Best Jeep platform for builing and expo rig on a budget

[Hilldweller]

First thing that popped into my head was an old Toyota pickup, contractor's rack, and a fabbed-up fold-open plywood semi-top on of that. The line of the plywood below the roof top for fuel economy --- fold it open and get a self-supporting (the air pole tents come to mind) tent to set on top; rig a ladder for support.
Bam. Self-contained. A little bit Jed Clampett, but simple and elegant.

 

[SGV]

Thanks a lot Troy great response. I have definitly noticed that Xj are very cheap. How are they towing? I was thinking of doing a tent trailer off road convertion of about 1200-1500lbs.

Should not have any problems towing with the XJ. I towed a Uhaul laden with a 500 lb motorcycle, couch, coffee table; well, all of my belongings at the time, the cab was filled, two 185 lb adults, from Normal, Il to Rhode Island and it still had "almost" head snapping acceleration up hill. It drove almost like there was no trailer back there. It was a great truck and I regret getting rid of it.

 

[98dango]

Well I have owned toyot's chevy's ford's jeep's. For what u have said your after. I would buy an XJ. If you find a YJ for 2500 its gonna need 2500 in repairs. A 2nd or 3rd gen toyota p/u will run you 3500 for one you can drive with out issues and then the lift tiers and the cab is still small (reason i sold mine). You could look at 4 runners but there pricey. The FJ series is nice and every thing costs a lot a lot a lot.

I just picked up a YJ becous i love them. If i where to buy a purchas a nother rig for just dd back country rig. I would buy a zj xj or a fj60-80. For low budget id half to go Xj tho it will tow. Easy to buy cheep parts and big after market.

 

[scottrist]

Thanks Dango I think I am really beginning to be swayed to an XJ more and more. I just read i cool book at Borders about building an XJ. Very informative.

So I have been looking a lot and I want to get a 91 or newer.

How many miles do you guys feel is same. Most are at least 140k. Sounds like a lot to me. How many miles is well maintained 4.0 good for.

 

[DaveInDenver]

You could look at 4 runners but there pricey.

Here's some 1st and 2nd gen 4Runners from $1200 to $2500.

http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/984287511.html (1993)
http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/982393463.html (1991)
http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/982020562.html (1993)
http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/981495758.html (1992)
http://denver.craigslist.org/ctd/981410230.html (1988)
http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/978925296.html (1987)
http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/976353138.html (1988)
http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/971144556.html (1990)

They won't be pristine, but they'll be functional and will still have lots of miles to give. You'll have to hold your nose on account of the IFS and maybe a 3.0L V6, though.

 

[98dango]

Thanks Dango I think I am really beginning to be swayed to an XJ more and more. I just read i cool book at Borders about building an XJ. Very informative.

So I have been looking a lot and I want to get a 91 or newer.

How many miles do you guys feel is same. Most are at least 140k. Sounds like a lot to me. How many miles is well maintained 4.0 good for.

there is a poorly maintaned 4.0 in my back yard with 286 k 3 girls drove it threw high school

 

[98dango]

Here's some 1st and 2nd gen 4Runners from $1200 to $2500.

http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/984287511.html (1993)
http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/982393463.html (1991)
http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/982020562.html (1993)
http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/981495758.html (1992)
http://denver.craigslist.org/ctd/981410230.html (1988)
http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/978925296.html (1987)
http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/976353138.html (1988)
http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/971144556.html (1990)

They won't be pristine, but they'll be functional and will still have lots of miles to give. You'll have to hold your nose on account of the IFS and maybe a 3.0L V6, though.

i can stand the the ifs you ever had to replace head gaskets on a 3.0. Not my favrite saterday afternnon

also every one has rust wich i know comes with the area but If im goign to spend money id rather start with a nice rig.

 

[98dango]

if i had to get a 4runner id look at the 89 and older runners 22re 5spd

youd still get farther with a xj there much cheeper to own insure and fix

and my 3rd gen p/u 3500 purchas 14k later

here is my old 4 runner's

second 4runner well 2500 to start and lots after

\


first 4 runner paid 1300 300 for a tranny 200 for clutch

 

[DaveInDenver]

rather start with a nice rig.

You do get a lot of truck for your $2500 with the Cherokee and Grand Cherokee.

http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/986050332.html
http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/984254872.html
http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/983904600.html
http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/983526724.html
http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/983191449.html
http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/982135991.html

http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/983126177.html (slightly built 1989 for $1500, seriously this looks like a real steal!)

 

[98dango]

You do get a lot of truck for your $2500 with the Cherokee and Grand Cherokee.

http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/986050332.html
http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/984254872.html
http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/983904600.html
http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/983526724.html
http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/983191449.html
http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/982135991.html

http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/983126177.html (slightly built 1989 for $1500, seriously this looks like a real steal!)

id buy the last one in a heart beat

no you dont but stock for stock your looking at an avrage of 60 k less miles per rig with a jeep

you also can lift a xj for 300 1200 for a ifs toy and i have broken way tomaney ifs axels all i know is i can change an ifs axel in 12 minuets from damn to go

 

[DaveInDenver]

id buy the last one in a heart beat

no you dont but stock for stock your looking at an avrage of 60 k less miles per rig with a jeep

you also can lift a xj for 300 1200 for a ifs toy and i have broken way tomaney ifs axels all i know is i can change an ifs axel in 12 minuets from damn to go

You can fit 33x10.50 or 33x9.50 tires on a IFS truck for way less than $1200.

Budget 1.5" lift is:
IFS Truss: $100
Downey Idler Truss: $50
22mm socket: $8
Crank torsion bars.

If you have more budget, a nice 1.5" lift is:
IFS Truss: $100
SODRI Ball Joint Spacers: $100
Downey Idler Truss: $50
You gain 1.5" of travel this way and don't need to crank torsion bars at all.

Now 33x12.50 and 35"+ tires are a problem, no easy way to get them on an IFS truck without a bracket lift (which suck no matter), but I would say that a XJ is going to have problems fitting 35" tires on a 3" lift, too. In all cases, 35"+ tires are a major step up and you will be breaking lots of junk on any mini truck or Cherokee. The 7.5" IFS, 8" Toyota and the Dana 35 and Dana 44 are only so strong and these trucks came with 235/75R15 tires.

 

[4Rescue]

Honestly. In terms of living out of it for 3-4 nmonths you're looking at some interesting compromises. You're either going want a rig like the Comander (or and older Grand Cherokee or Wagoneer)for the room to live out of or something like a Wrangler if you want trail performance. But you're really not going to find both unless you went with a ZJ or an older Wagoneer. The Wagoneer with a Diesel swap would be a great Expo platform IMO.

OF all the Jeeps out there, and for my load/people carrying needs (or lack there of) the LJ (2 Dr. LWB unlimited) Rubicon would be the best IMO. Perfect wheel base, more room to carry things, solid axles, lockers etc. But it's not too big and honestly I'd be hesitant to "live" out of it for many months on end. It is however very capable off road and with the added WB rides quite well on the hwy. too.

On the other hand, out of Jeeps new vehicles, the Comander seem the most promising in the gear hauling venue. That said, it's nowhere near as trail worthy as the LJ. So there are trade off's. There IS one SWEET Comander here on the board that seems to make a good case for their off-road ability... However it is the exception, not the rule It is one cool exception though eh.

Honestly Unless you're ABSOLUTELY non-flexible on brand's and simply MUST have a Jeep:I'd simply suggest that there are better makes of vehicles in terms of both the ability to haul gear, handle trail duties, and ultimately (and most importantly) last longer.

Cheers

Dave :safari-rig:

EDit: Honestly... Be wary of "built" Cherokees I say this having owned quite a few, and if abused the uni-body just doesn't hold up in my experience (and experiences vary eh). Plus IMO, and this is just me being non-trusting of people in general, when someone says "built" I just start imagining all of the things the PO did wrong... personaly I'd be looking for something with a good old frame underneath it. PLus in my experience the XJ, as wide and stable as it is, is really cramped inside. It may look like a decent sized truck, but let's just say your back passengers if you have any will hate it after more than a few hours. Some people fit in them very well and comfortably... At 5'11 190lbs (as in not a big and tell person by any means) I foud them, all of them, to be very uncomfortable ergonomicaly... Even more so now that I'm driving the 4Runner.

 

[98dango]

I am sorry if I have made this a jeep vs toyota thred at this point.

I know all the reason bolth ways


i agree you can run 33 with less on a toyota

but in going off his 2500 and then 2500 my opinion would it will go farther with a jeep xj over a toyota

if i had say 5k and then 2500 id totaly go with a fj80

 

[scottrist]

Thanks for all the info guys. Dave that last XJ looks very nice. The winch alone is worth a 1/3 of the price. Anyways I am not against yotas either. And I am not soley a jeep guy never even owned one. Toyotas my whole life. But I am on a budget. I believe my tent trailer idea will work great for living out of. Look up euro.love trailer build. He did a great job. Me and my buddy can do something like that no sweat.

Also after seeing a lot of XJ's in action they can do a lot with 31's and a rear locker. I've seen them make it through the rubicon. Which is very impressive. As far the unibody I have been doing a lot of reading about helping support the structure so I am not too worried about it. Nor will this thing be getting battered on any hardcore trails any time soon.

I just wanted to hear from the jeep guys here cause I know an XJ is a good platform for my budget. I have a posting in fireside chat about ANY vehicle. The mod asked me to write up there. Feel free to chime in.

 

[4Rescue]

I am sorry if I have made this a jeep vs toyota thred at this point.

I know all the reason bolth ways


i agree you can run 33 with less on a toyota

but in going off his 2500 and then 2500 my opinion would it will go farther with a jeep xj over a toyota

if i had say 5k and then 2500 id totaly go with a fj80

Well... Wich would you rather pay for, higher quality, less maint. required for a haigher buy in, or a lower entry cost with a far higher potential for neding repairs and eventualy sinking more money into it in the long run???

Sometimes you just want to get a truck for cheap and go, and in that respect I'd say yeah an XJ will get you out and about for alot less money. And while they last, XJ's a gret trail rigs...

That said, I'd bewilling to bet that within 2 years of ownership that you'll have the same money in the Jeep if not more than you would just buying the Toyota right out. But then you also have that time to accumulate the money for repairs over time instead of a big hit all at once. Not everyone can afford to just go to the top of the heap and buy whatever.

I would point out though that for 2500 you can get a pretty good 2nd Gen 4Runner these days. With Toyotas, because of the higher re-sale value, you just need to be patient and look around for a steal. They are out there.

The lift/tire fitment issue is a big difference between the two Trucks. Toyota's will fit 33x1.50's or narower on the right BS'd wheels with 0 lift. You need at LEAST 4 if not 6" to fit the same tires on an XJ, and you can't do a body lift... So right there you're looking at a whole new suspension just to get a good sized tire on. We all know how I lean. Had lots of Jeeps, had ONE Toyota (here in the states) and I'm never going back (although a Diesel CJ8/6 or LJ would be pretty damn sweet in my book) to a Uni-body rig.

Cheers

Dave