gen wins me over. Additionally, this was the last generation where you can still find one with a manual transmission. The V6 is incredibly solid and it’s very easy to find one with a locker. Additionally, they’re dirt cheap and there are tons available that never saw anything more off road than the sidelines of a soccer field.
http://www.top4runners.com/runhist/runhist31996.html
I can’t even consider the 2nd gen Xterra my second pick , but I’m putting it second because they’ll be a little more expensive to find in general. That said, the 4.0 is sundial reliable and, if you care, you can still get them with a manual transmission. They’re cheap, easy to find, many were used lightly and they’ve got plenty off road chops. My favorite thing about them is cross compatibility with the Titan. You can run a Titan diff and front suspension on one for more strength, width and travel.
50ford500
> Textured Soy Protein
10/23/2020 at 17:38 |
|
If my memory serves me correctly you could pair the 5 speed manual with the VQ when they first came out. I almost want to say we even had one on the lot that took ages to sell new. Now finding one that someone would part with is an entirely different thing.
|
DipodomysDeserti
> Speed
10/23/2020 at 18:36 |
|
Additionally, they’re dirt cheap and there are tons available that never saw anything more off road than the sidelines of a soccer field.
Where is this magical land of cheap 4wd 4runners?
Here’s an example of a cheap 4wd 3rd gen. in my AO. $3,500 for a cracked block and 400k miles.
https://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/cto/d/scottsdale-2002-toyota-4runner-4x4/7208115915.html