the 4.0 ltr motor found in nearly every jeep from 1984 to 2000s is one of the most reliable engines ever built, cheap, easy to work on and 300K miles is a reasonable expectation for that motor.

a complete long block replacement can be had for $500,

the jeep cherokee platform is easily the best all round 4x4 for family wheeling and hardcore wheeling.

parts are plentiful, easily had, building one is easy and cost effective.

and as opposed to toyota replacing front end parts on the trail if necessary is way easier on a jeep front axle than the toyota, steering joint are simple, fixing a birfield when they break on the trail is a major pain in the a..

the solid front axle toyotas would be a decent choice, but yota went to IFS a long time ago and theose solid axle rigs are getting way long in the tooth.