Looking for Advice on Off Road Vehicles

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bnes

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I'm looking to buy a used SUV or pickup for occasional off road use and have started researching the various makes. I'm looking for something under $10k that is 8-10 years old and has less than 150KM.

Any advice or recommendations on top of my questions below would be appreciated.

1. What vehicles are best for maintenance? I.e., vehicles that are fairly easy to repair or replace parts on? I'm mechanically inclined and can do my own wrench work, though I hear some makes are difficult to...
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aweber

aweber

This thread is :rainbow:
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Must already want the Pathfinder as you have it in your list twice :flipoff:

For a small truck, hard to beat a Taco.

Next on your list I would say Explorer

Nissan's have a small after market support

+1 on adding the 4runner to the list.

:beer:
 
D

Dannyboy33

Guest
I agree skip the Xterra I had a supercharged one and every repair was expensive and most of the bigger stuff only the dealer can do.
 
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Steve B

Guest
If your into an off road only you should check with Mike lorient (sp),,I think he has a Zuke for sale,,,
 
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Hurricane

Guest
Actually suprised to see someone recommend an Explorer...

Keep in mind with the Ranger/Explorer you have the funky twin beam IFS which is looked down on by a lot of people. Ranger came with both Dana 28 and Dana 35 front axles and Ford 7.5 and 8.8 rear axles The Explorers (first gen anyway) all had Dana 35s and 8.8s.

Most of my experience is with 1st gen Explorers
 
aweber

aweber

This thread is :rainbow:
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Actually, I meant to say Ranger. Have no idea what I was thinking LOL

Fawk Explorers :flipoff:
 
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szabotage

Well-known member
rangers and the like (exploder, aerostar) also have bad trannies. not much for replacements as an upgrade either. the newest exploders are IFS fr/rr.
 
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Dirk

Guest
szabotage said:
rangers and the like (exploder, aerostar) also have bad trannies. not much for replacements as an upgrade either. the newest exploders are IFS fr/rr.
Click to expand...

Really...? I ran an '88 Ranger for years and loved it. No tranny or axle problems either. Once i upgraded to a 44, 302, T18, Dana20 and a 9".
:beer:

All kidding aside, make a list of "features" you are looking for and decide on a body style first. As that is what you will be "stuck" with. Drivetrains are upgraded or replaced alot easier than a body and don't require purchase, safety check or registration of another vehicle. For example consider, number of passengers, capacity to haul material, offroad/onroad traits and intended use. If you will only ever have yourself and one more person a pickup body would work, but if you have kids or just want to bring more people, even an extra-cab pickup is too small for comfort. Looking at your original list, a smaller SUV is what you're after which narrows the field. Are you planning to run the drivetrain it came with? Will you ever modify it more than a bolt on lift and bumpers? If so look for a solid axle front and I think you choices will shrink to Cherokees and early 4Runners. If offroad capability is not the most important factor consider the small SUVs wich all have some form of IFS, and IMO are all poor offroad performers. As far as engine choices go, most well running stock motors are adequate.

If you only want occasional offroad use and 8-10 years old.....4Runner/Tacoma or Explorer/Ranger.

my $0.02
 
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bnes

Guest
Thanks for all the feedback folks.

I'm added the Jeep Liberty to my search, and I'm even leaning in that direction now. It seems like a pretty capable off-road vehicle.
 
B

bnes

Guest
I'm looking to add some lift to a stock liberty once I get one. Speaking of which, I'll eventually be looking for some advice on that as well.
 
bradleyfitz

bradleyfitz

Well-known member
Club Member
Personally I think the Cherokee is the way to go if you need an SUV that you plan to offroad. Much more after market support and options.

Take a look around the club and see if anyone is offroading a Liberty... you will quickly find the answer is no.
 
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bnes

Guest
By Cherokee do you mean the older Cherokee (pre 2002) or do you also mean the Grand Cherokee as well?
 
Kunker

Kunker

Administrator
Club Member
If you're seriously looking at off-roading, go with the 4Runner (big aftermarket support and everything but the body lasts forever) or something with solid axles - Cherokee (XJ), Grand Cherokee (ZJ, WJ) or a Wrangler (TJ, JK). Most SUVs with IFS don't have more than a few inches of travel up front, and lift kits don't change that really. All they tend to do is lower the center diff and the travel is still limited by the length of the suspension arms and the CV joints.

On the other hand, if it's more on road with a few gravel road adventures, IFS offers a much better ride, and gives you a lot more options.

But like Mudlite said, if you really outline what you are looking to do and the budget you have in mind (both for truck and upgrades), that will help a lot.
 
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2Greys

Insert title here
Club Member
I keep telling the wife to come with hers and she rolls her eyes. She thinks I am already spending enough on my mistress and don't need an excuse to lift the libby. :lmao:

There is a thread on Jeepforum about a guy who did a buttload of work on a KJ (older liberty). Looked mean but he could have probably bought an equivalent TJ already done for the cost that he did on his.

bradleyfitz said:
Personally I think the Cherokee is the way to go if you need an SUV that you plan to offroad. Much more after market support and options.

Take a look around the club and see if anyone is offroading a Liberty... you will quickly find the answer is no.
Click to expand...
 
B

bnes

Guest
I appreciate the advice everyone.

I'm looking for a vehicle that will be used occasionally for on and off road, and the off-road use I'll be using it for isn't very challenging. I purchased a lake property a few years ago that is mostly accessible by a normal car unless the steep, dirt roads are muddy/snowy/icy. Also, I make a few trips into the bush each year for fishing and camping (usually ZEC Pontiac) and don't want to rely on others to get me in anymore. There are a few put-ins that require a bit of clearance, and some roads/paths that definitely require 4x4 traction, especially after a rainfall. I'd prefer a smaller vehicle, and would prefer something that isn't a total gas guzzler, though I realize I can't have it all.

I want to bring my kids around when I'm out, so I've ruled out the pickups. (I wouldn't want a full-cab pickup.)

Eventually I'd like to start doing more serious off-road to find out what makes you all tick, but that isn't the aim just yet.

If I could sum up what I like in styling, this rig gets me excited.

I'm also keen to start doing more wrenching/modding on my own, so I'd like a vehicle with good after market support and easy-to-work-with components.

My budget is fairly small, less than $10k. (I can move it up if there was a compelling reason to do so.) There's lots of SUVs in the 1997-2005 range that are within by budget. Whatever I get, I'd like to add some lift if it's not too expensive (nothing crazy - the Rocky Road budget lift looks ideal) along with a bull bar or ARB bumper. (That's low priority though.)

I have been looking at the 1997-2001 Cherokee and the 2002 - 2005 Liberty. I've pretty much dropped the Nissans and Explorers from the list. I should probably start looking at the 4Runners more.

Thanks again,

Barry
 
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SWest

Guest
4runner

Id go older 4runner for sure! Great all around vehicle. Body rust is fairly common but everything else is great! That was my first offroader and it did great for the same kind of stuff you intend on doing.
 
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bnes

Guest
Mud Lite said:
Does he have a big dog, big family, likes to carry lots of beer?
Click to expand...

No dog, more kids than is healthy for a man (4), and will need to carry lots of beer, ice and fishing tackle.

That reminds me, I need a tow package, though not for anything very heavy.
 
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