[Evanho]

Greetings,

First, I am not looking to start a "brand war".
I am seeking unbiased credible information.

My family and I love to camp. I love to Mtn. Bike and do some crawlin in So. Utah.

I have decided I need a "new" vehicle to help my weekends out. My 4runner just does not tow well.

Seeking a rig that will tow my 17' pop up with ease, fit 5-6 people in seat belts (probably need bench seats front and back), room for 2 dogs, able to install a good sized roof rack (for bikes and other gear).

I realize these are rether generic things. However I have no knowledge and would look at any make/model.

Something that would be fairly easy/economical to maintian Parts are farily easy to find. etc. (guess that eliminates International).

This would be driven only on weekends away from the damn city ie: up to 5k miles a yr.

It seems Ram Charger, K5, the full size Bronco, Jeep Powerwagon, etc is the right style. Was thinking 70's but would like complelling reasons either way. Don't want to spend a lot. Can mod over time ie: rock sliders, winch, lift, etc.

Engine? What would be a good solid engine. Durability over max power. If I can have my cake and eat it too I would not sacrifice too much on milage, but must be able to tow up canyons without being some flasher slow lane dweeb (I'm not towing 4 horses).

I dont ask much do I. LOL.

Help would be appreciated.



E

 

[Sandman]

Welcome to the board.

Sounds like you named all of the good canidates. The only suggestions that I would have would be too buy new enough to get into a fuel injection setup. In GM's that was the later 80's. Not sure on the rest. I believe that all of those vehicles came with a towing package option. I would also look for a V8.

I'm sure a few other people will chim in. :thumb:

 

[blt2krl]

A Jeep Wagoneer may be a good option. Most came with a 360 V8. You can ususally fine them for pretty cheap.

 

[4x4Freak]

I would suggest a K5, preferrably 87-91 for the FI. They are cheap and easy to maintain. Parts are practically everywhere and a lot will interchange with most other year models. They are also cheap to upgrade and modify.

My second choice would be a Scout. Third would probably be a Wagoneer or Ramcharger.

 

[AJ]

i'll second the K5... parts for chevys are everywhere and are by far the easiest and cheapest to get ahold of.. If you are serious about getting something I have a 89 blazer that i'm going to be selling in the very near future as soon as I rebuild the 700R4 transmission...

 

[Evanho]

Thanks so far for your info.

Yes the idea of parts being cheap, interchangeable between years, and plentiful is great.

I intend to mod over time.
Affordable and DIY would be my prefered route.

Care to expand on the idea of Fuel Injection over a carb. Or am I missing the obvious?

thanks all,

E

 

[4x4Freak]

FI is more efficient, adjusts itself to different/changing conditions, and wont stall out at extreme angles or bumps.

The early GM setups are relatively simple and reliable.

 

[AJ]

zactly... thats it in a nutshell... the only thing better than a TBI setup is TPI... Tuned Port Injection, cause of the intake runners, they give you killer low end torque, and you also get rid of the 2 rear cylinder lean run condition that all TBI and carbuerated engines suffer from....

 

[Jonx4x4]

Jeep Grand wags are very comfortable, and power, too! Like Paul said, a nice one can also be bought for under $2000 :thumb:

 

[4x4Freak]

Tuned Port Injection, cause of the intake runners, they give you killer low end torque,

Especially on top of a 383. :firedevi: :deal:

 

[blazinzuk]

Heres my little opionon on this if you need the ablity to carry 6 poeple I would probably go with a Wagoneer. Of course depending on what you want to do with it. The level of mods you can do etc. The easiest way would be the K-5 I think that wagoneers came with 401s to also and most of the autos were turbo 400s. The coolest thing about the wagoneers is you can take a front clip off of a M-715 put it on the front modify the rear wheelwells and probably run 35s with no lift at all. :rotfl: :rotfl:

 

[blt2krl]

Heres my little opionon on this if you need the ablity to carry 6 poeple I would probably go with a Wagoneer. Of course depending on what you want to do with it. The level of mods you can do etc. The easiest way would be the K-5 I think that wagoneers came with 401s to also and most of the autos were turbo 400s. The coolest thing about the wagoneers is you can take a front clip off of a M-715 put it on the front modify the rear wheelwells and probably run 35s with no lift at all. :rotfl: :rotfl:

Hven't seen my waggy lately have ya... :twisted: :twisted: :mrgreen:

 

[blazinzuk]

Hopefully I will be able to locate parts I need for either 4x4 and see it I can't wait to see those tires ,or the rest of your rig for that matter , :rotfl: :rotfl: might be the next set I buy for the blazer :rotfl: :rotfl:

 

[Cruzilla]

Go with a FJ60 Toyota Land Cruiser (yeah I'm biased :finger: ) and find one with a Chevy 350 conversion done to it, cheap parts, power and dependable :mrgreen:

-Scott