Good expedition platform for a rookie?

[Cackalak Han]

Speaking of manual hubs, if you lock them but leave it in 2Hi, is that the equivalent of the driving in 2Hi with automatic locking hubs?

Yes, but the half-shafts aren't turning, whereas in the auto hubs, they're always turning. Some say that it will give you better MPG's, but I have yet to come across any factual evidence of this.

I know you're set on either a Trooper or Jeep, but here are a few 4Runners.

97 Limited w/ 117k miles. 80/20 chance that it will already have a locker. Most of the limiteds I've seen had one.

http://providence.craigslist.org/cto/966544934.html

98 SR5 4-cyl 5-speed, 116k miles, 1 owner.
http://providence.craigslist.org/ctd/960032377.html

97 Limited. Not too much info in the ad.
http://providence.craigslist.org/cto/934412407.html

There were a couple more on there. Anyway, at least gives you options, and if nothing, you can go test drive a couple to get a feel for the difference between all of the vehicles you're considering.

FYI, the Limiteds all come with leather and you can add aftermarket heated seats for less than $200. Could be the selling point for your wife.

 

[SGV]

Thanks for checking those ads out, Han. The thing about the Toyotas, to me anyway, is that for the same year I can get an XJ or a Trooper for 1/3 the price. There are a few 00+ Troopers for less than the 4Runners of the mid-late 90's. I have my doubts that a 4runner is worth three times as much as a Trooper or a Cherokee. If I was looking at spending more, I would definitely consider a Toyota and my wife actually prefers Toyotas over any other vehicle. Her last truck was a Tacoma but she got rid of it for something that she could use to help out her sister with the new baby. If the new Tacomas were not so huge, she would consider getting back into one. But this is off subject. As much as I would love to get into a Toyota, the cost is just prohibitive right now.

 

[IH8RDS]

Another vote here for the XJ. Go with the 97-99 range. 00-01 if you must, but try to get a 99 with 4.0, AW4, 231 and 8.25 rear axle. The reason I say this is because of the availability of massive after market support and inital purchase price. There is also allot of junkyard Cherokees to pick from. The uni-body is just fine. No issues with mine and I have been through some rough terrain. I bought mine new in 99 and the only problem under warranty I had was a faulty passenger door window and turn signal switch. Both easy fixes. I have had other things like the manifold cracks (junkyard fix) and cooling system woes, but both easy fixes as well.


No Toyota's where hurt in the creation of this post and I approve this message.

 

[IH8RDS]

One more thing to add. I would guess to say that 80.2% of all parts from 84- 01 are interchangeable. If another Cherokee comes along, even a different year, you can swap over all the goodies. Or if you get an older Cherokee, you can most definitely upgrade with junkyard parts to the newer stronger axles or rear disk brakes from a ZJ for very cheap, just to name a few.

 

[Cackalak Han]

Thanks for checking those ads out, Han. The thing about the Toyotas, to me anyway, is that for the same year I can get an XJ or a Trooper for 1/3 the price. There are a few 00+ Troopers for less than the 4Runners of the mid-late 90's. I have my doubts that a 4runner is worth three times as much as a Trooper or a Cherokee. If I was looking at spending more, I would definitely consider a Toyota and my wife actually prefers Toyotas over any other vehicle. Her last truck was a Tacoma but she got rid of it for something that she could use to help out her sister with the new baby. If the new Tacomas were not so huge, she would consider getting back into one. But this is off subject. As much as I would love to get into a Toyota, the cost is just prohibitive right now.

Yeah, no prob. Just thought I'd give you at least a chance to compare them back to back. If you can pick up an XJ or Trooper for ~$2000, then go for it. I've had a ZJ in the past, and it was a good rig and never left me stranded. The interior quality was subpar, though, and I could definitely tell the difference between the Jeep and Toyota. Also, you have to account for Toyota's resale value. (although, at $2000, the Jeep and Isuzu have probably leveled out). Good luck with the search.

 

[SGV]

Thanks Han, I did include the Toys in the OP. Unfortunately, I underestimated the price of them and overestimated that amount of money I had to spend. This has been an expensive year. I started this thread for help such as yours as well as for some ideas that I hadn't thought of. Someone early on mentioned the 3.0 Ford Rangers, and I had heard about how tough they were but for some reason did not equate them to use as expeditions rigs. I wouldn't mind having a truck, but I like the versatility of an SUV. I often pile a lot of stuff back there for days at a time. I was hoping for some praise of a Discovery or the Montero, but maybe they are not good vehicles for a newbie. One thing that I am not a fan of the poor mpg or required premium fuel of the DIs anyway, although I love the looks. Maybe when I have a garage I can look into those as well as engine swaps. (4.3 vortech he he). I am happy about is the confirmation that a Cherokee would be a good choice. (so thanks for that and some tips IH8RDS. What does that mean?)

 

[4Rescue]

Thanks for checking those ads out, Han. The thing about the Toyotas, to me anyway, is that for the same year I can get an XJ or a Trooper for 1/3 the price. There are a few 00+ Troopers for less than the 4Runners of the mid-late 90's. I have my doubts that a 4runner is worth three times as much as a Trooper or a Cherokee. If I was looking at spending more, I would definitely consider a Toyota and my wife actually prefers Toyotas over any other vehicle. Her last truck was a Tacoma but she got rid of it for something that she could use to help out her sister with the new baby. If the new Tacomas were not so huge, she would consider getting back into one. But this is off subject. As much as I would love to get into a Toyota, the cost is just prohibitive right now.

Yeah but you put that money right back into those other trucks.

There's a reason Toyotas are valued so highly, cause they're made better than anything else. The Trooper might be different, but the XJ is nowhere near the quality nor does it have the longevity that a 4Runner/Taco/Any Toyota truck has.

In fact, I'd put it between the Trooper and a Toyota. They're closer in terms of quality and capability off the lot.

DO it right the first time: Get a Toyota, you'll kick your self later if you don't.

Cheers

Dave

 

[IH8RDS]

What does that mean?)

I hate roads :sombrero:

 

[IH8RDS]

but the XJ is nowhere near the quality nor does it have the longevity that a 4Runner/Taco/Any Toyota truck has.

whateva

There are definitely arguments to that but I digress

 

[SGV]

I hate roads :sombrero:

Haha, so obvious now. I was sitting here going "I hate rear/real?really?.

4Rescue: I think you might be underestimating the XJ a bit. The only thing I was worried about was the unibody but I have seen enough to not worry about it. Plus, if I do anything hard enough to mess it up I would probably also be bending a frame anyway. My old XJ didn't give me any problems until about 130K miles and then it was several repairs at once. Looking back, I had it back to its old reliable self but I wanted a new car anyway. My wife's Rav4, however, at about 80K miles need some really annoyingly expensive repairs. That all said, if I could get into a 4runner at a decent price I would definitely go for it over any of the others on the list.

 

[jh504]

Yeah but you put that money right back into those other trucks.

There's a reason Toyotas are valued so highly, cause they're made better than anything else. The Trooper might be different, but the XJ is nowhere near the quality nor does it have the longevity that a 4Runner/Taco/Any Toyota truck has.

In fact, I'd put it between the Trooper and a Toyota. They're closer in terms of quality and capability off the lot.

DO it right the first time: Get a Toyota, you'll kick your self later if you don't.

Cheers

Dave

A good XJ will serve you well, just know its limitations. I would go with an XJ over the Trooper simply for the amazing flex and offroad capability of a lifted soild axle. You will not have to work as hard to get around obstacles, which means less strain on components.
Having said that 4rescue will be happy because I just sold my XJ and picked up a 2nd gen 4runner. My new Toyota is in excellent shape and I payed $2,900 cash for it. So you can come by a cheap Yota if you search hard enough, but it will not be as new as an XJ. Price wise, you can probably add 5-10 years to a Jeep for the same price.

 

[SGV]

Price wise, you can probably add 5-10 years to a Jeep for the same price.

That is what gets me. I just don't buy that the Toyota's are that much better.

 

[4Rescue]

Having said that 4rescue will be happy because I just sold my XJ and picked up a 2nd gen 4runner.

O belive me this has not gone unnoticed :sombrero: :sombrero: :sombrero: ... Well done sir. well done.

I've had quite a few XJ's and as we touched on in earlier threads that all seem to revolve around the XJ, consistancy in manufacturing is not Jeep's strong suit. All of my XJ's fell apart or were rattel traps. ALOT of other people have great luck with them so there you have it, I don't nkow what to tell you. But I still say go with a Toyota because you just don't see those types of problems in them.

The solid axle is really nice on trail rigsd, but stock they don't flex any better than my IFS does (or doesn't... Ok maybe a LITTLE better). Add to that the vastly greater ammounts of lift needed to fit 33's or bigger and you've got alot of money into your suspension IMO (although there is one REALLY nice silver XJ here that's running a simple OME set-up and is quite nice) in contrast, you can fit 33's on a bone stock Toyota. My dad's 98 XJ is having so many problems he's looking for a Tundra or a Taco because ever since he went to Australia he too has been bitten by the Big T bug...

Are XJ's bad trucks... NO
Are they compotent wheelers oput of the box... YES
Are they as good as a Toyota of similar size... IMO NO.

Like I said, you do it right the first time and you don't have to look back

Cheers

Dave

 

[4Rescue]

whateva

There are definitely arguments to that but I digress

No, there aren't... Go to a place where they abuse their trucks on a daily basis (for work AND play) and what do you find: Land Cruisers, Mini trucks, Navaras and Nissan Patrols... Sorry, Toyota (and to a lesser extent NIssan) is king of durability and relaibilty... That's a widely accepted truth. But, I digress

Cheers

Dave

 

[SGV]

4Rescue, I am definitely listening to you. Your several XJ's beats out my experience with one XJ. Since I am still in "research phase," which will end with a bang and suddenly I will find myself sans-vehicle, I am trying to find out as much as I can. One of my original questions was about going with a mid-90's or older vehicle. At that time I had never heard of "baselining" a vehicle. From your sig, I see you are driving a 20 y/o Toyota 4Runner. I assume it is very reliable, so, could I expect the same thing if I picked up, say, something like this?

http://boston.craigslist.org/nwb/cto/968330144.html
1991 Toyota 4Runner SR5, V6, 4x4, automatic, a/c, pw, pwr mirrors, luggage rack, tinted glass, runs great! Call 603-566-0888.