What would you get?

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D

Dante

Guest
OK... I just came across $6,000. I want a 4x4 of some kind. I've been
looking at older trucks in that price range. I've also been thinking
about getting an older truck (for about 1,000 - 2,000 dollars) and
putting about $4,000 into it. I'm not a Toyota expert and I'm not a
mechanic either. I'm fairly sure that I could handle most bolt on
upgrades. I was thinking suspension, tires, and probably some gear
modifications...

In all of your past experience, what would you guys do in my situation?

Thanks a ton,
Dante
 
On Mon, 22 May 2006 13:53:02 -0600, Dante <[email protected]> wrote:

>OK... I just came across $6,000. I want a 4x4 of some kind. I've been
>looking at older trucks in that price range. I've also been thinking
>about getting an older truck (for about 1,000 - 2,000 dollars) and
>putting about $4,000 into it. I'm not a Toyota expert and I'm not a
>mechanic either. I'm fairly sure that I could handle most bolt on
>upgrades. I was thinking suspension, tires, and probably some gear
>modifications...
>
>In all of your past experience, what would you guys do in my situation?
>
>Thanks a ton,
>Dante


This is kinda a loaded question. If lift and big tires are your game
you might look for a nice 87 or eariler GM truck (1/2 or 3/4 ton) or
about the same age Ford 3/4 ton that has a solid front axle. These
trucks are easy to lift and modify. A old Dodge could work but GM
would be easist for parts followed by Ford. Newer GMs have IFS and do
not lift as easy and F150's with TTB front ends are a pain to lift
too. With old GM's part are plentifult and even if you get a 1/2 ton
the frames are the same and you can bolt different axle right in with
little effort. A 87 or earier GM truck with a D60 installed in front
and a corp 14 bolt full floater in rear would be pretty bullet proof
even with 36 or 38 inch tires.
-----------------
The SnoMan
www.thesnoman.com
 
Depending on where you are at, there is a really nice 96 Discovery 1
for sale in VA. Its already got a 3 in. lift on it(Springs, shocks,
radius and trailing arms), hardened axles, 35 in. tires, fenders
flared, etc.. its fully set up for offroad with no money needed right
now. They are extremely easy to work on and the parts arent more than
you would pay for any GM or Ford. And to top that, I know hes asking
$6k cash. So maybe you could negotiate a little off and have some gas
money to boot. ;)
Pics are up at:
http://www.dap-inc.com/used/meister.jpg
Good Luck!!

 
Corey Shuman wrote:
> Depending on where you are at, there is a really nice 96 Discovery 1
> for sale in VA. Its already got a 3 in. lift on it(Springs, shocks,
> radius and trailing arms), hardened axles, 35 in. tires, fenders
> flared, etc.. its fully set up for offroad with no money needed right
> now. They are extremely easy to work on and the parts arent more than
> you would pay for any GM or Ford. And to top that, I know hes asking
> $6k cash. So maybe you could negotiate a little off and have some gas
> money to boot. ;)
> Pics are up at:
> http://www.dap-inc.com/used/meister.jpg
> Good Luck!!
>

Thanks for the heads up. That's a really nice rig. I'm out here toward
the west coast though. I've seen a lot of these for extremely cheap.
Why are they going for so cheap?
 
I would look for as stock a vehicle as I could find. Vehicles that have
been modified and lifted are normally driven to the extreme limits the
modification can take. This normally means a 'lot' of wear on parts.

Folks also think their modifications are worth big money. They think
the vehicle is worth twice what a stock one is worth when in fact it
should be the modified vehicle is worth less than half a stock vehicle's
worth due to wear.

I personally like Jeeps. They are easy to work on and parts are easy to
find. Driving along on a nice sunny day with the top and doors off is a
blast.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pictures.html?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

Dante wrote:
>
> OK... I just came across $6,000. I want a 4x4 of some kind. I've been
> looking at older trucks in that price range. I've also been thinking
> about getting an older truck (for about 1,000 - 2,000 dollars) and
> putting about $4,000 into it. I'm not a Toyota expert and I'm not a
> mechanic either. I'm fairly sure that I could handle most bolt on
> upgrades. I was thinking suspension, tires, and probably some gear
> modifications...
>
> In all of your past experience, what would you guys do in my situation?
>
> Thanks a ton,
> Dante
 
Dante wrote:
>
> Corey Shuman wrote:
> > Depending on where you are at, there is a really nice 96 Discovery 1
> > for sale in VA. Its already got a 3 in. lift on it(Springs, shocks,
> > radius and trailing arms), hardened axles, 35 in. tires, fenders
> > flared, etc.. its fully set up for offroad with no money needed right
> > now. They are extremely easy to work on and the parts arent more than
> > you would pay for any GM or Ford. And to top that, I know hes asking
> > $6k cash. So maybe you could negotiate a little off and have some gas
> > money to boot. ;)
> > Pics are up at:
> > http://www.dap-inc.com/used/meister.jpg
> > Good Luck!!
> >
>
> Thanks for the heads up. That's a really nice rig. I'm out here toward
> the west coast though. I've seen a lot of these for extremely cheap.
> Why are they going for so cheap?

They are extremely expensive to fix and very complex. Way too many
electronics and electrics to crap out. Not many can afford them when
the warranty runs out. That is what the 'Disco' drivers that wheel with
us say anyway.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pictures.html?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)
 
As with most European vehicles there is a stigma that they are
difficult to work on and maintain. BMW is a prime example of this.
However, the Disco 1 (94-99) has a little more against it, it is
basically a defender 110 wrapped in leather, the Axles, transfer case,
suspension are all stolen from the defender. As such, it rides more
like a true truck than a "luxury" SUV. This means slow on corners, a
little bumpy in the seat, etc.. Not the perfect soccer mom SUV. Rover
changed design signifigantly with the Disco2 in 1999-2004, making a
smoother ride, better cornering etc... but sacrificed some offroad
ability, Most signifigant was that the took out the center locking
diff., however in this case it was a good call as most of the people
who buy the Rovers use them as mall crawlers.
Add to the fact that the Discovery3 (LR3 in NA) just came out and the
D1 is 3 body styles old. So they are on the cheap for now... If you
look at other rovers, the only advice I would give is to have it
checked over completely, just as you would any other car. I have
chatted a bit with the guy in VA and his truck is a smokin deal, just
one I cant afford right now...
If you get bored and want to see some of what the Discos will do, check
out:
http://www.goldrushexpeditions.com/off_road_porn.htm
--Corey

 
As another quick note: The Disco in question, according to KBB, retails
for $9550.00. There is easily another $4000 in parts on it. Like I said
before though, the misconception kills the price. And sorry to say that
anyone that cant work on a simple v8 motor shouldnt own one. Yeah, if
you have to run to the dealer everytime there is a problem it will cost
you, same as with any other car. However if you can tinker a bit,
everything is very strait forward and they are cheap to work on. IMHO,
I think they are one of the more competent and reliable offroaders out
there. Im pushing 300k on one of ours, original motor trans and diffs
and it runs great.
--Corey

 
On Tue, 23 May 2006 11:23:00 -0400, Mike Romain <[email protected]>
wrote:

>> Thanks for the heads up. That's a really nice rig. I'm out here toward
>> the west coast though. I've seen a lot of these for extremely cheap.
>> Why are they going for so cheap?
>
>They are extremely expensive to fix and very complex. Way too many
>electronics and electrics to crap out. Not many can afford them when
>the warranty runs out.


Very true and that is why Chevies and Fords are so popular and Jeeps
too as lot a parts are around in parts store and bone yard.
-----------------
The SnoMan
www.thesnoman.com
 
Actually, there are chevys, fords and Jeeps all over the place because
GM and Chrysler make so many of them. There is an over abundance of
them, without a lot of regard to quality or durability. There is a
common thread there that the vehicles are made to squeak through the
3-4 year warranty period and then if they fall to ****, well, then the
consumer will come in and buy another one. This is the train of thought
that has had GM and Ford doing massive layoffs and price reductions.
Think of when the last time is that you saw an "employee pricing"
incentive on a Rover, BMW or Merc. And as to not finding a lot of them
in the junkyards, well 2 reasons, one, there isnt a whole slew of them
imported over here, and two, when they do show up, people usually buy
the entire vehicle and rebuild it.
this always, just my opinion, but I think the facts speak for
themselves.
--Corey

 
On 23 May 2006 20:42:56 -0700, "Corey Shuman" <[email protected]>
wrote:

>Actually, there are chevys, fords and Jeeps all over the place because
>GM and Chrysler make so many of them. There is an over abundance of
>them, without a lot of regard to quality or durability.


There would not be a over abundance of them if nobody bought them to
begin with because there would be no profit in making them of market
for them. Some of those old GM, Ford and Jeep were pretty tuff cookies
and easy to work on too. All of the newer one regardless of brand are
not as tuff as the older ones. I have a 27 year old J20 that still
runs and still have original drive train too. No many creature
comforts but then not much to go wrong with it either.
-----------------
The SnoMan
www.thesnoman.com
 
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