The age-old truck decision!

Okay, I've asked a ton of questions already about the XJ Cherokee as a trail truck, but now I'm realizing that for the 8,500 bucks I have to spend on a truck, I could afford a few different things that I'm curious about. I wish used car dealerships would let me test drive trucks on the trails, but they don't so I'm asking you guys! What would be the best trail vehicle when left in nearly stock configuration? I've looked at XJ Cherokees, Tacomas (I think '95-'98?), Tahoe 2 Door 4x4, F150, Ranger, s-10, silveradoes, and lots of others. I'm looking for a few things: RELIABILITY, DURABILITY, TRAILABILITY, with gas mileage a consideration only as a tie-breaker. What do you think? Best out of the box economic 4x4 pickup or SUV.

I prefer p/up's to jeeps and SUV's, so my vote goes for the tacoma. I love the looks, yota reliability, and the gas mileage. Tacoma's are pretty good off road with a set of gnarly 31's and a rear locker. 31's will fit with no lift too.

Full size trucks aren't as good off road in stock form when compared to most lighter vehicles.

Alot depends on what you want to do withthe truck.  Mostly climb hills, trail ride, mudding or?  For a start i think i would go with a toyota for gas mileage or a nissan but the following for the nissan is not as much but very good and reliable but if older a straight axle would be better and cheaper to lift later.  The next choice i would have is an 81-87 chevy although a ford would be ok if that is more your brand or more people around have them or know about them but make sure either one has an overdrive if gas mileage is a factor.  The ones from the 80's will be cheaper to lift later the straight chevy or the ttb ford.  Any i think would be a good start for something to play with and just as you advance you do more to the truck and take it easy if it is your daily driver.  As long as you can get to where people are playin'  you don't have to do the stuff to tear up your truck.  Wher in ga are you?

ok saw on profile up in northwest atl.  i'm south on I-85 newnan

My dad always had fords and chevys his construction site as trucks and the chevys always lasted longer and stayed together better.  My brother had a 96 dodge 1500? that he took offroading a few times a month and it held up really bad and rode bad.  Another brother had a toyota (not sure which model or year) with 42 inch tires, he took it offroad all the time and loved it and never had problems with it.  He didnt even regear with 42's, this sounds really weird to me after listening to all the regearing posts buts its true and he never complained about gas mileage, power, or anything els, and even ended up getting a second toyota a few yrs after he sold his old one. If it was up to me i would probably get a toyota.

The kinds of things I'd be using this truck for would be diminuitive by far when compared to the stuff we read in Fourwheeler, but I like the mountians around Dalhonega, Ellijay, Chatsworth area (Appalaichan foothills i guess) I don't know of too many places to 'wheel, but this truck probably needs to climb hills if it's gonna do trails, right? Anyways, it's definately gotta be my daily driver and I just need to know which trucks will break on me and which (if any) would the majority of this group consider "the one". I don't care if it's a pickup, SUV or otherwise. I just want a toy of my own that'll be good enough to put in years of service (mostly a weekend fourwheeler) and not become a moneypit. Thanks, you guys, for the replies so far. Looks like the Taco's are in the lead right now, but I'd like more opinions! Keep 'em comin'!

Bigger and heavier is not alway better offroad, especailly when you get stuck. I have seen some little Samuri's do quite well off road too.  

Toyotas will run forver, even if you abuse them to an extent. If you are loking for a good reliable daily driver that you can wheel on the weekends I would go with the Toyota. If you can find a trd tacoma it would be ven better because the seletable locker would allow for good street manners and awesome off road performance.

Good Luck,

Tony

Wide open question! The best trail vehicle out of the box would be the XJ. Solid axles, decent gearing and suspension. The Toyota would be the most economical based on it's dependability. Fuel economy might be as well depending on the engine. Tire size is limited on an XJ, so the toyota might be a better option for inexpensive upgrades. The other question to ask is - do you want a p/u or an suv? It's nice to have the enclosed space of an suv over an open bed, and the weight distribution is usually better = better trail performance.  both are shorter wheelbase which again is a big consideration for trails over the full size trucks you also mentioned. You might also want to check out the ZJ/WJ Grands. Add a V8 and 4 coils to the Cherokee for not much more $....

Good luck with whatever you decide to go with.

Don't forget to look at things like amigos or some other isuzu or nissian with a lttle finder cutting they are fun on some trails.

I am kind of partial to the older Blazers (probably because I have one).  I few people I know have run them down here in south Texas  and all of them have been extreamly happy. Gas mileage my not be the greatest but, snoman or somebody check me on this, If you get about an 85-88 you got the 700r4 transmission(overdrive) so that helps out. The best part are the solid axles so lift kits are cheaper than newer vehichles.

Oh well this is just a newbie's opinion. Good luck with whatever you choose and happy wheelin! 

XJ, XJ, XJ.  Solid axles and the ability to have them from grocery-getter status to extreme on not a lot of $ is what has me trying to find a good one once i get rid of my fullsize pickup.  Plus, the extra seats and indoor area let you bring friends along with you, which is way more fun and may even make them want to buy an off road vehicle (that can come pull you out when you get stuck in that GA clay).  Its been done in 4wheel and Off Road mag that you can build one that can take on moab for under $5k, so w/ your budget, building a sweet cherokee is probably the most realistic choice.

I also saw on your other post that you are thinking about upgrading the driveline components.  If you are going to keep the vehicle close to stock, either spend that money elsewhere, or buy the parts, but don't install them until the originals break. Plus, with a 4" lift and a little trimming, you can fit 33's, which are great on an XJ.  Also a friend of mine had a 6 with an auto trany, and it worked very well, so well he actually cloned the vehicle when the first one was wrecked (got t-boned by some old lady, you know how that goes).

Edited 12/30/2004 6:37 am by uglyF150