Trail/overland/camping vehicle selection

adamv7010

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 21, 2012
Location
Mount Olive, Nc
How's it going guys?

I've been a member here for years, but haven't' been active in the last few years. I'm wanting to build or buy something geared towards trail/overland riding. I see a lot of folks using the later model 4 runners, but I'm not a huge Toyota fan. I also don't want to spend 20k on a hobby that I may or may not stick with. I'm leaning towards a TJ or maybe even a YJ. More so TJ for the coils.

Do shorter wheelbase 2 doors typically do better on trails vs the longer 4 dr? Should i be looking towards a Cherokee? Should I shitcan that and go to an entire different vehicle?
 
I think for overlanding and carrying gear a 4 door would be best. Wheel base all depends on the trail. Every wheel base has its up and downs.
 
ZJ or WJ if you want to stick with jeep and be cheap. They are great for gravel road cruising and light to intermediate trail work. Plus they are smoother/quieter/nicer than the XJ or TJ.
 
TJ's don't have much cargo space. Which is ok if you're a minimalist style camper. Personally one of my favorite trail riding/camping rigs was my 3rd gen 4Runner. We ran one this year in Wyoming on a hunting trip and it reaffirmed how great those vehicles really are. We bombed down miles of backcountry gravel roads and rode about 9 miles of nothing but snow covered singletrack, hauled all of our gear and then some. The back seats fold down almost flat and make room for a good sleeping platform and drawer system.

3" lift w/ good coilovers up front
255/85/16 Toyo MT
Sliders
Winch
Rear locker
BudBuilt Skid Plates

If you’re just hard up against Toyota. Next best thing is a Grand Cherokee or even a Cherokee.
 
Overlanding alone? With a woman? With woman and child/children?

That's kind of important.

Alone? I would personally choose a single cab tacoma with 6ft bed and a camper shell. Those can be modified for cheap, and you can sleep in the back. Plus...don't like it? You can get your money back. Don't like Toyota? Then Nissan.

As a couple? See above: WJ or ZJ if you're not a 4-runner fan. Cherokee as well.

Surf Expedition Portal classifieds for some rigs that may already be semi built to save you some work
 
If your jeeping then it is hard to beat a ZJ. I personally drive a WJ everyday and believe the ZJ has the better chassis/suspension (for off-road) right out of the gate. WJ suspension is super soft and barely has any up travel. You’d probably be hitting bump stops all day in a WJ unless you want to invest in a suspension lift right away.
 
Depends on the definition of "overland".
Is it riding 10 miles of trail, dragging a Rooftop tent and another 800 lbs of worthless bullshit just to post pictures on the internet while on the nearest Starbucks WiFi?
If it's the real deal you seek, if you can fit all your gear in a backpack or in a canoe, Jon boat or kayak, you can probably carry it in whatever size motorcycle or SUV imaginable. Good enough for a day or two or even a whole week or more. I happen to know something about it. I drive a YJ.
 
CasterTroy said:
Overlanding alone? With a woman? With woman and child/children?

That's kind of important.

Alone? I would personally choose a single cab tacoma with 6ft bed and a camper shell. Those can be modified for cheap, and you can sleep in the back. Plus...don't like it? You can get your money back. Don't like Toyota? Then Nissan.

As a couple? See above: WJ or ZJ if you're not a 4-runner fan. Cherokee as well.

Surf Expedition Portal classifieds for some rigs that may already be semi built to save you some work
Click to expand...
extended cab so you keep your gear you HAVE to keep dry in the cab and everything else in the bed.
 
Loganwayne said:
i did get it outta the field at @McCracken house.
Click to expand...
Never put a blacklight to that ceiling




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