4x4 vehicle recommendation

[T-Giv]

Agreed on going with the Jeep...however a JK is not going to suit his budget. Those things are pricey and Jeep has gone much more toward the pavement princess lifestyle these days. I'll hopefully be shopping for a clean XJ in the near future myself.

[streetglideok]

I'm not a real big fan of the JK, personally. The TJ is probably the best Wrangler/CJ made IMO. It had coil spring suspension all the way around, you can get them with a straight 6, and though it was on the road to fancy electronics of the JK, it is still basic, though not like a CJ or YJ Wrangler. If you do some looking around, you can find a deal on a TJ Wrangler, though probably not in this part of the country. Stock they are capable, and with some changes, they will go places that do not resemble roads, if you are so inclined. You can carry stuff, but not to the extent of a XJ Cherokee. You may also look into a Grand Cherokee, the ZJ chassis '93-'98, or WJ '99-'04. ZJs can cause headaches due to some electronics getting long in the tooth now. Suspension was class leading for offroading. WJ had improvements, and better electronics and more reliable IMO. You can find them decently priced often times, because they "aren't a Wrangler".

[Jer]

In addition to what everyone else has added I'l just add: I sold Jeeps for a few years in the late 90's and early 2000's. I own a Tacoma.

The reason they're expensive is BECAUSE they're ultra-reliable. That 'being expensive' also means you'll get more of your money back when you finally go to resell it.

[spqrzilla]

The Toyota is more reliable than the Jeep. Granted. But one has to decide if enough to justify the cost. Jeeps are not expensive to work on / get repaired. Just stay away from the years where Jeep was putting Frog electronics in the engine.

[Dave]

http://www.govliquidation.com/auctio...ousel-_-item-1

This thing laughs at 4x4's. Plenty of power and cargo room.

[Jer]

The Toyota is more reliable than the Jeep.

/thread

[roberth]

http://www.govliquidation.com/auctio...ousel-_-item-1

This thing laughs at 4x4's. Plenty of power and cargo room.

I looked into those, maintenance and parts are $$$$, same with the Pinz. The best practical military vehicle would be a CUCV with the 6.2L diesel. Check out Steel Soldiers for more info.

[hatidua]

http://www.govliquidation.com/auctio...ousel-_-item-1

This thing laughs at 4x4's. Plenty of power and cargo room.

- and the ability to be featured in the "people who can't park" thread on a daily basis!

[Ah Pook]

What does the OP want to haul? Camping gear, logs, spare engines...?

For all around hauling, I would get a truck. Lots of Toyotas around here that seem to last forever. I was looking at extended cabs a while back but couldn't find what I wanted. As far as American, I lean towards Ford and Dodge.

For an SUV type 4x, a Jeep XJ is hard to beat. They are popular in this area and lots of parts around, plus they are easy to work on. I recently picked one up and like it a lot (so far). The only thing I don't like about it, as well as most SUV type vehicles, is the hatch back. Give me a tail gate. The straight six 4.0L has good power and is almost bomb proof. I wouldn't haul more than a utility trailer with it, though.

I like the older 4 Runners with the removable top.

[Hound]

I did say the JK's might be pricey but I love mine. TJ's are good too, just did not feel like going through the whole alphabet with a 'J' on the end. I can say the straight six is solid but the v6 has been great. No Jeep is good with big trailors..... That being said, I did have a full size trailor with a very heavy Supra. A little harry, just needed to brake early but.... Ya, I was pushing it even with a JK. I would not recommend it. Jeeps .... there is one for every occasion, just pick the one that fits.