Brother and I had a discussion.

He wants a cheap but reliable SUV to go out hunting/shooting/fishing.   Not a CJ/Wrangler (he's got a project CJ he's working on now)....  More like a smaller to mid size (although full size would work) SUV...Cherokee, Blazer (old or new), Bronco, Exploder, etc. etc...   Enough interior space to camp out (doesn't need to fit a full size bed...just enough space to sleep in if needed) in in bad weather or hold a lot of gear.  

Must be able to start and run...get 2 or 400 miles to a beach (fishing) or hunting trip and make it back.    Doesn't need heavy 4 wheel capability...just able to go on dirt roads or in light snow.

Doesn't need to be fancy.

Must be easy to work on....parts readily available (local or on line for quick delivery).

Small crap (window switches, radio, etc.) that goes bad are not going to interfere with the trip...so a vehicle with a good reputation for the engine/trans working but small stuff going bad is still OK.

Any such thing.... (what years to look at and what years to avoid)?

Thanks!

For that price he might be better off looking for a pickup truck with a camper shell.

Bronco.

m1008 or m1009 @ auction

ETA: Link

Suzuki Samurai

1994 to 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee, M1009 military Blazer, 73-91 Blazer (full size), 79-92 Ford Bronco...

86-94ish Toyota 4Runner. The 4cyl 22RE will run forever. The 6cyl has problems with the head gaskets iirc.

Look for a surplus M1009. Runs on the GM 6.2 or 6.5 diesel, standard parts that are almost identical to any 80 Ck series truck. Some go for under $1000.

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On the Mil-Surp stuff...I don't think he considered them.    Any trouble getting them on the road (here in PA we have an annual inspection).

Thanks!

I think you meant 85-94

Also the 84-93 Trucks are just about bulletproof as well.

What engines?

I had heard good things about the inline 6 (4L) in the Jeeps....but what about the Cherokee (nobody's mentioned that)...have other issues that would preclude it from the list?  

I'm making a list to e-mail to him tomorrow (and will tell how many recommendations each got).

The M1009s look very interesting!

Thanks.

AFARR

Jeep Cherokee probably stuck with the 90's models. I have owned three Cherokees, a 92, 94, and a 95 not a single one did I pay more than 2500 for. The 4x4 in a Cherokee is extreemly capable. Gas milage can suck but it will get you where you want to go, then get you home. The 92(Tan one at the top) cost me the most because it was bought from a buy here pay here but it wasn't too bad at the time(it looked a lot different when it was stock The 94 cost me $300 had a bad low end knock but I just had it for parts, and the 95 at the bottom I bought for $1600 it came with the small lift and 33" BFG's already on it. For the price, the Cherokee is an awesome choice. You can't touch a Wrangler for that price but the Cherokee has the exact same drive train. Only flaw that I could ever find with the Cherokee was the fact that it was uni body and there were some rust issues.

Watch out for rust under the rear cargo area. Common to leak oil around the bottom back of the engine on I6 engines, usually the rear main seal, usually not a big deal but it will leave a quarter size dot every time you park it(it's a bitch to change...trust me). Lift kits and accessories are endless. My vote is Cherokee all the way 1992+ One thing to watch for is the rear end, many come with the Dana 35 rear end, they are not that bad but I would look for one with the Chrysler 8.25 rear end because it is just plain stronger and you can depend on it more.

Here are some pics of all the XJ's I have owned, as you can see they are capable...but they do get stuck when the driver asks too much

You can find late eighties and early 90's Suburban's in that price range and still have cash left over for off road mods.

What happened to the doors?  Do you like to be hit with branches and stuff?

Cherokee, 4runner, Trooper, Pathfinder, Blazer, Bronco



I'm currently trying to satisfy my wife's desire for a sharp looking mid-70's Wagoneer woody.

Lol, it's pretty sweet to run doorless. People in Wranglers rarely ever take their doors off, and I always wanted to so I made them removable. In this pic they are just laying in the garage, I put them back on at night. I really didn't care if it rained or got mud inside, it was an off road work horse... AC didn't work so doors off was awesome in the summer. Never really got bushwacked but I did get muddy It's all part of the fun...."It's a Jeep Thing" Lol

I've never bought a milsurp vehicle myself, but I've looked into it some.

A website called steelsoldiers.com is the arfcom of milsurp stuff.  Everything there is to know about buying one at auction can be found there.

You can't really go wrong with the 4.0/4.2 Jeep engines and the 318/360 V8's are awesome. The Jeep 4.7 is OK but maintenance is required.

No matter what people say, the 6.2/6.5 GM diesels are great for the jobs they were built for. You are not going to make a tow rig or 1/4 mi diesel drag racer out of one, but low end grunt and great fuel economy are common place with the N/A or turbo GM diesels (I regularly got 20+ MPG in my 1 ton 4x4 ). As an FYI the 6.2/6.5 diesels are NOT conversion engines. They were designed by Detroit Diesel and have the same fuel system as the IH/Ford 6.9/7.3 IDI diesels. Don't let people who've never owned one talk shit about a great engine.

Obviously both the GM and Ford small blocks are well supported and you shouldn't have an issues with any of them (minus displacement, the Ford 302 and GM 305 are not as well suited to great off road driving)

Suzuki Samurai

1: Plentiful and inexpensive
2: In stock trim damn near unbreakable
3: Lots of parts available and inexpensive.
4: Will go about anywhere; weighs a bit over 1 ton (2100 lbs) and is 50" wide
5: EZ to tow
6:Great gas mileage up to 22~25 mpg stock.

I honestly can't remember the last time I saw a samauri on the road.  People still drive them?  No, seriously.

Yup.  Full size Broncos and Blazers are cheap and mechanically simple, and have plenty of room for camping stuff and sleeping accommodation.  



 

I drive mine almost everyday.. and there are at least 20 distinct sammis and trackers in town I see out and about weekly..

soooo...

Yes people drive them daily.

Thanks for the suggestions....and keep them coming.  I'll e-mail him tonight with the outcomes..

AFARR

My brother bought a Polaris Razor early last year. He then went on a hog hunt in Tennessee last year and said that everyone out there had old Samurai's instead of ATVs. Dirt cheap and bulletproof, they beat the hell out of them. Made him kinda wish he went that route.

This

FJ60/62