dumdum newbie / cheap trail rig question

SHARPMACHINE

Web Wheeler
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I have been looking at trackers and samurais across the US for sale. Obviously the prices have gone up a lot and supply is low (part of the reason for the pricing) along with popularity. I just want something for trail use and some newbie rock crawling? I have a jEeP that is kinda built, but want something light, cheap and easy to haul for this purpose.

My question is, are there other vehicles that should be considered. Seems like it would be cool to hear what people have found to be similar options.

I remember reading somewhere about a guy using a kia sportage, so I have been meaning to look into them.

Thanks
 
Might want to consider an older sxs like a Rhino or Teryx.

The small Geo, Samurai, Redo market is drying up. Oh, they are still out there but their popularity has driving the cost way up.
 
I'm sort of curious what the options are for SFA? Seems like anything outside a 3/4T+ you're stuck with IFS.
 
I regret my samurai on 31s every day.
 
Grand Cherokee, Mitsubishi montero, Nissan Pathfinder or xtera, anything Isuzu, those little Kia suv's that look exactly like a suzuki sidekick.

Anything will be a blast with slightly bigger/better tires and a rear locker.
 
I've kind a been eyeing up escapes for awhile. They were available with 5-speeds, are getting really cheap, and are small. I don't know a thing about the drivetrain and can only assume it would need to be completely replaced to do anything with larger tires but IDK.
 
My buddy has a decently built Samurai that he is thinking about selling. Located near Flint. I can get some info if you are interested.
 
Bebop said:
Regret selling it. Big time.
Best fun / $ offroader I've ever had. By a mile.
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I wheeled the every living **** out of my rig on 30s. Every trip it'd go on the trailer, ready to go the following weekend. All my friends were busted and broken. I was all set to go.

It wasn't until I got stupid and went Toy's, full hydro, etc that I fell into the hole.
 
woods said:
I wheeled the every living **** out of my rig on 30s. Every trip it'd go on the trailer, ready to go the following weekend. All my friends were busted and broken. I was all set to go.

It wasn't until I got stupid and went Toy's, full hydro, etc that I fell into the hole.
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I hear that a lot.
And as much as I love my big buggy, I want another samurai.
 
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yes I'm aware I cannot fabricate
 
larboc said:
I've kind a been eyeing up escapes for awhile. They were available with 5-speeds, are getting really cheap, and are small. I don't know a thing about the drivetrain and can only assume it would need to be completely replaced to do anything with larger tires but IDK.
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Insert Jeep axles front and rear put the engine and transaxle where the passenger seat is?
 
larboc said:
I've kind a been eyeing up escapes for awhile. They were available with 5-speeds, are getting really cheap, and are small. I don't know a thing about the drivetrain and can only assume it would need to be completely replaced to do anything with larger tires but IDK.
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There was a guy out here that had one he'd take on the overland 4x trips. So pretty much rough dirt roads:laughing:
I talked to him about it he said he liked it and it went through everything he tried. I think I remember a lift was a real big ordeal for him.
 
larboc said:
I've kind a been eyeing up escapes for awhile. They were available with 5-speeds, are getting really cheap, and are small. I don't know a thing about the drivetrain and can only assume it would need to be completely replaced to do anything with larger tires but IDK.
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It's a car drivetrain, so no tcase. Not that it couldn't be fun to beat on. But probably not worth putting much money into.
 
woods said:
I'm sort of curious what the options are for SFA? Seems like anything outside a 3/4T+ you're stuck with IFS.
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After 1991ish it's pretty much just samy's, land rovers, jeep's, and dodge 1500's.
 
woods said:
Not for nothing, by my Samurai on 30" retreads, 6.5s, and a minispool was the best year of wheeling I ever had.
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I had a samurai once... linked F&R with ARBs, chromo, 1.6, 6.5s, 33s, basically everything you could get for one circa mid 00s. Bought it in a divorce fire sale.

I have more fun in my 79 F350 with 36s than i ever did in that clown car.

I'd look for a explorer 2 door for a cheap wheeler. Still has a frame, decent drivetrain. Front TTB can be upgrayedd or a D30 swap is popular.

Nothing is cheap today, anything for a good deal is because you saw it listed first.
 
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