new rig

[sunk]

So last month a got into a wreck with my daily driver...the cherokee. I found out today the insurance company is going to total out the jeep. $4800...there is no way I could have sold it for that much. Im going to accept it, that would be a good down payment. Now Im going car shopping, Ive aways wanted a yota, probably a newer one. Anyone have suggestions on what to avoid? Know of any good deals?

[Brody]

So last month a got into a wreck with my daily driver...the cherokee. I found out today the insurance company is going to total out the jeep. $4800...there is no way I could have sold it for that much. Im going to accept it, that would be a good down payment. Now Im going car shopping, Ive aways wanted a yota, probably a newer one. Anyone have suggestions on what to avoid? Know of any good deals?

Hey

If you are going for a daily driver rather than a wheeling rig, you can get a good deal on 90-95 4 Runners and pick ups with an IFS for around that price. The 4 banger 22RE is a great , but underpowered engine, so power choice would be dependent on what you want. The V6 in these models was the 3.0L which, contrary to everything you read, is actually a pretty good engine. You simply cannot do anything more to it than an air intake or exhaust as far as performance mods go.

The manual trannies are the way to go to optimize power with either engine, thought the automatic trannies that Toyota makes have a very good rep.

There are also some good deals on Toyota trail rigs for around that price, where you can find a rebuilt engine, dual t cases, lockers, bigger tires, lifts,straight axle conversions, etc., if that is what you want.

Not too much to 'avoid' as far as Toyotas go. The 4 bangers are under powered, the 3.0L doesn't have after market support and doesn't respond well to anything but an after market intake and better exhaust, the IFS is like any other IFS as far as hard wheeling goes...a little weak, and the slush box is much like any other auto-you lose some power, something to really consider as far as running a 22RE.

Look for something that has had the timing chain/timing belt replaced, as these go out on Yotas at about the 70k mark and are expensive to replace. Don't worry about a high mileage (100k+) Yota as these are 250-300k engines. Anything that you get Yotawise with over 100k on it has probably had the timing belt or chain replaced, but ask anyway.

I was just on craigslist Denver this AM and there are a lot of decent Yotas for sale for around this price range. Simply type 'Toyota Trucks' or 'Toyota 4Runners' into the craigslist search.

If you are looking for a trail rig and have questions about what the guy has on his rig simply post it and I'll try to answer your questions on it.

[Funrover]

What are you looking for, Pick up/SUV.. What requirements?

[sunk]

I am looking for a new daliy driver, I couldnt afford another trail rig. I am also not limited to the insurance settlement. We (my gf and I) like the new body stlye tacomas...they just tend to be a little high priced. I guess around a 07' v6 extended cab with lower miles. priced around 10k...probably asking too much. Im sure I would lift it but nothing crazy.

[sunk]

[QUOTE=Brody;70553]Hey

There are also some good deals on Toyota trail rigs for around that price, where you can find a rebuilt engine, dual t cases, lockers, bigger tires, lifts,straight axle conversions, etc., if that is what you want.

Dual tcase, lockers..:Ddamn, If I didnt need a daily driver I would have jumped at the chance for something set up or just a dana60 front for my truck...

[Brody]

tacomas...they just tend to be a little high priced. I guess around a 07' v6 extended cab with lower miles. priced around 10k...probably asking too much. Im sure I would lift it but nothing crazy.

Tacos hold their price better than almost anything else on the market. For that price($10k), you are probably looking at 2001 or below as far as year, make and model. You also need to watch engine size in these, too, and get one with the pretty standard 3.4L vs the 4 banger or else you will be frustrated with the performance...but not the mileage..

The 94 I have had the 3.0L. It worked just fine and I even managed to gain one gear on hills with the after market air intake and a better exhaust. I did the 3.4L conversion and was very happy I did it as far as being able to upgrade the engine, having better power and torque, etc, etc. When I put the supercharger on it, it flat dusted the brand new 2006 Tundra with the V8, even with the big (37") tires I was running at the time.

If I was planning on a DD, I wouldn't look at anything that had 4 banger in it, especially if I was even contemplating taking it up into the hills. This being the 6th or 7th Yota I have owned, all the previous ones having had various configurations of the 22R/RE 4 banger, I would never own another 4 banger except for around town stuff like my 84 work truck. Passenger cars excluded, of course...just talking trucks and SUVs here...One does get very tired of listening to that little engine grinding away in 3rd gear at 4500rpm going up even the slightest hills...

[transplant87]

I am looking for a new daliy driver, I couldnt afford another trail rig. I am also not limited to the insurance settlement. We (my gf and I) like the new body stlye tacomas...they just tend to be a little high priced. I guess around a 07' v6 extended cab with lower miles. priced around 10k...probably asking too much. Im sure I would lift it but nothing crazy.
my sister has a pathfinder that has been a daliy driver but like all cars it has some problems and i think she want like 800 for it. if ur interested

[JeffX]

Get a 22re or a 3.4l V-6 Toyota, OR get a Pathfinder. They last much better than the 3.0l toyotas. Great offroad, too.

[Brody]

Good point on the Pathfinders and the Pathfinder engine vs the 3.0. You ought to explore this option as it is basically as good a rig as a Toyota with the same reliability, though without the after market support. Why this is I'll never know and it is something that has always puzzled me. You can also find better quality Pathfinders of the same year as a Toyota for much less, simply because you aren't buying the 'prestigious' Toyota name. Thanks, Andrew!

I tend to disagree on the 22RE mainly because I have spent way too much time and way too many miles grinding up hills trying to put myself in the mindset I had when I actually had an old VW van. I just deplore the lack of anything resembling horse power in the 22REs...or lack of horsepower in any vehicle for that matter. You simply shouldn't have to tack on an extra 30 minutes or more when you are going somewhere because you have something that won't go up hills at more than 45 mph....it is just wrong.

[gm4x4lover]

I have always wanted one of those late 80's early 90's 2 door 4runners. I dont know why but they sure look tough.

[JeffX]

Good point on the Pathfinders and the Pathfinder engine vs the 3.0. You ought to explore this option as it is basically as good a rig as a Toyota with the same reliability, though without the after market support. Why this is I'll never know and it is something that has always puzzled me. You can also find better quality Pathfinders of the same year as a Toyota for much less, simply because you aren't buying the 'prestigious' Toyota name. Thanks, Andrew!.....

Wow! somebody noticed that? The Nissan VG-series V-6 has better power and reliability than a Yota 3.0l V6. They last for 300k without rebuild. Gen 1 Pathfinders (86-95) also have less rust than 4runners of the same vintage. The best deal on used 4x4s right now, IMO.

That said, the yota 3.4l V6s are awesome, but spendy.

[transplant87]

the pathfinder i posted has a new tune up and oil chang and it is a strong car for the miles:thunb:

[4Runninfun]

for 10k you can probaby get an '01 taco extended cab. if you wanna go with the regular cab you can get them for even less. but IMO the reg cab trucks are just too small to be comfortable. 3.4l as others have said is a great motor and seams to be a good blend between power and economy. the newer toy 4.0l has pretty good power but the MPG is quite a bite worse. I also didn't like the huge hood of the newer gen. if you're looking for an SUV consider the 3rd gen 4runner. IMO one of the best 4runners to come out. much better power and performance than the previous gens. still a good amount of ground clearance for light 4wheeling. you're not gonna have to worry about dragging the bumpers too much. doesn't get quite as many "cool points" as the 1st gen with the removeable top, but hey can't have everything right?

for DD's i would also look at a subaru, I know they've been a pretty hot topic around here for a few weeks now, but for good reason. Good reliability, good fuel economy, and one of the best cars when the weather turns fun. my family has had 4. every one of them has been great.

If you're not absolutely set on another 4wd you might consider an older diesel mercedes. I picked up my 89 190d for $2500, and i get ~35-37 MPG. awesome little gas saver/ town car. and they run forever.

[Roo]

The perfect DD and under 10K!

http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/1462304919.html

:D:thunb:

[Mporter]

Dang I wish I had $8500 lol

[Brody]

The perfect DD and under 10K!

http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/1462304919.html

:D:thunb:

Good trail rig, but not a good DD. Still got the 22RE and you will never be able to balance a 1/4" wall rear driveshaft. That 4 banger will be dying...Like I said, a good trail rig. This is the equivelant of calling my heap a 'good daily driver', which it is most certainly not.

[Roo]

I was joking about it being a dd

[scoutfam]

I know where there is a mostly stock, brand new 22re, 88 or maybe 87 4 runner for sale.... PM boyoda or me if your interested... everything works and the interior is in great shape.... And no he isn't selling his SFS rig that he drives this is another one that he just put and new power plant in..... If you are looking for that late 80 type 4 runner...

[sunk]

The perfect DD and under 10K!

http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/1462304919.html

:D:thunb:
Bad ass, I bet I could even get the old lady to sign off on it. I dont know how good of a dd it would be...but as long as Im looking at something like that, Petroff has a cool rig too, just not a good dd.

[sunk]

Broadway toyota has a really cool 08' tacoma, 8 in lift, running 37's, they just want 36k for it. I even think it would make a good dd

[Brody]

they just want 36k for it.

Only $36,000.00? This is a deal?

[sunk]

Only $36,000.00? This is a deal?
Not a good deal, but if I had 36k I would consider it

[sunk]

I also like those Nissan Xterras, what do they run? Jeffx has a cool looking rig.

[Haku]

Jeff's has a SAS jobd done to it, but I bet he can give a lot more input on what all is done to it. Xterra is a good car, and I bet you could find one for a reasonable price. My sister has one from the first or second year they came out, and it still runs strong and is holding together very well. Plenty of power to get up hills and all that too, which can't always be said for Japanese SUV type vehicles with a V6 or I4.

That Yota that Roo posted is sweet, though I'd rather have Toy front axle with Longfields instead of the Dana 44. Otherwise, he did everything right on that thing. My rig is fairly comparable to that, and I agree that its not great for Daily Driving, but honestly wouldn't be unbearable. While I wish I had the a bit more power with my 22re for driving up hills in the mountains, its a great little engine that gets good mileage (20mpg or so, even with 35" tires and added weight and such) and does well offroad. The biggest part I don't like about driving it around town, is if I am doing errands, it sucks to be getting in and out all the time. Its pretty tall, and that rig looks to be an inch or two taller.

That said, a mildly lift 4 runner or Extended Cab truck with slightly larger tires, would probably run you about $3k or less for one in great condition. There are definitely some deals out there. Not too long ago, there was a first generation 4runner with an SAS and a 400hp Supra engine up for sale for $6k, but it sold. I would have definitely bought that truck instead of mine if I had known about it at the time. Just keep an eye out, and I recommend looking at other sites like CO4x4 and Pirate for deals too.

JH

[Funrover]

I also like those Nissan Xterras, what do they run? Jeffx has a cool looking rig.

The X-terras are nice, really enjoyed my sisters... But they chug gas like you wouldn't believe

[Mporter]

The X-terras are nice, really enjoyed my sisters... But they chug gas like you wouldn't believe

Hah....i know how that goes

[transplant87]

wat wrong with a gas chuger, i have one. i get 7 mpg and 10 on the highway:D

[JeffX]

The Xterra is a decent vehicle, but are hard to find for cheap. Gen I (00-04) has a low-tech SOHC 3.3l V6 that eats gas and has a little less power than the Yota 3.4l. I'd say the power iis still inadequate for mountain pass highways, but OK for most anything else. I like the 63" axle width, too. It's a good compromise between compact and full width.


......I'd rather have Toy front axle with Longfields instead of the Dana 44.....

I would agree with with you on a strictly strength perspective. However, from a spare parts perspective, I'll take the Dana 44 any day of the week. The local u-pull junkyard has lots of Waggys that I can get spare shafts and hubs off of. If I break a shaft, I can switch it out pretty easily on the trail. I think I paid $25/side last time. The Dana 44 also has great upgrades and aftermarket support. I think D44 Cr-Mos are 95% as strong as Longfields as long as you don't mash the gas while your wheels are turned.

I wish somebody would import H233B front axles!

[sunk]

Anyone know of a good auto auction to attend?

[bskey]

http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/1461476083.html - nice rig cheap on CL... and I think I know the owner and he's a yota-head so I presume it's well built and kept.

And these guys have great auctions - http://www.rollerauction.com/home.asp Lots of well priced city/county vehicles as well as police impound auctions with great deals!