hey im looking to buy a 4wheeler, just wonderin what you think is a good DD with some offroad skills as well.  i found a s10 for pretty cheap, ranger even cheaper (dont like ttb) dont know if either make good builds (new), been lookin for cherokees and sami with no luck, would prefer a small pickup...thanks  

Samis and Cherokees are a tough act to beat sometimes.

I personaly would go with the s-10 cause i own a ranger and trust me the s-10 is better.Im pretty sure theres alot more aftermarket stuff for s-10s than there is for rangers cause im having a hard enough time finding a cold air intake for my year and engine. I got a 1993 4x4 with the 4.0 v-6 and there just isnt much aftermarket stuff for it.  

what are some things to look for or steer away from w/a s-10  

Well...I am a Nissan fan, but if you are considering a 4x4 small truck, look at what you want to be able to do with it.  From what my friends and I say about trucks - I too would consider the S10 (Nissan!) for the simple fact you can put so much into it.  My dad had a S10 '84 model with a 350 SB and various others added to it and got that thing to Scream in EVERY gear.  As for 4x4 I have no idea.  Most people around here in Louisiana drive mainly bigger trucks.  For some reason they think they are tuff trucks.  I'm rambling.  just choose a truck for what you want.

Here's a short list:

dependable in tuff situations; able to be repaired easily enough for most items; upgradeable (i.e. aftermarket items); and lastly...something you think you will enjoy.

Toyota makes a good little truck as well. A friend of mine has a 1987 with a homemade flatbed and 33s. what it lacks in motor it makes up with gears and if he takes it easy he can get about 25-30 mpg.  

find a solid axle toyota they are a good size have tough motors and a ton of available parts i drive fords but stay away from the rangers takee the chevy over it but look for a toyota.

have friends that drive them and love them

what years to look for on the SA toys?  anything else to look for, (i.e. 22R is good motor right? what about tranny/tcase etc.)  i like the toyotas but havent found any!  

79 to 85 are the in 86 they went to ifs.  22r is a tough motor i personally like a manuel transmition but i would just go with whatever you can find or want i have friends driving both and neither one has had any trouble i would just go with what you can get at the best price and in the best condition.  goodluck and really try for the toyota you will like it  

you can get a good three inch lift with all new springs for around 400 dollars from rough country or tough country and beable to clear some 33's with blocks look around 275 dollars there are tons of available parts for toyotas whhich is nice if you cant find one of these i would look for a jeep or a sami but try to avoid the ranger or s-10 but that is just my opinion not quite as good offroad as a toyota unless you ofcoarse dump lots of cash into them.  

If looking at a toy look for an 85 with efi. first year of the 22re last of the sfa.  The front diffs of s-10's are known to be weak in the differential housing.  They crack and alot of them i think are aluminium.  I don't know much about the rangers but a smaller ttb system may not be all that bad.  But don't know how good either.

Who said they got a toy that gets 25+ mpg?  Don't look for that and sure don't expect it.  Small motor not known for power but reliable.  Known rusty bed problems and check the frame for rust.  Take a screw driver and chip at the frame in places.

People think that thier jeeps are gold and there are a few deals out there.  Don't know much about since never had one.

All I've heard about sami's are good just no power.

For the gas mileage my toy gets when i get rid of it i will go back full size.  My toy stock except for 31's is as bad on gas as my fsc on 35's.

Alot of people like different things.  Get what appeals to you.  Myself I would love to have my 73 chevy back with a five speed to go in it to replace the 3 on the tree.

i drive a 92 f-150 with the ttb front end and love thr pickup but the frontend was hard to install the lift on but other than that they are good they are strong and if you rotate your tires the wear is not that bad but they are pricey to lift and can be kind of difficult to install  

Glad you like it but if it had a solid front axle or a true IFS you would see what you are missing.

i've got a 05 and 02 superduty sitting infront of my house as well as an ifs chevy that all belong to my dad so snowman i know what they are like and i would much rather have the solid axle 05 superduty belive me but i am paying for my truck all on my own and i am only 19 and in college so i am using what i have got and so far i love the pickup i am driving and it is a 1992 ford  work with what you have

And spend your money wisely