I love Tacomas but the amount of salt we use here on the roads in the Midwest is outrageous, rendering most older 80's toyota pickups into rust piles. The newer Tacomas that are rust free are way too expensive for me.
Advice on potential first offroad/expedition vehicle
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Jr_Explorer
Explorer
Don't limit yourself. Get on Auto Trader dot com and search the country. Look in snow free states. A good buy is worth a trip to get. You have to read between the lines and ask a lot of questions but you CAN find deals. I managed to. But it took 6 months of pretty serious looking.
There certainly are good deals to be had out there, including rust free examples, you just have to be patient and ready and willing with cash in hand when the right truck comes up. If you have the ability to travel for the right vehicle, the possibilities are virtually endless.
If you can or are willing to travel, a vehicle from somewhere that doesn't use road salt will reward you every step of the way.....
Mike
If you can or are willing to travel, a vehicle from somewhere that doesn't use road salt will reward you every step of the way.....
Mike
4x4junkie
Explorer
That's actually not correct...
A stickshift (M5OD) was available all the way up through at least '00 or '01 Explorers ('03 for Sport models). As you get later thru the years though, they do become harder to find (if I was to guess, I'd say less than 5% of '00 4-doors and less than 10% of '00 Sports were sold with a stickshift, and most people tend to hang on to sticks of any year).
And on the automatic (A4LD), I strongly suspect the issues sometimes seen on them was not so much a problem with the tranny itself as it was with the weak factory cooling for it. A friend of mine put an external (aftermarket) aux cooler on his and he had about 230K on it when he sold the rig (and that was with having towed his boat a number of times too). I've seen others report good use out of theirs with an external cooler too. Whether the AOD-E or others would benefit similarly though, I can't say.
This is all pretty much moot though because the OP said he wants the stick.
As for "roost rulers"...
Something probably should be said of the fact there are a great many people out there swapping Explorer axles into Jeeps (which that alone I think says something). The Explorer also has a frame under it (anyone who's tried to open a door on a XJ while it's suspension is crossed up offroad should be well aware of the dilemma that would bring). I don't think I have to say how much more comfortable an Explorer is to drive too...
Tacomas actually do have quite a bit going for them (their pricing issues aside), though the A-arm IFS could limit it in some terrain more than the TTB setup on a 1st-gen Ex would (not sure what the OP's goals are here). But the frame rust thing... That did slip my mind when I posted earlier lol.
I do fully agree with trying to find a vehicle from say, Ca or Az though. No doubt, this should get you something in far better condition than what you're likely to find locally in a salt state. Like everywhere else though, people out here also think Toyotas are gold or some crazy isht, so don't hope for many deals out here either.
If anyone wants to brush up further on the Explorer (and the Ranger or Bronco II for that matter), there are excellent web sites out there such as www.explorer4x4.com and www.therangerstation.com. The people who build these rigs into wheelers are the ones who know them best, and which years are best to look for.
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Plannerman
Wandering Explorer
I've owned many of the vehicles on your list. The Ford Ranger is damn near bullet proof. The 3.0 is a very nice little engine with a five speed mated to it. The 4.0 L is fun with an auto or manual (I've had both). There is also a 4.0 SOHC in later years that is quite a nice engine.
I really enjoyed my '99 XJ, as well. The 4.0 with auto returned 21 mpg until I put a roof rack on it and then it dropped to 19. Great vehicle. I slept in it numerous times and I'm 5'11".
Considering your goals, I'd suggest an opportunistic approach. Look for all of them and buy the cleanest one thy you can find. All of them will be fine vehicles for exploring. "The best" is really too subjective.
Sent via fat thumb
I really enjoyed my '99 XJ, as well. The 4.0 with auto returned 21 mpg until I put a roof rack on it and then it dropped to 19. Great vehicle. I slept in it numerous times and I'm 5'11".
Considering your goals, I'd suggest an opportunistic approach. Look for all of them and buy the cleanest one thy you can find. All of them will be fine vehicles for exploring. "The best" is really too subjective.
Sent via fat thumb
Storz
Explorer
I've had a ZR2 S10 and am now currently driving an Isuzu Rodeo, so I am experienced with some on your list. The ZR2 Blazer is pretty small inside, the S10 is a fantastic truck, very reliable motor and can be found in a 5spd.
Though with as cheap as Isuzus go for now its hard to pass them up, get as new of one as you can afford with a good history. The 04 Rodeo had a 3.5L direct injection motor with great horsepower. Driving the Rodeo actually reminds me a lot of driving the ZR2, they feel similar.
Though with as cheap as Isuzus go for now its hard to pass them up, get as new of one as you can afford with a good history. The 04 Rodeo had a 3.5L direct injection motor with great horsepower. Driving the Rodeo actually reminds me a lot of driving the ZR2, they feel similar.
LR Max
Local Oaf
If you can find a Tacoma isn't being sold for its weight in gold, they are great trucks.
The Explorers, Rangers, Blazers, and S-10s are all great trucks. They will just work and if all you are doing is pounding on fire roads, they are amazing.
Would you consider a 1/2 ton dodge with a manual trans? Buddy of mine back in college had one. Awesome truck. Also you can find some chevys with a manual, rare but they are out there.
It is truly tragic that clutch cars are going away. If that wasn't a direct criteria for you, I'd recommend one of the newer Ford Explorers. Great trucks. Full independent suspension isn't "as" good as solid axles, but if you are mildy building, you won't notice.
The Explorers, Rangers, Blazers, and S-10s are all great trucks. They will just work and if all you are doing is pounding on fire roads, they are amazing.
Would you consider a 1/2 ton dodge with a manual trans? Buddy of mine back in college had one. Awesome truck. Also you can find some chevys with a manual, rare but they are out there.
It is truly tragic that clutch cars are going away. If that wasn't a direct criteria for you, I'd recommend one of the newer Ford Explorers. Great trucks. Full independent suspension isn't "as" good as solid axles, but if you are mildy building, you won't notice.
magoh76
Adventurer
There is a 93 Ranger in my family that has been passed down from my father to myself and now to my daughter. 3.0 with the 5 speed, 4x4, limited slip rear diff, extended cab. It has over 300K miles on it and finally the engine gave out, but that may have been a result of some abuse by me when first learning to drive offroad. She and her grandpa are swapping in a low mileage 3.0 engine and I suspect the truck will go for another 300K miles if she treats it right. Plenty of room to sleep in the bed if you had a topper (or a tarp).
Kaisen
Explorer
Although they did make them, any manual transmission Suburban 4x4 would be difficult to find.
And that might be an understatement.
I was actually going to go and see a 1999 4x4 5sp Frontier XE a few weeks ago but I think it sold. I am definitely keeping them in my sights as well. They offer very good value indeed!
I see I'll be the only one to mention the F-150. If you're going to load it or tow it, among those mentioned I believe the F-150 will top out, 97-02 years, under 150K on it should be in your price range. Get a topper and fit it out and go. I bought my 99 off the floor, while it's just approaching 76K now, it has never given any problems until last week, the A/C thermostat went out! Easy fix. It has been the most dependable vehicle I have ever owned and rides like limo when lightly loaded. I 've had almost a hundred vehicles (maybe more) cars, SUVs and trucks. Had a Ranger as well and it too was bullet proof. I'd bet a Ford would be cheaper on repairs than the Japanese vehicles. I think there is a real premium paid for a Taco and while it may be a great truck, seems like you're paying for it, which means it may not be such a deal. Each have their following, but as to reliability my F-150 wins from experience, roomy cabs too. 