Calling on all trail pros

302cj

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 26, 2007
Location
Sanford
Being i am still trying to sell/trade to find a trail rig what is everbodys opinion on the best vehicle. Im not talking about $30000 vehicles either. Just your average five to ten thousand dollar rigs
 
YJ, but I am kinda biased. For 5-10K, you can get a real nice TJ though. I just could not afford one when I started building :rolleyes:
 
trails

me either just trying to get everyones ideas. Everytime you talk to someone about anything they always say i should have of done this. Trying to avoid that.
 
If i were going to build a rig starting over right now, i think i would build a YJ, they are a pretty good platform and can be found cheap
 
Im a die hard CJ man.:driver: But if i were building a nice trail rig i would probably use a YJ. You can find them for resonable prices and everyone makes aftermarket parts for them.
 
YJ or Cherokee cause I'm partial to Jeeps. Toyota trucks are hard to beat also! For that kind of money you can buy a rig and pretty much build it to do any trails in our area.
 
I'm not a "trail pro" but I'd say pick up one of the unfinished projects from this board. Your bank account will thank you later.
 
OK Ill throw the odd ball comment out here.

Id go with a Full Size Bowtie.
Why?
Well, they are cheap, you will get into one much cheaper than any jeep (even a YJ).
They are more plentiful. Most major replacement parts remain unchanged from 73-86.
Upgrades are plentiful, and reasonably priced, and I like the room.

All that said, there is something to be said, for topless trail rigs I guess. And there are a few trails where the added width would be a detriment. But it seems like everyone I see is taking a YJ and stuffing full widths under it, so is there really an advantage there?.

But i do agree a YJ is a nice platform. If you are stuck on a JEEP.
 
I say xj cherokee but I am biased. You can build an XJ for what a nice yj will cost you before you build it. Check out the 5k xj that one of the mags did a couple years ago. And they didn't do it cheap! They bought all new stuff. Arround here yj's are $4K-$5K easy.
 
I havent posted pics or prices , and its not officialy for sale YET, but i have a great trail TJ that will be for sale soon.
Lots of upgrades already in place.
 
I am a big toyota fan I love mine and I got 3 of my buddies driving one now too, they love them also. Also a international scout is a good vehicle there is a great stock one for sale down the street from me. I agree with buying a unfinished project because everyone sells there rig for less then what they have in it(trust me). My buddy has a 79 toyota for sale also walk everything at uwharrie with out trouble.
 
I would go with a Toyota. Leaf sprung and very capable. I am seeing more and more of them on the trails and I am always impressed at how well they perform with minimal work.
 
I have a TJ and an Xj. I prefer my XJ. More room for gear while traveling to and from the trail and mine has really cold A/C. A/C is good for the kids I take. I also like the 4Runners. XJ's are pretty plentiful and Cheap and you can still do the full width thing pretty cheap.
 
Well, from my experience...especially if you can put your hands on 5-10k cash (not gonna need to get a secured car loan)

Start watching ebay, here, pirate4x4 and other local boards for a BUILT rig in your price range.

For instance on here is SOA 'yota pickup running brand new 36s, etc for 6500. You will see "built" rigs all over the place about that price range and 90% of the work is already done, the 10% is making it your own.

So for that kind of cash, buy something built, you wont believe at how much that will save you.

As far as the rest...do you want to sit, 1, 2, 3/4 folks? Do you prefer comfort over open air?


Cherokee and Full Size Jeeps are the cheapest family rigs to build right at the moment. You can pick them up for $1k all day long... Blazer and Bronco are similar but slightly higher price tag, but bigger axles...BUT more weight so that offsets the axle strengths.

Jeeps/open tops, YJs are the best bargain right now, 97-99 TJs are starting to get reasonable for low buck build basis (or built in your range)

Final thought is what kind of driving do you want to do. Mild wheeling, any of the above with 33s...medium, 35s and a locker in rear at least and a winch.

Hard core...36+ tires, lockers front and rear, beadlocked rims, good cage, and don't mind major body dmg.

Insane...the "cool" factor at the moment is buggy rig with 2.5 ton axles, v8 and it looks like 40+ tires...(Dana 60s are SO last year...heh)

Mall Rated...any of above and spend more time on here than on trails (Guilty as charged!)

Sam
 
Will you be trailering it ? Or driving it to the trails ? That would help determine my suggestion..

Also what is your target tire size ? 33s/35s/ etc.??
 
just looking for something cheap there is an 83 chevy shortbed above my house in reidsville for $2500, 350ci, 4 speed granny gear, i think 35's with a little suspension lift, it has some rust in the body.
 
???

Thanks for the info guys. Not real sure yet what I want. Just like a drag car it will be towed only. Driving to the trails is asking for trouble. Not going to do anything until I sell my mustang or trade it. Would really like to have a cj but the cherokee is starting to sound good. Im a ford guy at heart so whatever i get is going to have a ford motor and trans unless its a deal that can't be passed up. Having said that chevys are a lot cheaper to build. I had allways heard that chevys were cheaper but didnt really know until this motor I have now. But back to the trail rigs the buggies are sweet just don't know how much trouble they would be to be street leagel. Not going down the highway everyday but the occasional drive to work on friday would be nice.
 
Heck if you're going to spend $5k-10k and if it'll be towed, you can get a nice gasoline powered Mog. Strip the bed down to a flat bed, put some decent tires on it, and you'll waltz thru most trails in this area in otherwise stock form. Put a winch on it, and you're ready to tackle Lower 2. No other stock vehicle can say that. But, not everyone is ready for a little eurotrash driving. :driver:
 
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