i want to build mild cheap rig what 4x4 would you buy

andyxj said:
You cannot build a cherokee, the unibody will fold like a taco and turn into a super-massive black hole the moment you slip a tire. Any money you throw from that point on will end up in oblivion. :D




(Implied Sarcasm)
If you want cheap and reliable, the only vehicle you can possibly squeeze into a sentence using those two words is "toyota".

I've built a cherokee, and while my application may be more than you're talking about, I can vouch for them being super expensive. A straight axle toyota is much cheaper than an XJ and more reliable (Even if you buy ifs and convert). I've seen stock birfields (with drivers that aren't idiots) handle tire sizes that the puny d-30/8.25/35 combo, bottom-line, can't. 35's and stock shafts is do-able, whereas on the Jeep, I wouldn't dare. Plus....swapping in longfields is cheaper than a full blown axle swap - ask me, I know (as upgrading a 30 is probably not a "reliable" choice).

From the XJ side, if the biggest tire you're wanting to try on a dana 30/chryco 8.25 combo is a 31, then lock it and wheel it (you are looking at lift prices here, the toy requires no lift for this size, or maybe even 33's with a bit-o-trimming). If you go any bigger, say a 33, you'll probably be okay with a super light foot. Any thing bigger, both axles aren't going to make it long (maybe to the first turn in the trail). Take into account however that with a 33 and bigger, you're looking at really getting into money with the required amount of lift: SYE (MUST), driveshaft, adj. trackbar, control arms, etc.

---A Toyota on 33's is good to go, as would probably be 35's on a light foot (locked).---

Just my opinion and experience.
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not to start a pissing match but to say a toyota can be built cheaper than a cherokee deserves a E-slap....

Ive done both and tried both systems. Ok D30 is no match to the toyota front but i can buy a decent cherokee for $500.00 all day long....I cant touch a running driving toyota with solid axle for under 1300.00 By the time you lift the yota...Buy tires and do a dual or geared case to have any crawling power i could build a capable and nice cherokke that i could wheel most places have fun and drop off my buddies when im headed home from a day of wheeling..:beer: Im not hating on toys...i have one in the shop now im building (theres also a cherokee beside it) but when your talking cheap and reliable....the cherokee is a hard one to beat.

If i was in your shoes (op) i would look for a already built truck to stay cheap. (pm if intrested in a cherokee, i can find you a nice one for 3k and under)
 
These threads just make me laugh!!:lol:
Heres one of mine, and I got way less in it than JC. Andy can vouch this thing takes a savage beating from time to time.
P.S. I have run my 38s on it with no scrubbing.

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Stock rears up front, 63s rear. DARKNESS.....everybody.......everybody.........DARKNESS!!!!!!!
 
[I've been E-slapped]
:lol:
The point here is cheap and reliable. I hate to confess it, but there's not much, driveline wise on a cherokee that is reliable. There's the crappy slip-yoke, which if you've ever seen out of the case, you know what I mean, then there's the dana 30 (junk), and if you're unfortunate enough to have it, the c-clipped dana 35. What in that is reliable? You may be able to pick one up cheap, but you get what you pay for, for $500.

My point was:
A stock yota will clear tires that will cost you hundreds more to clear on an xj (unless you fubar something scary together I guess). By that point, you're right at the supposed price for a toy (BTW-doesn't need straight axle, you can always convert, look at the above pics: this drops price considerably - - there's well under a grand invested in the Darkness, my guess is around $800 or so).

The above build is a perfect example of zero money invested, and a capable rig, like which is being talked about. Can't come out that cheap and built with the same amount of money in an xj (sorry)
 
P.S.

The Darkness has been through abuse which would have decimated my cherokee and has escaped unscathed. It really is amazing what kind of punishment it takes anytime Landon decides to bring it over :shaking:
 
Just buy a Ranger and be happy and broke! Sorry I counldn't resist......I vote toy: or better yet, a mild built toy and go straight to having fun.
 
WARRIORWELDING said:
Just buy a Ranger and be happy and broke! Sorry I counldn't resist......I vote toy: or better yet, a mild built toy and go straight to having fun.
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Whats wrong with a Ranger I will have a dana 35 ttb front and 8.8 rear geared locked front and rear 33's with DIY beadlocks and warn winch with a james duff bumper lifted for under 1500 I dont think that is to bad but that is just me
 
I was trying to be "funnay".:huggy:
 
andyxj said:
[I've been E-slapped]
:lol:
The point here is cheap and reliable. I hate to confess it, but there's not much, driveline wise on a cherokee that is reliable. There's the crappy slip-yoke, which if you've ever seen out of the case, you know what I mean, then there's the dana 30 (junk), and if you're unfortunate enough to have it, the c-clipped dana 35. What in that is reliable? You may be able to pick one up cheap, but you get what you pay for, for $500.

My point was:
A stock yota will clear tires that will cost you hundreds more to clear on an xj (unless you fubar something scary together I guess). By that point, you're right at the supposed price for a toy (BTW-doesn't need straight axle, you can always convert, look at the above pics: this drops price considerably - - there's well under a grand invested in the Darkness, my guess is around $800 or so).

The above build is a perfect example of zero money invested, and a capable rig, like which is being talked about. Can't come out that cheap and built with the same amount of money in an xj (sorry)
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Like i stated earlier im not going to piss the topic out due to both platforms are good platforms and its a never ending argument that has been played out for ages since both have ups and downs...

As for you talking about converting a Ifs toy to solid...Where the crap does that fit into Cheap...Even if he's a Fab God (which he hasnt said if he's got any experaince in fab if any) IFS to solid swaps are costly even if you do the swap all yourself.
 
chromerunner said:
As for you talking about converting a Ifs toy to solid...Where the crap does that fit into Cheap...Even if he's a Fab God (which he hasnt said if he's got any experaince in fab if any) IFS to solid swaps are costly even if you do the swap all yourself.
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Why the crap does everyone think it is so hard and expensive to sas a yota. I did the one above for less than 100$ with stuff I lying around the shop. It can be done dirt cheep if you know what you are doing. Just because the kits are a grand or more doesn't mean that you cant do it for way less than that.
 
lbyota85 said:
Why the crap does everyone think it is so hard and expensive to sas a yota. I did the one above for less than 100$ with stuff I lying around the shop. It can be done dirt cheep if you know what you are doing. Just because the kits are a grand or more doesn't mean that you cant do it for way less than that.
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Dude, I don't think I've ever seen a solid toy front end for less than $100. Let alone the axle and bracketry and my time welding. Hard? No. Costly? Hook a brother up and tell me where you've got a no-rust, dd quality running yota with solid axles for under $1500. Not a "needs a starter and this and that then it runs," ready for me to DD tomorrow morning, turn the key and drive to work. That's what you get for a $1500 XJ. Get aggressive with a sawzall and you could run 33s on a $50 2" lift


I've been wanting to build a toy and haven't for cost reasons. I don't think I could get into one that runs reliably for what I'd get out of my jeep ($1500-2000). For what its worth, my junky jeep has drove 3 roommates ('87 runner, '93 runner, '93 pickup) to the parts store plenty of times. ALL of those were on stock tires, '93 runner's rear diff grenaded at 140 k on STOCK tires). The '87 had a full rebuild at 120k, the '93 pickup now needs a head gasket at 160k and I'm gonna weld up several fatal rust spots on the frame for him. There is no magic to either one. They're all just machines, wrench on them long enough and you'll figure that out.


Either way, sad that this guy won't get useful info because this has become a brand pissing match.

Cherokee w/ d35=not worth having, but beyond that either is a suitable platform and a quick search of the blue book or the for sale forum here will tell you which is the cheaper vehicle to purchase.

Edit: Oh, and that taliban response was pretty damn funny.
 
i think it all boils down to personal preference. Ive seen stock yota trucks take a beating like no tommorow, and ive also seen xjs that shoulda broken along time ago but they keep going. If you need to haul some kiddos around or you dog while you are wheelin buy an xj, if you wanna be able to use a truck bed and haul shit build a yota, if you wanna pick up all the ladies build a cj!
 
lbyota85 said:
He gave us a budget.
I think he got all the info he needs. Me thinks you can have a hell of a toyota for 3Gs with all toyota parts. All pissing aside.
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That's a pretty good point, if he's not committed to going bottom dollar you're right (well even if he is you're still right, you could build a pretty nice yota for 3k). I'd say he got more than all the info he needs. Doubt if he'll read this all. Cherokee is probably your lowest price, yota proof that you may get more if you pay more.
 
81-85 Yota all the way:Rockon: 31''muds and a tow strap is all u'll need to wheel and pull home ur friends in jeeps. lol couldn't resist, sry josh
 
From the majority of posters it seems that they just recommend whatever they are currently driving.

Really you need to weigh the pro's and con's of commonly built up rigs
My top three for a cheap mild build.
Jeep XJ
Jeep YJ
Toyota Truck
 
All platforms aside, an already built rig would be the cheapest way to go.

Total hijack, lbyota, what kind of mileage you gettin' with that thar Dorkness? I'm looking for an all around beater 4 cyl pickup and jeep doesn't make something that comes close to being that. Its gonna be that or chopping the top and god knows what else on the XJ...
 
Im gonna throw another opinion out there.
FOr 1500 you can find a 73-87 body Gm truck all day and get enough room for a grown man to actually you know be comfortable (there I said it!) and a V8 and as good of axles as either the yota or XJ in stock form and to boot it is a platform that was in production a lot longer than either and parts are a dime a dozen, leafs at all four corners and it will grow as crazy as you will....

Again I like my bowties and Ive had many.
I like Fords and Jeeps too, but I went to plaing in GMs simply on cost.
Hell I could get you on 36s locked (at least in the rear) and geared for 3k :popcorn:
 
Archdukeferdinand said:
Total hijack, lbyota, what kind of mileage you gettin' with that thar Dorkness? I'm looking for an all around beater 4 cyl pickup and jeep doesn't make something that comes close to being that. Its gonna be that or chopping the top and god knows what else on the XJ...
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About 20 or so, I don't Drive it that much so I can't tell you a definite MPG.
 
yea man i read this thred every time i log in i appriciate the differant routs everyone has giving me. thanks alot insnamoto.com
 
i think i have my truck sold tommorow. i found a 94 toyota 22re 5 speed 115K i know it has ifs no straight axel but i can get it for 1,600 good clean truck stock. what could i do for 1,400 dollars the basics no expensive stuff cheap used . give me your opinion( good deal? ) is it possible to build mild street trail ???i know i can get 3 inch body lift for 33s about 100 bucks what else would you do on my budget?
 
insane moto said:
i think i have my truck sold tommorow. i found a 94 toyota 22re 5 speed 115K i know it has ifs no straight axel but i can get it for 1,600 good clean truck stock. what could i do for 1,400 dollars the basics no expensive stuff cheap used . give me your opinion( good deal? ) is it possible to build mild street trail ???i know i can get 3 inch body lift for 33s about 100 bucks what else would you do on my budget?
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For 1,400 you can afford a straight axle swap no problem, and possibly even equip it with some axle shaft insurance. Don't do a body lift.

Or, if you don't want sas right now, lock the rear, cut the fenders, run some 33's.
 
SkyHiK5 said:
Im gonna throw another opinion out there.
FOr 1500 you can find a 73-87 body Gm truck all day and get enough room for a grown man to actually you know be comfortable (there I said it!) and a V8 and as good of axles as either the yota or XJ in stock form and to boot it is a platform that was in production a lot longer than either and parts are a dime a dozen, leafs at all four corners and it will grow as crazy as you will....

Again I like my bowties and Ive had many.
I like Fords and Jeeps too, but I went to plaing in GMs simply on cost.
Hell I could get you on 36s locked (at least in the rear) and geared for 3k :popcorn:
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Altho' I love my old Jeeps...I vote for what he said!

I always said If I was gonna build a buggy, I would just go find a 3/4 truck and part it out for the running gear.

Good strong cheap!:rolleyes:
 
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