Help me invest into the best overlanding/towing/ offroading rig!

[calicamper]

There is zero reason to be talking about adding a turbo/supercharger to an older vehicle on a budget, especially when you’re planning to take it to remote places.

Go buy a 2000-2006 Tahoe or Suburban, 4wd versions generally don’t cost any more than the 2wd ones. The 5.3L is about as solid as they come, budget for a rebuilt trans and you shouldn’t have many other major issues. I bought one for $2,200, drove it for two years, and sold it for $2,000. Put a set of 32” all terrains on it, some decent shocks, and go explore. Many of them came with the G80 automatic rear locker also.

When you’re broke you don’t need project/extra vehicles, there is nothing wrong with using it as a DD.

I realize it may just be semantics also, but vehicles are rarely “investments”. I’ve been learning a lot about building wealth over the last year and a half and there is a ton of simple stuff nobody ever teaches you that I wish I’d learned sooner...

^ yep
I have three neighbors their old Yukon/Tahoes are being driven by the kids and have well past 230,000. All they do is change fluids, do brakes and toss stock sized rubber on every few yrs. Skip Toyota your budget doesn’t play in that game nor does it fit the parts cost to fix them.

 

[jbaucom]

Again, you don't need to waste money on looks or a lift, etc. Get the house in order first.

An F 150, extended cab, 99-2004, 5.0 V8, they should be 10K or less for low mileage trucks, less than 125K miles.

There were no 5.0 V8 F150s built from 1999-2004. The 4.6 from those years is the most reliable option.

 

[jbaucom]

It sounds like you may already have a daily driver; what is it? Do you need a different vehicle for your hobby? You can "overland" in a Toyota Corolla. If you do need a different vehicle to meet your needs, I'd suggest replacing the one you already have so that you aren't paying for maintenance, insurance, and property tax on multiple vehicles.

The second generation Nissan Frontier 4x4 is a pretty reliable and capable ride without paying the Toyota tax, and it'll do everything you listed. It sounds like based on your age and financial situation that you need to focus on dependability so that this vehicle can get you back-and-forth to work, which should be its primary use (at least ~80% commuting). You don't need a money pit that you're constantly wrenching on. Keep it stock, add good tires, and enjoy. If, when you say "overlanding," you mean off-roading for the sake of driving off-road and maybe camping for a night, then I'd suggest also finding a cheap, but solid, ATV to ride and beat on off-road. You don't want to break your daily driver.

At this stage your hobbies should be pretty economical, which overlanding (essentially car camping) can be if you don't get lured into the lift, big tires, and gear rabbit hole, so that most of your disposable income can go into building financial stability and investing to build wealth (including investing in yourself to boost your earning potential). Living on your own at 21 is a huge undertaking these days, and making ends meet, surviving and thriving is a major accomplishment.

 

[Ozarker]

There were no 5.0 V8 F150s built from 1999-2004. The 4.6 from those years is the most reliable option.

I had a '99 and by golly, you're right, my 2020 is the 5.0.

 

[douglastic]

OK - I will be the one to suggest the LR3 - haha
I know . . . just hear me out.

Pros:
+ Very Capable Off Road, even stock with just good A/T tires
+ Great Traction Control, standard center locking diff and available rear with 45:1 crawl ratio
+ Bulletproof 4.4 V8, strong ZF transmission
+ Cheap to buy, easy to DIY
+ Air suspension, raise for off-road, levels when loaded, comfy
+ Pleasant interior, packed with options, very comfortable,
+ 3 row seating, which goes absolutely flat for cargo, sleeping (I am 6ft and lay flat)
+ Tows 7700lb, including actual recovery points F/R
+ Comes with (empty) 2nd battery location up front for dual setup
+ LR was owned by Ford at the time, so hey, some FOMOCO parts are standard!

Cons:
- Expensive if you don't do your own work
- Electrical gremlins
- Air suspension - sometimes chasing leaks
- Can't fit tires larger that 33"
- Aftermarket somewhat limited
- Heavy - can eat tires, brakes, bushings
- Essentially requires having GAP IIDTool (or other) to DIY (~$500)
- Says Land Rover on it

But once sorted, could be a real option - at least don't say no too quickly!
I have had years of cheap, trouble-free driving - on and off-road (including the air suspension)

They do get under your skin! And they don't look dated.
They are more suited to overloading than you think - they are not your posh Range Rover.
Anyway, had to at least suggest a less common option! Some really don't know what they truly offer.

 

[vintageracer]

YouTube!

Watch everyone's Overlanding video's on Youtube.

See the sites, learn a lot, save a lot of money and easily go on the three or four two week Overlanding trips in a day all from the comfort of home!

 

[rawtoxic]

I vote for the Tundra. I've owned my 2004 since brand new it has an ultra low cost of ownership it was only $17,500 new. The v6 stick is the way to go it is hard to find but worth it. MPG are 16-19 Worse things broken in 340k miles is alternator, brake booster, ignition control module and starter everything else works or has been minor.

 

[Todd780]

your big
Get a full sized Standard length SUV. Tahoe / Yukon, Expedition they make millions of them you can find one in your budget.

parked side by side with a mid sized and they are basically wider and thats about it. Definitely superior regarding roll over given they are wider and definitely superior regarding power and payload

Not only this, but I can say my '03 S/C Xterra, '00 Grand Cherokee and '03 Explorer got about the same gas milage as the Yukon, Tahoe and Suburban's I've owned. (Never owned an Expedition but I imagine they get similar milage to a fullsize GM)

I also did not notice what you are towing and how often? That can be a factor as well.

That being said, personally if you are set on the ones you listed, I would choose the Grand. But that's personal bias.

Drive each and see which one you like best. That's really all it comes down to.

 

[Fortun3]

Out of the list you mentioned definitely a Jeep Grand Cherokee with the 4.7l is an excellent choice. 99-04 WJ model is a killer off-roader out of the box with some minor upgrades (mild lift and all terrain tires). Solid axles are hard to beat. I have own a few along with the xj and they are relatively reliable with tons of aftermarket support. Find the cleanest most well maintained version of what you want. They can be very affordable if you are patient and ready to buy. Many nice ones in the $3-5k range. You can definitely find cheaper but don't go for the cheapest you can find. Go for the one with least amount of major repairs needed.

Other notable options but might be little more on the budget.
- 4runner or Tacoma
- Land Cruiser
- Xterra or Frontier
- Tundra or Sequoia
- xj cherokee prefer 97-01 models