What is the best 4x4 for my situation?

[Papa Bear]

What is the best 4x4 for my situation?

My wife and I love to do some light wheeling back to remote camping areas. We are not able to backpack and find it impossible to strap the infant seats onto a horse. I really want my kids to get to see to learn about the real out doors and not some KOA campground version.

I?ve been wheeling on and off for over 20 years. 99% of them were in mildly modified Jeeps of nearly every model. I am not mechanically inclined which is why I have never gone much beyond tire upgrades and a lift kit (I didn?t install it myself)? I can wheel my way around a trail fairly confidently though. The 4x4 had to go when the first kid was born so I could get a daily driver with killer gas mileage? It sits next to the? I?m sad to say, next to the minivan. Well, I really miss offroading. I want to trade in the DD for something we can take wheeling but stil use as an economical DD. Our wheeling is slow and steady? not the pedal to the floor, just a little more speed and we will make it up that hill type. I have been stuck before but never broken anything on our rigs. Others I?ve wheeled with had broken, dented, and smashed their rigs on the same trails I just walked the 4x4 up... that?s just not my thing. I don?t make the run very good for video or photos but we have a blast.

What we need is a reliable vehicle, that can take both of us and three infants, along with all the family camping gear comfortably into the backcountry, as well as, handle the highway speeds getting into the mountains. Since I am not the best at wielding a wrench, it should be fairly easy to maintain. Living on a single family it needs to be affordable? a nice new LR3 would be cool but only if I won it. I don?t care if it is new or used, what would be the best for my situation? The new Jeep Patriot? An older Xterra? A ?Disco? Something else?

I know there are a lot of loyalists out there. I?m not so concerned about who made it as I am about it meeting my needs.

Please tell me which make, model, year and why?

[Bluegill]

For a comfortable family wheeler that also doubles as a DD, I recommend either a Cherokee or Grand Cherokee - 4.0 6cyl with automatic. Lots of room, very capable, inexpensive, easy to find parts for (if needed), fairly good gas mileage, powerful and reliable (4.0 6cyl). Put a Rusty's ( www.rustysoffroad.com ) 3" lift and 31x10.50 tires on it & you'd be surprised where it can go. Personally I'd go with the Grand Cherokee; most people have no idea exactly how capable they are off road (in addition to the great ride quality on the street). Those who have witnessed a TJ Wrangler do amazing things off road have also seen the exact same suspension & drivetrain that a Grand Cherokee has (4 coil springs), if that gives you some idea. Granted, everyone has their own preference and there are many choices out there. I have off roaded behind the wheel of many different makes & models, and my TJ still continues to amaze me. Needless to say I am partial to Jeeps :wink:

By the way, Welcome aboard! :grin:

[Thumpszilla]

Well depending on how much gear you are packing an xj would work good. If you need more cargo area Phils Montero seems room and does pretty well on the trails. Not really sure if he has done any suspension mods to it.

[redwings5]

i would go with a Jeep Grand Cherokee of a Jeep Cherokee. any year above a '93.
first of all they wheel good. from the sounds of it you dont like more than a small lift and tires.. so that would be fairly easy to find and do.. they get decent gas mileage anywhere from 18 to 25. mine gets around 23 for a 93 Jeep grand cherokee. they have a full back seat for your kids. the newer ones have a inside roll cage, not that you would need it but its a safety feature. you can find them for good prices, and their everywhere.

[Gordon]

I will echo on the Cherokee or Grand Cherokee. To give fair billing, a Toyota Land Cruiser is one to look at, too. Rovers can be cool, but open your wallet.

BTW, welcome, and God bless.

[Jeep07]

I nice used Disco would be good.. The more I see Derrick wheel his the more I like it.

[TiredIronGRB]

Forget all that other stuff, there's nothing more capable and reliable than a '93 -"97 Toyota FZJ80 Land Cruiser. They go 300K miles before needing an engine rebuild and come with lockers front and rear from the factory.

They have seating for 7 and the rear seats remove for extra storage.

[Monstero]

I will have to second TiredIron on his post. i think a Landcruiser is a great vehicle for hauling the family around and you can set them up for the trails pretty well.

I like our montero as well and now they can be found for a decent price. I have seen 2003's as low as 13k, with low mileage. You just have to look around. I have put 2" lift on mine and it gets me where I wanna go everytime, and is great to drive on roadtrips/highway. It is our DD/main family vehicle and we love it.

It all boils down to what you like to look at and sit in every time you go out on the trail/road. And how much you wanna spend. Most of the guys in the club have all got good/capable rigs.

[Derrickalda]

Rovers can be cool, but open your wallet.

no more then a grand cherokee...im not rich.....but they don't get the best of gas mileage. you have a 4500 lbs vehicle with a V8, and AWD. but stock it will go anywhere. just look at the camel trophy rovers.....stock with open diffs.....you can find a 97-99 Disco 1 from around 5k

but when i read this i first thought of a 93 or newer land cruiser. the toyota I6 is one of the best gas engiens ive seen. you have awesome comforts, and factory locking front and rear diffs.....and thats a true locker, none of the true track, detroit, traction control stuff.

[Poboy]

OK, I'll throw in my .02 cents (no refunds) i think best bet for you (with the limited info we have) is an XJ. The Disco is a phenomenal vehicle, I owned a '98 D1 for a about 3yrs and was extermely happy with it, until it broke. They are very capable off road and very comfortable on road, but parts and repairs can be expensive. For the most part they are easy to work on but the parts are killer, and they are underpowered for thier weight. Not only that but the first run Discos were full of problems; those really didn't get worked out until the '98 - '99 models and they went to the D2 in 00. I can't speak for the D2 as I have no experience with them. Before you buy anything find a forum for that vehicle and look through the posts to see how many are asking for help in solving one problem or another. The best site for Discos is discoweb.org by far. Having had a Cherokee in the past we were very pleased with it overall although I will admit we didn't do a whole lot of wheeling in it.

Hope this helps.

God Bless

[Derrickalda]

OK, I'll throw in my .02 cents (no refunds) i think best bet for you (with the limited info we have) is an XJ. The Disco is a phenomenal vehicle, I owned a '98 D1 for a about 3yrs and was extermely happy with it, until it broke. They are very capable off road and very comfortable on road, but parts and repairs can be expensive. For the most part they are easy to work on but the parts are killer, and they are underpowered for thier weight. Not only that but the first run Discos were full of problems; those really didn't get worked out until the '98 - '99 models and they went to the D2 in 00. I can't speak for the D2 as I have no experience with them. Before you buy anything find a forum for that vehicle and look through the posts to see how many are asking for help in solving one problem or another. The best site for Discos is discoweb.org by far. Having had a Cherokee in the past we were very pleased with it overall although I will admit we didn't do a whole lot of wheeling in it.

Hope this helps.

God Bless

several people i know have had there transfer cases go bad on them in the early XJ's.....i think it was due to a chain drive. my younger brother had a XJ and he rolled it on the highway and it was a miracle he wasn't hurt.

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e91/derrickalda/DSCF0154a.jpg

parts for discos aren't that expensive. if you go to the stealership then yeah its going to cost you. i just bought a NEW tail light and a NEW front turn signal for 80 bucks shipped the other day. geniue parts are expensive but you can buy parts (same stuff) for a bunch of other retailers for ALOT less. i always have to defend Discos

[1-tonmudder]

You will get as many different answers as people responding.See what is plentiful in your area.That way if you do break something you are more likely to be able to get a replacement part at a local salvage yard and not search the net and or wait for it to arrive.Set a budget,make a list of what fits that budget and go from there.

[pplblazerdude]

You will get as many different answers as people responding.See what is plentiful in your area.That way if you do break something you are more likely to be able to get a replacement part at a local salvage yard and not search the net and or wait for it to arrive.Set a budget,make a list of what fits that budget and go from there. I was thinking the same thing. You will get 100 answers and all will sound good. I saw a post like this on another board that is over run by jeeps and everyone was like jeep this jeep that. To each his own is all I got to say.

[TiredIronGRB]

Get the Land Cruiser and you won't need any parts ;-)

[pplblazerdude]

Get the Land Cruiser and you won't need any parts ;-) Better knock on some wood Fast.

[SurferSami]

If you are interested in new, the new 4 dr wrangler would be an awsome family ride. In a few years, I will probably try to get one. I drove one last week and it would be a real sweet ride.

[TiredIronGRB]

If you are interested in new, the new 4 dr wrangler would be an awsome family ride. In a few years, I will probably try to get one. I drove one last week and it would be a real sweet ride.

Me too :wink:

[BillM]

I am really liking the new wrangs. Growing on me more each day.

[HotRodYJ]

I'll thow my .02 in here also.

First rule, stay with a staright axle front suspeension. Avoid IFS for the most part.. Too many peices to break and knock out of alignment. Several people (Vince) really know how to wheel IFS, but as a general rule and I think most everyone would agree, solid axle is more reliable, stronger, cheaper, to lift, etc. Solid axle ia a big plus. That knocks out the Xterra and others right off the bat.

The Cherokee's and Grand Cherokee's are a really good option. The Rover stuff is good as well, and the Toy Land Cruiser is really good. Since we're taliing used lets look at average mileage before major rebuild's are in order. The Jeep stuff should go about 150K on the motor, some more some less, but in the neighborhood of 150K. The Rover stuff is typically shot at 100-120K. I know tehre are high mileage Rovers out there, but the general opinion seems to be not much over 100K and your on borrowed time. The Toyota is typically well over 200K, some as high as 300K as George mentions. Based on these numnbers, the Toy would be hard to beat.

[Gubni]

My vote would be an older toyota with a 22re. I've seen them take tones of abuse and keep going. Even if IFS versions seem to hold up pretty good.

[hammerhead06]

i can vouch for the abuse part :twisted:

[TiredIronGRB]

My vote would be an older toyota with a 22re. I've seen them take tones of abuse and keep going. Even if IFS versions seem to hold up pretty good.

Don't see many of these hit 300K

[BJack]

My vote would be an older toyota with a 22re. I've seen them take tones of abuse and keep going. Even if IFS versions seem to hold up pretty good.

Don't see many of these hit 300K
I don't know if I would agree with that. I have 2 right now with almost 300k and have had several with either close to that or that much. Although most have had previous motor work done.

[redplastic2p3t]

My vote would be an older toyota with a 22re. I've seen them take tones of abuse and keep going. Even if IFS versions seem to hold up pretty good.

Don't see many of these hit 300K
I don't know if I would agree with that. I have 2 right now with almost 300k and have had several with either close to that or that much. Although most have had previous motor work done.
x2 ##(

[tennbronco]

Honest oppinion would be the cherokee, grand cherokee, land cruiser, or even the 4runner. I am not a big fan of any of these but they are very reliable, capable and family oriented. Good luck in your search.

[TiredIronGRB]

My vote would be an older toyota with a 22re. I've seen them take tones of abuse and keep going. Even if IFS versions seem to hold up pretty good.

Don't see many of these hit 300K
I don't know if I would agree with that. I have 2 right now with almost 300k and have had several with either close to that or that much. Although most have had previous motor work done.

I have seen a few over 200 without any major work but I'm talking about 3FEs going 300-350 on a regular basis with nothing but regular maintainance. Mine has over 230 and doesn't leak or use a drop of oil. My 22RE has 190 and runs like a new one.

[rjm]

Regardless of what you pick be sure to get the RIGHT upgrades...

Personally I would look to the following upgrades in the following order.
1. Skid pans, rock bars, upgraded bumpers. Not only to protect sheetmetal, but used as a lift point for a high-lift jack.
2. Winch - It goes from accessory to nessesity faster than you can say "Whoops..."
3. Mild lift to clear 31-32 inch tires.
4. re-gear and install LSD or locker of somekind other than open diffs.

IMHO of course...
YMMV

[duke_lover_13]

i think you need my xj!!! look in the for sale forum under 93 jeep cherokee 35's ... thanks

[dragr1]

Landcruiser or 4Runner. Landcruiser would be better for 3 kids though.

[dragr1]

My vote would be an older toyota with a 22re. I've seen them take tones of abuse and keep going. Even if IFS versions seem to hold up pretty good.

Don't see many of these hit 300K

What? I know a logger with a 1986 that had 595,000 on it when the odo broke 3 years ago. Been in the woods every day since new on the original motor, transmission, and axles.

[yota31]

My vote would be an older toyota with a 22re. I've seen them take tones of abuse and keep going. Even if IFS versions seem to hold up pretty good.

Don't see many of these hit 300K

mine is abt too!!! 292,084

[Papa Bear]

Thanks for the great tips and advice... I summed it up, printed it out and headed out looking for what's in the area... I got to check out and drive some great vehicles. then....

after hearing several of them talk about the different things that were replaced and or needed to upgrade, my wife said she wanted something new. something under warrentee with good gas mileage and able to carry the kids... ok. I have no problem with that... the catch is the budget is still tight.

Sooooo... now Ive hit the sites and lots looking at all the new little 4x4's trying to see what will work as a daily driver and hold three car seats (one rear-facing) and get us safely, and confidently down the trails. Granted we are not going to do any hardcore (at least until they littlest one is in a boaster seat.) so keeping in mind we will be hitting the old unmaintained logging roads and easy to moderate trails... an thoughts on which way to head?

We looked at the Patriot - nice, a bit small, great gas mileage but for the trail rated version I could get a base x-model 4-door wrangler or the new Jeep Liberty.

I even checked out the Toyota Highlander 4x4 Hybrid... everything was looking good... even up to getting ready to test drive one until I found out that Toyota themselves state that it was not intended for any off-road use. OK I could see the 2wd version be that way... maybe the AWD version... but the 4x4 version?!?!

I wish I could take the various little 4x4s out on the trail at least once... how else can you know?!?!?

[Gordon]

I would not recommend this approach. "new" "D/D" and "trail rig", although moderately wheeled - IMHO don't go in the same sentence. ESPECIALLY, as you mention, budget is an issue. And, although maybe not enforced, most warranties cover normal usage, not abuse, which a slick stealership would use to not pay you for offroad damage under a new car warranty.

Buy a one or two year old D/D, still on some warranty, and use the left over budget to buy an XJ - cheap, family size, parts all around, easy to fix.

[SamuraiGuyTN]

my vote goes for the Land yota er um Land cruiser. Toyota has always over built there vehicles. It has the space that you need and very reliable. Plus the resale value is still good.

[Ray VanBuren]

If you are interested in new, the new 4 dr wrangler would be an awsome family ride. In a few years, I will probably try to get one. I drove one last week and it would be a real sweet ride.

Me too :wink:I got one two months ago. It's awsome.