DesertDweller
Posts:2559
 | | 09/13/2007 11:47 AM |
 Alert | I am looking for something mid to late '90's. 4WD, auto or 5-speed. The primary purpose is to go out in the desert in pursuit of critters and historical sites.
Any one have any leads, advice, etc? Anything I should look for or stay away from?
Thanks! | |
Stupid should hurt!
Desert Dweller - Senior Member - Posts: 2982 - Joined: Feb 2006 | |
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Java Lover
Posts:0
| | 09/13/2007 11:50 AM |
Alert | You might make sure that it has the clearance you want. I was floored to find out that the 'off the shelf' Jeep is lower to the ground and if you are serious about off road you have to purchase the off road package. It's a Jeep for crying out loud, doesn't that mean it should already be equipped to go off road?
Good luck in finding a good one.  | | | |
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anewman
Posts:668
| | 09/13/2007 12:33 PM |
Alert | DD are you set on a Jeep in these years? If you really want a Jeep I would recommend going older and getting a late 70's Jeep that already has been modified with a lift- extras such as a winch- lites- and has had a V-8 conversion. The late 80's and 90's were not the best years for Jeep due to changing focus to more every day consumer- as before mentioned- ground clearance and even gearing was changed.
If looking for something newer (90's) look at the Toyota 4 runner. Dependable- economical- yet still has a very good low gear and 4wd system. | |
"The jouney of life is as much in oneself' as the roads one travels"
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CrownNCoke
Posts:810
| | 09/13/2007 12:35 PM |
Alert | | I would look in the truck trader there will be lots of jeeps in there with after market suspension and tires which is a necessity out in the middle of no where...why are you wanting one in the 90's any reason? If you go 70 80 you can usually find a nice CJ with a rebuilt engine bigger tires lower gears......Off road ready... | |
The meeting of two personalities is like the contact of two chemical substances: if there is any reaction, both are transformed.
Carl Jung | |
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CrownNCoke
Posts:810
| | 09/13/2007 12:45 PM |
Alert | | we must have been thinking the same thing older jeeps are going to be your best bet... | |
The meeting of two personalities is like the contact of two chemical substances: if there is any reaction, both are transformed.
Carl Jung | |
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CrownNCoke
Posts:810
| | 09/13/2007 12:45 PM |
Alert | | ANEWMAN we must have been thinking the same thing older jeeps are going to be your best bet... | |
The meeting of two personalities is like the contact of two chemical substances: if there is any reaction, both are transformed.
Carl Jung | |
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DesertDweller
Posts:2559
| | 09/13/2007 12:53 PM |
Alert | My only reason for not thinking older was that it might be worn out. The ones that I have looked at in the mid-90's, some of which had lift kits and the 32" tires installed, were running between $5K and $9K. I am okay with adding the easy stuff like a winch. I understand that putting a lift kit on is a real pain. I would also just use it for off road transportation, not rock climbing. As long as I could get through a wash or go on a trail with high-centering, I would be happy. I have two new cars, so I wouldn't use it for transportation, just desert exploration.
I do kind of like the idea of being out in the open too. What I mean is putting the top down and not having doors or windows in the way. It seems like a better way to see what's going on in the area and spot things that may get missed otherwise. | |
Stupid should hurt!
Desert Dweller - Senior Member - Posts: 2982 - Joined: Feb 2006 | |
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anewman
Posts:668
| | 09/13/2007 12:56 PM |
Alert | <div class='NTForums_Quote'>Posted By CrownNCoke on 09/13/2007 12:45 PM
ANEWMAN we must have been thinking the same thing older jeeps are going to be your best bet...</div>
Great minds......
Autotrader will not go back far enough to find these Jeeps.
Collector car trader is where you need to look.
You can also look at older Bronco's, Blazers, and the Dodge Ramcharger or Plymouth Trailduster.
http://ww2.collectorcartrader.com/search.php
just put in the price range you are looking at- distance you are willing to go to find it and then use 4x4 or 4wd for keyword.
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"The jouney of life is as much in oneself' as the roads one travels"
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anewman
Posts:668
| | 09/13/2007 12:59 PM |
Alert | The older 4-runners (2 door models) and older broncos and blazers all have tops that can be removed.
Total top down is overrated anyways. Sunburn on the head really hurts!! =)
Jsut stay away from Intl Scouts. They are great vehicles but the rear end is impossible to find. If it goes out you pretty much have to sell your Scout as parts. | |
"The jouney of life is as much in oneself' as the roads one travels"
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tweakeraz
Posts:6
| | 09/13/2007 1:50 PM |
Alert | I am currently selling my 2000 Wrangler with approx 43000 miles. Great condition. 5 1/2 inch long arm lift, NEW 35" Goodyear MTR tires, 4.56 gearing, air lockers front and rear, 9500 lb winch, full cage, and more. Just smogged.
I built this up for fun awhile back, but then was always so swamped with work that it never got used. Now it is no longer practical for me to have as I do not use it for commuting, it just sits in the garage, and I have plenty of other expensive hobbies.
It may be a bit overbuilt and out of budget, but it may also be what you are looking for. I am actually located here in Maricopa.
Send me a PM if you are interested and we can make arrangements for you to see it if you would like. I will try to attach a pic on here too so you can see before hand.
Update - I gave up trying to put a pic here. Here is the link to a few pics.
http://s10.photobucket.com/albums/a124/tweakeraz/Jeep/
Nathan
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Villages Idiot Savant
Posts:68
| | 09/13/2007 4:05 PM |
Alert | Scout's own Jeep's
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Apparently, the word for a male rooster is offensive.
So fill in the blank.. ____ -a-doodle-do. | |
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AzSandSlinger
Posts:596
| | 09/13/2007 4:30 PM |
Alert | If you want COTS off-road ability, go for an '03 Rubicon.. The Jeep Rubicon's absolutely are the best stock off-road vehicle out there..
IIRC, If you don't mind enclosing yourself, go for a 1990 80s LandCruiser.. They had the the electronic lockers...
I'll stick with my M38-A1/CJ-5 Willy's hybrid..
-Shane | |
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"There are only two kinds of people that understand Marines: Marines and the enemy. Everyone else has a second-hand opinion."
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DesertDweller
Posts:2559
| | 09/13/2007 7:41 PM |
Alert | Oh, I would love a Rubicon. An 03 is a little out of my price range though. This is a weekend toy, so I gotta have enough left over for mama's new dining room set or I will be eating out of a can for quite some time
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Stupid should hurt!
Desert Dweller - Senior Member - Posts: 2982 - Joined: Feb 2006 | |
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AzSandSlinger
Posts:596
| | 09/13/2007 8:18 PM |
Alert | I forgot to mention that Suzuki Samurai's make GREAT weekend toys.. they are VERY cheap.. and are actually pretty good at getting around... and you talk about a beater...lol..
ooooh, what I would do for an old Nissan Patrol...
-Shane | |
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Posts: eleventy-billion
Joined: 10 Nov 1775
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"There are only two kinds of people that understand Marines: Marines and the enemy. Everyone else has a second-hand opinion."
Gen. William Thornson, U.S. Army | |
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DesertDweller
Posts:2559
| | 09/13/2007 8:46 PM |
Alert | | I will check them out. On a Wrangler, should I completely avoid the 4-cyl? I am not looking to do rock climbing, mostly washed out trails, no trail, or crossing washes. | |
Stupid should hurt!
Desert Dweller - Senior Member - Posts: 2982 - Joined: Feb 2006 | |
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anewman
Posts:668
| | 09/13/2007 10:27 PM |
Alert | <div class='NTForums_Quote'>Posted By AzSandSlinger on 09/13/2007 8:18 PM
I forgot to mention that Suzuki Samurai's make GREAT weekend toys.. they are VERY cheap.. and are actually pretty good at getting around... and you talk about a beater...lol..
ooooh, what I would do for an old Nissan Patrol...
-Shane</div>
Suzuki Samurai's are very capable and very cheap. We had a Nissan Patrol growing up but I prefer the old 2 door landcruisers or the old Range Rovers. My old 4x4 of choice is the CJ8 Jeep Scrambler due to the little bit of extra room behind the back seat. Of course a Unimog is the Ultimate!! =)
DD- I would stay away from the 4cyl- even though you are not doing any rock crawling you will come across deep sand- washed out roads- and some steep rough hills every now and then. If you add larger wheels the 4cyl may have issues if things get rough.
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"The jouney of life is as much in oneself' as the roads one travels"
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Lees2
Posts:586
| | 09/14/2007 11:33 AM |
Alert | Four wheel drives are heavy and I think no matter where you take them they shouldn't be any less than 6 cyl.
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Member Since: April 22, 2005 at 3:24 p.m. | |
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AzSandSlinger
Posts:596
| | 09/14/2007 7:59 PM |
Alert | Four wheel drives are heavy and I think no matter where you take them they shouldn't be any less than 6 cyl.
Meh.. a 4cyl is just fine.. it's all about the gearing for what DD is using it for.. on/off trails, washes, etc.. a 4cyl will do fine out here..
My Willy's is a 4cyl and it will go anywhere...of course, I have 12 gears to choose from...lol...
-Shane | |
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Posts: eleventy-billion
Joined: 10 Nov 1775
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"There are only two kinds of people that understand Marines: Marines and the enemy. Everyone else has a second-hand opinion."
Gen. William Thornson, U.S. Army | |
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jeeptj02
Posts:143
| | 09/15/2007 2:12 AM |
Alert | | Jeeps are great! and i hope you can get one and join the club. Late 90s or as new as you can afford would be the best bet. cjs are ok but there leaf spring axles.. the ride rough and even the 305 amc v-8 isnt very powerfull and there just not comfortable. But they are cheaper to lift since you can just do a spring over. the tj is i coil sprung which rides really well and gives you preaty good articlulation. plus there more comfortable to ride in and the 4.0 has tons of tourqe. If you can find one with a dana 44 in the rear end that would be ideal these were usually offerd in the sierra and then later on in the rubicons. but the dana 35 is still ok if your not going to put anything over a 32 or 33'' tire. Even stock you would be surprised at where you can go. As far as 4 runners and such there preaty good to but there IFS front end which dosent hold up to abusive offroading but they did offer a straight axle in the first few years i think. Scouts are awesome as well. and contray to what people think the parts are out there. and the rear end is a dana 44 which is one of the most popular rear ends made. tons of parts for them. theres a whole world of choices out there for you just make sure you have it checked out before buying it. Hope to see you on the trails. | | | |
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DesertDweller
Posts:2559
| | 09/15/2007 4:37 AM |
Alert | Thanks. My wife and I considered a couple of quads because we live so close to desert trails that it would be a shame not to explore them. Problem is with quads is that you have to get them to where you're going to ride and you can't take much with you. I like to load up my camera equipment and go to places where I can't see a telephone pole, power line, or building - even with my telephoto lens.
What does 32-inch tires mean? I know that's the big off road tire, but how is it measured. How does that relate to 15-inch wheels? Can you retrofit stock wheels for 32-inch tires? | |
Stupid should hurt!
Desert Dweller - Senior Member - Posts: 2982 - Joined: Feb 2006 | |
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