WCSIB - Beater 4x4 edition

[ACH]

I'm no mechanic, but it seems like it would be a huge pain in the ass to lift a unibody vehicle that much. That has to be a 4 to 6 inch lift on that thing. How the hell does that even work?

There was a pretty detailed thread on the build out, I can't find that link specifically now, but the link below is from the same site.

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show....php?t=2166272

[riser4]

Pretty funny how the Suzuki Samurai turned out to really excel at something that is usually the domain of guys who laugh at it and whose rigs proudly wear truck nuts. Of course those guys are often posers. The real enthusiasts around here definitely know about the Suzuki Samurai. Oh, and if you buy one, definitely throw a pair of truck nuts on it.

[BmillsSkier]

I bet you could find a teal Geo Tracker for less than a grand. You could buy two at that price and still have enough left over for truck nuts.

[east or bust]

That Cherokee would be listed at 6-9k if it was as clean all around as it looks in that picture.

SFTU, what's your reasoning behind wanting a standard trans? I suggested the 4 banger yj cause manuals are easy to come by.

[single]

I'm no mechanic, but it seems like it would be a huge pain in the ass to lift a unibody vehicle that much. That has to be a 4 to 6 inch lift on that thing. How the hell does that even work?

A lot of time it is diff drop, spacer lift, then breaking a bunch of axles regularly.

The trickiest thing on those things can often be the gearing. Some guys swap in hi-lo stuff from GL's.

[ACH]

A lot of time it is diff drop, spacer lift, then breaking a bunch of axles regularly.

The trickiest thing on those things can often be the gearing. Some guys swap in hi-lo stuff from GL's.

The guys I know that have them have them pretty much set up for forest/off road use and little else.
They are not pleasant to ride in at HWY speed.

[glademaster]

Seems like it would be easier to buy a 4Runner at that point, but that's me.

[ACH]

Seems like it would be easier to buy a 4Runner at that point, but that's me.

That has been/would be my MO too.

[stfu&gbtw]

That Cherokee would be listed at 6-9k if it was as clean all around as it looks in that picture.

SFTU, what's your reasoning behind wanting a standard trans? I suggested the 4 banger yj cause manuals are easy to come by.

As long as there's low range for steep hill starts, I can get 200k+ miles out of a clutch. Too many autos self destruct, don't offer a low 1st gear, don't know how to be in whatever gear I want them to be in, and generally piss me off.

Have had a couple jeeps. Outstanding drivetrains, but routinely disabled by electrical problems. Never again.

[bodywhomper]

Inspiration?
https://youtu.be/OnAHIH4p5Vg

[basinbeater]

Heres mine.
Bought it for $5.2k and m into it about 8 with tires, suspension, and maintenance baseline.

[Ted Striker]

Holy shit... If the drivetrain carries over, I'm pretty sure that just became the new finish line.

Back to the classic mini for a second... yeah, it's just the shell on top of samurai (or other) frame, because old minis don't have full frames. And the the shell is pretty strong so can be mounted on anything you can imagine. Cool project for sure.

[BmillsSkier]

Heres mine.
Bought it for $5.2k and m into it about 8 with tires, suspension, and maintenance baseline.

Just such a pretty FJ.

I wish I had bought my mother's '96 Limited way back when I had a chance and garaged it. 20,000 winter only miles, dealer serviced it's entire life. I'm told the Lexus dealer's son where she traded it in on her new LX is still driving it somewhere in CO. Ass.

[bodywhomper]

Just such a pretty FJ.

I wish I had bought my mother's '96 Limited way back when I had a chance and garaged it. 20,000 winter only miles, dealer serviced it's entire life. I'm told the Lexus dealer's son where she traded it in on her new LX is still driving it somewhere in CO. Ass.

Of course you're not going to make the same mistake twice, right?

[BmillsSkier]

I couldn't if I tried.

[Bobby Stainless]

[Viva]

Heres mine.
Bought it for $5.2k and m into it about 8 with tires, suspension, and maintenance baseline.

Nice tits, bitch.

Just bought a 94, myself. 185K with differential locks. Exterior is great and interior is fucking excellent. Having a mechanic go over it right now- all fluids to be changed, OME 2.5" lift, and any other shit that ought to be done. Gonna be a sweet ski-bum rig this-coming winter!

[uglymoney]

^You will not regret spending the cash on the OME spring lift. I installed a little OME lift on our 03 4-Runner and the thing is better in every way. Rides better. Handles better. Goes off road better and is way smoother when the going gets rough. Load the ass end full of gear and kids and then hook up to the boat and it barely squats. Win, win, win. Maybe the Bilsteins get honorable mention as well but with 20/20 hindsight I should have bought OME shocks to go with the springs.

[basinbeater]

Yeah I did the old man emu 2.5 medium springs, and I bought Fox shocks. Truck is awesome.

[BmillsSkier]

^You will not regret spending the cash on the OME spring lift. I installed a little OME lift on our 03 4-Runner and the thing is better in every way. Rides better. Handles better. Goes off road better and is way smoother when the going gets rough. Load the ass end full of gear and kids and then hook up to the boat and it barely squats. Win, win, win. Maybe the Bilsteins get honorable mention as well but with 20/20 hindsight I should have bought OME shocks to go with the springs.

I can't think of anything better than a fine Border collie with a fine 4Runner.

All kinds of fine.

[uglymoney]

I can't think of anything better than a fine Border collie with a fine 4Runner.

All kinds of fine.

Crazy Aussie but we need a Border Collie as well I think. Thanks man!

[BmillsSkier]

Crazy fine all around!

Aussies are just Borders that like to drink different things.

[basinbeater]

Yeah we've drifted a bit from the beater 4x4, but 4runners are great. I've had 3 over the years. Each one was fantastic.

[bodywhomper]

I had an 88 4runner, 5 speed, 4 banger until 2008. It would have fit the op's need, though it only had lap belts in the back.

[Rideski]

I'd go with a Cherokee with the I6 and 4speed AT.

I have a 2001 XJ AT I didn't mention cause he said manual. But the thing AT gets you in this model is full time 4hi. Afaik the manual only has part time 4hi (both with 4low) Might not matter to him cause he's saying not much pavement but thought I'd throw it out there. He also said heat, and they are kinda known for getting clogged heatercores, and mine is. Defrosts the windshield, but it's not an oven in there. It's only a $50 part but have to take the dash out so I'm not in a hurry. I've relegated it to grocery getter status not in a hurry to sell but if someone is dying for one let me know.

Also still open to sell this, same story, no need to sell but would at that price, maybe a few hundred less.

http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/5825211056.html