First, want to say howdy. I've been reading this board for a while now and it has been very helpful.

I am looking to buy a 4x4. I've been looking for months now and after reading thousands of reviews and ratings and driving dozens of trucks, I have come to the conclusion that all 4x4s are overpriced and unreliable (compared to cars). However, (out of the ones I can afford) it seems there are two that are better than the rest (IMO). F150s and Jeep Cherokees.

I have found one of each that is in great shape for a good price. Now I need to decide which to buy.

I need the truck for getting down old logging and mining roads. Roads that are heavily rutted, rock-strewn, partly washed out, overgrown and have water crossings (usually not more than 2-3 feet deep). Also, I live at Lake Tahoe. The truck needs to handle well in deep snow and hard-packed snow and ice.

To be honest, if I were a smaller guy, I would buy the Cherokee without a second thought. I like the user-friendlyness and the engine that lasts forever. But the problem is, I am 6'3" and weigh 245. I barely fit in a Cherokee. But the cab of the F150 is huge so I am much more comfortable in one of those.

So I am thinking I should get the F150, but I really don't want to find out it can't go the places I need it to. (Reading things on here like that you can't get the engine wet kind of disturbs me.)

So please tell me honestly if you think an F150 can handle that. Stock. I don't want to lift it or do anything to it other than maybe getting a bit bigger tires.

Thanks for any input.

 

I would have no problem with the F150. Mine performs well on and off road. You would have to go pretty deep in the water to get the top of the engine wet at slow speeds.

 

I think that truck should be able to handle that. My 97' (check gallery) has handled similar situations (minus the water crossings) with relative ease. Put good set of All-Terrains and I dont think you will have a problem at all. As for reliability, I have never had a problem with my 4x4 engaging/disenaging (knock on wood). In some situations though, it will just come down to your mudding ability.

 

Any 4x4 F150 should handle your situation with ease.

I live in Montana, and drive in the same sort of conditions that you describe on a regular basis.

 

Another vote for the F150 gettin the job done, a good set of tires can make all the difference in the world.

 

Try to get a F150 with a LS rear axel. This will make a difference offroad. The Cherokee will generaly go places that a stock F150 can't, this is true, but like you said, they are small, rough, and uncomfortable. The F150 would be a better all around choice. Good luck

 

Great. Thank you.

That's good to hear. I do like the ride and looks of the F150 better and it seems an overall nicer vehicle. Just thought maybe it was a bit too nice to take some abuse.

 

I would feel VERY confident taking either of my Ford 4X4's through what you describe.

Good luck,
Doc

 

Just some advise and this applies to all 4x4's be sure to check the front & rear diff. fluids every oil change, also inspect the the front CV joints for any tears, usually they are not a problem but just to be safe other than that ,you'll be making the right choose in getting the F150

 

I have a 98 150 4x4 and have never had any problems going through terrain like you have described, but the deepest water I have gone through was only like 1.5 feet deep. I love it, and pretty much abuse the crap out of it, and it keeps going. although i do have small dents in the cab from where the bed hits sometimes from flexing. but like i said, i put it through a lot of hard off-roading.

 

I think it depends on the engine, I had 3.5" spindle lift on my 97' 2wd 4.6 F-150 and it did just fine offroad, drove it in salt water that came over the hood and it never stalled or made any strange noises. Although the air conditioning did stop working for about 5 mins. I blasted it down wet logging roads through ruts at high speed (you have to in a 2wd) and it handled the thick stuff like a champ.

 

My truck is a '97 4x4 reg cab completely stock suspension. You should have no problem with what you want to go through. I've been able to take my truck through everything I came across. I have 265/75 r16 you can fit 285's but i wanted more room for more wheel articulation. Been up to my bumper front and rear in water. No problem. Only got stuck one time in my history with this truck, I was stopped and waiting for someone in front to be towed out and i was putting it in park and the front wheels must have kicked in a bit when i was shifting through gears and I slid off over 10ft drop off. I was on 2 wheels so If i had lockers I would have been good. But You should be fine. There is another website I have if you want to see the kind of stuff I take my truck through.

 

Yea, the truck will have no problem at all. Make sure it has Limited Slip, that will make at the difference off road. If it doesn't it will still be fine.

Also the F-150 can take A LOT of abuse.

Hope you make the right choice.

 

Just Weld the diff for hav a real tank .

 

The OP probably didn’t know that could be done when he was last seen or posted…20 years ago.