I'm in SoCal, out of the AV and I crashed my '99 Jeep Cherokee in April. Needed(wanted?) to find a replacement and it came down to a rover and a 4runner. Well, with the desert exploring and having family in tow, reliability is paramount - so here we are. Nellie going away:



I picked up a stock '99 SR5 (no e-locker )with 141k. She spent the 1st 12 years of her life in OH before arriving in CA, so there is some rust, but it appears to just be really crap surface rust. She's mine now though - through thick and thin...



Lift and fun stuff are ordered up and en route and parts are trickling in.



I play in the desert areas of Antelope Valley and Hesperia. Also in Jawbone and up 395. I am also looking to do some exploring this year around Johnsondale - looking for dispersed, creekside camping spots within 3-4 hours from me.



Thanks for all the info I got from this site before I picked up my 4runner and I look forward to getting to know folks here.

Welcome to the forum. Be sure to check out 3rd Gen FAQ, Tutorials, & Documentation Reference v2 if you haven't already.

Can't wait to see some trip pics. Subscribed!

Congratulations on a great choice of truck...99 SR5 is the best one IMO. It's just a fantastic blank canvas for your future adventures. Timeless, Super reliable, lots of aftermarket and forum support, and most of all Supremely Capable. I'm sure you will come to love your Rig as much as we all love ours. Many happy trails to you and good wheelin to all....

How would you say the Jeep compares with the T4R ? New to T4R myself. Have had a TJ and a YJ in the past, but have not had the chance to take the T4R on a trail yet.

Welcome to the forum and best of luck with the restoration / build.
You're implying that Toyota is more reliable than Land Rover?
Yes, please share reports on dispersed camping. I prefer that over developed campgrounds that get crowded, trashed and have smelly toilets. I prefer my own fresh loo with a view each time.

And IIRC, it has the best stock ground clearance.

Because I am ignorant and inexperienced in all things Toy, I am having a difficulty understanding the comparison between Jeep and Toy. I only bring this up because of my curiosity and do not mean any disrespect. Very new to Toy and Jeep in the past. Love my 'new to me 3rd Gen.'

The Jeep Cherokee that i had was pure basic, utilitarian. Former government fleet vehicle, no thrills, no frills, vinyl seats, am/fm radio, manual windows and locks. I had her for about 6 years and 130k miles. I never got her stuck, she never broke down on me, climbed every damn thing I put in front of her and she put up with my mud fetish.

I took her through all terrain imaginable. Big Bear, El Paso mountain range, washboards, mud holes, dunes, southern Sierra Nevadas, snow, heavily rutted fire roads, sidewalks, the mall. This was all done on a 2" OME kit, 30's and a steady diet of Rotella. To me, she is about the perfect 2 man hunting / camping vehicle...but I have a family. My accident closed me on what I was already thinking about; the switch.

I looked for a LC in my budget and they just weren't out there, so I landed on a 4Runner and actually found an awesome deal on one that allowed me to throw my wallet at her and somewhat match the build on the Jeep. The Jeep was my 1st 4x4 and with her I found out what I like to do - high speed dirt and mud holes. The IFS of the 4Runner is, in theory, supposed to be better for fast off road and we'll have to see how she plays in the mud.

The 4Runner is definitely more spacious for cargo and personal space for passengers, rides better on road and I've always had a thing for the "optional" back window. The fact that I've been missing cruise control for 6 years might be going a long ways towards how I'm digging the 4Runner right now, but she is a better all around fit for my family and how we play.

I have not taken many opportunities to play in the 4Runner yet, as we're still getting to know one another, but I did just come back from a day trip to the Johnsondale area and she did just fine bone stock and on street tires. Had an almost identical performance to my father in laws Jeep Liberty on an 2" OME kit and 31's, so there's that I suppose.

Parts are ordered and en route, so down the road I'll be able to give more feedback. For the time being, though, I think she's gonna be just fine...

I had an 88 Cherokee that had huge electrical problems but off road it was beautiful. I remember flying down the bumpy dirt roads in Joshua Tree with the tires aired down, must have been 40 mph, and marvelling at how well it handled. Too bad the 4runner didn't have a solid front axle "option".

Parts still trickling in!!

Friday delivery (hint - NOT a box of oil filters.. ;) )



Monday delivery!

Did a one nighter Saturday night for the Perseids...

If I was to buy a jeep. I'd buy a wrangler due to having a frame with a 4.0. New wranglers are shit. But if I wanted a solid axle truck. I'd buy a fzj80 with factory front and rear lockers.

The one thing cool about Jeeps is they are very capable stock. A good Rubicon is the 2006 with the 4.0L. Dana 44's and lockers. I watched one stock do Hells Revenge at Moab just the other week. Guy said he rented it and it did it no problem.

THe new Rubicon coming out with a Diesel may be pretty nice.

AV here too. nice to finally see someone from the area on here. I need to explore the AV more. Will you be my friend? lol. Also, your street looks familiar...I think I live down the street from you. lol. That would be hilarious

Clean buy – the paint, chrome, wheels, etc. look to be in really good shape. I also recently picked up a white '99 SR5, though without a sunroof.

I know we'll find out in due time, but what lift have you ordered?

Out 60th west way, so not likely(?) if you're claiming PDale...

I'm off in the middle of the week, but if you're looking to play/explore local, I can shoot you some suggestions...