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Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,214 Likes: 1
Campfire Regular
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OP
Campfire Regular
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,214 Likes: 1 |
Looking for opinions. I have a 20 Ram Classic 1500 crew 4x4. Kinda my retirement and traveling truck. I also have a 2004 Dakota crew. 180,000 miles. Owned it 8 years and been out west 8 or 9 times. Never abused but definitely been used. Really showing the hard use. Also gas mileage is 15 mph at best.
Really like a smaller truck for getting around tight trails and like the idea of a "beater" vehicle that's still capable of long trips and getting off road if necessary. Some trips out west don't have to be a truck. So, is there a smaller, body on frame, real 4 wheel drive suv worth a damn as a hunting or trapping vehicle that would carry gear for two guys.
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,382
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,382 |
If not a Tacoma then an older 4runner would be my pic, built tuff and just keep going.....and going.
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 39,139 Likes: 24
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 39,139 Likes: 24 |
Me
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 69,396 Likes: 4
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 69,396 Likes: 4 |
I also have a 2004 Dakota crew. My wife had one of those, very close to that year. The heater and a/c quit blowing air. I found a mouse nest inside the blower housing. After some poking around, I had to take it to a shop to get the nest removed. It cost me $700 in labor because they had to dismantle everything under the dash.
“In a time of deceit telling the truth is a revolutionary act.” ― George Orwell
It's not over when you lose. It's over when you quit.
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Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 4,377
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 4,377 |
We took a Dakota Crew to Canada on a fishing trip and not only was is one cramped ride, but the thing used gas like it had a hole in the tank. We'd have been money ahead if we had taken my full size F150. Given that experience, I sure wouldn't have coddled a Dakota for 180,000 miles. Consumer Reports never gives the 4Runner glowing reports, but it is about the only smaller SUV with a full frame instead of uni-body construction.
My other auto is a .45
The bitterness of poor quality is remembered long after the sweetness of low price has faded from memory
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,413
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,413 |
If you can find a NICE one, Jeep YJ.
"Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect everyone who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. Whenever you give up that force, you are inevitably ruined.”
Patrick Henry
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Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 21,801 Likes: 8
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 21,801 Likes: 8 |
I picked up a 1998 Isuzu Trooper manual 4-5 months ago on a trade.
It is an absolute monster.
Best 4x4 I have ever owned (and I have owned a bunch... including Land Cruisers.).
$3k or $3,400 I forget.
Manual is always superior for rough work IMHO.
If you are not actively engaging EVERY enemy you encounter... you are allowing another to fight for you... and that is cowardice... plain and simple.
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 30,816 Likes: 14
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 30,816 Likes: 14 |
pre Tacoma late 80's early 90's 4 banger & manual transmission/short bed
T R U M P W O N !
U L T R A M A G A !
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,317
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,317 |
late 80's early 90's 4 banger & manual transmission/short bed
That would be my vote, or a 4runner of the same era. Just avoid the 3.0 v6. The (later) 3.4 is a good one too, not a powerhouse, but a solid motor.
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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 10,068
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 10,068 |
I picked up a 1998 Isuzu Trooper manual 4-5 months ago on a trade.
It is an absolute monster.
Best 4x4 I have ever owned (and I have owned a bunch... including Land Cruisers.).
$3k or $3,400 I forget.
Manual is always superior for rough work IMHO. Good score, Cash. I keep an eye out for something like that for a beater but ain't nothing priced like a beater anymore.
Mercy ceases to be a virtue when it enables further injustice. -Brent Weeks
~Molɔ̀ːn Labé Skýla~
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Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 21,801 Likes: 8
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 21,801 Likes: 8 |
I picked up a 1998 Isuzu Trooper manual 4-5 months ago on a trade.
It is an absolute monster.
Best 4x4 I have ever owned (and I have owned a bunch... including Land Cruisers.).
$3k or $3,400 I forget.
Manual is always superior for rough work IMHO. Good score, Cash. I keep an eye out for something like that for a beater but ain't nothing priced like a beater anymore. She will get an exoskeleton... roof winch etc. TOUGH RIGS! Toyota wheels interface... so my 1986 Taco and Izzy can share... Disregard the logo on the door... young man that did my tube work got carried away with red paint and a logo. Final finish will be a flat black rubber (3M 5200).
If you are not actively engaging EVERY enemy you encounter... you are allowing another to fight for you... and that is cowardice... plain and simple.
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 29,383
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 29,383 |
If you can find a NICE one, Jeep YJ. That or a 4 runner would be my pick
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Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 132
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 132 |
My 87 Toyota shortbed 4 x4 has been a great truck since I purchased it about 15 years ago. 22R four cylinder and a five speed. Really tough trucks that are easy to work on.
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 387
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 387 |
Ranger a six foot man can fit in one.......
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Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 21,801 Likes: 8
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 21,801 Likes: 8 |
General FYI if anyone is interested... just popped up in Hampton VA on Fakebook MP 2001 Trooper manual @ $3k final price... Looks clean and well kept. 190k Drop me a PM if you need the link. I will probably buy as a spare... if still around next week.
If you are not actively engaging EVERY enemy you encounter... you are allowing another to fight for you... and that is cowardice... plain and simple.
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Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 8,810 Likes: 5
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 8,810 Likes: 5 |
I picked up a 1998 Isuzu Trooper manual 4-5 months ago on a trade.
It is an absolute monster.
Best 4x4 I have ever owned (and I have owned a bunch... including Land Cruisers.).
$3k or $3,400 I forget.
Manual is always superior for rough work IMHO. Good score, Cash. I keep an eye out for something like that for a beater but ain't nothing priced like a beater anymore. She will get an exoskeleton... roof winch etc. TOUGH RIGS! Toyota wheels interface... so my 1986 Taco and Izzy can share... Disregard the logo on the door... young man that did my tube work got carried away with red paint and a logo. Final finish will be a flat black rubber (3M 5200). Great truck, but an 86 isn’t a Taco. The Tacoma’s came out in 95.5 as a mid year replacement for the pickups. I’ve had both and absolutely love Toyota’s.
Will Munny: It's a hell of a thing, killing a man. Take away all he's got and all he's ever gonna have.
The Schofield Kid: Yeah, well, I guess they had it coming.
Will Munny: We all got it coming, kid.
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Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 21,801 Likes: 8
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 21,801 Likes: 8 |
Great truck, but an 86 isn’t a Taco. The Tacoma’s came out in 95.5 as a mid year replacement for the pickups. I’ve had both and absolutely love Toyota’s.
Thanks... Did not know that... just assumed all were Tacos (as a generic frame of reference). The Campfire grows knowledge and that is great stuff.
If you are not actively engaging EVERY enemy you encounter... you are allowing another to fight for you... and that is cowardice... plain and simple.
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Joined: Nov 2021
Posts: 189
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Nov 2021
Posts: 189 |
The trooper that cash suggested is a great option, only issues is the auto trans isn’t the strongest. Other than that they’re pretty solid. Another good option is the mitsubishi montero.
Last edited by Wyatt_G; 05/03/22.
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 4,874
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 4,874 |
Looking for opinions. I have a 20 Ram Classic 1500 crew 4x4. Kinda my retirement and traveling truck. I also have a 2004 Dakota crew. 180,000 miles. Owned it 8 years and been out west 8 or 9 times. Never abused but definitely been used. Really showing the hard use. Also gas mileage is 15 mph at best.
Really like a smaller truck for getting around tight trails and like the idea of a "beater" vehicle that's still capable of long trips and getting off road if necessary. Some trips out west don't have to be a truck. So, is there a smaller, body on frame, real 4 wheel drive suv worth a damn as a hunting or trapping vehicle that would carry gear for two guys. Just use what you got.
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Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 21,801 Likes: 8
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 21,801 Likes: 8 |
The trooper that cash suggested is a great option, only issues is the auto trans isn’t the strongest. Other than that they’re pretty solid. Another good option is the mitsubishi montero. We bought a beater Honda CR-V for our mountain place (2005 @ $2,700)... The auto will NOT hold up... lesson learned... sell the CR-V and buy another Trooper (manual)... I am doing just that now. We have a fair bit of land... Extremely harsh... Never hurts to have two... spare rig or parts down the road kinda thing. Especially if they are cheap enough.
Last edited by CashisKing; 05/04/22. Reason: Dang typos
If you are not actively engaging EVERY enemy you encounter... you are allowing another to fight for you... and that is cowardice... plain and simple.
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