98OzarksRunner
New member
I've been hanging around and appreciate all the good info. In October (2010) I bought a 98 4WD with 222K miles (bought it CHEAP!). It is solid and in good shape overall. It had been wrecked (learned that from the dealer - frame straightened) though that didn't show up on carfax - wasted money! But, with that many miles for a 'play in the woods truck' it really doesn't matter. It drives and runs great. I ain't pretty but it ain't a show car (have one of those already).
I've had 4 others - 92, 2 95s, and an 01 (didn't care for that one). Also had an 03 Tacoma double-cab 4X4 (didn't care for that either).
I've done a lot of maintenance things - timing belt, water pump, belts, hoses, thermostat, rotors, front shocks, tie rods ends, lower ball joints, rack bushings, battery, trans cooler. Just doing the reliability things now. Added CB and 2M ham radios. Planning on rear cargo box, maybe a winch (if I can avoid a bumper) and maybe sliders. I found a Load Warrior rack for $130 and a grill guard for $10 (craigslist is great!) and a factory hitch from the wrecking yard ($65 - for a bike rack). This isn't going to be a hard-core rock crawler, but an 'expedition' truck - roaming logging roads in the national forest and going places most don't or can't go.
The 'come and get me' stuff.
My $10 Jaos grill guard (craigslist).
I've had 4 others - 92, 2 95s, and an 01 (didn't care for that one). Also had an 03 Tacoma double-cab 4X4 (didn't care for that either).
I've done a lot of maintenance things - timing belt, water pump, belts, hoses, thermostat, rotors, front shocks, tie rods ends, lower ball joints, rack bushings, battery, trans cooler. Just doing the reliability things now. Added CB and 2M ham radios. Planning on rear cargo box, maybe a winch (if I can avoid a bumper) and maybe sliders. I found a Load Warrior rack for $130 and a grill guard for $10 (craigslist is great!) and a factory hitch from the wrecking yard ($65 - for a bike rack). This isn't going to be a hard-core rock crawler, but an 'expedition' truck - roaming logging roads in the national forest and going places most don't or can't go.
The 'come and get me' stuff.
My $10 Jaos grill guard (craigslist).
