Guess I will put this here as i'm just brainstorming over the next few years. The bronco is too small for my growing family, that said, it will never be sold and will be my solo/1 passenger adventure rig. With a second munchkin on the way, my son will ride with me until my wife and second son will be riding along, so I have a few years to get something together that can grow with the family. The bronco will never be a comfortable ride for much beyond a 5 or 6 year old so not going to go through the trouble of trying to get a seat in with my gear boxes in the back, just not worth redesigning what I have going on I think. That being said, I've been thinking of a crew cab squarebody or bullnose-OBS f-250/350. With the rear axle moved up to get it as short as possible with gear tucked one whatever bed is left and a fuel cell. Something that won't require a crazy amount of time, doesn't need to be perfect, and of course has that "cool" factor, because who doesn't love that haha. Here's some ideas of what i've been looking at for some inspiration as we mull over options. Dave chappelle's "Mom's Spaghetti" has been one of my favorite rigs to watch wheel since it's been built so using that as a bit of inspiration as well. Dont' want anything quite as long as a suburban to wheel, just trying to make the best of both worlds with a little work put into it. Have had a cherokee or JKU recommended but not sure of the space in the back seat as the kids get older vs the size of the trucks. Have considered a Full size jeep as well, but haven't looked too deeply into the budget on those. Anyways, wanted to just see what others thought of something like this or experiences with other style "family crawlers". Open to considering some other options as well. Let me know what you guys think? Figured I would pass on whatever we build to one of the boys once they're old enough as well.
4 Door Crawler
- Thread starter YJKrawlin
- Start date
zuke
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Sep 4, 2012
- Location
- Stafford, VA
When I was still hauling kids wheeling, I was running a chopped up Waggy, it's already a good size for it, easy to put two rows of seats in a cage, and for the 5~8 years you'll actually use it, tons on lift leafs is still pretty capable...
I can dig it! I'd lean towards the SJ over the XJ personally, especially if the rear leg room was better, definitely has a bit more cool factor in my opinion haha. I've seen a few cool rigs, but I've seen them need some extra fab work to fit larger tires, massaging body seams or cutting into the door area to stuff a larger tire on a low lift.
zuke
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Sep 4, 2012
- Location
- Stafford, VA
Doing a full cage allows you to cut away a lot of body, but 37" is about as big as you can go while staying under 4" total lift.. I was 3" of spring and 1" of shackle, if I remember right.
I like the idea of keeping most of the body intact lol. But definitely something im going to keep in the back of my mind. Played around with chatgpt for some visualizing. Came up with this as some potential. Chatgpt missed the mark on a few points. But in general what i was envisioning.
- Joined
- Apr 16, 2005
- Location
- Formerly of Sharon, SC
K5
Answer surprised no one who knows me
Answer surprised no one who knows me
. I dont want to have to move my stuff around. And it would make me cry since i sold my big bronco before i decided to have kids 
DSM Turbos
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Feb 25, 2006
- Location
- Raleigh, NC
That thing was awesome! I miss the crozet days
untchabl
I like rocks
- Joined
- Mar 30, 2009
- Location
- Bear Creek, NC 27207
I think F250/F350 crew cab is gonna be too big to wheel on the East Coast. Full-size Waggy would be cool for a classic style rig.
I've got a crew cab S10 that I'm eventually going to turn into a family rig for mild wheeling.
I've got a crew cab S10 that I'm eventually going to turn into a family rig for mild wheeling.
Ive seen some cool s10 rigs. Wonder how the rear seating is on a smaller truck like that. My only concern with the smaller rigs is the difficulty to fit larger tires on a similar length vehicle. Without going and measuring trucks and using chatgpt for estimates the s10 is 205 inches long overall and a shortened f350 should be around the same length (190-200" overall). (Not sure how accurate those measurements are on the shortened f350).
CLRracer
Mopar Nut
- Joined
- Mar 20, 2005
- Location
- Archer Lodge
Some more preliminary maths for the CC f250/350 route. 200.8"ish overall length and 138" Wheelbase, roughly 24" longer wheelbase than a K5 and a foot longer. Almost 3 feet longer wheelbase than a 86 bronco and 2 foot longer overall length.