Expedition Vehicle - Which Platform To Choose?

[Cards81fan]

So, I have been going back and forth over this in my mind for a while. I own two vehicles between myself and my wife, and both are reasonably good candidates for a Expedition vehicle. I figured I would post my thoughts up here and get y'all's feedback. I am looking to mainly just have it as a capable trail/forest service/logging road type rig. Nothing like rock crawling, but just get out and active. I will say 95% or more of the miles will be on road - I have two children under two and a stay at home wife; I'm lucky to afford the time and money to do this much!

2005 Liberty Sport
4x4, V6, Command-Trac. Has power options and cruise and that jazz. 80k miles

Currently has:
2.5" spacer lift. Meh, but it gives ground clearance with larger tires - which was the point
Rancho shocks. Not bad, but not great. Probably worth what I paid.
245/75r16 Bridgestone Duelers
Yakima cross rails
A Bauer Vehicle Gear basket (the one Overstock has for $60 a few years back) - it works surprisingly well for light gear
Receiver hitch and D ring shackle

Pros:
More aftermarket than the Dakota
More interior storage
Existing roof rack
Relatively full assortment of skid plates available, some Mopar and aftermarket
ARB bull bar available - though likely overkill for my intended purpose. A front hitch could hold a winch and easily have tabs welded on for D rings (I have access to a welder, though I am not a welder, but I could manage this much )
Several suspension options available
Mileage is 16-ish MPG
3.73 gears

Cons:
Limited Aftermarket compared to other platforms
I have effectively maxed tire size unless I want to do more custom suspension work including ball joints, or substantial trimming, or both
Suspect Dana 30 IFS aluminum front end
Unibody
The Big One: It is more the family rig, and my wife's DD. Probably hard to talk her out of it!


2005 Dakota
4x4, Quad Cab, V6. This is the ST package, which has power nothing! (which I prefer, actually) - not even a tilt steering wheel! 60k miles

Already has:
265/75 BFG Rugged Trail - not great but not bad. I got them for $111 a tire so I could not turn them down
Marine battery terminals (odd they were already there - I think the PO used them for something)
Daystar level kit - this lifts the front 2" to level things out.
Bed Liner within 2 weeks

Pros:
Fits larger tires as-is
Body on Frame construction
Has a bed!
Appears to have lower components already fairly well protected by frame cross members
It's "mine" more than the wife's I drive it daily

Cons:
Mileage is poor, 13-ish
3.55 gears
Already obsolete 205mm (Chrysler 8") front axle
Limited interior space
No aftermarket support. The leveling spacers are THE only real suspension lifts available. Aside from those, you can do a 3" body lift No armor available aside from 2 Mopar skid plates (transfer case and fuel tank)
No real bumpers available, but the OEM rear is steel which is better than a plastic bumper cover.

I am leaning towards the pickup, mainly because I already have my hands on it more than the Jeep, and the larger tire fitment. And the mantra is often that a vehicle closer to stock is generally more reliable mechanically and cheaper to maintain. The Dodge would limit what I could do to it, which may ultimately be better for me (a tinkerer like I am sure all of us are! ). But I am curious what feedback you may be able to offer.

-Kasey
:smiley_drive:

 

[Bikemobile]

I say dakota. I had a 2002 quad cab with the v8. I loved that truck. Very comfortable for long trips and enough room for 4 people. I would look for a camper shell for it. Its a little long for some trails, i used to high center mine alot.....

 

[MrBeast]

I say go old school, get a half track.

In all seriousness I think the dakota is probably the better option.

 

[Cards81fan]

I say go old school, get a half track.

In all seriousness I think the dakota is probably the better option.

Ha! A $2500 Deuce and a half is tempting. I have kicked that idea around too, since it would eliminate me having to daily drive my rig, and it is crazy cheap for such a large and capable vehicle. I wouldn't bob it either. Keep it real with 6 wheel drive :victory:

Though I think the fuel cost would break me. Another option is just wheel the piss out of whatever rental car I want. I get a dirt cheap corporate rate :sombrero:

 

[Cards81fan]

Oh, and because you guys like them, some pics

 

[Toyotero]

Personally, between those two vehicles, I'd go with the Dakota... put a bed topper on it and you have loads of space for stuff which I'd think is important with a couple of kiddos.

 

[The Adam Blaster]

The decision should be based on what you really plan on doing with the vehicle in the future.
Any plans to tow something heavy? Haul building supplies to the house or whERever, or garbage to the dump? = Dakota.

The p/u is obviously a much more versatile vehicle, but if you have no use for all the things the truck can do over the SUV, then go with the one that is better on gas.

 

[Doctor W]

I say go old school, get a half track.

In all seriousness I think the dakota is probably the better option.

"Hot diggity dawg.....I'm gonna get me of of them rascals!" [said in the voice of cousin Jethro of Beverly Hillbillies fame]

 

[BCHauler]

The decision should be based on what you really plan on doing with the vehicle in the future.
Any plans to tow something heavy? Haul building supplies to the house or whERever, or garbage to the dump? = Dakota.

The p/u is obviously a much more versatile vehicle, but if you have no use for all the things the truck can do over the SUV, then go with the one that is better on gas.

I think that this is very sound advice.

 

[Greggk]

i say dakota and hrow a bed tent on it like the guidegear brand from www.sportsmansguide.com