best vehicle to start with???

cj 5

  • Total voters
    51
the-bearded-manche'

the-bearded-manche'

back in the saddle again
Joined
Sep 19, 2012
Location
charlotte nc
lets say we could all hit the restart button....what would you choose to start your project with? im not talking about a "win the lotto" scenario. lets just pretend we buy a starter truck and have 3-8k to spend on her. what would you go with?
 
full tube, ls based engine, 104in wb, tons with fourwheel steering, full hydro on stickies..............have i used up 8grand yet
 
Stuntman Autoworks said:
I voted for a newer yota, think 4dr tacoma with a v6 manual and first thing to do would be sas it. I think that would be a sweet all around wheel on Sunday drive to work on Monday kind of rig.
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With a budget of 3-8k AFTER purchase (since that is the scenario provided) this is definitely how I'd go - 4dr TRD Taco.
I'm not seven sure I'd SAS it, would be really tempted to do longarms + coilovers etc.
 
My first (current ) rig is a Cherokee. Iv'e had the chance to ride in a lot of different rigs and I still like the Cherokee platform the best.
They are cheap and easy to find parts for.
 
I would start with an ext cab toy pickup 22r 5spd. Then add Tons, ruf, f150 spring, locked, on 42 with pane.


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97-99 Cherokee imo is the perfect dd weekend wheeler. With the budget you have listed you could build the xj to do probably 80% of the trails on the east coast drive it home and to work Monday morning. The 4 .0 will allow you to go down the interstate at 70.
 
I voted for the about unbreakable, solid axle Toy. I've had my mildly modified one since 85 and love it to death. It hasnt been rockcrawling, but it has taken lots of abuse on and off the road and come back for more and parts are actually getting cheaper for it now, go figure? I like the utility of a truck to haul lots of whatever I need to besides passengers, fuel economy is good w the 22r also.
 
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I voted for newer toy also. I started with an 89 pickup and SASd it on 35s. Then built an 87 4runner. Now I have a 92 pickup that I have created my perfect truck. I would definately find an extra cab because the room is nice. It seems that it is cheaper to run bigger tires and gearing options are more without doing crazy tcase swaps.
 
Solid axle yota was my vote. I figure you could purchase a 84-85 xtra cab, longfields, dual case, cage, 42" tires, and pane for 8k.

If I had 8 to spend after purchase it would be a 4 door taco w sas w tons and above mentioned.
 
sgtbriangreen said:
I voted for newer toy also. I started with an 89 pickup and SASd it on 35s. Then built an 87 4runner. Now I have a 92 pickup that I have created my perfect truck. I would definately find an extra cab because the room is nice. It seems that it is cheaper to run bigger tires and gearing options are more without doing crazy tcase swaps.
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Yep...... the lack of an Xtracab is the only thing I don't like about mine........I'm thinkin about changing that though...............
 
Been DDing/wheeling a xj since I started. However I do like the way a izuzu trooper and rodeo look and ride. My girl drives a rodeo and I feel like for the weight of the car the V6 can whip it around. Tons of torque. Average mpg(15). d44 rear disc brakes. All I would do is mild lift(2-3'') waggy d44 front and ARB and armor. Comfortable cab. I would do it. This except solid front :huggy:
ai18.photobucket.com_albums_b145_Aznguy4o8_EmigrantTrailSept16004.jpg
 
if I were to start with a driver and convert it I would use a two door soft top Tracker, use a sammi T-case, toyota axles, on a 35in KM2, comfortable interior, more room than my sammi and not too many of them around so it would still get cool points for being kinda different, a friend of mine done a four door and while not my type the thing is an all around great rig, He drives it up from SC to URE beats the snot out of it and drives it home (20+ mpg too)
 
XJ. they are cheap, moderately light, good wheelbase, decent drivetrain except for the axles and the aftermarket is good. I have seen many XJs that were mildly modified make my rig look stupid. not that it's that hard to do but for as much money and time I've spent I would hope it would perform better than a mildly modified XJ. Get one with the HO 4.0. the rest of the 4.0s are dogs compard to it.
 
Full size ford, get a cheap beat up early 90's f-350 with a small block ford and a five speed. It has a 1 tons more than enough power and room for a 6 foot 4 person. An old work truck can be had for cheap and plenty of upgrades for 3-8k.

Now if I was looking for room for the family as-well probably a full size bronco or Cherokee for the same reasons but need some extra upgrades in the end.
 
Two things you need. Solid axle and a frame. That narrows your list dramatically. I voted early bronco because TJ wasn't on your list. TJ adds EFI. You can get that with a YJ, but I don't like them as much. Also with an EB you can generally sell it much easier.
 
I voted older wrangler. early tj or late model yj. with that you can get em at a decent price with fuel injection solid axles a frame and plenty of aftermarket support, not to mention you can find lots of good used aftermarket stuff for them pretty cheap. with 3-8 grand you could replace the rear axle and either replace or beef up the d30 with some 32's -35's, keep it light and simple and have some fun.

my second vote would be a cherokee. keepit really simple hack cut chop your way to whatever tire you wanted and when it finnaly breaks in half, transfer all you stuff to another one that you can get for 500-900 bucks.
 
Would depend. I absolutely love my Cherokee, and all Cherokees, but there is a limit with them.

For a DD/Wheeler? An XJ, all day, every day, no competition.

For a Hardcore wheeler? YJ frame and Tub merged with a 1 ton chevy gasser. 60/14 bolt, 350, turbo400 or sm465 and a np205... all shoved into a yj. Easily done for 8k
 
I'd find a wrecked LJ rubicon and cage it. Might squeeze past the budget but there's enough parts in the market to replace anything major as long as the 44s and t-case still work.


And IMO that wheelbase is perfect.


If that bust the budget I'd search for a 2-door xj manual with the 8.25 rear.
 
If you want out of the box capability with very little upgrades a 4.0 tj of youre choice cant be beat, with anything ifs I wouldnt even consider it. Support for mods on a tj is endless and afordable.
 
Joe J. said:
I voted older wrangler. early tj or late model yj. with that you can get em at a decent price with fuel injection solid axles a frame and plenty of aftermarket support, not to mention you can find lots of good used aftermarket stuff for them pretty cheap. with 3-8 grand you could replace the rear axle and either replace or beef up the d30 with some 32's -35's, keep it light and simple and have some fun.

my second vote would be a cherokee. keepit really simple hack cut chop your way to whatever tire you wanted and when it finnaly breaks in half, transfer all you stuff to another one that you can get for 500-900 bucks.
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I have personally wheeled everything it feels like. Had a buggy, 3 cherokees, 2 wranglers, SAS Liberty, 85' toy truggy.
I finally decided that to me, a good quality rig to start with was a SAS toyota. Had 39's on my truggy which had stock axles & never broke once. Couldn't do that with a stock dana 30/35. Picked up a 94' regular cab toyota with the SAS already done for $2000. If I put $3k-$5k into it, it will be a nasty little truck.

My personal goal is to make it able to drive to places like moab, rausch creek, big dogs, hell even to KOH, have a good weekend/week there, & drive home. Plus daily drive it & what not.
 
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