Backwoods Build

[Chris Goehring]

Hi all, Ive been looking for a vehicle to build into a backwoods expo vehicle and contemplating a couple different platforms and could use some advice. Ill be in deep snow, muddy trails, and slightly rocky terrain.

-First gen cummins: I like the 12v, sfa, manual lockers, load capacity, and torque. But my main concern is weight, How do these things do in deep snow when aired down? I know you can burry them easily in mud if you loose momentum.

-fj80: reliable, sfa, load capacity/ interior room, lockers, and the tire size you can stuff under there is impressive. But these are also heavy, wide, and a pig for mpg, plus only available in an auto which i dont like. Are they pretty torquey in mud? and does loading up with bumper and gear affect this power much?

- First gen runner: bulletproof, sfa, light, interior space, fit in tight spaces. But I would feel under powered with 110 hp is my main concern and a engine swap is not in my book at the moment.

-3rd gen runner (I currently have one) 3.4 is very reliable, good power to weight ratio, space for gear, pretty good tire size, 5 speed. and I beat the **** out of mine, wrecked it acouple times and still runs pretty damn good. Downside is the ifs, which to me is a major problem, espically since my front ends looser than a french whore. its got 240xxx miles and had a ruff life being my first vehicle and all I dont really want to dump any more money into it..

Please give me some input and open to other suggestions, jeeps arnt really an option because the wranglers dont have enought cargo space for a girlfriend and a dog plus gear, and I dont see a unibody xj holding up too well the way I drive..

 

[Hector]

Chris...

All good platforms. Id vote first two; albeit biased as an 80 owner.
What price range and time range are you looking to buy as well. As well how do you invision your build?
Id say prioritize your desires and think about which situations youll see most. Do you put a lot of hwy miles down before getting off the beaten track? whats most important and where can you compromise

I couldnt comment on the snow for the cummins but with a set of chains I would think that might be your best choice, esp if you had the back built out with a little weight. Plus it would be easy to run a set of wider tires on 15'' wheels to increase your footprint if that met your build criteria. You have simplicity, power, longevity of the diesel

The 80 is a great platform. Like you say they can swallow up to a 35'' tire on a 2.5'' lift, or run 33s with no lift for now and your not forced into a tire purchase if you upgrade later. For loaded down travel Id say get the OME heavy heavy combo and a set of 255/70(?)/16 for a tall and skinny approach for best mpg if that is a concerned. I built mine over time so didnt notice a hit on power but it is very acceptable for a built rig. Full armor and 35's and folks comment how well it rides down the hwy thinking it was just some jacked up bucket. True its not gonna get you there fast but it gets you there and back. Mine has been extremely reliable and would be the last vehicle to leave the stable. As for mud they are heavy. Im of the thought HP is gonna save you there and not toque. Thick deep goop without a hard bottom might be a long day. If you can sink through to the bottom the weight works for you and itll keep plowing ahead givin clearance. I actually wasnt an auto fan either too until I bought my 80. So nice in the rocks or in traffic after only driving manuals

If the interior space is ample I could see benefits to the last two as well.
Could you hunt out a first gen with a 350 or 4.3vortec already installed. Seen a couple under 5k in the last year
Solid axle in a small and light package

The 3rd gen is your newest selection and that has its merits too but still approaching a 15+ yr old vehicle.
I dont know how your drive but what about sourcing a fresh soccer mom runner and building it up then driving within its limits. The IFS gets alot of crap but can be built and used to go further than a lot of folks give credit too. Still not as stout as your SFA but more comfy getting to the trails. Ive been way impressed with the FJC and 100series that have tagged along for some wheeling adventures

 

[Chris Goehring]

Thank you for your detailed response, I will be looking for a vehicle around 6k, i want something that's been babied with low miles so I would feel comfortable putting money into it. I would like to be able to do up to 3 week expeditions without needing to stop for supplies. Fully loaded with all equipment ie: chainsaw picks shovel full load of tools plus all my hunting gear. Maybe a drawer system in the bed with a camper or canback. Duel fuel tanks, skid plates roll bar lights. It all depends on what the capability of a full size diesel can handle. I just think for how much equipment and armor I'm planning on a diesel would move iot the best.

 

[nuclearlemon]

Hi all, Ive been looking for a vehicle to build into a backwoods expo vehicle and contemplating a couple different platforms and could use some advice. Ill be in deep snow, muddy trails, and slightly rocky terrain.

-First gen cummins: I like the 12v, sfa, manual lockers, load capacity, and torque. But my main concern is weight, How do these things do in deep snow when aired down? I know you can burry them easily in mud if you loose momentum.

i'm assuming you're talking first gen dodge pickup, since that's what came with the cummins. if so...no. it's a tow rig. the rear end weighs nothing and has springs to tow a heavy load, but the engine isn't intercooled and turboed, so it will take modifications to make it tow. and tow is what it's made to do. yes, piling a building in the bed will help, but not enough. they flat out aren't built to be a comfy rig. if you dont' have a building in the bed, or are not towing, it will ride like poo poo. half your traction will be lost.

now, swapping the engine into something made to do what you want is another thing.

i love my 80, but i also don't mind (or should i say that after 25 years of land cruisers, am used to) going slower. and i'm used to crappy mileage. swap the cummins and a five speed in here.

if you love what you have, but it's worn, fix those 240,000+ mile parts.

 

[Chris Goehring]

Yea that was my main concern. I'm just looking for something with simplistic featured, durable, with some power. I like the 5.9 jeep cherokees, but its a jeep... If it wasn't for our gun laws here in the u.s. I would move to Australia, they have the most ************ diesels. And a engine swaps is out of my league.

 

[stonepa]

I always wonder about that 'IFS is crap' comment. Although I don't rock crawl with them (that's what my Disco is for) I have had zero issues with the IFS in my old 94 4Runner or 98 LC. Zero. Driven them all over North America, back roads, no roads, water crossings, deep snow, sand, logs, you name it. No issues. Nada.

Rock crawling is a different matter but only due to articulation. Not reliability.

Can some provide me some insight into the reliability comments?

 

[nuclearlemon]

I always wonder about that 'IFS is crap' comment. Although I don't rock crawl with them (that's what my Disco is for) I have had zero issues with the IFS in my old 94 4Runner or 98 LC. Zero. Driven them all over North America, back roads, no roads, water crossings, deep snow, sand, logs, you name it. No issues. Nada.

Rock crawling is a different matter but only due to articulation. Not reliability.

Can some provide me some insight into the reliability comments?

can't say much about reliability, but ifs does just fine with the right driver....this guy is running lines guys on 40s have problems with and he's got ifs and skinny 33s all terrains http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2rR3waQ2A0

took him a little longer, but i was on a double locked rig with 35s and solid axle and i wouldn't think of taking this line.

 

[stonepa]

can't say much about reliability, but ifs does just fine with the right driver....this guy is running lines guys on 40s have problems with and he's got ifs and skinny 33s all terrains http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2rR3waQ2A0

took him a little longer, but i was on a double locked rig with 35s and solid axle and i wouldn't think of taking this line.

That trail is exactly the kind of trail looking for an $1800 FJ80. I wonder if that South Carolina cruiser from another thread is still available?