Undecided Rig

[JimBill]

First decide if you need an SUV or truck. Always drove trucks then got an SUV. Then had to buy a trailer. And so on. Unfortunately, one size does not fit all. By the time you get into an SUV that is close to having truck bed capability, it is too big for a lot of trails (think Tahoe/Suburban, Expedition). I presently have a Tahoe, trailer, and WJ. And looking for an F150 that meets my wants, to replace the Tahoe.

Per the comments so far in this thread, the WJ has a lot of merits. That is the rout I went for my overlander. Bought with budget boost lift and then tuned from there. Biggest bang for a tight budget is a budget boost, adjustable track bar, front sway bar disconnects, trimmed front bumper and relocated windshield washer fluid bottle, correct length shock, riding on 245/75-16s. Look for one with the select track transfer case and towing option (gets you a real gas tank skid pan and vari-lock rear diff). Decent road manners and surprising off road capability. Here is mine with that recipe:



But in the end run what ya can get. Slap on some decent tires and go!

 

[DintDobbs]

I second this suggestion, really decide whether you need a truck or a SUV.

Truck Pros: Open cargo space separate from passenger space, light weight compared to equivalent SUV

Truck Cons: Open cargo space separate from passenger space, have to pack a tent (or get a heavy and expensive rooftop, which necessitates a bed rack, which are also heavy and expensive), long wheelbase compared with equivalent SUV, ludicrously expensive compared with equivalent SUV

SUV Pros: Enclosed cargo space combined with passenger space, short wheelbase compared with equivalent truck, can sleep inside (unless 2-door), can also accommodate (heavy and expensive) rooftop tent if desired (may necessitate heavy and expensive roof rack)

SUV Cons: Enclosed cargo space combined with passenger space, heavy relative to equivalent truck, much cheaper than equivalent truck

So it really depends on whether or not you can sacrifice one form of practicality in favor of an other. I can't grasp the function of an open cargo space personally (unless you're buying a full-size refrigerator every other week) and even if I needed it, could never possibly understand how such long wheelbases are tolerable even for road driving, much less off-road driving where trails get tight and breakover angle matters.

Really consider what you need, and how badly you need it.