Uprade new truck or buy a usey.

[One Sick Puppy]

6 months ago I bought my first truck - 2008 2.3L Ranger, and I love it. At the time I couldn't justify the extra cost of getting a 4x4 (gas and vehicle cost), but now I'm kinda regretting my decision and want something a bit more *capable* of off-roading. What was merely an itch to do some off-roading when I bought my truck is now increasingly becoming a cancer everytime I get into my truck. I would be pretty new to motor-vehicle off-roading, but I have no doubt that I will love it (even with the possibility of going broke). I've been a mountain biker for 15 years so no stranger to dirt and bumps, and I take a child-like guilty pleasure going over any bumpy dirt road in my shiny new truck... so now I can't stop thinking about a couple options:

1) Modify the 2008 2.3L to be more suited for off-road use.
$2000-3000 CAD budget, including possible labor for mods that require anything more than a socket set or any tools over $100 (is this reasonable?). It's a new truck, still lots of warranty left, so I'd be a bit concerned about thrashing this truck, but I also tend to take really good care of my toys, if off-roading and keeping a reliable truck are compatible. I suspect most of the off-roading around here (Victoria, B.C.) is slow & muddy, rather than fast and dusty, so my 2.3L 2x4 simply might not cut it.

2) Buy a used 4x4 for fun-stuff & keep the 2008 as a city truck. And by "used" I'm thinking any Mazda or Ranger 4x4 supercab with the 4L 207hp engine, which I would presumably be able to resell relatively easily without much loss, or even keep as my main vehicle if I decided to get rid of my newer 2x4. There's a couple interesting trucks available in my area at the moment:

'02 B4000 4x4 manual for w/ 190 000 km, for $9500. (seems a bit steep for that much milelage, but maybe negotiable)
http://www.usedvictoria.com/classified-ad/8215047

'06 FX4 automatic, w/ 46 000 km for $14K (probably negotiable)
http://www.usedvictoria.com/classified-ad/7853963

'03 FX4 automatic, w/ 125 000 km for $10.5K
http://www.usedvictoria.com/classified-ad/8210184

'99 XLT sport 4x4 automatic w/ 137 000 km for $6900 (this probably the best deal?)
http://www.usednanaimo.com/classified-ad/8187957

But, would these trucks still need a lift kit to be fun? (some of them already have good wheels/tires?)

I've paid attention the Ranger market around here for the past 5 months, since I bought mine, and these are the deals that I find reflect the average of what our market is like here on Vancouver Island. I like the fact that Rangers are relatively inexpensive and reliable, so that's why I'm kinda stuck on them, and you guys are great here, so I feel like I've got alot of good help available if I need it.

With all that said, (and if you're still reading - thank you!) the two options need not be mutually exclusive - I suspect if I only need to put a decent suspension lift and some nice off-road tires on my current truck, these items would certainly fit on a 4x4 if I soon after found that I wanted even more power/capability and decided to get a second truck.

 

[metalmacguyver]

Sell the 2008, get a used 4x4 ranger.

 

[Sevensecondsuv]

Definately keep the 2008 2.3. DDing a modified wheeler is bad, bad place to be. They suck gas and usually aren't exactly daily driver reliable.

But you don't need to spend 8 grand on something to beat on off-road. I'd look at the less than $3k 15 year old variety. Then you'll have money left over for a lift, gears, and big tires. You don't need the 210 HP V6 to offroad, the 150 hp 2.9 is usually plenty and the OHV 160 hp 4.0L is more than enough.

 

[94rangerxlt]

not a truck

said he's flexible with the price.
http://www.usednanaimo.com/classified-ad/8013246

 

[v-8power]

Thats a nice ride but i would try to lower the price a little. At least to me 4700 seems high.

 

[martin]

I would keep the new truck as a daily driver and buy an older much cheaper truck for wheeling. The less you spend to buy the truck the more you would have to modify it. It's kind of addictive this off road thing. It starts off with I'll get some tyres, then a lift then a higher lift with more articulation then lockers and on and on it goes. If you do the mods yourself or with help you will learn a lot also. A good easy to drive daily driver is a good thing to have as the more you modify a truck the more of a compromise it becomes.

 

[Bent Bolt]

said he's flexible with the price.
http://www.usednanaimo.com/classified-ad/8013246

There you go !! Thats a much better option than the ones you posted earlier. The older TTB trucks are much better suited for modifying and off roading than the 98 and newer Rangers.

 

[One Sick Puppy]

Thanks for the advice. Very good to know. I will look into the cheaper trucks.

 

[snake]

Thats what I'd do too, keep the new one, buy a beater for the woods. That '99 you had in the first post didn't have a 207 Hp 4.0 anyway, the SOHC came out in 2001 in a ranger.