I am thinking about getting a new project to tinker with and am thinking of something in the Jeep, Bronco, and other 4x4 vehicles (not really interested in a truck). I am not very knowledgeable about these types of vehicles so I am not really sure the best place to start looking and was hoping some of you guys could point me in a good direction (ideas, things to avoid, etc). I am thinking about something in the 70's or 80's so I can get something on the cheaper side and it will (hopefully) be easier to work on. Will probably spend around $3k or so, doesn't have to be a looker but would like it to be able to drive.

Any ideas or know of good resources for researching a project like this? I have worked on old muscle cars so I know how that market works fairly well but never really looked into fixing up a 4x4 so any help is appreciated.

5/28/2012 10:02:40 PM

what do you want to do with it?

5/28/2012 10:05:45 PM

I want to take it off road some but nothing crazy. Other than that it would just be something to play with, be a vehicle I can throw the dogs in after they go swimming at the dog park and not care about it getting muddy, mainly just a new toy that is fun to work on and common enough so parts won't be rare. I don't want to go the muscle car route because then I would be too tempted to make it fast and it would get me in trouble

Also could use it as a work vehicle at my parents ranch. When I was thinking about jeeps I was thinking something I could take the doors and roof off and hose down if it got too dirty.

[Edited on May 28, 2012 at 10:35 PM. Reason : Chxbsdnn]

5/28/2012 10:33:19 PM

so get a CJ, put plastic seats in it and have the interior sprayed in line-x. you can even put a marine headunit and speakers in it.

5/28/2012 10:54:11 PM

It's gonna have toi be a CJ to fit those criteria. You would be one lucky son of a bitch to get into any decent driver FJ40s or early broncos for that kind of money, unless you are willing to buy a rustbucket.

5/29/2012 9:26:02 AM

^ yep.

I was going to say either of those because cjs are so... i guess played out would be what i'm looking for. but for 3k that's about all you got unless you get one of the big ole ugly broncos and gut it for more all-weather interior.


Sidekicks can be fun too but.... then you're driving a side-kick.

5/29/2012 9:41:52 AM

Thanks guys, that is kinda what I figured. Are there certain years to avoid, engine/transmission configurations to avoid, etc? Any good resources you know of where I can read up on this stuff?

5/29/2012 10:32:20 AM

pirate 4x4

5/29/2012 10:52:29 AM

your very own

http://www.nc4x4.com


great people, tons of information and home to the best east coast racing series!

[Edited on May 29, 2012 at 10:56 AM. Reason : pirate can be a little much for newbies....]

5/29/2012 10:56:15 AM

yeah i actually research vehicles on specific forums dedicated to them usually

Jeeps unlimited, Ih8mud (toyota), classic broncos,

i don't know of any good suzuki forums

5/29/2012 11:02:31 AM

Quote :

"yeah i actually research vehicles on specific forums dedicated to them usually "

sounds like a great way to get unbiased info

Quote :

"so get a CJ, put plastic seats in it and have the interior sprayed in line-x. you can even put a marine headunit and speakers in it."

this is like saying "gel your hair, wear a white visor, and put some croakies on your shades!"

5/29/2012 1:45:53 PM

^nah, not really.

plastic seats do not feel good, btw. I rode the mediocre trails in Harlan, KY in a plastic seat... nothankye

5/29/2012 1:49:52 PM

^^... that's a yj

[Edited on May 29, 2012 at 1:50 PM. Reason : .]

5/29/2012 1:50:48 PM

Quote :

"this is like saying "gel your hair, wear a white visor, and put some croakies on your shades!" "

exactly

5/29/2012 1:51:10 PM

I'm pretty sure everyone has been like... Umm for for that price you are stuck with a cj.


Not "fuck yeah bro go pick up a cj and some beers and we'll go wheelin"


Ohh shit I just thought of the 80s 4 runners will probably fit these requirements decently.

5/29/2012 2:26:08 PM

Suzuki Samurai.
You'll find a much better Sammi for $3k than you will a CJ.

5/29/2012 2:29:20 PM

So how much would you guys estimate I would need to spend to get a cool project that is in running condition and not a rust bucket? I can probably increase my budget a couple thousand if would really be worth it.

5/29/2012 3:44:03 PM

well...

$5-6k will get a good cj, but you'll have to keep your eyes peeled. I would not sniff a samurai if you intend to drive it anywhere above 45mph. 4-runner isnt bad idea but good luck finding a decent SFA unit that's not $$$$$. Cherokee on the other hand....

projects aren't cool; projects are blood, sweat, tears, $$$$$ pits, heartache, broken tools, roadside fixes, and occasionally the shit eating grin.

5/29/2012 3:52:41 PM

Definitely hear ya on that, main thing I guess is I can drive it back to my house and my feet won't fall through the floor from rust

Cool project I guess meant something that I could make cool knowing full well a vehicle for 3-5k is going to likely be a POS when I buy it

5/29/2012 4:02:35 PM

http://www.nc4x4.com/forum/index.php?threads/85-4-runner.121323/

5/29/2012 4:04:02 PM

You can get a decent YJ cheaper than a CJ.

Also, don't overlook an IH Scout.

5/29/2012 4:19:02 PM

Quote :

"Cool project I guess meant something that I could make cool knowing full well a vehicle for 3-5k is going to likely be a POS when I buy it "

I had intended for some humor to be laced in my reply, btw.

get that 4-runner and dont look back.

5/29/2012 4:22:51 PM

^ !

That thing is awesome!


but i would agree that 3-5 will get you something that drives. 10k you're looking at something either pretty nice or great off road 20/25k you're looking at a car that looks new and runs/drives almost the same if you stay mild with it... or something really wild.

5/29/2012 4:29:03 PM

Live in Texas so can't get that 4runner, although that would be pretty sweet

5/29/2012 4:31:00 PM

Quote :

"$5-6k will get a good cj, but you'll have to keep your eyes peeled. I would not sniff a samurai if you intend to drive it anywhere above 45mph. 4-runner isnt bad idea but good luck finding a decent SFA unit that's not $$$$$. Cherokee on the other hand...."

I agree they're slow as molasses, but a stock one should run 65-70 on flat roads unless the engine needs a tune or is worn out. There is no shortage of them with 1.6L swaps already done and I've seen a few with 4.3L Chevy engines as well. Here's a decent example that already has the engine swap, Yota axles, and a lot of new parts:
http://www.nc4x4.com/forum/index.php?threads/1987-suzuki-samurai.121279/

Agree on the SFA 4-Runner being really good, but also probably too pricey. Cherokee would definitely be another great option for a budget wheeler. Plentiful parts from used, new, and aftermarket vendors.

Quote :

"You can get a decent YJ cheaper than a CJ."

For sure.

Full size Blazers and Broncos have got to be one of the best wheeling deals out there right now. Plentiful parts on both of them. I know people hate the twin traction beam Broncos, but it's just fine for most people's wheeling needs. I'd say the same thing about 2nd Gen 4Runners with IFS.

[Edited on May 29, 2012 at 6:48 PM. Reason : l]

5/29/2012 6:46:59 PM

Jeep YJ or Cherokee. You can pick up an already lightly modded Cherokee that will handle well on road and capable offroad for like $3-$4k.

My CJ I had (key word, had) was not really road worthy. I like my TJ allot more.

5/29/2012 7:29:30 PM

Cherokees are good and bad all at once I like the extended wheel base but the chassis flex sux, and it's a bitch to do anything to mod the unibody. Also the tack welds on the unibody can fail due to the chassis flex. Having owned both a yj and xj I'd much rather have another yj. Xjs can have electrical issues too and yjs are just stupid simple.

5/29/2012 8:17:10 PM

Those K5 Blazers look like they could be some fun and would give me a bunch of space for hauling stuff. I like being able to take the roof off and I would like a 350. Quick browsing of Craigslist looks like I could get a decent starter for less than 5k. Will take my time looking for whatever I decide on since working on something during this Texas summer would be miserable.

5/29/2012 9:18:28 PM

4runner
http://charlotte.craigslist.org/cto/3020843764.html
http://charlotte.craigslist.org/cto/2993049917.html
http://charlotte.craigslist.org/cto/2998143821.html (nice)

Scout
http://charlotte.craigslist.org/cto/2998497328.html "top come off."

Range Rover Classic (I want one)
http://boone.craigslist.org/cto/3032217805.html

You might luck out and find a 5.9 Grand Cherokee in your price range.


[Edited on May 29, 2012 at 10:46 PM. Reason : Link]

[Edited on May 29, 2012 at 10:49 PM. Reason : Link again]

5/29/2012 10:35:00 PM

I was going to suggest an 85 4runner, but since owning one, I can tell you it will not be as cheap as a fiberglass tubbed jeep and can likely be very frustrating if you develop a vacuum leak on that little 22re.

it will be slow as crap, unless you swap it, and that'll more than likely blow your budget and you'll still have to upgrade shit

so, get the jeep, cut as much weight out of it as possible and beat on it

just MHO

5/30/2012 1:16:15 AM

Quote :

"projects aren't cool; projects are blood, sweat, tears, $$$$$ pits, heartache, broken tools, roadside fixes, and occasionally the shit eating grin."

QFT

5/30/2012 1:44:07 AM

BUDGET FRIENDLY. CAN BE HOSED OUT. WATCH YOUR NOGIN ON THE CAGE

5/30/2012 7:35:36 AM

http://www.nc4x4.com/forum/index.php?threads/82-cj-7-tons-350-42s.122172/



$8000... worthy

5/30/2012 11:29:02 AM

damn... yeah that's a steal for that much

5/30/2012 12:07:11 PM

I have put my projects on hold but watch the fuck out when I continue

5/30/2012 2:22:01 PM

Might get this this weekend:

http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/cto/3039741455.html

Talked the guy down to $3600 plus he is throwing in a bunch of spare parts.

6/6/2012 3:08:27 PM

maannnnn.....

6/6/2012 3:36:54 PM

What's wrong with that?

6/6/2012 3:39:22 PM

in all honesty... it's not what I want you to get so don't let that affect your decision


if you're going to tinker & cruise in it, it's perfectly fine - I just dont like the full sized bronco/blazer/ramchargers for wheeling because of their honkin size. PRobably will not be an issue for you, but for beginning offroading (if you so choose) a jeep product or similar sized vehicle would be better.

6/6/2012 3:56:01 PM

Pardon me. I thought this thread was about s13's

6/6/2012 4:03:16 PM

^^ Gotcha, yeah I plan to tinker and cruise more than anything. I miss having a toy to mess with and I know if I get anything like an old 5.0 mustang I will be too tempted to make it real fast and get in all kinds of trouble

6/6/2012 4:04:59 PM