Starting new project, ideas?

[SpencerS]

Hey guys,

Looking to start a new project soon and am looking for the right kind of vehical.
pretty much im looking to start with something that is already straight axled.\

was thinking about a cherokee to seat 4 people.
looking to build a rig that can drive to and from trails.
at least 33s and max 37s.
crawler on a budget!
im only going to be using it for mild wheeling at first then later on hardcore.
5-speed

Any ideas, comments, suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[crawling209]

I'd rather get a 1st gen runner over a cherokee if you want to seat 4. I'm not just saying that because i have yota. I'm a former jeep owner. The toyota will out wheel the jeep in my opinion and sapre parts aren't so scarce.

[Peterbuilt84]

I'd also look at a 2nd or 3rd gen 4runner if you want to seat 4.

[yoshaleng]

If you must have four doors, 2nd or 3rd gen is ideal. 1st gen runner will come with straight axle for less (assuming it's stock).

[Nimyad]

2wd runner and SAS it

[SpencerS]

only thing is im not to savy with the cutting torch or a mig welder so im not confident in myself with a sas. I would like to build this rig with as little shop time as possible.

I will look at some runners!

[Peterbuilt84]

You can probably find a decent deal on a sased 2nd gen runner, but I don't know your budget.

[Nimyad]

Where you located? I've been seeing lots of sased rigs for sale in eastern wa and oregon

[46&2]

Hey guys,


looking to build a rig that can drive to and from trails.
crawler on a budget!
im only going to be using it for mild wheeling at first then later on hardcore.

Those are all conflicting statements. Ask most people that wheel Cherokees. They are not cheap, reliable or budget to build. This isn't your typical "Jeeps suck" comment, but of all the Jeeps, the Cherokees are really a poor platform to use to build a solid wheeler.

Go with a 2nd gen 4runner if you must have 4 doors. 22Res are still somewhat easy to find in them, or if a 3.4 swap is up your alley, blown 3.0 manual runners are a dime a dozen.

[SpencerS]

it doesnt have to be 4 door just be able to seat 4 people.
im only looking to spend like 2g's to actually purchase the vehicle!

actually i probably could do a straight axle swap, ill just have to buy lots of beer for the actual welder! lol

[Nimyad]

Buy one that's already sased, its cheaper. If you don't like how it's done change little things in it, it'll still be cheaper

[46&2]

it doesnt have to be 4 door just be able to seat 4 people.
im only looking to spend like 2g's to actually purchase the vehicle!

actually i probably could do a straight axle swap, ill just have to buy lots of beer for the actual welder! lol

This screams first gen 4runner. They are actually very roomy. 84s and 85s are harder and harder to find but they are out there.

[Peterbuilt84]

it doesnt have to be 4 door just be able to seat 4 people.
im only looking to spend like 2g's to actually purchase the vehicle!

actually i probably could do a straight axle swap, ill just have to buy lots of beer for the actual welder! lol

A 1st gen runner will probably be your best bet then, if you want to turn it into a wheeler. Although 2nd gen runners can be easily found for less than $2k.

[SpencerS]

alright cool, what year did they start throwing the 3.0s in the runner? maybe ill look for a v6

[94MtnYote]

 get the 4cyl if you can, they make life easier lol!

[Peterbuilt84]

alright cool, what year did they start throwing the 3.0s in the runner? maybe ill look for a v6

88 was the first year 4runners had v6s. In 88 and 89 they still had a 1st gen body style though, 2nd gen body style was 90 and later.

[SpencerS]

ok cool. Looks like a 22re 4runner it is!!

thanks guys!

[theslayer85]

If you are patient you can find some killer deals.  If you are also mechanicly inclined even better.  I picked up an '87 for $300 becasue the head was suposidly blown.  a new head is about $200, we opted to rebuild the whole motor because we didn't know anything about the lower half so better safe than sorry.  Where are you located I have a couple of 4 runners we are looking to get rid of.  A '94 4 door, a lifted '85 (it will be more than you 2g buget but already decked out), an '87 4runner, and i think another '85 long bed pick up.   

[SpencerS]

I havnt got all 2g's yet but im pretty close, im at about 1k atm but im getting my tax return soon and my birthday may produce alot of loot. Starting to get ideas for what i want, if you still have the 87 runner when its time ill hit you up.

I wouldnt call myself mechaniclly inclined but i mean i am pretty savy. When i rebuilt my axles and did the brakes on my old rig a while back i just dove into it and put it back together the way i took it apart and its worked out well for me so far. Im pretty sure if i got a chiltons i could overhaul a engine, just getting the right tools and whatnot is my prob.

Thanks for all the input guys i really appreciate it!

[punchyyoter85]

if your anywhere near oregon look on the portland graigslist! there everywhere every day there is more and more!

[Nimyad]

if your anywhere near oregon look on the portland graigslist! there everywhere every day there is more and more!

Thats what i was saying but doesn't look like he looked at my post, cause he didn't say where he was located either

[Muddytazz]

Yeah I just picked up an 83 SB off the portland craigslist for cheap.  Yotas are all over the place there, its surprising actually.

[SpencerS]

ahh im in cali but fresno has a lot of 4 runners too!