I've always been a fan of Toyotas. My wife has a '13 Highlander and I had two '85 pickups when I was a teenager in the 80's. I used one to drive from NJ to CA (a 22R) and the other from NJ to WA (a 22R-E) and had a blast each time. My son will get his driver's license in 3-1/2 years, so I am planning on getting him something that's ultra-reliable and cool. I've had my eye on the 3rd gen 4Runner and the Jeep Cherokee XJ (1984-2001). These are two perfect examples of vehicles that when properly maintained, you can get 300,000 miles on the drivetrain before you have to rebuild them.

This brings me to my question. As much as I love the two vehicles I mentioned above, both would be 25+ years old when he gets his license. Because of that, I was wondering, what is the next bulletproof 4x4 vehicle that's out there that's a bit newer (besides 4th/5th gen 4Rs)? I'm looking for something that can get similar mileage before the need for a rebuild and is revered by their owners b/c they're so reliable. All opinions are welcomed. Oh, and I almost forgot, I don't want to break the bank if possible. Looking to spend $4k - $8k.

Nissan frontier/xterra pro4x. They have a dana 44 in the rear (with the pro4x) w/ a rear locker. You can do a cheaper long travel front suspension by doing a titan swap (swapping over the control arms from a titan).

I had a Jeep Cherokee XJ and the transmission went out ($2.4k back in the 90s) and then the engine blew. I would not call them reliable. Lot of fun though.

@srsrogerissrs - thanks! I always forget the Xterra.

@mscot - I've never owned one, but friends have and they unanimously have praised them.

Any other opinions???

Had only one Nissan but left a bad taste in my mouth.

2006 Maxima
- Radiator broke at 60K
- Compressor froze 2X at 70k
- Timing Chain needed replacement by 85K

I kicked the damn thing down the road and told myself never Nissan again.

I had an 06 Xterra before the 4runner. Great vehicle, and I loved the 6 speed manual. Great engine and no issues in 120k of ownership. Hated trading it in for an Outback at the time, but was a practicality thing with a baby on the way (the rear doors of the Xterra are no bueno with car seats) and moving to California at the time with $4.00+ a gallon gas. I see the 5th gen 4runner as a more “adult” version of the Xterra just in terms of family practicality but boy do I miss that 6 speed tranny!

Yeah, the Xterra is really cool, but can siphon gas like crazy too!

I had an XJ in college and put alot of hard miles on it on and off road and it was a tank. It was really the only vehicle out of the 10+ I have owned that I regret selling.

Xterra would be worth looking at but beyond that i'm not really coming up with anything else.

Specific reason you aren't considering a 4th gen?

So? Was it the GM 2.8 crapper? If it had the 4.0 six and aisin auto (very similar to a 4Runner auto), then you were just very, very unlucky.

It was the 4.0

Very true, I averaged about 19 mpg with the 6 speed manual in the xterra and I get about 17 mpg with the 4runner. Both stock with 1 size up then OEM LT Tires.

No reason. I thought that there might be something out there that was a gem that I did not know about. In the end, it might just be a 4th gen!

80 series LC
GX470
Xterra
3rd or 4th gen 4runner
Tacoma 1st or 2nd gen
Suzuki Samurai

Saw a 4x4 Suzuki Sidekick for sale the other day for $2300, Some Toyota axles and 33s would make it a beast

I mean if you want alternatives to a 4Runner... XJs are reliable but they are unibody so you get all the problems that come with it. I had a buddy with a Comanche who needed the cab straightened out after hitting something on the trail so try to avoid buying an XJ that has been wheeled or crashed.

I vote Ford Ranger 4x4, any year and any transmission as long as it has a 2.3 Lima, 3.0 SOHC, or 4.0 OHV with manual hubs. Parts are cheap and super available. Really easy to work on, especially the 4.0 OHV. I’ve owned a 3.0 SOHC 2WD with a 4spd auto that was flawless and one with a 2.9 Cologne (garbage motor that blew up) with the Mazda M5OD 5spd manual and I swapped in a 4.0 OHV from a clapped out Explorer with 240k miles that gave me 25k more miles until I had to sell it because swaps in California don’t work very well. One of my friends found it on a classifieds ad in Washington last week, I’d assume it’s approaching the big 300k. I miss my 4x4 Ranger and wish I had it instead of my 3rd Gen lol