If you can stand the looks, check out a full-size jeep. They shared the same body from sixty-something through 91 which makes finding parts easy. With leaf springs and solid axles, lifts are cheap. You also can them with v-8's for the mudding.

As you might have guessed, I bought a wagoneer for my first car (600$). I drove it 50-thousand miles (up to 180k) and sold it for 1000$.

I still think old wagoneers and cherokees look great. If I found a deal on a J-series truck I'd probably do my best to pick it up.

Strange considering I"m not a fan of Wranglers (or really any other jeep)

 

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...r=&cardist=196

 

what was with that guy slamming on scouts? they used a typical american drivetrain similar to a FSJ(dana 44 front/rear, T18 tranny, d20 or d300 t-case), and had probably one of the most reliable(albeit heavy) powerplants you could ever find

 

Yeah, wasnt' that bulletproof little torquey four just half the V8? Seems like it used the same rods and pistons. In 4 low the things could idle up a cliff or rumble through a brick wall.

 

So, is selling the 2wd out of the question? I responded to the post a couple of weeks ago when you said you'd only have $8k to work with if you sold the 2WD. I posted some links to cheap 4WD's that I found under $8k and would still be reilable.

Here's a 97 4WD 4CYL with high miles (224k) for $5500...

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=34136

Here's another one...

98 V6 4WD Taco with 121k for ~$9500 I know this one's not less than $8k, but it's not that much over it so you may be able to talk them down some. Also, since it's summer, maybe your parents could loan you $1k and let you work some to pay it back...

 

yup, the 196(isn't that a 3.2 liter? ) 4 banger was literally half a 392. i think they weighed in around 700lbs though, but they had something like 180lbs of torque

 

Pick up a older Jeep Cherokee w/ 4.0 engine and a NP 231 transfer case and you'll be surprised what great off road performers they are stock. They also can be picked up for a great deal also!!

 

what year you talkin about the cherokees bein...

just got back from my first offroadin exp. in my truck.... (1996 taco, 2wd, 2.4L engine, ext cab., 5 SPEED) just a gravel trail with some steep hills

fun as heck.. got it dirty

 

Well the newer the cherokee the better of course...but here on the west you can pick up a late 80's early 90's for 2k or less. The 4.0 and AW4 (Auto Tranny) have been know to get 200K miles which is great and right up there with toyota. The late 80's had a dana 44 as an option which is a killer rear axle although the newer Chrysler 8.25 is good also. The front has a coil sprung dana 30 live axle and will articulate way more than the toyota IFS. The early 90's to 97 4.0 HO (high output) had about 195 hp and 235 lb of torque. Its a jeep, not quite as well put together as most Toyota products but it really works well off road.