a friend of mine is looking for her frist 4wd...

[pacodiablo]

hmmmm i guess we will have to talk lol. i figured a sploder would b good, she wants something thats pretty good on gas. a wagoneer wont b...i beleave most of them came with v8's

If she wants something good on gas, that narrows it down even more to a 2.5L Heep....with a manual.

 

[Ozwynn]

my 2 door cherokee with the 4.0L and 5spd got better mileage that the 2.5L with a 5 spd.

my 2.5L got 15 - 18. the 4.0L got 22.

 

[AK-Kayaker]

1 Did she ask you for help in finding a rig, if not keep your nose out of it, for the first time something goes wrong it will be your fault.

2 If she did ask for help, keep it as limited as possible, e-mail her links to ones you find on Craigslist or other resources. But only ones in her price range, and of the type she is looking for, and make it clear you are not endorsing any just showing her what is available. If she finds one she likes, stay neutral, and have her take it to a trusted shop to be looked over.
But as stated above keep your input as little as possible, because if you don't, remember all problems will be your fault.

 

[4x4RangerGuy]

If she wants something good on gas, that narrows it down even more to a 2.5L Heep....with a manual.

The AX5 manuals that come behind the 4 cylinders suck too. They're weak transmissions. The AX15 behind the 4.0 is a much better choice.

My dad had a 91 YJ with the 4cyl and AX5 and the transmission blew apart 2 times before he decided to get rid of it and go with a 94 Explorer with the M5OD. I have no confidence in those things.

 

[compleckz]

my 2 door cherokee with the 4.0L and 5spd got better mileage that the 2.5L with a 5 spd.

my 2.5L got 15 - 18. the 4.0L got 22.

they talked about this in offroad adventurers mag once.. a guy wanted to swap a 4cyl into his i6 cherokee for fuel economy..

October 06 Issue, Jim Allen's Gearhead section:
http://www.oramagazine.com/pastIssues/1006-issue/index.asp?article=gearhead

short version, don't do it.

Also the Feb 06 Finesse Section (by Jim Allen), is Manual vs. Auto Trans:
http://www.oramagazine.com/pastIssues/0602-issue/finesse.asp

short version, autos are usually the best choice, if you keep an eye on the temps.

PS. my girlfriend gets 21 in her 96 4.0L 5spd cherokee..

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Im tellin ya.....go for a fullsize.

1500 bucks buys you a decent mid 80s fullsize. Yeah the mileage isnt as good, but atleast ya know she wont tear it up. Other then the occasinal u joint issue.

later,
Dustin

 

[PaleBlue90]

ill keep you guys posted on this "adventure". she asked me to help her out after i took her wheeling for her frist time. thanx for all your suggestions, let me kno if you got anymore

 

[Danger FX4 Ranger]

Any 4Runner or Wrangler in that price range will likely be junk.

Aren't 4 Runners a piece of crap when they roll off the assembly line?

BroncoII's, Rangers, and Explorers aren't the end-all answer to every vehicle situation....

Sure they are!

 

[4x4RangerGuy]

Aren't 4 Runners a piece of crap when they roll off the assembly line?

Good one!

Actually, I think the 4Runners are pretty nice overall. Strong components in the driveline, and they are pretty fun off road. My friend has a 95 4Runner with a small lift and its a great little truck.

They have pretty decent aftermarket support too; I saw a pretty sick 6" IFS lift for them in Petersen's once; they installed it and did a review. Pretty nice over all.

 

[PaleBlue90]

thats wat i was thinking, i came across this
http://www.mhjc.org/newjeepforum/viewtopic.php?t=87

i think we might go take a look at it

 

[JohnnyU]

thats wat i was thinking, i came across this
http://www.mhjc.org/newjeepforum/viewtopic.php?t=87

i think we might go take a look at it

$8900 is a bit higher than I thought you were originally looking to spend, but I think that ZJ would be a great wheelin rig.

 

[PaleBlue90]

it is higher then what we were looking at spending but sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do

 

[PaleBlue90]

i think i have a winner

http://denver.craigslist.org/car/486403741.html

 

[Ozwynn]

if that doesn't work out, I'll part with my LandCruiser for 2500. 3000 and I'll put a new clutch in it.

 

[Ozwynn]

Im tellin ya.....go for a fullsize.

1500 bucks buys you a decent mid 80s fullsize. Yeah the mileage isnt as good, but atleast ya know she wont tear it up. Other then the occasinal u joint issue.

later,
Dustin

Dude, Mid 80's full sized anything was crap. the 80's were a lost decade for full size american cars.