Can a LT i beam truck be a good daily driver??

[merm85]

hello, im in need of a dd, i drive around 88 miles 4 times a week, and my car has become a pain to drive. i loved pre-runners, so i really want to get one. i have been looking around in craigslist and i have found some decent ones for about 2700 to 4k. but then my friend used to have a pre-runner and he advised me to get a 98+. he says that i do not want a long travel i beam truck as daily driver. in addition, i snowboard so sometimes it would see snow/ice. would a pre-runner w chains be ok to drive in snow/ice?
thanks

 

[Ranger44]

TIB and TTB are misunderstood by alot of people. When modified it can become problematic if not done properly. If done properly a TIB or TTB suspenion can shine on and off-road.

Why just consider TIB (2wd) for a prerunner? TTB and 4x4 are useful on a prerunner too.

 

[Original_Ranger84]

IFS pre runners are good too but I would recommend finding the one with a good long travel kit.

As for the going snowboarding I would recommend getting 4x4 just because its alot nicer. 2wd does fine most of the time but if it starts whipping out when you are going up the mountain roads and corners your screwed...

 

[merm85]

Well, if I could I would get a 4wd, but those are a little out of my price range or not built.
I read somewhere that it was cheaper to buy a prerunner that had already been modified because
it's cheaper than building one, and that a lot of people start projects and they don't finish them bc they run out of cash.
I'm lookin to get something like this:
http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/cto/1702420765.html

http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/cto/1719860866.html

how do I know if the truck has been modified right?
And if it has a bad modification job, is it easy to fix?

 

[doyouquaxu]

well the first link you posted, the truck is wrecked. going to cost probably around a grand to fix it, probably more. with a busted radiator, its not drivable.

as far as knowing if its been built right, looking at welds on things like engine cages and bed cages can tell you a lot. also, tube placement and fitment. if there are random tubes thrown everywhere, find another vehicle. stay away from drop brackets, or people who "custom made" their suspension because 99% of the time its hack. if you find one you think is a winner, test drive it and make sure the gears shift smooth with no noise, steering is still tight and hit some bumps with it if you can to make sure theres no bump steer or any issues like that.

generally, used trucks can be bought for around the price of the suspension components new. you're getting into it blind though, building it yourself lets you know how to work on the suspension and the truck, that it was put on correctly, and then you also know that the truck wasnt beat to shit then sold at a low price to some unsuspecting buyer.

 

[RaceRanger97]

I drove mine everyday for 3 years...it had its perks but it was a pain to drive.

 

[merm85]

why was it a pain to drive? what where the perks?

 

[Original_Ranger84]

why was it a pain to drive? what where the perks?

Well you don't NEED a already built truck... especially since what doyouquaxu said I agree with....

I say a stock 4x4 will get you where ever you want to got, a prerunner looks cool but will you actually jump it in the dunes and stuff...

 

[merm85]

i would love to drive it fast in the desert lol but i agree with what doyouquaxu said too.
An already built truck probably has taken a beating. thanks again for the info guys.

 

[dave@threat]

I drive this just about everyday...Good geometry and shock tunning makes for a comfy ride on the street and in the dirt.

 

[nate09]

^^^wow. that is all i have to say to that.

 

[doyouquaxu]

damn it dave keep the family wagon hooptie outta here! lol.

 

[odie1969]

Dave I think you need to borrow my truck to prototype some Extended A-arms on. O and maybe a cantaleaver(sp) system for the back. O How nice that would be. to bad I could never afford something like that.

 

[doyouquaxu]

odie, in a few weeks check my build thread (say hi to katie). i won't say which end of the truck is getting love, but i'll tell you that dixon sells a bolt on kit for $1500, and the set up i'm getting built will also be bolt on but cost much less.

 

[odie1969]

odie, in a few weeks check my build thread (say hi to katie). i won't say which end of the truck is getting love, but i'll tell you that dixon sells a bolt on kit for $1500, and the set up i'm getting built will also be bolt on but cost much less.

I read some where a canta-lever. Lucky.