Lower cost off road vehicle

[Brian Stirling]

What are some good options for street legal vehicles that are also excellent offroad? I'm a bit tempted to consider a full ATV or purpose built offroad vehicle, but then I'd need a trailer and all that so I'm leaning towards a second hand Jeep or similar vehicle that would be street legal and thus obviate the need for a trailer.

I live in Utah so the terrain would be mostly southern Utah and involve high desert and slick rock terrain with some stream crossings. I want to be able to spend a few days in the outback and also carry my camera gear so I'd prefer a vehicle that is on the softer riding end of the spectrum.


Brian

 

[Herr Kutz]

Jeep (as mentioned).
4runner.
Tacoma.
Forester/Outback as long as you're not rock crawling. I'm not sure how they do on slick rock either but I'm sure you could youtube it.

Edit: Crown victoria

 

[WackyDan]

Jeep XJ is probably the cheaper offroad build you could do.

 

[thedarkwolf]

suzuki sidekick
geo/chevy tracker
jeep cherokee the old boxy one and not the grand

you said lower cost so I went way lower cost

 

[Spicedaddy]

An old Xterra.

 

[jlee]

www.expeditionportal.com

Check out their forums. When you say 'cheap as possible', what's your total budget for vehicle/modifications?

 

[PricklyPete]

That's it...I'm getting rid of the 4Runner and picking up a Crown Vic

 

[Subyman]

Get a RZR. You can get them registered and street legal in Utah for lower speed roads. So that would allow you to drive it to local OHV areas. A 900S or XP 1000 would be great. They ride amazingly, can carry enough for overnight trips, have a smaller footprint than a Jeep, are extremely capable, and are very easy to work on. Go and look at them at a Polaris dealer if you haven't seen them before.

I've got an XP 1000 and am going out on a trip this weekend. They are a blast.

 

[herm0016]

Get a RZR. You can get them registered and street legal in Utah for lower speed roads. So that would allow you to drive it to local OHV areas. A 900S or XP 1000 would be great. They ride amazingly, can carry enough for overnight trips, have a smaller footprint than a Jeep, are extremely capable, and are very easy to work on. Go and look at them at a Polaris dealer if you haven't seen them before.

I've got an XP 1000 and am going out on a trip this weekend. They are a blast.

and costs more than an already modified jeep.

 

[Bacstar]

Wish I lived in Utah. That's a beautiful state to drive through. Alaska isn't bad either, but it's a lot colder most times, and during the summer, driving anywhere to enjoy the sites can be a frustrating experience with all the RV traffic.

I've had a Jeep Wrangler. It was completely stock, and it was fun as hell to drive off-road.

 

[gus6464]

For the love of God if you a Jeep please buy a used one before Chrysler went to shit.

The Tacoma is another one that can be tricked out to the gills for hardcore off-road use and you can also throw a quad in the bed for double the fun.

 

[K7SN]

For the love of God if you a Jeep please buy a used one before Chrysler went to shit.

The Tacoma is another one that can be tricked out to the gills for hardcore off-road use and you can also through a quad in the bed for double the fun.

I agree, bikes or a quad fit well in a pickup; places I've gone in Utah there is no way I drive a new Jeep; also the OP wanted a gentle ride?

I think because the OP hasn't answer any question posted to him we are way ahead in this discussion. We have $400 dollars and $4,000 and a new trick RZR lists for over $20,000. I can't really comment on OPs request till I know more; ATV's cost between $400 used and $6,000 new plus a trailer that can cost between $200 and $2,000.

 

[jlee]

I agree, bikes or a quad fit well in a pickup; places I've gone in Utah there is no way I drive a new Jeep; also the OP wanted a gentle ride?

I think because the OP hasn't answer any question posted to him we are way ahead in this discussion. We have $400 dollars and $4,000 and a new trick RZR lists for over $20,000. I can't really comment on OPs request till I know more; ATV's cost between $400 used and $6,000 new plus a trailer that can cost between $200 and $2,000.

Yep, a price range would be immensely helpful.

 

[Brian Stirling]

I agree, bikes or a quad fit well in a pickup; places I've gone in Utah there is no way I drive a new Jeep; also the OP wanted a gentle ride?

I think because the OP hasn't answer any question posted to him we are way ahead in this discussion. We have $400 dollars and $4,000 and a new trick RZR lists for over $20,000. I can't really comment on OPs request till I know more; ATV's cost between $400 used and $6,000 new plus a trailer that can cost between $200 and $2,000.

Well, recent news has kind of grabbed my attention...

I'm not sure that I'll be getting anything and my question was more to get a feel for the subject.

My interest in a softer ride is due to the fact that I'm a photographer and it would not be desirable to be banging around with $30K of photography gear. If I had a trailer and a vehicle capable of pulling it I think i'd be leaning towards something like the new Honda Pioneer 1000-5, but that alone is about $17K and after adding a trailer I'd be looking at closer to $20K. And even then, my only vehicle is a 2012 Ford Focus and it's not really suitable to pulling a 2000 pound trailer.

So, living in the SLC area I'd need a vehicle that was road worthy in order to drive the several hundred miles from SLC to southern Utah and then be offroad worthy to handle the sometimes rough dirt roads down there. The additional concern about not having a bone jarring ride to protect my expensive photo gear further complicates the decision.

I am tempted to move down to the Moab area and that would reduce some of the problems a bit, but that isn't going to happen anytime soon.


Brian

 

[jlee]

Lexus GX470 with Radflo or Icon suspension.

:awe:

 

[Brian Stirling]

Lexus GX470 with Radflo or Icon suspension.

:awe:

Are there ANY luxury brand of SUV's that are actually viable in actual offroad use?


Brian

 

[jlee]

Are there ANY luxury brand of SUV's that are actually viable in actual offroad use?


Brian

Lexus GX470 = 120-series Landcruiser Prado
Lexus GX460 = 150-series Landcruiser Prado
Lexus LX450 = 80-series Landcruiser
Lexus LX470 = 100-series Landcruiser
Lexus LX570 = 200-series Landcruiser

(I wasn't kidding about the GX470 - I have one)

 

[TripleThreatTLT]

Yeah Land Cruiser / Lexus would be quite nice.

I have a 4 door Jeep and for the area you live in, it would be my recommendation. I find the ride to be very comfortable. When going offload make sure you air down your tires as it will drastically improve the ride. (Not to mention the traction)

 

[Brian Stirling]

Lexus GX470 = 120-series Landcruiser Prado
Lexus GX460 = 150-series Landcruiser Prado
Lexus LX450 = 80-series Landcruiser
Lexus LX470 = 100-series Landcruiser
Lexus LX570 = 200-series Landcruiser

(I wasn't kidding about the GX470 - I have one)

Well I didn't even mention the Landcruiser or Range Rovers as they're very pricey and way out of my league. Now, if doing this everyday was the thing then maybe I could justify spending more, but as this is more of a few times a year kind of thing I don't see spending that kind of money.


Brian

 

[jlee]

Well I didn't even mention the Landcruiser or Range Rovers as they're very pricey and way out of my league. Now, if doing this everyday was the thing then maybe I could justify spending more, but as this is more of a few times a year kind of thing I don't see spending that kind of money.


Brian

Which brings me back to...

Yep, a price range would be immensely helpful.

 

[TripleThreatTLT]

You can pick up a used 80 series for between $5k - $10k. Properly maintained they will run for a very long time, and are very capable off road. Just an idea.

For myself after owning an 80 series, I decided to go the Jeep route. The gas mileage was poor ~10 mpg, and I like taking the top off of my Jeep. I make a couple of 2000+ mile road trips a year and find the Jeep quite comfortable. (Not land cruiser comfortable, but still comfortable)

Have you thought about heading down to Moab and just renting a Jeep for the weekend to give it a try?

 

[Brian Stirling]

Which brings me back to...

Well I didn't want to be too specific in the beginning and bias things by price. I'd say the range would be about $7K give or take...


Brian

 

[K7SN]

I faced the same problem a few years back; I still wanted to explore and I didn't like getting wet when it rained so I sought a capable 4wd and parked my Husqvarna Motorcycle.

I selected a 1992 Ford Bronco with five speed transmission which I purchased from a private party for $2,600 (10 years later I still have it and repairs have been very minor; worse was a small transmission problem returning from Moab at about 65 on the freeway when it complained it had lost oil. $500 dollars later I was back on the road; have put over 100,000 miles on it; most of which pavement on trails, two tracks and off road race courses (to retrieve racers, not to race). If you have the time a good, easy to repair cheaply and lockable vehicle can be found.

I like the Bronco because if the colds turn dark, I can sleep in it. My friend has an 80 Series jeep and he goes places I would take my Bronco but unlike him; I get twice the mileage (20+ miles to the gallon) with my inline 300 cc six cylinder and 35 gallon tank I don't half to worry much.

Just consider your options, take your time and ood luck looking; you'll find something neat.

 

[jlee]

You can pick up a used 80 series for between $5k - $10k. Properly maintained they will run for a very long time, and are very capable off road. Just an idea.

For myself after owning an 80 series, I decided to go the Jeep route. The gas mileage was poor ~10 mpg, and I like taking the top off of my Jeep. I make a couple of 2000+ mile road trips a year and find the Jeep quite comfortable. (Not land cruiser comfortable, but still comfortable)

Have you thought about heading down to Moab and just renting a Jeep for the weekend to give it a try?

Yeah, fuel economy and power are why I went to a GX470 from an 80. No regrets.

Now an LS swapped 80.....mmmm.

 

[Brian Stirling]

I faced the same problem a few years back; I still wanted to explore and I didn't like getting wet when it rained so I sought a capable 4wd and parked my Husqvarna Motorcycle.

I selected a 1992 Ford Bronco with five speed transmission which I purchased from a private party for $2,600 (10 years later I still have it and repairs have been very minor; worse was a small transmission problem returning from Moab at about 65 on the freeway when it complained it had lost oil. $500 dollars later I was back on the road; have put over 100,000 miles on it; most of which pavement on trails, two tracks and off road race courses (to retrieve racers, not to race). If you have the time a good, easy to repair cheaply and lockable vehicle can be found.

I like the Bronco because if the colds turn dark, I can sleep in it. My friend has an 80 Series jeep and he goes places I would take my Bronco but unlike him; I get twice the mileage (20+ miles to the gallon) with my inline 300 cc six cylinder and 35 gallon tank I don't half to worry much.

Just consider your options, take your time and ood luck looking; you'll find something neat.

Real good info, appreciate! Yeah, being able to sleep in it is pretty helpful.


Brian