Alright Guys - Best Offroad Vehicle for a Rookie
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From: Quispamsis, N.B, Canada
Alright Guys - Best Offroad Vehicle for a Rookie
Well I don't know what I'm gonna do with my truck right now. I've been watching alot of offroad videos and I've noticed that most guys run those old school 87 chev's and stuff like that. Personally for me I'm not bias to any maker - well maybe izuzu, but I usually like driving and offroading in anything that works.
So with that in mind what do you guys think is the best offroad truck that probably shouldn't be driven everday? I was thinking maybe an '87 Chev 1/2 ton with a lift and 35's. Or maybe a bronco or somwthing along that line.
My truck is o.k, but if I start putting money into it I know that it'll never be what I want it to be, cause I'll have to do gears, lift, engine, and so on.
I was thinking about doing a 6" suspension lift and that would be cool, but I've heard bad things about them.
Anyways your replies on best offroad vehicle would be great. Thanks.
So with that in mind what do you guys think is the best offroad truck that probably shouldn't be driven everday? I was thinking maybe an '87 Chev 1/2 ton with a lift and 35's. Or maybe a bronco or somwthing along that line.
My truck is o.k, but if I start putting money into it I know that it'll never be what I want it to be, cause I'll have to do gears, lift, engine, and so on.
I was thinking about doing a 6" suspension lift and that would be cool, but I've heard bad things about them.
Anyways your replies on best offroad vehicle would be great. Thanks.
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From: Southwestern Michigan
Re: Alright Guys - Best Offroad Vehicle for a Rookie
Originally posted by moose94
what do you guys think is the best offroad truck that probably shouldn't be driven everday? I was thinking maybe an '87 Chev 1/2 ton with a lift and 35's.
what do you guys think is the best offroad truck that probably shouldn't be driven everday? I was thinking maybe an '87 Chev 1/2 ton with a lift and 35's.
No chevys !!! I would suggest a 74 - 79 FORD 4x4, They are tough, easy to work on, and just plain cool.
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From: Des Moines, Iowa
the 87 chevy is a good choice. first year for fuel injection, and last year for the solid axle. that what i was looking for when i bought my truck. those 350 tbi's will run forever and have some good power stock.
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From: Quispamsis, N.B, Canada
well I mostly mud bog and trail ride. It's sorta an onroad/offroad vehicle. I know a stupid question asking about chevy's on a ford site, but it was just a thought.
So an 87 chev would be a good choice? Are they easy to work on? Is it pretty simple to lift? What if any are the drawbacks of owning an older truck?
So an 87 chev would be a good choice? Are they easy to work on? Is it pretty simple to lift? What if any are the drawbacks of owning an older truck?
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From: Spokane, WA
Originally posted by moose94
well I mostly mud bog and trail ride. It's sorta an onroad/offroad vehicle.
well I mostly mud bog and trail ride. It's sorta an onroad/offroad vehicle.
Originally posted by moose94
What if any are the drawbacks of owning an older truck?
What if any are the drawbacks of owning an older truck?
Btw, I say this in terms of an offroad truck. For street use they are quite reliable if they're maintained. For that matter I guess any truck abused offroad will require a bit more attention.
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From: Gray's Creek, NC
1987 K5 Blazer, good power to weight ratio, any GM axle/transmission/engine is swappable. Avoid the 305 Blazers though to weak. Don't know much about the Broncos, they're probably about the same. Dodge RamChargers, I don't really like them, but soem of them came w/ availiable 440s.
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From: my own special place
I have a 86 Bronco w/ a 6" and 35's, and my friend has a 84 Jimmy w/ a 6" and 36's...His truck rides WAY ruffer than my Bronco does, due to the leafs in the front instead of coils. Anyone I know has said the Ford's rode better than the Chevy's did.
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From: Sierra Vista AZ
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From: Florida
Moos,
Don't be silly man. You've got a great looking truck. toss on a Skyjacker lift and 35's with 4.10 gears and be done with it. You don't need to do anything to the motor if you drop to 4.10's. Take a look at my truck. it's only got 32's on it now but will have 35's when these wear out. Only reason why I got the 32's is because i bought the tires to fit on my truck without the lift. Then i loved them so much i put a Febtech 7.5" lift kit on and the kit works better than the stock suspension. Much more firm and stout. Just do it and have fun. A 6" kit with 35"s isn't going to mess up your truck, if anything you'll just get laughed at by all the serious off roaders. 35's, in the overall realm of offroading, are for rookies and sissy's. Call me either one cause i'm sticking with the 35's. Tires are cheeper and they are much easier to come by.
Tom
Don't be silly man. You've got a great looking truck. toss on a Skyjacker lift and 35's with 4.10 gears and be done with it. You don't need to do anything to the motor if you drop to 4.10's. Take a look at my truck. it's only got 32's on it now but will have 35's when these wear out. Only reason why I got the 32's is because i bought the tires to fit on my truck without the lift. Then i loved them so much i put a Febtech 7.5" lift kit on and the kit works better than the stock suspension. Much more firm and stout. Just do it and have fun. A 6" kit with 35"s isn't going to mess up your truck, if anything you'll just get laughed at by all the serious off roaders. 35's, in the overall realm of offroading, are for rookies and sissy's. Call me either one cause i'm sticking with the 35's. Tires are cheeper and they are much easier to come by.
Tom
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From: Pittsburgh
Honestly best balance for initial outlay, daily driveability, and serious offroadability I'd have to go with an 80-87 blazer or jimmy.
-Around me I can pick up one for about $300 (or nearly free if you have a next door neighbor with one with a burned up 305)
-You get a SFA with SUPER EASY swapability
-Drivers drop D60's are cheaper than dirt (relatively speaking)
-corporate 14's are cheaper than dirt
-any lift only runs about $400
-"comfortably" seats five
-great wheelbase for playing
-any motor can go in the bay
cons-swapping t-cases and trannies is the biggest PITA on earth.
you also get this stuff (for the most part) with a 78-79 bronco, except for the whole initial outlay part. they're downright expensive. You also get great t-case and tranny swapability. But what costs you more also gets you infinitely more stlye 8)
Justin
-Around me I can pick up one for about $300 (or nearly free if you have a next door neighbor with one with a burned up 305)
-You get a SFA with SUPER EASY swapability
-Drivers drop D60's are cheaper than dirt (relatively speaking)
-corporate 14's are cheaper than dirt
-any lift only runs about $400
-"comfortably" seats five
-great wheelbase for playing
-any motor can go in the bay
cons-swapping t-cases and trannies is the biggest PITA on earth.
you also get this stuff (for the most part) with a 78-79 bronco, except for the whole initial outlay part. they're downright expensive. You also get great t-case and tranny swapability. But what costs you more also gets you infinitely more stlye 8)
Justin
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From: West Haven, UT
I have had a few trucks in my short time (27 years old). '74 F250 4x4 w/360ci (totaled by brother), '77 F250 4x4 w/400m (stolen), '88 Toyota 4x4 reg cab long bed 22RE (sold), '95 F150 4x4 w/351w (for sale), and now a '97 F250 4x4 PSD (my new baby), and the best overall offroad truck was my Toyota. Small, lightweight, but good luck going freeway speeds in mountainous terrain or with a healthy headwind. The '73-'79 Fords are tanks. Don't really have to finesse over rocks and boulders, just knock them out of your way. All in all it is a personal preference, but I seem to be drawn back to the power and stoutness of the Fords.
They all have strong and weak points.
Gas mileage=Toyota, or PSD
Sheer power=Big gas or PSD
Cool points=Big gas or PSD
Actually I guess you should get a 94.5-97 PSD, the best of all worlds.
Good luck in whatever you choose. You'll need that if you choose the Chevy. j/k
Mike
They all have strong and weak points.
Gas mileage=Toyota, or PSD
Sheer power=Big gas or PSD
Cool points=Big gas or PSD
Actually I guess you should get a 94.5-97 PSD, the best of all worlds.
Good luck in whatever you choose. You'll need that if you choose the Chevy. j/k
Mike