Well, the time has come to get rid of the Z in favor of something more powerful, gas-guzzling, and more importantly 4x4. The CJ won't be finished in time to get me through this winter, and probably wouldn't be the best daily driver.

So, I come to the .org to help make my decision. Basically i'm looking for a reliable 4wd suv for under $5,000. Probably looking at mid to late 90's models. I need something to drive to and from college, capable of going off-road with ease because hunting is my life. Also would like it to have a decent aftermarket, including lifts, push bumpers, etc.

So far i'm considering:
Wrangler
Tahoe
Blazer
Montero
4Runner
and possibly Tracker/Sidekick

Let me know your input/opinion so i can make the best decision possible.





Check out my build thread!

try and find a 2 door tahoe! those are sweet! 350 is good for that gas guzzling factor your looking for to!



WiGM-Tuners member.

The Tahoe would be my pick off that list.


"Project 69'"
1969 Chevrolet C/10, 1/2 ton, 2wd
-Boosted LS1?
-Richmond ROD 6-speed(will get sometime)
-Posi 12-bolt(built w/eaton posi unit and richmond 3.73 gears)
-Disc brake and 5 lug swap
+little extras

i would love to find a 2 door tahoe, but it seems like everyone thinks they're one of the rarest cars out there. i found a 95 the other day, average condition, and the owner wanted 15 grand for it. ridiculous.





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84-89 4 runners are great wheeling machines, but down on power if that's what you are looking for. The later models with the 3.0 v6 are junk.

Newer Cherokee's would also make a good DD. A 2 dr tahoe/blazer or even a zr2 s10 blazer would be ideal. Finding a nice 89-91 K5 would make a nice driver as well and lifts and parts are dirt cheap for those.

Wrangler wouldn't make much sense since you already have a cj...

Tahoe if you want some large and comfy that can still handle a bit of light wheeling.

Tracker/Sidekick if you don't mind something small and not so comfy. They are great on gas and will litterally go anywhere. My buddy has a Sidekick lifted on 33' Super Swappers and it is almost unstoppable off-road.

Buy my Cherokee!!! 96 2 door. There is massive aftermarket support and it;s fun as hell to drive.

Screw all of them. Best SUV ever made

GMC Typhoon period.

Awsome truck just expensive.

If you found a YJ wrangler, I'll let that slide. I'll punch both of your kidneys out through your nose if you think about getting a TJ. Now what you really need is a 73-79 Blazer. Tons of aftermarket, parts are really easy to get and cheap, top comes off of it too, and it's a full-size SUV.




Your car may do 13 sec @ 103 mph, but my car does 146db @ 35 hz.

Tahoe






RIP JESSE GERARD.....Youll always be in my thoughts and prayers...

First off, i'm not too concerned with power. I don't do any real towing ever, so smaller engines are fine. Not real big into go-fast anymore either. I'm just looking for a reliable dd that i can have some fun with on the side. It would see very light wheeling, mostly driving through mud and cornfields in Iowa and South Dakota.

I completely forgot to put cherokee and grand cherokee on my list. I'm considering those as well.

And no, not thinking about a TJ. It would definitely be a yj and would get a cj grill conversion done. And while i would love a k5, i don't really have enough knowledge with carbs for one to be a good dd for me.

A Tracker would be a great option on paper, but i've never heard how reliable they are. I can't imagine parts would be expensive at all if something broke.





Check out my build thread!

RuggedZ wrote:
And no, not thinking about a TJ. It would definitely be a yj and would get a cj grill conversion done. And while i would love a k5, i don't really have enough knowledge with carbs for one to be a good dd for me.

That's where I come in. Ask and yee shall receive.




Your car may do 13 sec @ 103 mph, but my car does 146db @ 35 hz.

we have a 02 4runner 3.4 slow and junk. i had a 00 blazer tranny blew at 114k. out of that list the tahoe or a jeep.

I want/will one day own one of these:





CUCV Blazer

6.2 liter detroit diesel, 24 volt electrical system, dual 100 amp alternators. The blazers come with front and rear 10 bolt axles with an eaton locker in the rear. But you can always swap in the axles from the M1008 pickup. (Dana 60 front, 14 bolt rear. 4.56 and detroit lockers).

i'd go with a 4.0L jeep cherokee if it was me. they can be had pretty cheap and run forever.



87 Firebird
All stock...........lol.

I'd say the cherokee. However, a lot of the older suv's went bye bye in the cash for clunkers fiasco.

I've also found that the trackers/sidekicks seem to be kinda overpriced....even with high mileage. You might be able to find a Hyundai Sante Fe near that price though.

.


“Poor Al Gore. Global warming completely debunked via the very Internet you invented. Oh, oh, the irony!” -Jon Stewart

RuggedZ wrote:First off, i'm not too concerned with power. I don't do any real towing ever, so smaller engines are fine. Not real big into go-fast anymore either. I'm just looking for a reliable dd that i can have some fun with on the side. It would see very light wheeling, mostly driving through mud and cornfields in Iowa and South Dakota.

I completely forgot to put cherokee and grand cherokee on my list. I'm considering those as well.

And no, not thinking about a TJ. It would definitely be a yj and would get a cj grill conversion done. And while i would love a k5, i don't really have enough knowledge with carbs for one to be a good dd for me.

A Tracker would be a great option on paper, but i've never heard how reliable they are. I can't imagine parts would be expensive at all if something broke.

All 89-91 k5 blazers are fuel injected and still the old body style. Some of the older ones are too

I'd love to have a 69-72 or 73-75 with the full removable top one day.

Got my mom an '02 Cherokee Sport for X-mas. Previously a Forest Service vehicle. Definitely a good daily if you don't mind the poor mpg.




fortune cookie say: better a delay than a disaster