Trail rig? What to do???

[judoant]

I went out with a local off road club over the weekend on a trail ride and caught the bug. My stock 99 with duratracks could not have done better, however I was very nervous about tearing up my very clean daily driver (205k on the clock).

I realized I either need to get over it, or spend some money and either upgrade my rig or buy something just to offroad.

The options I have come up with are to buy a $4-5k 4runner or Jeep (something different than what I got) and start a trail only project or beef up what I got. I don't want anything supper crazy nor $15k invested in this rig. I am thinking something with a lift, 33's or 35's, winch, and lockers.

My current rig has brand new 265/75 duratracks and new stock height suspension all the way around.

What are your options on how to proceed? The trails around here are everything from rocky hills to mud and creeks. Mostly single track.

 

[slowpoke99]

SAS!

Sorry man. If I didn't say it, someone else would have. What kind of budget are you working with?

 

[Atrox Caeda]

Step 1. Convince Wife you need a daily driver because you're gunna build a trail rig.
Step 2. Convince Wife you need something fuel efficient.
Step 2.1. That is either a Boss Motorcycle or a civic (since she already agreed).
Step 3. Buy maintenance parts (CV Axles, LBJs, etc)
Step 4. Buy SS 1.2 or Toytec Boss lift kit
Step 5. Buy a rear locker
Step 6. Buy/Build armor/gadgets/disconnects/racks/lights
Step 7. Have fun the whole time.

Also Steps 3 through 6 are rearrangeable throughout this entire process.

Point 1. There is no "RIGHT" way to do this, but you should have fun the whole time.

 

[judoant]

SAS!

Sorry man. If I didn't say it, someone else would have. What kind of budget are you working with?

If I were to buy a new rig up to $5k for the vehicle and $2-3k in mods getting started.

If I plan to upgrade my DD I can do that over time. No budget really. I would just want a reliable daily driver and can take on moderate trails. My first order of business would have to be a 2-3" lift. I was really close to high center over the weekend. Then a winch.

 

[white_n_slow]

I daily drove a 4runner that was moderately built up for off road use and it was totally acceptable as a daily driver. I would just throw some parts at your 4runner and keep on trucking. The amount of $$$ you save on gas by owning a fuel efficient DD is more than offset by insurance and upkeep on two vehicles.

One of these 4runners can get through a good 4-banana trail with 33's, a rear locker, a winch and a good spotter. Probably as much as you'll need until you decide to spend a gazillion dollars.

Side note: please do not buy a jeep. Unless you're the type of guy who kicks puppies and curses in front of children. Lol. If you're looking for a dedicated trail rig, look no further than a 84-85 4runner or pickup.

 

[judoant]

Step 1. Convince Wife you need a daily driver because you're gunna build a trail rig.
Step 2. Convince Wife you need something fuel efficient.
Step 2.1. That is either a Boss Motorcycle or a civic (since she already agreed).
Step 3. Buy maintenance parts (CV Axles, LBJs, etc)
Step 4. Buy SS 1.2 or Toytec Boss lift kit
Step 5. Buy a rear locker
Step 6. Buy/Build armor/gadgets/disconnects/racks/lights
Step 7. Have fun the whole time.

Also Steps 3 through 6 are rearrangeable throughout this entire process.

Point 1. There is no "RIGHT" way to do this, but you should have fun the whole time.

The upside is I have no wife to convince, and no kids. I do have a girlfriend that is also into trail riding.

 

[slowpoke99]

The upside is I have no wife to convince, and no kids. I do have a girlfriend that is also into trail riding.

So basically what you mean is that a full tube two seat rock buggy on tons isn't totally out of the question right?:bounce:

 

[KidVermicious]

1986 to 89 22re pickup or 4Runner in decent shape - $1800 to $2200.
Ball joint spacers and lift shackles for 1 to 1.5" lift - $150 or so
Spartan locker in the rear - $250 to $300 (Rockauto normally has them the cheapest)
Armor - sliders about $200, rear tube bumpers start at $350, belly skids about the same.
Tires - your call, but I'd suggest about $1000 of 33x10.5 BFG KM2s.

optional - $80 for a trailgear winch mount, $300 for a Badlands winch.

That's roughly $4500, and that'll buy you a truck that will take you to the trail, follow anything but a serious rock buggy, and take you home after. Dollar for dollar that will outwheel anything out there. You own your current truck, and you could put about $4000 into it and have a very respectable wheeler. But if you're going to keep it clean and buy something else specifically to abuse on the trail, you have to go with the late eightys Toyota. Nothing else compares.

 

[tre9er]

1986 to 89 22re pickup or 4Runner in decent shape - $1800 to $2200.
Ball joint spacers and lift shackles for 1 to 1.5" lift - $150 or so
Spartan locker in the rear - $250 to $300 (Rockauto normally has them the cheapest)
Armor - sliders about $200, rear tube bumpers start at $350, belly skids about the same.
Tires - your call, but I'd suggest about $1000 of 33x10.5 BFG KM2s.

optional - $80 for a trailgear winch mount, $300 for a Badlands winch.

That's roughly $4500, and that'll buy you a truck that will take you to the trail, follow anything but a serious rock buggy, and take you home after. Dollar for dollar that will outwheel anything out there. You own your current truck, and you could put about $4000 into it and have a very respectable wheeler. But if you're going to keep it clean and buy something else specifically to abuse on the trail, you have to go with the late eightys Toyota. Nothing else compares.

I'd like to reiterate what others have said, that I hate you, for making me want to buy/mod moar 4runnerzzzzz :bounce:

 

[Andy in Pa]

I know this is a T4R forum, but 91-98 Jeep Cherokees have become the new "cheap" wheeler. Pick one up for $1000, choose from 1000's of aftermarket support companies to upgrade it slightly, do some trimming and be in the woods on a set of used 33's for less than $3000.

But since you have no wife/kids, now is the time to spend more. A VERY capable Cherokee can be built for $5K, and when the body gets thrashed, just swap over the lift/drivetrain to another one and start the process again!!

This is what you need...
1998 Jeep Cherokee 2 door, 5 speed, DANA 44 axles, lifted

Can't build a streetable rig for that cheap!!

 

[tre9er]

I know this is a T4R forum, but 91-98 Jeep Cherokees have become the new "cheap" wheeler. Pick one up for $1000, choose from 1000's of aftermarket support companies to upgrade it slightly, do some trimming and be in the woods on a set of used 33's for less than $3000.

But you can't take the top off a Cherokee:moon:

 

[nevada]

I went out with a local off road club over the weekend on a trail ride and caught the bug. My stock 99 with duratracks could not have done better, however I was very nervous about tearing up my very clean daily driver (205k on the clock).

I realized I either need to get over it, or spend some money and either upgrade my rig or buy something just to offroad.

The options I have come up with are to buy a $4-5k 4runner or Jeep (something different than what I got) and start a trail only project or beef up what I got. I don't want anything supper crazy nor $15k invested in this rig. I am thinking something with a lift, 33's or 35's, winch, and lockers.

My current rig has brand new 265/75 duratracks and new stock height suspension all the way around.

What are your options on how to proceed? The trails around here are everything from rocky hills to mud and creeks. Mostly single track.

having done this both ways, and having friends in the same situation, it really is best to get a 2nd vehicle as a dedicated wheeler.

once you start wheeling, you will start breaking, its inevitable. being able to get to work the rest of the week(while you wait on parts) is important.

not too mention you will be wearing out your expensive trail tires driving back and forth to work, that's no good.

I could go on, but look for a second vehicle.

 

[Appntr]

There is no right way to do this, but I have been down this road long ago when I had my 99 4Runner. Its really going to depend on what kind of wheelin' you want to do. Are you ok just trail riding and patient enough to pick and choose your lines when it gets more technical? Or do you want to be able to do the more "truggy and buggy" lines? Do you have the mechanical know how, ability and tools to build/install things yourself?

Those questions will determine a lot.

Assuming you just want to go out and trail ride, try some harder lines from time to time and are ok pulling cable or backing off and going around the hard stuff:

For the budget you are looking at I would honestly consider doing what I consider your basic cookie cutter 3rd gen. 3" lift, sliders, rear locker, 285 MT's, full belly skids and bumpers with a good winch. You'll be turning a lot of heads without having to worry about smashing rocker panels and the belly, be able to drive it to the trail and home in comfort. My 99 went a LOT of places like that with some patience and careful spotting. I could drive for hours, wheel it, camp all weekend, pack my junk in it and drive it home. At this point it was still my DD.

$4500-5000 isn't really going to get you much that is something you can comfortably and reliably get you to the trails, do the harder stuff AND get you home. You can find built toyota truggies all day for that price and it will get you someone else's problem that has probably been their rock missle and beat down over the years. That means tow rig time. I drove my last truggy on the road but only around town and when we would rig parade through town to the bar. Its not that I didn't trust what I built, its because it wasn't comfortable for longer drives.

Just some insight from someone who has been down this road before.

 

[SCRunner12]

What do you mean going offroad? Like rock crawling and trails that require full armor, SAS and lockers or just some local trails/camping? That will make a big difference in your decision. If you're going for a rock crawler, then buy something older to work with. 3rd gens are really nice, but it will take a lot of work to get a 3rd gen rock crawling without IFS. A 1st gen 4runner is a much easier platform to work with and are already cheap so the buy in cost will be low. Plus it's easy to pick up an 85 axle and start putting the pieces together. I would go that route till you feel comfortable working on your nicer 4runner.

 

[Andy in Pa]

But you can't take the top off a Cherokee:moon:

Have sawzall... anything is possible!!:croc:

 

[judoant]

You guys are amazing. Thanks for all the great ideas and suggestions so far. I have been reading other similar posts and your responses and as of now I am leaning toward the "cookie cutter" 3rd gen idea. I say this because I have only been on trail a few times, have a limited budget and at this time don't see myself wanting to buggy rock crawl. I think I need to get out a few more times and see how serious I want to get but in the mean time protect the rig I got.

I am not the type to beat my ride to death no matter if it were a trail rig only or not. I enjoy picking good lines and being some what carefull.

As of now it am thinking the Savage full skids, gas tank and rear lower control arm armor as my next mods. Then a winch. Either hidden in bumper or mount a front hitch and put it on a cradle. I think with those items on top of my current OME 906 rears and 265/75 duratracs I will have a rig that can take me on some decent trails and get me home at the end of the day. Ride that way until I figure out how much and where to invest.

 

[KidVermicious]

You guys are amazing. Thanks for all the great ideas and suggestions so far. I have been reading other similar posts and your responses and as of now I am leaning toward the "cookie cutter" 3rd gen idea. I say this because I have only been on trail a few times, have a limited budget and at this time don't see myself wanting to buggy rock crawl. I think I need to get out a few more times and see how serious I want to get but in the mean time protect the rig I got.

I am not the type to beat my ride to death no matter if it were a trail rig only or not. I enjoy picking good lines and being some what carefull.

As of now it am thinking the Savage full skids, gas tank and rear lower control arm armor as my next mods. Then a winch. Either hidden in bumper or mount a front hitch and put it on a cradle. I think with those items on top of my current OME 906 rears and 265/75 duratracs I will have a rig that can take me on some decent trails and get me home at the end of the day. Ride that way until I figure out how much and where to invest.

This sounds like a great plan. After you do your skids you'll want sliders, and then a rear bumper. A stock 3rd gen can do some amazing things, and once you add armor and a locker you'll be set for some harder stuff.

 

[thardy]

This sounds like a great plan. After you do your skids you'll want sliders, and then a rear bumper. A stock 3rd gen can do some amazing things, and once you add armor and a locker you'll be set for some harder stuff.

X2. Armor your 3rd gen. You will be happy with how it will perform. Like KidV said you will definitly want sliders. If you want to do the rear bumper they are nice, but you can get away with flipping or raising your hitch and using that to protect your stock bumper.

I would have said SAS a year ago. Don't get me wrong I love mine (although I haven't been able to wheel it much), but unless you are going to wheel the SH** out of it, then it is overkill and kind of a pain in the a**. Start with the plan you've laid out and stick to it. If when all said and done its not enough then you can go from there. You will be happy with it.

Also another option on the "CHEAP" LC front coils on the rear and top plates or coil overs on the front should give you 3ish inches of lift. I was happy with mine, until I decided I wanted to wheel it harder!

 

[KidVermicious]

I'd like to reiterate what others have said, that I hate you, for making me want to buy/mod moar 4runnerzzzzz :bounce:

:flipoff:

 

[KidVermicious]

and when the body gets thrashed, just swap over the lift/drivetrain to another one and start the process again!!

This is my biggest beef with the XJ. There's no doubt that they're super capable, but I don't know anybody that's wheeled very long or very hard with an XJ and isn't looking for something to swap their parts to because they've beat the unibody to snot.

They make a great mild wheeler. But if the OP thinks he even might want to get into serious crawling, I'd advise avoiding the XJ. Too much trouble for what it is.