Swap the DD diesel for a weekend/mtn only 4x4? Suggestions

[Vandy321]

I've had my 4 door CCLB pickup for a while. Love the diesel, the weight/stability of the truck in inclement weather, etc. Dislikes are how friggen long it is and having to do the Austin Powers turnaround on logging roads.

It's my DD, averaging about 19mpg. I didnt buy it for the gas mileage, but that's pretty good to me.

Lately the wife has been trying to convince me to grab a Tesla for my commute and maybe sell the truck (its paid off) for something fun that stays in the garage mostly and is more of a dedicated 4x4 to get me to the mountains. I've always like the older Broncos, land cruisers, overland type setups, but never got into that offroading world. Getting to the trail is really the only intent.

Have my wife's SUV to drive around town as I'm not a fan of driving a car. The tesla would solely be for my 150+ mile round trip commute to work.

Any suggestions on something fun but functional for under $20k or so? Thought about an old jeep too, but really to want enough room for 2 folks, gear and room to haul an animal home too.

Land cruiser, beater (but strong running) bronco or Scout? A yota set up for overland?

 

[Billy Goat]

150 Mile's everyday? Prius


I run a diesel most everyday. But it's not economical. I started with them when diesel was cheaper than gas. I have a little jimmy to run around in and love that thing.

If 20k is your budget seems you could buy a new kia with warranty and take 8k leftover to improve your CCLB.

Lots of options. If going bronco I recommend white. '94 vintage.

 

[Vandy321]

150 Mile's everyday? Prius


I run a diesel most everyday. But it's not economical. I started with them when diesel was cheaper than gas. I have a little jimmy to run around in and love that thing.

If 20k is your budget seems you could buy a new kia with warranty and take 8k leftover to improve your CCLB.

Lots of options. If going bronco I recommend white. '94 vintage.

The OJ mobile?

No prius...wife used to have one, it was a death trap.

150 mile commute about 1-2 times/week...then adding around town trips.

Not wanting a passer if I get a car. Figure the new small tesla would cost me about as much as I'm paying in diesel fuel right now. That frees up the truck to sell for an offroad dedicated toy.

 

[Billy Goat]

Yes the Oj mobile.


Not sure about the death trap. I just like the mileage.

150 commute 1-2 times a week? That turns into 45 miles/day for a 5 day a week. Not quite so bad.

Best off-road dedicated toy is probably a utv. Use the truck to haul it to Forest roads. They are built lighter and can take the abuse. Just don't make a cockroach out of it. They don't need to go 60 mph.

Guess I'm really not much help. Just my take on the situation.

 

[Vandy321]

Yes the Oj mobile.


Not sure about the death trap. I just like the mileage.

150 commute 1-2 times a week? That turns into 45 miles/day for a 5 day a week. Not quite so bad.

Best off-road dedicated toy is probably a utv. Use the truck to haul it to Forest roads. They are built lighter and can take the abuse. Just don't make a cockroach out of it. They don't need to go 60 mph.

Guess I'm really not much help. Just my take on the situation.

By off road dedicated, I guess I mean something like an overland/expedition type setup, land cruiser like

 

[rob86jeep]

I say Land Cruiser or Toyota 4-runner/tacoma. Don't get something older as you'll still want the highway comfort you're used to.

Why not just keep the Diesel truck for you hunting rig? Being a little hard to turn around is hardly a good reason to get a new vehicle.

 

[Vandy321]

I say Land Cruiser or Toyota 4-runner/tacoma. Don't get something older as you'll still want the highway comfort you're used to.

Why not just keep the Diesel truck for you hunting rig? Being a little hard to turn around is hardly a good reason to get a new vehicle.

Just figured its time for a new toy/project, something to keep me entertained this winter outfitting. And I think for the value of the truck, I can get something decent, but man those 90s land cruisers arent cheap. Seems like alot of folks here are building expedition vehicles on the early 2000s Lexus GX too, same frame as the land cruiser.

 

[colersu22]

I like the land cruisers but for the price I would find a second gen 4Runner, preferably an 85 but they are hard to find but they do great off road and are easy to work on and the aftermarket parts are a dime a dozen for modifying them for off-road

 

[Wallace]

100 Series Land Cruiser, ARB bumper with a winch, A/T tires. You can do all of that for around $10k - $15k if you shop around. Would likely be a 2000 - 2003 with around 150k+ miles on it. Look for rust.

My 2003 LC rides like a new car, has leather seats, GPS, seat warmers, sun roof, etc. You'll get everything except for navigation in most 100 series. I'd actually recommend finding one without navigation, climate control and several other things are tied into it, it can get expensive if it goes out.

 

[rayporter]

we always keep a small car or pick up to keep miles off the big ol long expensive diesel. I want that diesel to last a long time till I get another. for years we drove a Nissan and nthatow its a ford escape. just about anything I don't have to pedal will do,

that diesel has a job to do [ pull a trailer] and getting the groceries just shortens its lifespan.

 

[Ratbeetle]

My daily commute is right around 120 miles. When I was shopping for a new commuter a few years ago, I settled on a very lightly used (5000 miles) honda fit. Great little commuter car. I average 38 mpg at 80 mph on the highway and it surprisingly has a decent amount of room inside. And it only cost me 15k.

My mountain vehicle is a lifted 99 jeep cherokee. Gets me everywhere I want to go and has plenty of room for 2 people and gear. And it's old enough that it doesn't bother me when I bounce it off a tree here and there.

 

[brettdunn7]

Wrangler JL. 2004-2006. Has room in back. Room for 4 people.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Wapiti1]

Since I am spending your money, I'd go with a Lotus Elise for my daily commuter and find an imported Toyota Land Cruiser with the straight 6 turbo diesel for my offroad toy.

Tesla is a technology company that dabbles in cars. They are not a car manufacturer. Buyer beware, IMO. I'd stick to a small Toyota, Honda, or Hyundai for a commuter. Or the Lotus above. That is a super fun little car that gets surprisingly good mileage. It is absolute crap on winter roads, though.

I'm serious on the Land Cruiser.

Jeremy

 

[chops24]

i rented a tesla when i sold my vehicles prior to deployment and holy shit that was a fun car. funner than my STI

If i was in your shoes i would go with a 4 door tacoma with a flat bed. hard to beat that as a mountain only rig, unless you are a big guy and/or need to sleep in it.

 

[eoperator]

I've driven a cc diesels for 20yrs, 3 months ago I bought a cc Chevy Colorado. much better for a daily driver, offroad, parking and ride

 

[IdahoElk]

4runner

 

[Vandy321]

4runner

Wife has a 4 runner...if I go toyota it'll be an old land cruiser

 

[IdahoElk]

Wife has a 4 runner...if I go toyota it'll be an old land cruiser

97 is the best!

 

[ZMT588]

You have to let us know the applications your using it for as well. Are you planning on taking passengers? If so how many. Planning on camping out of it for a weekend/week at a time? Have to account for space. What body style will suit you better? Pick up, or SUV? I'm a Toyota guy 100% and drive a 2003 4Runner. Its hard to load up a few people in there with ice chests for game, let alone camp out of it with just my immediate family. If I were you I would look at a 2nd gen long bed Tacoma. I'm sure you can find one that it already semi built to your liking, then you can build it to suit your needs as you realize whats working and whats not. But that's just my .02 .

 

[Gatorgrizz27]

I wouldn’t buy an old (70’s/80’s) vehicle for that use personally. Dealing with carbs in cold weather, lack of ABS, comfortable cruising, etc. It wouldn’t be bad if you hunt 30 minutes from your house but those things suck for extended highway trips.

If you can spend around $20k, a 2005/2006 Land Cruiser with around 100k miles is in reach. That’s probably the route I’d go, but for a dedicated hunting rig I wouldn’t be afraid to drop back to a 2000-2001 for half the price.

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I’ve owned 4 trucks and now 5 SUV’s, my favorite ride by far is my current 2008 LR3. If you know what you’re getting into with maintenance they are awesome vehicles, but they aren’t for everyone.