Daily Driver SUV/Truck advice
 

I bough a CRX (project) and need a daily driver. My cavalier just bit it, and I want something I can haul ---- around with.

I've been looking at a few cars, and this is what I have

Jeep Cherokee, early 90's version (fook or someone else have any advice on what to look for when buying these?)
Honda Passport - heard these suck donkey dick, but they're cheap
Chevy Blazer/S10 - Eh, it's GM, who knows.
Toyota 4runner - a bit more expensive to get a newer one, but what about a late 80's model?
Toyota Tacoma - pretty cheap, seem to be a good option for a truck.

My biggest things are -

I want 4X4, if I can, since I do live in Minnesota
I want something that's reliable, something I can take out to Montana a few times a year if I need to.
Something that doesn't catch on fire or is an electrical mess. I'm fine with typical maintence, but I don't want to have to do a lot of hardcore stuff.
A decent aftermarket - if I decided to get a lift or something, it won't be difficult finding a decent one.

Here are a few jeeps I've been looking at. I really like them, and my buddy has a 95 grand cherokee that has over 200,000 miles on it and still runs strong.

91 Cherokee (the one I really kinda want) http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/car/248661077.html
93 Grand Cherokee http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/car/250154583.html
93 Cherokee sport http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/car/249500917.html
87 Jeep Cherokee http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/car/249441177.html

Re: Daily Driver SUV/Truck advice
 

I've never owned one, but I've always been a fan of the Jeep 4.0L. It's built to take plenty of abuse and then some.

Re: Daily Driver SUV/Truck advice
 

Yeah, seeing that video where some people demolish that jeep makes me want one.

How much can these jeep cherokees tow? Car dolly maybe?

Re: Daily Driver SUV/Truck advice
 

They can probably handle at least 2000 lbs stock

Re: Daily Driver SUV/Truck advice
 

a 4.0 jeep could haul around a car if needed. def a capable vehicle.

one of the guys i used to work with had a late 80's yota pick-up. 4cyl 4x4, never gave him any problems except for when he over revved(2 bent valves) it in the snow. he's owned it since new and that was his most costly repair

Re: Daily Driver SUV/Truck advice
 

4runner1!!11! or a later v6 4wd toyota pickup. I'm looking into getting one myself.

Re: Daily Driver SUV/Truck advice
 

id go for the 600$ one, winter is just gonna beat it uo anyway.

Re: Daily Driver SUV/Truck advice
 

id go with the jeep. there 4x4 tough as ---- and will pull anything you put behind it.


#1 jeep shoping advise ONLY BUY THE 4.0

not the
2.8 v6
v8 grand cherokee
no 2.4 4 banges

Re: Daily Driver SUV/Truck advice
 

I know its not on the list, but i have a 99 chevy silverado and love it to death, about 20 mpg on the highway with the 5.7l vortec. If you could find an older silverado i would looking into it. Chevy has always been good to my family.

Re: Daily Driver SUV/Truck advice
 

The 4.0 is weak as ---- though. :-\ I have the 4.7 V8 with 120k miles and it runs smooth as can be. I've seen people with 225k+ miles on these motors that run perfect. Plus, I can run a 15.xx 1/4 mile in my ~4000lb Grand Cherokee. :P
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Re: Daily Driver SUV/Truck advice
 

toyota. more reliable than a jeep but will do anything the jeep will and more

http://www.sleeoffroad.com/for_sale/...r/DSC00844.jpg

and the usual jeep photo:

http://www.millenicom.com/~davec/Jee.../BrokenTNT.jpg

Re: Daily Driver SUV/Truck advice
 

anything toyota. those things done die.

Re: Daily Driver SUV/Truck advice
 

I found an 89 toyota pickup, 4x4, 4 cyl (22re, or what did those have?), 5 spd. Gunna lift it, weld me up a front/rear brush (people) guard and bomb the whole thing.... all for 700 bucks :)

Re: Daily Driver SUV/Truck advice
 

DO NOT GET A 3.0L V6 TOYOTA!!!!!!!!!!! 2.4l 4cyl(22re) is good but ---- the v6, If you get a cherokee get the 4.0l strait 6 H.O. or a V8 grand cherokee. I would rock a 4.0l H.O. old school cherokee sport with cut out flares and 33's with a 4-6 inch long arm lift for a dd anyday. :y My DD will have 14 inchs, cut out flares, 44's and 900 ft lbs of torque soon enough O0

Re: Daily Driver SUV/Truck advice
 

s10.... you can pick them up for under 1k all day long.. parts are cheap... you can buy entire non running s10s for 200 bucks...

Re: Daily Driver SUV/Truck advice
 

thats 175 too much.

Re: Daily Driver SUV/Truck advice
 

I have a friend who I'm pretty sure has never changed the oil in his 3.0 V6 Toyota and it has a bit over 200k miles on it. Runs like a champ. Power steering leaks pretty good, but motor runs fine. :)
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Re: Daily Driver SUV/Truck advice
 

I never said they didn't run fine ;)

Re: Daily Driver SUV/Truck advice
 

Then why:


???
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Re: Daily Driver SUV/Truck advice
 

22re makes better power, will beat the 3.0l in a race, more potentail, better millage, cheaper parts, easier to work on, shall I go on? :P

Re: Daily Driver SUV/Truck advice
 

Eh? The 22re does NOT make more power than the 3.0 V6. Are you crazy? More potential due to the aftermarket available for the 22re, yes but if you want to get crazy with a 3.0 then the sky is the limit. Stick a turbo or two on that 3.0 and see what happens compared to a boosted 22re. :S Cheaper parts and easier to work on is the only advantage I see with the 22re. :l Mileage isn't that far off.
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Re: Daily Driver SUV/Truck advice
 

race up a hill, the 22 will win all things being equal. I have never seen a built/turbo 3.0 liter but I bet 22r would be cheaper/ better to build. I have put some crazy bills together for the head gasket eating 3.0l's at work. The newer toy v6's are much much better.

Re: Daily Driver SUV/Truck advice
 

well the high output i had in my 2002 wrangler and it had plenty ot power drove that bitch into the heart of hell and back. but i've had 3 other jeeps 2 91 and a 94 grand Cherokee all with the 4.0 and there NEVER had a problem great motor

up there on my top 5 list of greatest motors ever built

Re: Daily Driver SUV/Truck advice
 

lol, I hope you don't pull out the "hp per liter" arguement next. :P So you're saying a truck with less power and torque all around is going to be faster than a more powerful truck with more torque and a little extra weight? Do you know how much hp the stock 22re comes with? :l
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Re: Daily Driver SUV/Truck advice
 

bout 80 wheel, on good drivetrain.

Re: Daily Driver SUV/Truck advice
 

I heard the 4.0L Jeeps are notorious for cracked exhaust manifolds, is that true?

Re: Daily Driver SUV/Truck advice
 

what i heard too...but neither of my two had cracks in them that i saw/heard. if you get a cherokee some things to look for are the 8.25 rear (3 inch axle tubes) or the dana44 in some eary models. also, try to find a cheap 97+ for the better looks, interior, and other little goodies. i got my 98 for 400 bucks a while back on craigslist

Re: Daily Driver SUV/Truck advice
 

Anyone see that Top Gear episode with the 80-sumthin yota truck? They drove it into the ocean and it was completely submerged, then waited until the tide went back down. With minor adjustments (no new parts) they drove it back. I think they even smashed it a few times and set it on fire? Anyways. I know the last thing they did was put it ontop of a highrise then domolished the building. Thing dropped probably 20+ stories but the truck survived and ran. Pretty tough, I'd say.

Re: Daily Driver SUV/Truck advice
 

stay 91+ on cherokee's

high output motor, no renix ecu, better choice.

Re: Daily Driver SUV/Truck advice
 

---- yeah!! +1 for XJ madness!!! Im starting my new rear bumper shortly. www.NAXJA.org

Re: Daily Driver SUV/Truck advice
 

I pulled the trigger on a 1990 Toyota pickup. 22re, 5spd, reg cab/short box. 4x4, with newly packed wheel bearings, tie rod ends, brand new 31" AT's and a camo spray paint job for 1000 bucks. Truck has 131k miles on it, so it's barely broken in. Gotta replace the rear bumper and tailgate (rusted), get a nice little lift, weld me up some brush guards and give it either a satin black or something cool. I'll get some pics soon.

Re: Daily Driver SUV/Truck advice
 

That's nuts. That truck would sell for $3500 all day long out here. People would buy that truck in shitty condition with a rod knock for $2500 out here.
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Re: Daily Driver SUV/Truck advice
 

my dad used to have a 95 cherokee 4.0
motor felt nice and tourqey and had nice low end power for smoking the tires. almost felt like my 5.0 in my thunderbird. im not sure how reliable they are, but i liked it.

Re: Daily Driver SUV/Truck advice
 

Body isn't in the BEST condition. As I said, rusted tailgate/bumper, some rust on the doors too. Frame is clean, though, which is nice. I figure if I spend a bit of money into the body to make it last and service the motor/drivetrain as needed, she'll last a long while.

What's a good online vendor for goodies? I need more stuff to spend money on :l :6

Re: Daily Driver SUV/Truck advice
 

If the doors rusted off and the tailgate wasn't even there, you would still get $3000 for it out here.

I see them sell for ~$5000 all the time. There was an 86 2wd with an auto tranny for sale for $4000. :l I'm sure he sold it too. 4runners sell for a bit more than that. Most of the 90ish 4 runners sell for $6000+ with a billion miles. :S
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Re: Daily Driver SUV/Truck advice
 

Well, I'll know where to go when I want to sell it :)

But... the 22re is reliable and gets decent mileage... but I need a more power on the highway and such. Should I bother with exhaust/intake, or should I just weld up a log manifold, throw a turbo, some injectors and an SMT6 on it and be done? >:D

Re: Daily Driver SUV/Truck advice
 

Toyotas pull good money. My buddy just sold a beat to ---- 82 with a lift and 33's for a grand.

Had a dead starter and no front driveline too

Re: Daily Driver SUV/Truck advice
 

Intake and exhaust? :l We all know that leads to minimal power gains. You know what to do if you want some real power. ;) Just remember, that's one of the best blocks to boost. :6
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Re: Daily Driver SUV/Truck advice
 

i advise looking at the ADD and revising it like off-road.com/toyota instructs you do to, automatic axle slider ---- gives problems.

on a 22re, your best bet is pretty much to keep it under 6k rpm's, they make max hp at 4800, nothing past 5500 cept rpm's and high rpm failure. stock ecu's will cope with 6-10lbs of boost, me and yuriy have both read this ourselves, and it's been somewhat proven. boosting is a pretty nice option, 194 cc injectors are stock. lol @ honda's 240's stock.

um

toysrme can add to this, hes the toyota expert here. oh fyi, find a nice locker for the rear, and some heavy duty torsion bars or invest into a solid axle swap. IFS is strong as ---- in those, but not the flex of a solid axle. 32" tires will clear stock, but anything more than any decent amount of flex into the bumpstops will have you looking at some rub.

http://toyota.off-road.com/toyota/ar....jsp?id=186526

link for tire size vs lift needed :y

http://toyota.off-road.com/toyota/ar....jsp?id=186221

cheap easy swaybar disconnect O0

http://toyota.off-road.com/toyota/ar....jsp?id=186210

prop valve mod, these things are a blessing and a fucktard at the same time. i highly suggest modding the prop valve as a first mod

Re: Daily Driver SUV/Truck advice
 

http://www.lcengineering.com

http://www.downeyoff-road.com

http://northwestoffroad.com

http://www.pirate4x4.com