Looking for recommendations on entry level SUV's (1990-1993)

Hello everyone,

This seems to be the place to pose such a question:

I am looking for a 1990-1993 4x4 SUV, and would like to hear opinions from
people who have experience with the various makes out there.

Currently I am considering:

GMC Jimmy/Chev Blazer
Jeep Cherokee
Nissan Pathfinder
Toyota 4Runner
Ford Explorer

I don't want anything smaller, and I can't afford anything bigger.
I will be using this as a daily driver in the winter months, and my main
interests are Reliability, and low cost of maintenance. I will not be
turning this into a bogger, nor will I be driving on crazy trails. I just
want a vehicle that I can throw my mountain bike/snowboard/hockey gear into
and drive.

So, I'm interested to hear your thoughts about the reliability and servicing
of these vehicles. I am a muscle car guy (driving a 71 Satellite), so I
intend to do most repairs myself, but I don't want to be constantly
repairing stuff! I'm busy enough with my summer car.

I hope to find a vehicle with under 200,000 kms, and I want to buy a 4x4
with all the (interior) power options and air conditioning.

Any suggestions you have are appreciated, and any references to websites
with info would be great as well.

My email address is [email protected] if you want to provide info
directly.

Thank you very much for your time and consideration.

Chris

Hello Chris:

Please see my responses in line. (Read to bottom)

"Chris" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news[email protected]...
> Hello everyone,
>
> This seems to be the place to pose such a question:
>
> I am looking for a 1990-1993 4x4 SUV, and would like to hear opinions from
> people who have experience with the various makes out there.
>
> Currently I am considering:
>
> GMC Jimmy/Chev Blazer : best choice!
> Jeep Cherokee: decent choice, as long as the differentials dont make
noise!
> Nissan Pathfinder: Scrap, and even less scrap value when it's all rusted!
> Toyota 4Runner: Good reliability history, but expensive to repair.
> Ford Explorer: Better known as the "Exploder" Rides better on the roof,
than on the tires. Worst choice by far of all the others, and engine and
transmissions have a much higher failure rate than other manufacturers.
>
> I don't want anything smaller, and I can't afford anything bigger.
> I will be using this as a daily driver in the winter months, and my main
> interests are Reliability, and low cost of maintenance. I will not be
> turning this into a bogger, nor will I be driving on crazy trails. I just
> want a vehicle that I can throw my mountain bike/snowboard/hockey gear
into
> and drive.
>
> So, I'm interested to hear your thoughts about the reliability and
servicing
> of these vehicles. I am a muscle car guy (driving a 71 Satellite), so I
> intend to do most repairs myself, but I don't want to be constantly
> repairing stuff! I'm busy enough with my summer car.
>
> I hope to find a vehicle with under 200,000 kms, and I want to buy a 4x4
> with all the (interior) power options and air conditioning.
>
> Any suggestions you have are appreciated, and any references to websites
> with info would be great as well.
>
> My email address is [email protected] if you want to provide info
> directly.
>
> Thank you very much for your time and consideration.
>
> Chris

I hope this helps?

Refinish King

> GMC Jimmy/Chev Blazer
> Jeep Cherokee
> Nissan Pathfinder
> Toyota 4Runner
> Ford Explorer

Personally I'm biased towards the Jimmy since I own a '91 (4.3L auto). A
very reliable truck, hasn't left me stranded once, but it has a case of
terminal rust. I do love calling my truck by it's first name though. "C'mon
Jimmy...". A rust-free truck would be a great find to consider.

My brother owns an early '90s Pathfinder. He loves it but I'd never trade my
rustbucket for one. Typical rust problems, expensive replacement parts,
gutless compared to my 4.3L. Excellent stock gearing though (or so my
brother preaches) and it handles better than my GM. Could be considered a
fairly high station wagon.

If I were starting over I'd lean towards the Cherokee. Rarely a bad word
about the Cherokees, very good suspension, good engine (4L), easy to mod
should you wish to. Parts shouldn't be any tougher to find than for the GM,
maybe easier depending on your area.

Hmm... I know nothing about the Toyota and little about the Ford. I did
recently discover that there are 2wd 4runners out there. Now why would they
do that... lol

I would also look for an Olds. Bravada. Similair to a Chev blazer (same
platform and body) but three big differences:

1. WAY nicer for options.
2. AWD (better handling all the time, same gas mileage)
3. 4.3liter VORTEC engine, instead of standard 4.3L

HTH

Carl


"Chris" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news[email protected]...
> Hello everyone,
>
> This seems to be the place to pose such a question:
>
> I am looking for a 1990-1993 4x4 SUV, and would like to hear opinions from
> people who have experience with the various makes out there.
>
> Currently I am considering:
>
> GMC Jimmy/Chev Blazer
> Jeep Cherokee
> Nissan Pathfinder
> Toyota 4Runner
> Ford Explorer
>
> I don't want anything smaller, and I can't afford anything bigger.
> I will be using this as a daily driver in the winter months, and my main
> interests are Reliability, and low cost of maintenance. I will not be
> turning this into a bogger, nor will I be driving on crazy trails. I just
> want a vehicle that I can throw my mountain bike/snowboard/hockey gear
into
> and drive.
>
> So, I'm interested to hear your thoughts about the reliability and
servicing
> of these vehicles. I am a muscle car guy (driving a 71 Satellite), so I
> intend to do most repairs myself, but I don't want to be constantly
> repairing stuff! I'm busy enough with my summer car.
>
> I hope to find a vehicle with under 200,000 kms, and I want to buy a 4x4
> with all the (interior) power options and air conditioning.
>
> Any suggestions you have are appreciated, and any references to websites
> with info would be great as well.
>
> My email address is [email protected] if you want to provide info
> directly.
>
> Thank you very much for your time and consideration.
>
> Chris
>
>

> 3. 4.3liter VORTEC engine, instead of standard 4.3L

The CPI 4.3L was available in the Blazer/Jimmy from '92 on. I'd imagine the
Bravada was the same.

My 2=A2.

I would checkout a Generation II (91-96) Dodge Dakota Extend Cab. V6 or
V8 these trucks are very reliable. Don't take my word for it just try to
find one in the bone yard. Rangers and "S" trucks can be found by the
dozens. Daks are few and far between. Hmmmm maybe because they are still
all on the road.......

With an install of a simple 3" body lift ($100 + labor) you can run
31x10.50x15 all terrain tire which sounds like would more the meet your
traction requirements.

Chris

1993 Dakota 4x4, Std Cad, Shrt Bed, 3.9L Magnum V6, AX15 5 speed tranny,
NP231 t-case (2.72 low), 7.25 front and 8.25 rear axles with 3.55 gears

4" Trailmaster suspension lift
2" Performance Accessories body lift
Trailmaster dual shock mounts and shocks all way round
33x12.50x15 ProComp Xterrain tires Eagle Alloy 589 10x15 wheels.

Future Mods
4.10 Gear front and rear
"LOCK RIGHT" locker rear
Warn winch

Maybe because Chevy outsells Dakotas 10 to 1:

Ford out sells them both, because the jitbags dump onto the American market
like Datsun/Nissan was doing?

Look at the fines Ford had to pay for bidding fleet vehicles under
manufacturer cost?

Refinish King

PS
Dakotas don't sell as well as S-10's and wouldn't if Dodge/Chrysler dumped
just like Ford does!


<[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
My 2¢.

I would checkout a Generation II (91-96) Dodge Dakota Extend Cab. V6 or
V8 these trucks are very reliable. Don't take my word for it just try to
find one in the bone yard. Rangers and "S" trucks can be found by the
dozens. Daks are few and far between. Hmmmm maybe because they are still
all on the road.......

With an install of a simple 3" body lift ($100 + labor) you can run
31x10.50x15 all terrain tire which sounds like would more the meet your
traction requirements.

Chris

1993 Dakota 4x4, Std Cad, Shrt Bed, 3.9L Magnum V6, AX15 5 speed tranny,
NP231 t-case (2.72 low), 7.25 front and 8.25 rear axles with 3.55 gears

4" Trailmaster suspension lift
2" Performance Accessories body lift
Trailmaster dual shock mounts and shocks all way round
33x12.50x15 ProComp Xterrain tires Eagle Alloy 589 10x15 wheels.

Future Mods
4.10 Gear front and rear
"LOCK RIGHT" locker rear
Warn winch

Hey everyone,

Thanks for the suggestions so far.

I have been searching for the 200 HP 4.3, but I don't really know how to
identify the motor (perhaps becuase I haven't seen one yet). What
identifying features should I look for?

As for the Dakotas....being a Mopar guy already (driving a 71 Satellite), I
have definitely considered this option. But while I agree they are
reliable, it is as tough to find one for under $2500 (CDN) as it is to find
one in a scrapyard! (laughing).

With my tight budget, the Chev/GMC/Ford route seems the best.

Sooooo.....any advice on what to look for between these trucks? Any notable
problems?

I've heard about the body mounts rusting out on the Jimmys/Blazers, and have
actually seen a couple that were pretty horrendous.


As always, thanks in advance for your advice.

Chris

The standard 4.3 has a throttle body on top. The 200HP is mulitport fuel
intjected. There will be a Black plastic cover on top with the word VORTEC
on it.

That motor was in my 94 Bravada AWD and it was POWERFUL.

Carl


"Chris" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Hey everyone,
>
> Thanks for the suggestions so far.
>
> I have been searching for the 200 HP 4.3, but I don't really know how to
> identify the motor (perhaps becuase I haven't seen one yet). What
> identifying features should I look for?
>
> As for the Dakotas....being a Mopar guy already (driving a 71 Satellite),
I
> have definitely considered this option. But while I agree they are
> reliable, it is as tough to find one for under $2500 (CDN) as it is to
find
> one in a scrapyard! (laughing).
>
> With my tight budget, the Chev/GMC/Ford route seems the best.
>
> Sooooo.....any advice on what to look for between these trucks? Any
notable
> problems?
>
> I've heard about the body mounts rusting out on the Jimmys/Blazers, and
have
> actually seen a couple that were pretty horrendous.
>
>
> As always, thanks in advance for your advice.
>
> Chris
>
>