New (or New to me) rig suggestions

[dorrson]

Hello,

The wife and I have recently been bit by the overland bug. We currently have a stock 2004 Jeep liberty limited. Great rig, but limited in passenger space (6'2" tall myself, and our daughter is 5'10"), and not comfortable for long trips. Plus we intend on bringing our young grand kids after our daughter leaves for college in a year or so.

We've narrowed it down to three options:

4runner
Tacoma
Nissan Frontier

Eventually my wife would like a trailer (xventure, patriot, terradrop, etc.) to go along with it.

We're not planning on breaking trail to get to a camp ground. But mild to moderate off-road capabilities for camping and site seeing is definitely a requirement.

We don't need brand new, but we'd prefer to keep any purchase not older than 2010.

Thanks in advance,

-Dorrson

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[dorrson]

Sorry, I should have also mentioned that this will be a daily driver for my wife and I.

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[Stone74]

Of the above listed, I'd say the Tacoma or 4Runner. Both are solid vehicles for overland and daily.

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[boss324]

4runner more passenger room

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[dorrson]

Of the above listed...

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If there are other options outside those I've mentioned, we'd be interested in hearing suggestions from everyone also.

 

[Stone74]

There are a lot of good options. Depends on the types of trails you will be taking. I've seen Subaru's, Kia's, Nissan's, Honda's, and Jeeps on the trail. Towing, stick with a 6 or 8 cylinder. My brother uses his Honda Ridgeline till his Jeep is ready. Tows a small trailer for extended trips with it too. I drive an XJ, previously a Land Rover.

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[000]

Hello,

The wife and I have recently been bit by the overland bug. We currently have a stock 2004 Jeep liberty limited. Great rig, but limited in passenger space (6'2" tall myself, and our daughter is 5'10"), and not comfortable for long trips. Plus we intend on bringing our young grand kids after our daughter leaves for college in a year or so.

We've narrowed it down to three options:

4runner
Tacoma
Nissan Frontier

Eventually my wife would like a trailer (xventure, patriot, terradrop, etc.) to go along with it.

We're not planning on breaking trail to get to a camp ground. But mild to moderate off-road capabilities for camping and site seeing is definitely a requirement.

We don't need brand new, but we'd prefer to keep any purchase not older than 2010.

Thanks in advance,

-Dorrson

Sent from my Nexus 5X using OB Talk mobile app

The 4Runner will have a better departure angle which is nice for wheeling but less cargo area than a pickup. The Tacoma with a double cab and short bed with a shell on it was the best compromise for me. It has a full back seat like the 4runner but the cargo area is separate from the cabin which I think is nice with camping gear, fuel chainsaws, muddy stuff etc... and is plenty capable off road. Either Toyota will have better resale value than the Nissan and is generally much more supported by the aftermarket which will give you more options when buying accessories.


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[dorrson]

The 4Runner will have a better departure angle which is nice for wheeling but less cargo area than a pickup. The Tacoma with a double cab and short bed with a shell on it was the best compromise for me. It has a full back seat like the 4runner but the cargo area is separate from the cabin which I think is nice with camping gear, fuel chainsaws, muddy stuff etc... and is plenty capable off road. Either Toyota will have better resale value than the Nissan and is generally much more supported by the aftermarket which will give you more options when buying accessories.


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Thanks. I don't see us getting into anything that would warrant the need for the better departure angle. So it's sounding more like the Tacoma would be a great fit for us. We've got several dealerships in the area that we can do some test drives.

Next question, with all the trim levels for the Tacoma, which would be a good balance between off-road, towing capabilities, and price?

 

[dorrson]

I think I just answered my own question, with a little help from Google. I'm thinking the Tacoma TRD Off-Road is going to be the best value for our needs.

 

[000]

Thanks. I don't see us getting into anything that would warrant the need for the better departure angle. So it's sounding more like the Tacoma would be a great fit for us. We've got several dealerships in the area that we can do some test drives.

Next question, with all the trim levels for the Tacoma, which would be a good balance between off-road, towing capabilities, and price?

Towing capacity should be within a couple hundred lbs for any of the 4x4 Tacoma trim models. The trd off road has the edge off-road with the A trac system and locking rear differential. I only have used the locker twice and I wheel my truck pretty hard in the Sierra Nevada Mountains etc and probably didn’t really need it at the time. I like that I do have it though for those once in awhile occasions and the resale value is much better with the locker so it’s not a waste of money. The A trac system is awesome and is basically a limited slip for the front and rear and has allowed me to walk up stuff other trucks struggled with. FYI Trac and A trac are two different things and I personally wouldn’t bother buying one without A trac it just works too good not to have it. I personally like the short bed double cab configuration as a compromise with having enough seating, cargo space and still have a shorter wheelbase. Sometimes I miss having the extra bed length until I get in a tight parking lot or a tight trail with steep break over climbs, then I really appreciate the short wheelbase.


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[dorrson]

Thanks for all the information everyone! I'm thinking it's time to test drive a Tacoma.

If anyone else can offer more insight or suggestions regarding rig selection, please feel free to contribute to this thread.

 

[dorrson]

Did a quick seat check today, didn't drive. The Tacoma has more leg space for me, but no one would be able to sit behind me. To be fair the 4 runner was about the same in regards to someone sitting behind me, but the leg space seemed less than the Tacoma for the driver seat. 4 runner was electric seats and the Tacoma has the good ole manual adjustments. Not sure if that would decrease leg space for the driver seat though.

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[Brandon Harvey]

With the towing in mind have you looked at all at the newer Chevy Colorado with the Duramax 2.8 diesel?

 

[dorrson]

With the towing in mind have you looked at all at the newer Chevy Colorado with the Duramax 2.8 diesel?

I have not looked at it, but I will. Thanks for the suggestion.

Quick question, how's the aftermarket for accessories on the Colorado?

 

[Brandon Harvey]

I have not looked at it, but I will. Thanks for the suggestion.

Quick question, how's the aftermarket for accessories on the Colorado?

Honestly probably not as good at a Toyo but not sure anything is. The truck has been around for about 10 years and has become a staple in the Chevy/GMC line. Most of the truck reviewers are also preferring it over the Tacoma ( not trying to start a war for Tacoma lovers ). I have looked a both and went and drove both a fews weeks ago and preferred the Chevy interior and seating position much more. There was also 6 inches more leg room in the rear seat than the Tacoma. I am 6’ and rode comfortably in the back with the front seat all the way back.

The Z71 is a great package but if you want ultimate off-road then the ZR2 is the way to go. Just my 2 cents as a fellow in search of something better. I currently own a 2003 Ford Ranger looking possible to add another vehicle and the Colorado is on the top of my list.


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[dorrson]

Honestly probably not as good at a Toyo but not sure anything is. The truck has been around for about 10 years and has become a staple in the Chevy/GMC line. Most of the truck reviewers are also preferring it over the Tacoma ( not trying to start a war for Tacoma lovers ). I have looked a both and went and drove both a fews weeks ago and preferred the Chevy interior and seating position much more. There was also 6 inches more leg room in the rear seat than the Tacoma. I am 6’ and rode comfortably in the back with the front seat all the way back.

The Z71 is a great package but if you want ultimate off-road then the ZR2 is the way to go. Just my 2 cents as a fellow in search of something better. I currently own a 2003 Ford Ranger looking possible to add another vehicle and the Colorado is on the top of my list.


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Looks like a great truck, ZR2 package is definitely nice. But I think the Z71 would work fine for my family and me. I'm really liking the numbers on the Duramax Diesel. I'll have to stop by one of the Chevy\GMC dealers in the area and give them a look. Thanks!

 

[dorrson]

Shopped around a little, definitely some really nice rigs out there. But, current budget changes have put a new (to us) rig on hold for 1-2 years. So, we'll hold onto our current work horse Jeep Liberty KJ and start modifying it for our needs.

Thanks to everyone for your suggestions, and we'll definitely re-visit the new to us rig in a year or two.