Budget Weekender Rig

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Ir1shDr1fter

Ir1shDr1fter

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So, since the Xterra is currently down for rebuilding, the wife and I were discussing the idea of a smaller "Weekender" rig. We're toying with the idea of either a 1st Gen awd Honda CR-V or an older Toyota RAV4 sport. I've found a few of each for a pretty decent price. Just curious, has anyone else here used one of these platforms to build on?
 
Ir1shDr1fter

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MMc said:
I have owned many Honda autos they have been bullet proof. They are not for more than dirt roads. Why not get a trailer?
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Unfortunately it's going to be a while before we're able to get the Xterra back on the road. Found more issues when we were getting into it the other day. Talked about building out a smaller rig for my wife and for doing short trips. Not looking to build anything to do something other than just gravel road for that one
 
Ir1shDr1fter

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MMc said:
I have owned many Honda autos they have been bullet proof. They are not for more than dirt roads. Why not get a trailer?
Click to expand...
Plus the wife saw this picture and got excited about wanting to do something that small LOL.
 

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Autism Family Travels

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That gen crv can take a beating. No issues at all besides the rusties. The newer ones with the roundish smiley face are brutal. Stay away from those. Rav's. Can't go wrong. Also look at subies and small jeeps too. We love the patriot and theres a decent aftermarket for it. Just don't buy the rough country crap lift. It's junk. Get daystar, or RRO.
 
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BAJA-X

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Ir1shDr1fter said:
So, since the Xterra is currently down for rebuilding, the wife and I were discussing the idea of a smaller "Weekender" rig. We're toying with the idea of either a 1st Gen awd Honda CR-V or an older Toyota RAV4 sport. I've found a few of each for a pretty decent price. Just curious, has anyone else here used one of these platforms to build on?
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Why not a Suzuki Grand Vitara. They are extremely offroad capable. Check out some You tube videos.
 
ThundahBeagle

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Have a GMC Sierra, daily driver. Mild mods but more I want to do. But. It. Drinks!
So then I thought I'd add a Subaru Forester to the mix as the daily driver for better economy and the legendary AWD. Keep the Sierra for weekend duty. Haven't squeezed the trigger on a Forester yet because we bought a house.
Some folks say Subies are great AWD but cost more annually for upkeep, and high mileage ones are money pits? I dont know.

But what I DO know is all of my Hondas had put up with more than they ought to have. '87 CRX, '94 Accord, '06 Civic Si...unkillable, ALL of them!

So I thought about a 1st or 2nd gen Honda CRV and I'm still thinking about it. Once they got rid of the rear hanging spare wheel, I would go no further. That pic you present Ted would be great. Still WAY better fuel economy than my Sierra, easy to wrench on, etc.

Also thought about gen 1 & 2 Rav4...saw a UNICORN a couple weeks ago at a mechanic shop-1st gen 2 door standard shift! Of course, I would want the 4 door for a project like this but it was cool to see.

Sorry for rambling, I'm interested to see what you do here
 
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Ir1shDr1fter

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ThundahBeagle said:
Have a GMC Sierra, daily driver. Mild mods but more I want to do. But. It. Drinks!
So then I thought I'd add a Subaru Forester to the mix as the daily driver for better economy and the legendary AWD. Keep the Sierra for weekend duty. Haven't squeezed the trigger on a Forester yet because we bought a house.
Some folks say Subies are great AWD but cost more annually for upkeep, and high mileage ones are money pits? I dont know.

But what I DO know is all of my Hondas had put up with more than they ought to have. '87 CRX, '94 Accord, '06 Civic Si...unkillable, ALL of them!

So I thought about a 1st or 2nd gen Honda CRV and I'm still thinking about it. Once they got rid of the rear hanging spare wheel, I would go no further. That pic you present Ted would be great. Still WAY better fuel economy than my Sierra, easy to wrench on, etc.

Also thought about gen 1 & 2 Rav4...saw a UNICORN a couple weeks ago at a mechanic shop-1st gen 2 door standard shift! Of course, I would want the 4 door for a project like this but it was cool to see.

Sorry for rambling, I'm interested to see what you do here
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I actually ended up picking up this 2003 Jeep Liberty Renegade 4x4 from a work auction for stupid cheap. Just needed a battery. Just recently added some Falken Wildpeak AT3W's
 

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Autism Family Travels said:
That gen crv can take a beating. No issues at all besides the rusties. The newer ones with the roundish smiley face are brutal. Stay away from those. Rav's. Can't go wrong. Also look at subies and small jeeps too. We love the patriot and theres a decent aftermarket for it. Just don't buy the rough country crap lift. It's junk. Get daystar, or RRO.
Click to expand...
Yeah, we actually just picked up this 2003 Jeep Liberty Renegade 4x4 from my work auction for stupid cheap, just needed a battery.
 

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BAJA-X

BAJA-X

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genocache said:
Depending on where you want to go, stay away from all wheel drive, The National Park Service is ticketing AWD on 4x4 trails.

offroadpassport.com

National Park Service ban on AWD on 4x4 only trails

What is the clubs policy on AWD vehicles used on club outings? Here’s a link to TFL’s discussion on the topic: https://youtu.be/lllZpRPrev4?si=LnNULM8hlCi3-QTM
offroadpassport.com offroadpassport.com
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This Suzuki Grand Vitara is 4 WHEEL DRIVE with a locking transfer case.
 
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