Intro/Advice on Rigs

[JSimmons]

Hello all,

Well, this is an intro thread in addition to me asking you guys for some pointers on my next rig.

I'm an Army guy stationed at Fort Campbell, TN that has a longtime interest in expedition/rescue built rigs. My previous rig was a '97 Wrangler 4.0 manual. Great truck, horrible gas mileage and there was "always" something going wrong with it. My wife got tired of climbing into it so I sold it and bought a BMW. Love the Bimmer but it's not an off-road rig.

The other rig my wife and I had was a '95 4Runner 4WD auto w/ the V6. Awesome truck. However, I think we got the lemon of the bunch since we had a transmission bite the dust at 120K and then the engine retired itself at 160K. Loved that truck and was sad to see it go. The wife replaced it with a Subie Outback.

So...you're probably wanting me to get around to the "asking for advice" part of this thread. Well, my dilemma is this: I need an economical rig to cart me and my military gear around while up here at Fort Campbell. Should I go with a 1st generation 4Runner or should I go with something like a full-size Bronco? :sombrero:

Okay, so yeah I know that is a weird combo to consider. However, I need something that could be able to tow the BMW on a trailer, while being loaded down with various military gear/household items and a slobbering Mastiff. The Bronco can haul all of that but I cringe at the thought of 10-15mpg. I would love to give a domestic rig a chance but after my experience with Jeep "quality" ... I just don't know about it.

I have been looking at a few 1st Gen 4Runners around here. Not bad looking rigs. Most are 22R engines with 5 speeds. Can that little 4-banger haul a trailer with a BMW? The Bimmer weighs around 3300 lbs., FYI.

Anyhow...the reason I am posting this on ExpeditionPortal.com is that I eventually hope to utilize this purchase to create an expedition/survival rig. No hardcore rockcrawling or mud-bogging for me.

Well, thanks for taking the time to read this meandering post. Much thanks to any and all opinions/guidance on this insanity.

Regards,
Joel

 

[Token]

How about this..?? It's in east AR and would make a HELL of a expo rig..

http://www.midsouthjeeps.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=9148

 

[hillbillyjake]

i have never towed with my 89, but i think a 3300# car on a 1500# trailer (aprox.) would be a load. i have 255/85, 5.29's, and a 5 speed and would not want to tow that much weight. i have never towed that much weight, but would not want either. my .02

 

[JSimmons]

How about this..?? It's in east AR and would make a HELL of a expo rig..

http://www.midsouthjeeps.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=9148

That is definitely a beast. Probably a bit on the big side for me. I guess I have to decide what is more important: towing or off-roading. The thought of dismal gas mileage again does make me cringe...

The BMW runs fine, it would just be easier to tow it to Fort Campbell rather than driving back and forth with the wife to transport 3 vehicles and a bunch of household goods.

Thanks for the input all.

Joel

 

[Token]

The thought of dismal gas mileage again does make me cringe...

Don't talk to me about dismal gas mileage.. I drive a Hummer.. We went from Memphis to Moab and back summer before last, when gas prices were at the highest ever.. Spent over $900 round trip..

Longest driving vacation I've ever taken, in the lowest mileage vehilce I've ever owned and had more fun than I've had on any vacation before..

 

[JSimmons]

Don't talk to me about dismal gas mileage.. I drive a Hummer.. We went from Memphis to Moab and back summer before last, when gas prices were at the highest ever.. Spent over $900 round trip..

Longest driving vacation I've ever taken, in the lowest mileage vehilce I've ever owned and had more fun than I've had on any vacation before..

Dang...that's an expensive trip! Well, my old Jeep got around 10 mpg with a tail wind. Bad gearing (3.73).

At least you had fun... :elkgrin:

Joel

 

[RockyMtnFamily]

I towed a 1981 Toyota Long bed 4x4 with a 1985 Toyota XCab 4x4 from Phoenix, AZ to Guatemala (2500 miles). I would not suggest using something this lightweight (or even a 4Runner) to tow your car. The top speed I was able to do was 50-55mph and it took me six days to get there. I would have chickened out but was already committed to making the trip.

Kevin

 

[austintaco]

I have had an 89 Bronco, an 84 4runner, and an 894runner. The Bronco was eventually lifted 4" with 33 AT's, stock gearing, Auto. The 84 4runner I had once when it was stock and then again when it was lifted 5", 35's, and regeared with 4.88's. The 89 was always stock with the 3.0 and it was a manual.

The best for towing would have been:
Bronco in stock form
a tie between lifted Bronco and stock 89 4runner
84 stock, but with the engine running in good condition
84 with bigger tires and regeared

The best for gas mileage would have been:
84 stock
84 lifted
89 stock
Bronco stock
Bronco lifted

Notes: the bronco had the 302 and it was an automatic. The IFS lift on it always managed to chew up tires. It broke down with weird issues every 4 months, and put me in debt as a college student. It looked ************, but I sold it and bought the 84 4runner.
The 84 ran great when I first bought it, but it was always underpowered. I towed a fully loaded Uhaul 200 miles and it wasn't that much fun. The 22r only has 96 HP stock.
I have not towed with the 84 in its lates setup, but if I had to, I would put on 33's. The previous owner put on 33's and towed a camping trailer several hundred miles and said it rode great.
The 89 was the best all around. I had great luck with the 3.0 in it and when I sold it at 189k, it could still get 20 mpg with 31" AT's. When I bought it, I drover a rental car to Missouri and towed the rental car home behind the 4runner. It did great.

That's all I got. hope this helps.

 

[TangoBlue]

I'm an Army guy stationed at Fort Campbell, TN...

I'm a Squid but if I remember my Land Navigation correctly Fort Campbell used to be in Kentucky. Please tell me you're not in Field Artillery...

Welcome in any event... wherever you are!

 

[JSimmons]

I have had an 89 Bronco, an 84 4runner, and an 894runner. The Bronco was eventually lifted 4" with 33 AT's, stock gearing, Auto. The 84 4runner I had once when it was stock and then again when it was lifted 5", 35's, and regeared with 4.88's. The 89 was always stock with the 3.0 and it was a manual.

The best for towing would have been:
Bronco in stock form
a tie between lifted Bronco and stock 89 4runner
84 stock, but with the engine running in good condition
84 with bigger tires and regeared

The best for gas mileage would have been:
84 stock
84 lifted
89 stock
Bronco stock
Bronco lifted

Notes: the bronco had the 302 and it was an automatic. The IFS lift on it always managed to chew up tires. It broke down with weird issues every 4 months, and put me in debt as a college student. It looked ************, but I sold it and bought the 84 4runner.
The 84 ran great when I first bought it, but it was always underpowered. I towed a fully loaded Uhaul 200 miles and it wasn't that much fun. The 22r only has 96 HP stock.
I have not towed with the 84 in its lates setup, but if I had to, I would put on 33's. The previous owner put on 33's and towed a camping trailer several hundred miles and said it rode great.
The 89 was the best all around. I had great luck with the 3.0 in it and when I sold it at 189k, it could still get 20 mpg with 31" AT's. When I bought it, I drover a rental car to Missouri and towed the rental car home behind the 4runner. It did great.

That's all I got. hope this helps.

Awesome insights. Thanks for your post!

 

[JSimmons]

I'm a Squid but if I remember my Land Navigation correctly Fort Campbell used to be in Kentucky. Please tell me you're not in Field Artillery...

Welcome in any event... wherever you are!

Tango - Fort Campbell sits astride the state line of KY and TN. Technically, the post HQ is on the KY side, but most people stationed here live on the TN side. So, technically, yes it is "in" KY. I've posted on several off-road forums tonight and keep interchanging "Clarksville" with "Fort Campbell." Oh well...

Oh yeah...not a cannon cocker here. God no. :Wow1:

Thanks for the welcome!

Joel

 

[RockyMtnFamily]

The top speed I was able to do was 50-55mph and it took me six days to get there. I would have chickened out but was already committed to making the trip.
Kevin

I forgot to mention, my speed was not limited by the horsepower of the 85 Toyota with EFI, it was limited by being over the towing weight of that truck and the towed rig, which I believe may have outweighed the 1985. Also, the 85 was lifted, had nerf bars, 33x12.50 tires and a fiberglass camper shell so I believe the weight was close to that of a 4Runner.

I had some scary white knuckle moments driving through Mexico on the bad highways and having 18 wheelers coming the opposite direction on those same narrow roads. It got a bit squirrely at times before I learned to slow it down and take my time. I was able to slide sideways through a round about that snuck up on me and think that the torrential rain had something to do with that.

The gas mileage was great as I got above 20mpg the whole trip while towing.

Hope this helps,

Kevin

 

[JSimmons]

Thanks for your insight Kevin. I'm leaning towards the Toyota side of things. I'll be going to look at an '89 4Runner w/ the 22RE engine tomorrow. We'll see how stout the little 4-banger is I guess...:smiley_drive:

Towing the BMW would really only be a one-time affair. Other than that, I'd be using the rig as an overland/expedition/exploration rig and to tow an aluminum bass boat or similar.

I guess I could always put a Chevy 350 in it....

Joel