Best 4x4

[Sugar Madison]

Hard to go wrong with a Tacoma or a Landcruiser (or Lexus LX). Both are tough as nails and have amazing reliability. I have an '06 Tacoma and it's been amazing.

[nsaladin]

Gx470 is sold as a landcruiser parado overseas. Much smaller than a landcruiser. You're much better off with a 100 series landcruiser (lx470). It's the sweet spot in the landcruiser world right now. You can find them decked out with 100 to 150k for $12 to 15k. Much cheaper if you forgo the gizmos.

If you want a real wagon though, you'll need to step up to the plate and get an 80....

A nice, non-rusty, accident-free, low mileage LX or Land Cruiser cannot be had in that price range in this state. I have been looking for one for two months, and have personally checked out 17 different LX/LC. If you want one in that price range, try the SW/SE regions of the country. If you don't mind your car rotting from the inside out, get one from the NE/Midwest

You are considering getting a Jeep after having an Acura? Oooh - you're in for some fun!

This

[Sugar Madison]

A nice, non-rusty, accident-free, low mileage LX or Land Cruiser cannot be had in that price range in this state. I have been looking for one for two months, and have personally checked out 17 different LX/LC. If you want one in that price range, try the SW/SE regions of the country. If you don't mind your car rotting from the inside out, get one from the NE/Midwest

True story. I looked for a year before switching to the Taco. My brother found a '00 LX for $10k but it took him over 2 years of looking. They are like finding unicorns around Colorado. +1 on going to the SW.

[Conor]

Gx470 is sold as a landcruiser parado overseas. Much smaller than a landcruiser. You're much better off with a 100 series landcruiser (lx470). It's the sweet spot in the landcruiser world right now. You can find them decked out with 100 to 150k for $12 to 15k. Much cheaper if you forgo the gizmos.

If you want a real wagon though, you'll need to step up to the plate and get an 80....

A nice, non-rusty, accident-free, low mileage LX or Land Cruiser cannot be had in that price range in this state. I have been looking for one for two months, and have personally checked out 17 different LX/LC. If you want one in that price range, try the SW/SE regions of the country. If you don't mind your car rotting from the inside out, get one from the NE/Midwest

You are considering getting a Jeep after having an Acura? Oooh - you're in for some fun!

This

Yes, you may need to fly and buy. It also helps to have cash. If worried about rust, buying one that sees mag cl frequently isn't a good idea either, but rust doesn't scare me off unless the doors are falling off.

But, assuming you're talking about 100's, they are plentiful.

This one was listed for $16k and sold this past weekend... https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/1998-b ... or.952185/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

This one is under $10k, but Atlanta is a little far.... https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/1999-l ... ga.956977/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

One in Virginia with goodies... https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/2000-l ... 874/page-2" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

One in Colorado.... https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/built- ... 5k.943739/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

This one I almost bought out of salt Lake last summer... Glad I bought another 80 https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/sold-b ... st-9817303" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Buys are out there on 100's, a little looking needed, but not as difficult as some make it sound....I didnt even search Craigslist with search tempest where better deals can be had. Sure, if you're looking for a unicorn, it takes time to find one...if the op is looking in Houston, there should be a lot of options. Good luck.

[nsaladin]

Yes, you may need to fly and buy. It also helps to have cash. If worried about rust, buying one that sees mag cl frequently isn't a good idea either, but rust doesn't scare me off unless the doors are falling off.

But, assuming you're talking about 100's, they are plentiful.

This one was listed for $16k and sold this past weekend... https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/1998-b ... or.952185/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

This one is under $10k, but Atlanta is a little far.... https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/1999-l ... ga.956977/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

One in Virginia with goodies... https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/2000-l ... 874/page-2" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

One in Colorado.... https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/built- ... 5k.943739/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

This one I almost bought out of salt Lake last summer... Glad I bought another 80 https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/sold-b ... st-9817303" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Buys are out there on 100's, a little looking needed, but not as difficult as some make it sound....I didnt even search Craigslist with search tempest where better deals can be had. Sure, if you're looking for a unicorn, it takes time to find one...if the op is looking in Houston, there should be a lot of options. Good luck.

I guess I'm a little more picky. I want an unmodified, accident-free, and rust free rig. Sounds like rust doesn't bother you as much.

[mtnfiend]

I'll put in a dissenting vote here (it must be the contrarian in me). For 98% of all trail heads gearing is important, not necessarily clearance. A F150, or 1500 chevy or dodge truck will do just fine.....

[randalmartin]

I'll put in a dissenting vote here (it must be the contrarian in me). For 98% of all trail heads gearing is important, not necessarily clearance. A F150, or 1500 chevy or dodge truck will do just fine.....

Completely agree with this statement. I had a Subaru Forester previously. Had 8.9" of clearance. That wasn't the issue. The issue is burning up your clutch on the ascent of steep challenging terrain, burning up your brakes on the descent. 4WD Low is important. I have a Jeep Cherokee (Trailhawk) now and have no issues.

[Frog 85]

I'm really not looking for a truck though. I've done the truck thing, and they are good if the driving is all that I care about, but I really am looking at SUVs almost exclusively. The biggest thing for me is covered storage for gear. I loathe bed covers, and camper shells aren't much better. I could put the gear in the back seat, but I'd prefer to have that available for my dog when I'm traveling. I'm going to be using this for a lot of cross country drives, so being able to hop out, lock the door and not worry about it is pretty appealing.

[zima]

I loved my Xterra, had one for 12 years before someone totaled it. I have never had an issue on off roading, did well over imagine pass. Comfy, great for sleeping in if you don't feel like pitching a tent. I now have a Rubicon which I love, just not roomy like the Xterra.

[sarahhaubert]

In terms of burning up the brakes, weight is a much bigger problem than gearing. My friend and his heavy Nissan truck burned the brakes coming down YBB of all places. I've never had that problem. I think good AT tires and clearance are the biggest advantage for any 4x4 rd in CO, but short wheel base and relatively lightweight have also played a role. I've seen Subarus at a few TH that surprised me, but I wouldn't go up Como, Nellie, pearl pass, and probably a few others without clearance and 4x4 (what if you got stuck!?). Oh and rock plates! Can you imagine if your oil reservoir got ripped open? You can add those, I have a lot of clearance but I've put some dents in mine.

[Dan_Suitor]

I'll put in a dissenting vote here (it must be the contrarian in me). For 98% of all trail heads gearing is important, not necessarily clearance. A F150, or 1500 chevy or dodge truck will do just fine.....

Completely agree with this statement. I had a Subaru Forester previously. Had 8.9" of clearance. That wasn't the issue. The issue is burning up your clutch on the ascent of steep challenging terrain, burning up your brakes on the descent. 4WD Low is important. I have a Jeep Cherokee (Trailhawk) now and have no issues.

Going to have to agree with the 4-Low statement. It does not have to be a PU to have 4-Low. It makes all the difference in steep rocky and/or muddy terrain, both going up, and coming down.

There is almost no reason for burning up your brakes. Just engage 4-Low and put the transmission in 1st when going down steep terrain.

Getting more clearance with oversized tires changes the overall gear ratio between your engine and the tires on the ground. It has a negative effect on both performance (power to get up hills) and braking (the brakes ability to stop you). This is not opinion, but mathematical fact. Unless you re-gear (very expensive to do), the best thing is to have 4-Low.

My two cents.

[jscully]

I'll put in a dissenting vote here (it must be the contrarian in me). For 98% of all trail heads gearing is important, not necessarily clearance. A F150, or 1500 chevy or dodge truck will do just fine.....

Completely agree with this statement. I had a Subaru Forester previously. Had 8.9" of clearance. That wasn't the issue. The issue is burning up your clutch on the ascent of steep challenging terrain, burning up your brakes on the descent. 4WD Low is important. I have a Jeep Cherokee (Trailhawk) now and have no issues.

Going to have to agree with the 4-Low statement. It does not have to be a PU to have 4-Low. It makes all the difference in steep rocky and/or muddy terrain, both going up, and coming down.

There is almost no reason for burning up your brakes. Just engage 4-Low and put the transmission in 1st when going down steep terrain.

Getting more clearance with oversized tires changes the overall gear ratio between your engine and the tires on the ground. It has a negative effect on both performance (power to get up hills) and braking (the brakes ability to stop you). This is not opinion, but mathematical fact. Unless you re-gear (very expensive to do), the best thing is to have 4-Low.

My two cents.

This is something a lot of people dont consider when they increase their tire size on their rigs. Anything over a 33 or 285, you should strongly consider regearing, especially for any off-road application. On the road you'll downshift a lot less going uphill and your cruise control won't be worthless. It'll save you gas as well. Only downside is your revs will be higher at high speeds. I met a guy at the top of yankee boy in a older tacoma with new 35's and he said his truck struggled to get up that road with stock gearing and only 195hp. Something to consider if you plan on modifying your next adventure vehicle OP.

Also many people say they've seen a subaru or toyota corolla at some of these upper trailheads. Ive seen it too, like a subaru up lead king basin. The question is, yes a vehicle may be able to drive up there and make it out but what kind of trail damage did the vehicle sustain doing it? Theres no way that didn't leave bottoming out somewhere