What to buy?

Im new to four wheeling and I deploy in May so ill be coming back with a lil cash in my pocket...Im wanting something a lil different but I dont know what to stay away from...Sooo what models should I stay away from...and what makes/models should I look for around $2500-$3500...I want something that can do a lil bit of everything w/ a few mods.


What about: older models
Ranger/bronco 2/fs bronco/1500/explorer
s10/s10 blazer/fs k5 blazer/1500
cherokee/grand cherokee/yj/camanche
ramcharger/powerwagon

any info on these models or others would be appreciated-thank you  

I have had good luck with the bronco II line. They are very manuevable in tight places. Mine can almost make a u turn on a two lane no shoulder road without going off the pavement. In most cases I will drop only one tire off the pavement. It has got me through a lot in stock form. Cheap to lift but limited on tire size due to the smaller components in the drive line. Rangers are basically the same as the bronco II's if you did not know that. They share a lot of parts. Avoid electronic shifted 4WD units no matter what you look at. Just more parts to worry about and you loose the feel of what the transfer case is doing.  
<We only live once. Enjoy it or die.>

Hey thanks...my brother owned a bronco2 and we had alot of good times in it...I was actually looking at one but the deal fell through I was alittle disapointed...thanks for the input...  

If you want a do everything go everywhere vehicle, a jack of all trades master or none, get the XJ. They are easy to work on, cheap to buy and mod, and will do whatever you want it to.  
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The manual shifting versions are kind of hard to come by if you get Rangers or Explorers, but the Bronco II is a great little vehicle (basically the same thing, just a lot shorter). If you want cheap nd eassy to mod, I'd say go with the XJ or possibly an older solid axled 4Runner.  
My current ride:
1992 Ford Explorer

oops, accidentally smiled in there. Any how, I like Ramchargers, too, but they'll suck up gas. Great power and solid axles are nice, though. I really want one, but realistically don't need one, so I won't get one.  
My current ride:
1992 Ford Explorer

Older power wagons are good to. But factory hubs and rotors are on the expensive side. I once had a 79 a few years back great truck. Wish I still had it but I moved and it was not operable at the time. And I had no place to keep it/ work on it.  
<We only live once. Enjoy it or die.>

Hey thinks man Ill look into that...I appreciate it...  

Ill look into the xj, but I did recently come across a, I believe its a 79 ramcharger a sale reasonable...I made an offer on and im just waiting to hear back on....Thanks  

If the Ramcharger deal works out for you, you'll be happy with it. But if it's got the 360 V8, just be ready to get 8-9 mpg.

And a bit of trivia I just learned: The last Ram Charger was built in 2001 and was only offered in Mexico. Here's a pic:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4c/IMG_8076.JPG

I like it, it looks like a bigger, tougher, 2 dr. Durango w/ a solid front axle!  
My current ride:
1992 Ford Explorer

Wow that Pic makes me want to travel to Mexico. How would you buy a truck in Mexico and bring it home?
And the Power Wagon I had with the 318 only got 9 mpg. I would say it is about the same weight as the ram charger of the same year.  
<We only live once. Enjoy it or die.>

I don't know about Mexico, but the U.S. customs officer in charge of importing vehicles was being a complete a-hole to me a couple years back when I tried to import a Japanese Subaru Legacy GT into the states. Since the new Ramcharger is already left hand drive, all it would have to do is pass emissions testing for your state, which it probably wouldn't since it wasn't developed with U.S. emission standards in mind. You'd have to look around online about it.  
My current ride:
1992 Ford Explorer

Where there is a will. I am sure there is a way.  
<We only live once. Enjoy it or die.>

Anyone who wants a copy of the 11 page guide to importing/exporting a car from the U.S. government can get one from me. Message me with your e-mail address and I'll send you a word copy of it.  
My current ride:
1992 Ford Explorer