Hey new guy here first post boy do I have some questions

[frawressvictoly]

Okay so im in the market for 4x4 off road fun times but good to get around vehicle. I have 8k to spend on something. Now here is where my newbiness shines. I am new to 4x4, suvs/ trucks. I have always been a car guy and kept it on the pavement. Now that im getting a little older the go fast in me is fading and my adventure side is coming. I could use some help (I am also sorry in advance if this is posted in the wrong place), without further delay.

1st question What year 4runner is this because I LOVE the way it looks.

2nd In my price range I have been looking at
:: Toyota Land cruisers the FJ80's (91-97) *I almost bought a 97 collectors edition this morning but was told by a buddy for the price they wanted and it not having the factory lockers and 250k miles I would be better off waiting.

:: Toyota 4runners (Overwhelmed here and looking for suggestions) wanting some fun offroad, also wanting to take to the beach w/ the dogs

:: Toyota Tacoma's (Not as overwhelmed, seems like 4x4 trd is the way to go) cost a lot of money.

:: Nissan Xterras *car reviewers seem to like them alot

:: Lastly but not least Jeep Wrangers (holy smokes SO many, I had no clue how clueless I was/am about them).

*These are just the few that have caught my eye. I really wish I knew more about them.
*Budget 8k, so going to be old and prob have a fair amount on miles (hints why I start w/ Toyota's)
*Also I take care of my cars/ projects. TLC is what they get, you guys know the hobby.

Now what I want out of one. I want a good reliable truck. I don't want to have to be worried that when I get in, she wont start. You know the type.. walk to you car chanting "come on , come on, start baby, start"
I want to toss my 3 doggies in and take it camping, or to the beach.
I would like to be able to drive it on some public (truck allowed) beaches
Do some light trails when I visit my dad in TN.
Not be the laughing stock of a group when I show up w/ my truck to play in the mud or trails w/ the guys.

I really hope this enough information to make a few suggestions and why you suggest this.

Anyways thanks guys
-Brandon

 

[Ripsnort]

Sorry, I have A.D.D. and couldn't finish your post.

Just buy a 4runner. :bigok:

 

[Desert Fox]

• What kind of adventure are you planning? I have owned a Nissan truck (4x4), Ford BroncoII, Wrangler, Nissan Frontier NISMO, FJ Cruiser and 4Runner along with several other 2 wheel drive vehicles.

The Nissan Frontier was a great 4 wheel drive but I did not really put it to the full test, just forest roads and deep snow.

Wranglers are great toys but be real, they are small and lack room for stuff, including people and dogs. Good 4 wheel drives and you can do a lot of mods to them. They are pretty to work on.

We currently have a FJ Cruiser and a 4Runner. I like the FJ Cruiser the best out of all of my vehicles. I think it is the most capable 4 wheeler I have owned. We have a 3 inch lift and good tires on it.

My 4Runner is probably the second choice. It is pretty stock for now. I like the ease of working on it and all the things I can do to it. I plan on a 3 inch lift, good tires and a locker in the front.

I dont think you can go wrong with Toyota for dependability. They all have issues of some kind. IMHO Toyota is best in quality.

Good luck

 

[SCRunner12]

For an 8k price range you are looking at a 3rd gen. Check this thread out and if you have questions ask away. http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/82033-3rd-gen-4runner-buyers-guide.html Also the one in the picture is a Trail Edition 5th Gen. You are about 30k away from getting one of those stock...

 

[frawressvictoly]

• What kind of adventure are you planning? I have owned a Nissan truck (4x4), Ford BroncoII, Wrangler, Nissan Frontier NISMO, FJ Cruiser and 4Runner along with several other 2 wheel drive vehicles.

The Nissan Frontier was a great 4 wheel drive but I did not really put it to the full test, just forest roads and deep snow.

Wranglers are great toys but be real, they are small and lack room for stuff, including people and dogs. Good 4 wheel drives and you can do a lot of mods to them. They are pretty to work on.

We currently have a FJ Cruiser and a 4Runner. I like the FJ Cruiser the best out of all of my vehicles. I think it is the most capable 4 wheeler I have owned. We have a 3 inch lift and good tires on it.

My 4Runner is probably the second choice. It is pretty stock for now. I like the ease of working on it and all the things I can do to it. I plan on a 3 inch lift, good tires and a locker in the front.

I dont think you can go wrong with Toyota for dependability. They all have issues of some kind. IMHO Toyota is best in quality.

Good luck

Hey guys thanks for the replies. As far as my adventures. I live in FL so, as far as I know not lots of huge tuff trials. But we have sand and mud pits. My dad lives in TN and I know some buddies w/ really old rugged jeeps that trek threw these trails alot. So all in all I would not extreme mud, and easier trails.

So for me I guess light off road. I ahve never done it. I guess im looking for pretty good off out of the box. I figured if I really fall in love w/ the sport I can drop cash into and make anything better.

* oh I have 3 jack russell terriers so they dont take alot of room. I could toss them in the back of just about anything and they would be fine.

* also looking at 3rd gen runners now. I saw this video 4runner Off Road Moab - YouTube
and my jaw dropped I had no idea 4runners were so capable (again complete newbie)



I poked around in the 3rd gen guide. FANTASTIC btw, thank you for showing me this.

I am pretty sure I want something w/ lockers on it but I cant really figure out how to tell when im looking at all the HUNDREDS of 4runners out there are the ones that are going to be a good starting zone for offroading. I did a basic autotrader, cars.com and few other sites search for the years the 3rd gen runners are and found my self kind of spining trying to figure it all out. LOTS and LOTS of them out there.

 

[Desert Fox]

Hey guys thanks for the replies. As far as my adventures. I live in FL so, as far as I know not lots of huge tuff trials. But we have sand and mud pits. My dad lives in TN and I know some buddies w/ really old rugged jeeps that trek threw these trails alot. So all in all I would not extreme mud, and easier trails.

So for me I guess light off road. I ahve never done it. I guess im looking for pretty good off out of the box. I figured if I really fall in love w/ the sport I can drop cash into and make anything better.

* oh I have 3 jack russell terriers so they dont take alot of room. I could toss them in the back of just about anything and they would be fine.

* also looking at 3rd gen runners now. I saw this video 4runner Off Road Moab - YouTube
and my jaw dropped I had no idea 4runners were so capable (again complete newbie)



I poked around in the 3rd gen guide. FANTASTIC btw, thank you for showing me this.

I am pretty sure I want something w/ lockers on it but I cant really figure out how to tell when im looking at all the HUNDREDS of 4runners out there are the ones that are going to be a good starting zone for offroading. I did a basic autotrader, cars.com and few other sites search for the years the 3rd gen runners are and found my self kind of spining trying to figure it all out. LOTS and LOTS of them out there.

What a great video. It makes me want to go out and buy a 4Runner.
Oh, wait, I already have one.

Seriously, I am sure those are not stock but if they can do all that in the video, what else do you want?

Toyota should use that video to sell these rigs.

 

[frawressvictoly]

What a great video. It makes me want to go out and buy a 4Runner.
Oh, wait, I already have one.

Seriously, I am sure those are not stock but if they can do all that in the video, what else do you want?

Toyota should use that video to sell these rigs.

ahaha yea im sure they're not stock also. Ha! What I ment was I didn't know that they could be built to climb that. I learned something today :nerd:

 

[SCRunner12]

Well the video highlights, glenyoshida, sn0wrunner and Gerdo from this forum. There may be more, but I didn't watch it all. You could PM them and ask them questions.

 

[Rix]

3rd gen with elocker.
No better place to start for an suv.

 

[KCcarguy]

I'd go with an FJ80. They are the ultimate Toyota truck IMO. They're quite a few for the $6-8k range.

I haven't seen many 3rd gens in that price range. It seems most nice 3rd gens are in the $11-13k range.

Jeeps are fun, but not as versatile and an $8k wrangler would be pretty beat-down.

Can't beat a Tacoma......especially the 1st gen. But not as much space for family/ dogs, etc.

From what I've heard/ seen, Nissans don't have the longevity. So I wouldn't fool with a $8k Nissan.

 

[hrt4me]

I'm about to buy my first T4R in the morning, a 1st Gen 1985... and I'm selling my low-mileage (56k) OEM '91 Jeep Wrangler YJ for it