Weekend Wheeling

woods said:
Why specifically 2005? I've been out of the game for almost 15 years now.
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05+ can take stock f450 shafts (1550 instead of the wimpy 1480). Don’t even put gears in it unless he’s crawling. But we’ve beaten down some shortened CCs with cut down wheelbases and 40 inch tires. I’ve got some pictures somewhere that I’ll edit in.
 
woods said:
I was simply trying to drum up some discussion in regards to entry level wheeling.
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Folks are goona wheel whatever they can afford.

Around here thats your sidkicks an whatnot, jeeps, or high mileage toyotas.

I do think the superduty's are goona get real popular though.

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woods said:
This was a bit why I brought it up.

Spent all day in the shop organizing. Came out awesome. I love my new layout. Kiddo was at his bench with hammers and a vice smashing something together. Started thinking to myself what he'd be getting into when the time comes.
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My kid is always beating on stuff. Anything in his hand is a hammer, and everything else in the world is a nail that won't go in. I've been thinking he'll end up in a 60-66 gm pickup. About the cheapest body style out there it seems like, can still find some that aren't completely rusted out. Outside of it being cooler cause its older, it'll still be better than anything newer you can get for a 5k budget. And because your budget is 5k, that also means you can't afford to pay to fix it, you can still work on the old **** yerself.
 
woods said:
Topic that's been on my mind lately.

If you had, say $5000, to spend on something to take you down some dirt roads, what platform would you look at? Not talking SAS, doublers, and hydro assist. Just a set of 33s, winch, and a locker. Something the family can hop in, take to the coast for a seafood dinner, then a couple weeks later hit up some washed out Class VI roads. No overnights or anything, just day rides. Maybe find a small club or whatever to join in with a few others for the day.

Something that can take a short arm kit, mini spool, and a fender trim.

Geography in mind, pretend anything more than fifteen years is probably missing some floorboards or frames are getting Swiss cheesy. So the likelihood of chirping around in a YJ or solid axle Toyota is rather unlikely.

What do you punch into the search box on FBMP? I mean, hell, is something like $5000 even enough to get someone out in something other than a clapped out Kia or requiring a cross country tour to haul back?

Discuss.
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What exactly is a class VI road?

You first mentioned dirt roads. Just about any running vehicle can drive down a dirt road.
 
Buddy at work basically just did this.

I have a 3rd gen 4runner that fits the bill perfectly, but I also bought it when they were everywhere for cheap.

I told him get an XJ or ZJ, they're still very plentiful and affordable. He picked up a 99 XJ with some decent mods for $3400. Nice bumpers, sliders, and a ~4" lift. Has some other random **** he could have done without like every "built" xj. He added lunchbox lockers and some 33x10.50s on steelies and has had a blast with it. It will easily our rock crawl my 4runner on 35s, but then is still a Chrysler at heart and has some annoying issues like wiring and sensor bs.

You can find decent stock ones for like $2k or so as well.
 
mobil1syn said:
entry level wheeling is a tough one. cash for clunkers wiped out 2 decades worth of used cars. if my son was getting his license tomorrow and wanted a 4wd, it would be the nicest newest ttb platform in his budget. ranger, truck, or FSB (rear suspension on exploders is a headache).
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You're really gonna start him out like that? :laughing:


OP, look at the "recommend me a 90's SUV" thread. regurgitating all the same recommendations aside from the F1-250's.
 
I drive a '15 and its hard to imagine taking it through the woods being my work truck and all, but yea; I'd wheel a regular/ext cab 6.2.
 
This thread comes to mind

RockyDog1210

Thread '2006 overland / light duty crawler build'

I had this posted on pirate, but I was informed that I should come to the dark side, so here we go

I've had this truck for a while, and I've finally decided to start building it
its a single cab gas 5.4 v8 manual trans 5 speed with the low granny gear below 1st, so kinda a 6 speed?

The Plan:
-37s or 40s but keep it as low as possible
-cable actuated ox lockers front and rear
-5.13 or 5.38 gears, currently undecided, but I would like to be able to switch between 37s or 40s on same set of gears
-dom jeep style radius arms
-carli or icon 2.5 coils, and deaver add a leaf, maybe even full...
  • Like
 
Dad's got an 04 F250 with a 5.4. Only has 70k miles but rusted to all hell. for ****s sake, the oil pan rotted out. he's not sure what to do with it. We put it on the rack this summer, and its shot to all hell underneath.
 
this one comes to mind, too bad it doesnt have a build thread. i hate posting ig links

www.instagram.com

Bad Lines Good Times on Instagram: "You driving your nice full-size through here? #offroad #superduty #ford #rockcrawler #precrawler #prerunner #tonsand40s #thechode #thefablab #badlinesgoodtimes"

1,419 likes, 47 comments - badlinesgoodtimes on May 20, 2025: "You driving your nice full-size through here? #offroad #superduty #ford #rockcrawler #precrawler #prerunner #tonsand40s #thechode #thefablab #badlinesgoodtimes".
www.instagram.com www.instagram.com

www.instagram.com

Bruce Michael Baldwin (@bruce_is_boring) • Instagram photos and videos

4,565 Followers, 3,638 Following, 816 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Bruce Michael Baldwin (@bruce_is_boring)
www.instagram.com www.instagram.com
 
mobil1syn said:
this one comes to mind, too bad it doesnt have a build thread. i hate posting ig links

www.instagram.com

Bad Lines Good Times on Instagram: "You driving your nice full-size through here? #offroad #superduty #ford #rockcrawler #precrawler #prerunner #tonsand40s #thechode #thefablab #badlinesgoodtimes"

1,419 likes, 47 comments - badlinesgoodtimes on May 20, 2025: "You driving your nice full-size through here? #offroad #superduty #ford #rockcrawler #precrawler #prerunner #tonsand40s #thechode #thefablab #badlinesgoodtimes".
www.instagram.com www.instagram.com

www.instagram.com

Bruce Michael Baldwin (@bruce_is_boring) • Instagram photos and videos

4,565 Followers, 3,638 Following, 816 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Bruce Michael Baldwin (@bruce_is_boring)
www.instagram.com www.instagram.com
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He's got a few youtubes and a podcast on the rig. I dont care enough to listen to them talk that long about it, but its out there if you wanna know more :laughing:
 
Around here if you aren't super picky about miles or perfect bodies TJ's are still in that price range. I bought mine for a hair more than that but I was being pretty picky wanting a 4 speed auto with the single pcm and under 100k miles. Which sticks you with only 05 and 06 for options. I still managed to pay 6500 for one with a rebuilt ***le and very minor suspension damage that was all repairable with a mid arm.

Wj's are also very cool in that price range, often cheaper than xj and zj and arguably better stock axle options. A friend and I have bought a couple of them now in running condition for under 2k for budget beater rallies.

3500$ TJ

Facebook

www.facebook.com www.facebook.com

Probably could get this one for 5k

Facebook

www.facebook.com www.facebook.com

Wj for 600 needs trans but that can be a good experience for a new wheeler.

Facebook

www.facebook.com www.facebook.com

Real nice one for 1500$ needs some minor work or drive as is.

Facebook

www.facebook.com www.facebook.com

There is an absolute **** load of WJ's under 2k around here that aren't garbage. Those were just the first two on the page.
 
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4 door Sidekick or Tracker. Some of these people treat them like muscle cars and they’re rust free. But usually sell for like $3,500. You can find anything you want in the NE rust free if you’re patient enough. Someone has already towed a minty vehicle from elsewhere and looking to sell.
 
Whatever their dad wants to see them wheeling:flipoff2:

The cheap small woods rigs don't exist within your constraints. Theres plenty of 90s **** still out there, even around here, just can't be afraid of rust.
 
This and how much **** you gunna cary?
YotaAtieToo said:
I've contemplated the fullsize rig a few times over the years, especially with 3 kids.

Then I go wheelin and my 4runner barely fits half the time and remember why I don't have a fullsize wheeler :laughing:
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Cheapest JK you can find would be a great option. I am seeing a lot of 2 doors for $5-6k in my area.
Unlimited aftermarket options for every dang part.
Just pull the flares off and run 35's. ditch the sway bars, toss a Lunch box locker in the rear and go wheel all day.

Solid TJ's have went up in price lately and JK's have dropped like a rock.
 
YJ4Rox said:
Cheapest JK you can find would be a great option. I am seeing a lot of 2 doors for $5-6k in my area.
Unlimited aftermarket options for every dang part.
Just pull the flares off and run 35's. ditch the sway bars, toss a Lunch box locker in the rear and go wheel all day.

Solid TJ's have went up in price lately and JK's have dropped like a rock.
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A clean YJ or TJ is worth more than it's equivalent 07-10 JK.
 
TRINDU said:
A clean YJ or TJ is worth more than it's equivalent 07-10 JK.
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YJ's really bring in that much now? The ones are here and out back in the field rotted to nothing.

I want mine back. I'm still in contact with the person I sold it to. Its lifted on 35s, stock axles, and they painted it purple. I offer her each year to buy it back and get denied.
 
FleshEater said:
What year? I think 2004 and 2005 have that weird distributor that causes issues.
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01

I never follow the line of "this year/make/model has issues". Every vehicle has its share of problems. I'm more concerned about rust and rot. As long as it can make the drive a few hundred miles away and doesn't require a cab/tub swap I'm fine with it.
 
woods said:
01

I never follow the line of "this year/make/model has issues". Every vehicle has its share of problems. I'm more concerned about rust and rot. As long as it can make the drive a few hundred miles away and doesn't require a cab/tub swap I'm fine with it.
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Well it's because the rest of the world can drive something long enough for issues other than rust being the cause you stop driving it
:flipoff2:
 
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