Best Bang for Buck Overland Rig

[Lifestyle Overland]

What platform would be the most affordable for initial investment and parts availability/cost for mods?

If I had $5000 total for a rig build... I'm thinking I would go for a Jeep Cherokee for the reliability of that inline 4.0, the 80-120k mile units for $2000, and the parts they have available.

Another option may be a FJ80 with under 200k if it already has some mods installed.

What do you think? (I'll add poll choices if people have any unique suggestions.)

 

[The other Sean]

I'm actually considering a Cherokee for my next beater / DD / Low dollar rig once my current beater car dies. Dead simple vehicle, millions were sold and acceptable runners can be had for cheap. As far as parts availability and price, the Jeeps is probably going to be best of the list. You walk in to any Junk yard in the U.S. and there will be a few Cherokees laying there ready to have parts stripped off.

 

[MA_Trooper]

I'm a bit biased toward the Trooper cause I have one. The Jeep is a very close second. I picked up my Trooper with 90k on it for 3000 bucks. The space inside is incredible. The space was the winning factor over the jeep for me.

 

[Carnivore]

While I miss my XJ, I'd go with what I can sleep in, in a hasty camp (think late night run and you're knackered). The only mechanical issue I've experienced with my Cherokee was the crankshaft position sensor which was a cheap but pain in the @$$ to replace.

On second thought, I can sleep diagonally in the back so I'd go with the Cherokee. Parts were cheap too, even from the dealership.

That was back in 2001 so YMMV

 

[RaggedViking]

Hey! No 4Runner?!?!
- Easy to get parts for.
- Because of that - parts are cheap
- Runs for ever with little TLC.

Sigh.
I guess I could go for a Cherokee.
They're easy to mod and also run forever.
Land Cruiser would be nice, but I know I would dump a ton of money into it.

 

[Overland-Indiana]

I'm actually considering a Cherokee for my next beater / DD / Low dollar rig once my current beater car dies. Dead simple vehicle, millions were sold and acceptable runners can be had for cheap. As far as parts availability and price, the Jeeps is probably going to be best of the list. You walk in to any Junk yard in the U.S. and there will be a few Cherokees laying there ready to have parts stripped off.

I have a Cherokee for sale ;) lol

 

[Carnivore]

I have a Cherokee for sale ;) lol

Problem solved hahaha

 

[Overland-Indiana]

What platform would be the most affordable for initial investment and parts availability/cost for mods?

If I had $5000 total for a rig build... I'm thinking I would go for a Jeep Cherokee for the reliability of that inline 4.0, the 80-120k mile units for $2000, and the parts they have available.

Another option may be a FJ80 with under 200k if it already has some mods installed.

What do you think? (I'll add poll choices if people have any unique suggestions.)

Can't find a Cherokee here with 80-120k that cheap.. I got a great deal on mine at $4k with 190k miles.

I don't even want to think about how much money I have put into it. Problem is, I am waaaayyy too picky and any noise I HAD to find it and fix it.

In the past 8 months I have done the following:
Front and rear axles have been rebuilt
New control arms
New brakes all around
Completely new suspension and shocks
New power steering pump
New Steering gear box
New U-joint all around
New hub bearins/assembly
LED Headlights
Transfer case drop
JCR Vanguard front bumper
JCR rear bumper
New wheels and BFG KO2 tires
New Battery
Snorkel
New track bar bushings
EBC Drilled and slotted rotors and EBC pads
And that is just the stuff I can rememeber...

If you aren't picky about every little noise then a Cherokee can be a cheap and reliable rig.

 

[Overland-Indiana]

The one above is NOT the one for sale, just to clarify lol

 

[RaggedViking]

Quick / Funny Story -
Before I bought my 4Runner I was looking to pick up something on the cheap - so I found this 1998 Cherokee and went to test drive it.
It had a 100K+ miles on it, the body was in great shape - and the dealership only wanted $3000.

So, I took it out for a drive, and was basically set on buying it.. Then as we pulled into the parking lot the water pump blew.
I could tell the salesman was freaking out on the inside but he decides to turn to me and say "so, what do you think - do we have a deal?"
And that's when I offered him $1000 and went into this long diatribe about the heads warping and how they'd need to replace those as well, etc.
Dude wouldn't budge on price and said I was "getting an amazing deal for the price".
I left that day without buying that Jeep and that guy called me for a solid week to see if I was still interested.

Anyway...

 

[Lifestyle Overland]

Hey! No 4Runner?!?!
- Easy to get parts for.
- Because of that - parts are cheap
- Runs for ever with little TLC.

Sigh.
I guess I could go for a Cherokee.
They're easy to mod and also run forever.
Land Cruiser would be nice, but I know I would dump a ton of money into it.

Fixed the poll :D

 

[O.Dfj]

If you're into a pick up for overlanding late 80s and early 90s f150s are dirt cheap. Those trucks are pretty much indestructible if you get one with a 5 speed and a 300 inline 6.

 

[RaggedViking]

Fixed the poll :D

Hahaha thanks!

 

[Kelly]

No Grand Cherokee? What the hell? ;-)
If you've come across this thread looking to start from scratch with a new (used) rig, this is worth a watch (from 08:00 to 16:00 minutes in)...

 

[RaggedViking]

I'm glad to see that I'm still holding strong as the only 4Runner vote after 4 days!!!!!!
Hahah.

You know what makes all of this great? The fact that we all have different tastes and still build rigs that do what we need.
We're not pigeon-holed into one particular vehicle.

 

[Lifestyle Overland]

No Grand Cherokee? What the hell? ;-)
If you've come across this thread looking to start from scratch with a new (used) rig, this is worth a watch (from 08:00 to 16:00 minutes in)...

Added!

 

[Kelly]

Added!

Thank you!!!

 

[Overland-Indiana]

Lets face it, men... The XJ wins :) lol

 

[gandrimp]

I have a "93" landcruiser and wouldn't change. But you have the 5000 dollar budget, with that I would say jeep just due to the aftermarket and used parts supply.

 

[Barton Fink]

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