Greetings!
I am brand new to over-landing and excited to get started in the next six months. I currently have a 2015 Ram 1500 Crew Cab 2WD. I hit some dirt farm/county roads I found from some submitted trails on Gaia GPS around my current location and quickly found I struggled and almost got stuck with a 2WD vehicle in the smallest amounts of mud from the recent rains in central Texas on the farm roads. I just don't think 2WD is the right long term investment to modify and throw money into. With that said, my wife and I are looking to get much more involved in this and have our sights set on many areas over the next few years. She is likely to get a used 4Runner in 2019 when she goes from lease to purchase. And that brings me to my vehicle choices.
Come April time (tax returns!), I am going to trade in for a 4WD vehicle. I am truly torn here. I have no interest in technical rock climbing, but I also want to be able to explore central Texas, Colorado, Arizona, Alaska, New York, Vermont, Oklahoma etc. Mountain passes, back roads, river/creek crossings, camp sites, etc. I want to be able to travel to remote locations and camp sites and see what most tourists don't get to. This vehicle will also be my daily driver so comfort and decent gas mileage is important. Price wise, I was looking at a 2015 RAM Rebel V8 for around $35k. The reason I am looking at this is that it already has a large amount of modifications on it for a reasonable price used (steel bumpers, air suspension to raise and lower vehicle +/- 3", 33" tires, skid plates). I also like having a bed available to bring the 4-wheeler or just anything I need. I would likely add a Nuthouse rack with removable top beams to allow use of the bed and adding a tent on the top. The stock RAM 1500 4WD is around $28k ballpark for the setup I like (2015 or newer, crew cab, short bed, leather and nav system with less than 50,000 miles). The 2008 and later 4Runners seem to have a few around 10k, but most quickly approach the upper 18 - 20's and I'm a bit more nervous to get a vehicle in that price range with 100k miles on it. I do not have a mechanical background and am reading and learning and having a blast doing it (just put a CAI into my truck, first small project) but unsure I have the skills if something goes wrong with an older vehicle. I'm not opposed to buying an older/cheaper vehicle, but it will need to be very reliable and comfortable as it is my daily driver too. All the 2014 SVT Raptors near me have 100k+ miles and are still $35k or more as the miles lower.
My biggest questions that I need some help with are:
I know the mantra of the best vehicle is the one you have, but as I am looking to invest in 4WD, I'd love input even if it is outside of these parameters.
Thank you very much for your time and input! I really appreciate the help and guidance in making the decision. I've enjoyed reading the articles and the forums so far.
I am brand new to over-landing and excited to get started in the next six months. I currently have a 2015 Ram 1500 Crew Cab 2WD. I hit some dirt farm/county roads I found from some submitted trails on Gaia GPS around my current location and quickly found I struggled and almost got stuck with a 2WD vehicle in the smallest amounts of mud from the recent rains in central Texas on the farm roads. I just don't think 2WD is the right long term investment to modify and throw money into. With that said, my wife and I are looking to get much more involved in this and have our sights set on many areas over the next few years. She is likely to get a used 4Runner in 2019 when she goes from lease to purchase. And that brings me to my vehicle choices.
Come April time (tax returns!), I am going to trade in for a 4WD vehicle. I am truly torn here. I have no interest in technical rock climbing, but I also want to be able to explore central Texas, Colorado, Arizona, Alaska, New York, Vermont, Oklahoma etc. Mountain passes, back roads, river/creek crossings, camp sites, etc. I want to be able to travel to remote locations and camp sites and see what most tourists don't get to. This vehicle will also be my daily driver so comfort and decent gas mileage is important. Price wise, I was looking at a 2015 RAM Rebel V8 for around $35k. The reason I am looking at this is that it already has a large amount of modifications on it for a reasonable price used (steel bumpers, air suspension to raise and lower vehicle +/- 3", 33" tires, skid plates). I also like having a bed available to bring the 4-wheeler or just anything I need. I would likely add a Nuthouse rack with removable top beams to allow use of the bed and adding a tent on the top. The stock RAM 1500 4WD is around $28k ballpark for the setup I like (2015 or newer, crew cab, short bed, leather and nav system with less than 50,000 miles). The 2008 and later 4Runners seem to have a few around 10k, but most quickly approach the upper 18 - 20's and I'm a bit more nervous to get a vehicle in that price range with 100k miles on it. I do not have a mechanical background and am reading and learning and having a blast doing it (just put a CAI into my truck, first small project) but unsure I have the skills if something goes wrong with an older vehicle. I'm not opposed to buying an older/cheaper vehicle, but it will need to be very reliable and comfortable as it is my daily driver too. All the 2014 SVT Raptors near me have 100k+ miles and are still $35k or more as the miles lower.
My biggest questions that I need some help with are:
- Is there any negative to having the air suspension system on the RAM? Does that have any impact for future upgrades or potential risk points for mud/water crossings?
- Is the value of the Rebel worth the price versus buying a 4WD 1500 and modifying it from stock (upgrading suspension, tires/rims, skid plates, bumpers, etc)?
- The Rebel appears to only have one or two very expensive bumper mods to mount a winch. Is there a better option?
- Is there any major reason to get a 4Runner over a RAM other than approach/departure/breakover angles? I know Toyota is famous for their traction control and locker capabilities.
- Are there any major limitations a full size pickup would have for what I want to do versus a mid-size SUV like a 4 Runner?
I know the mantra of the best vehicle is the one you have, but as I am looking to invest in 4WD, I'd love input even if it is outside of these parameters.
Thank you very much for your time and input! I really appreciate the help and guidance in making the decision. I've enjoyed reading the articles and the forums so far.
Last edited:
