Author Topic: what rig to buy (Read 2137 times)

red · « **on:** Mar 20, 2009, 04:04:15 PM »

well i currently have the 95 yukon, nice vehicle but considering how hard i am on rigs when playin on the rocks its just too nice, that and i'd have to do an sas because those cv joints would die in a heartbeat. so.... i found a few candidates and would like some input on which to go for.
http://www.ksl.com/index.php?sid=&nid=443&tab=list/view&ad=1108252
http://www.ksl.com/index.php?sid=&nid=443&tab=list/view&ad=1147902
http://www.ksl.com/index.php?sid=&nid=443&tab=list/view&ad=1170783
http://www.ksl.com/index.php?sid=&nid=443&tab=list/view&ad=1136707

this last one i think would be a very unique project, but i'm afraid would be stealing from the mammoths and i dont wanna do that.
http://www.ksl.com/index.php?sid=&nid=443&tab=list/view&ad=754947

my criteria is $500 bucks or less (i can negotiate a little), mechanically sound/easy to work on/get parts for. not expensive to maintain either. this rig will become a trailerqueen so street legal wont apply after long at all. looked for toyota's but couldnt find any for less than 800 bucks that didnt need ALOT of mechanical work. any ideas/input? other options?

bigarms23 · « **Reply #1 on:** Mar 20, 2009, 04:28:23 PM »

I would go with the willies

87pickup · « **Reply #2 on:** Mar 20, 2009, 04:52:40 PM »

Save and buy a yota. I should have built a yota long ago. My fullsize bronco with the same $$$ invested couldnt go half the places my yota goes.

abnormaltoy · « **Reply #3 on:** Mar 20, 2009, 05:18:11 PM »

If you don't want to Toyota

I'd go with the Blazer http://www.ksl.com/index.php?sid=&nid=443&tab=list/view&ad=1170783

red · « **Reply #4 on:** Mar 20, 2009, 05:32:59 PM »

its not that i dont want a toyota, just not willing to put the extra money towards one for the purchase price. only 'semi' decent one i found was an 88 for 1200 bucks with 230k miles and a very rough body (wrecked). its gonna be a toy truck, not a street driven vehicle. i'm not done searching yet, if i find one for the kinda price i'm looking at i might snag it.

87pickup how much did you put into ur old bronco? i put 600 into my old 79 k5 blazer including purchase, couldnt find anywhere that it wouldnt go

87pickup · « **Reply #5 on:** Mar 20, 2009, 05:48:21 PM »

I put 20k into it. And even after all that it still had a dana 44 and 60 in it. But it must have weighed 5,000+lbs, was super wide and had so much body that it physically wouldnt fit thru alot of the trails i enjoy running in my yota. If you run wide trails then a blazer might be suitable for you but most of the real fun trails here in az are pretty narrow. Not to mention i wouldnt trust anything less than a d60 and 14bolt with a tire greater than 35 with a locker and 37 without. Its all personal preference but i know i would have been happier buying a toyota for a first vehicle than my bronco.

red · « **Reply #6 on:** Mar 22, 2009, 07:08:05 PM »

found these 3 today
http://www.ksl.com/index.php?sid=&nid=443&tab=list/view&ad=1174823
http://www.ksl.com/index.php?sid=&nid=443&tab=list/view&ad=1157534
http://www.ksl.com/index.php?sid=&nid=443&tab=list/view&ad=1179184

20k? jeez i put 650 into my old 79 k5 blazer including purchase price. i've found 1 trail that i couldnt fit my old k5 on, but 20 yards down the trail became too skinny for anything but a 4wheeler.

Plekto · « **Reply #7 on:** Mar 22, 2009, 07:28:38 PM »

First one has a dying engine and bad trans - pass, unless you have 2K to spend on a new engine and MC trans and can get it for half that price or less.

2nd one - lots of rust.

3rd one - no info - don't like that gen Jeep Cherokee, though - like a half-quality Bronco, IMO.

I'd honestly buy this instead - it's basically ready to go as-is. A real steal, considering what went into it.
http://board.marlincrawler.com/index.php?topic=56344.0
Yes, that's a LOT more than $800, but it's also had all the work done.

Mavericks · « **Reply #8 on:** Mar 22, 2009, 07:37:56 PM »

The 4runner looks like it has alot of potential. It all depends on what you really want. I think the one of the K5 Blazers would be good too.

87pickup · « **Reply #9 on:** Mar 22, 2009, 08:59:17 PM »

Get the runner. 22re and w56's are a dime a dozen incase they need to be replaced.

red · « **Reply #10 on:** Mar 23, 2009, 03:40:51 PM »

replacing the drivetrain right off the bat is not something i'm lookin to do. i know the w56 is easy/cheap to replace since there are some good junk yards around here but add to that an sas down the road, that kinda work i'd be doing less work to get my 2 door yukon as the offroad rig because it has a good drivetrain besides the IFS (too nice of a vehicle for me to offroad with). though a 4runner/blazer is the ideal platform for what i want able to seat 4.

rusty pickup, rust is no concern as long as the frame is solid.

plekto what was so low quality about the jeep? i havent been around one so i have no idea.

MPA's pickup is an excellent vehicle, but much much nicer than what i'm looking for. wanting a vehicle that will be sturdy enough to survive the punishment of me playing with it on the rocks, taking it out in the snow, through some deep water from time-time, and able to carry some friends/ a little bit of gear. current list of likely order:

1. 73 k5 blazer. has the sm465 and a 350 motor so once i get a tbi setup for it its only the axles that would be a concern. full convertable is a plus. it also has 35"s that go with it.

2. 76 k5. cheap price and some new parts, dont know whats wrong with it but if its just carb issues i'll get a tbi for it.

3. 88 4runner, i've had vehicles with more miles than that and could probably get it for 4-500 bucks. similar size to the blazers and part convertable like the 76 k5, has ifs and drivetrain problems.

Plekto · « **Reply #11 on:** Mar 23, 2009, 07:06:32 PM »

IMO, Mid 80s Jeeps are kind of like mid 80s Harleys. They look impressive, but they break a lot and just aren't nearly as good as a real proper SUV like, say, a Land Cruiser or a Bronco.(though Broncos are known to eat xfer cases every 30-40K)

http://reno.craigslist.org/cto/1087181919.html
Something like this might be a good deal, since restored they are worth decent money.

http://reno.craigslist.org/cto/1078233464.html
I checked near you in Utah and found nothing. But there are tons of rigs in Nevada... I *think* this is manual... hard to tell.

http://reno.craigslist.org/cto/1086644803.html
Old Fords are good potential platforms as well, mostly because they are cheap to fix.

http://reno.craigslist.org/cto/1088079555.html
Looks clean - haggle some and enjoy.

87pickup · « **Reply #12 on:** Mar 24, 2009, 01:27:23 PM »

http://reno.craigslist.org/cto/1087181919.html
Something like this might be a good deal, since restored they are worth decent money.

Thats a good deal. More than your budget but strong and look sweet. Way better than any heep or a heavy scout.

red · « **Reply #13 on:** Mar 24, 2009, 04:05:08 PM »

ah i love those old land cruisers!!! just dont like the price but might have some more options popping up if i can sell the yukon for what i want.

BikerTrash · « **Reply #14 on:** Mar 24, 2009, 06:06:06 PM »

I would either go with one of the K5's or the Jeep pickup. I prefer the full convertable K5.

The 3/4 tons just seem like it would like driving a bus.

red · « **Reply #15 on:** Mar 27, 2009, 05:40:20 AM »

http://www.ksl.com/index.php?sid=&nid=443&tab=list/view&ad=1185011
1 ton drivetrain already complete, called the guy and he's been driving it around on the highway for the past couple months, replaced the starter yesterday.

87pickup · « **Reply #16 on:** Mar 27, 2009, 10:10:42 AM »

I would buy that 1 ton part it out make 2k and buy that fj40.

red · « **Reply #17 on:** Mar 27, 2009, 01:24:43 PM »

Leanin towards the 1 ton. Could part it out if there is enough interest and get the fj40 or the willy pickup or build up the truck

Plekto · « **Reply #18 on:** Mar 27, 2009, 02:04:14 PM »

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/cto/1090409562.html
$5K for a stock "survivor"/non restored FJ. This is typical on the coasts. Under $2K for a FJ is a steal, IMO. And if you get tired of it, paint it and get it looking clean and sell it to some yuppie in CA for $5-8K.

red · « **Reply #19 on:** Mar 28, 2009, 10:49:27 PM »

well i picked up the 1 ton today. motor locked up before i got there so i got it for alot cheaper just couldnt pass up on the running gear. interior/body are in alot better shape than i was expecting to. gonna pull the motor tomorrow to see if i can find out whats wrong with it.

kneedownnate · « **Reply #20 on:** Mar 28, 2009, 11:16:34 PM »

Sweet! That'd make a bitchin diesel rig!

Hyena · « **Reply #21 on:** Mar 29, 2009, 12:12:04 AM »

get a sami, they are cheep and easy to build!

red · « **Reply #22 on:** Mar 29, 2009, 11:17:08 AM »

besides a set of lockright lockers, tires, a set of rear springs to mount up front, shackle flip for the rear, and possibly a motor rebuild or replacement this truck is set and wont cost much. suspension work $200 or less, lockers about $300 each most likely, tires and motor unknown.

87pickup · « **Reply #23 on:** Mar 29, 2009, 11:51:16 PM »

Plekto · « **Reply #24 on:** Mar 31, 2009, 02:03:41 PM »

I'd still part it out and get the FJ - lol.

But... good find.

Rules
1: Make a build thread
2: Post pics if you weld something.
3: Post pics if you wrench something.
4: Post pics if you break it.
5: Post pics if you paint it.

red · « **Reply #25 on:** Apr 01, 2009, 06:14:19 AM »

got er started now http://board.marlincrawler.com/index.php?topic=57024.new#new

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