Dahlia47 wrote:I am looking for 4X4 vehicle suggestions. Please remember, I can't stand cars. I don't feel safe in them whatsoever. Also, I have a bad back, and getting in and out of a low-lying vehicle is very painful.
This is what it will be used for...
Pulling my TTT- I might sell it and get a scamp or casitsa- keeping it small
Need to fit a chainsaw, cooler- 5 gal water jug
going up a 200+ yr old logging road in the rocky mountains (it will climb big boulders on the old road)
beach
dirt roads
desert hills
I might have some fun in it and go muddin'
standard transmission, 4X4, tow pkg, pre 1995. No computer chip crap. barebones basic. Just me the hubby and the dog.
Modstock wrote:I'd suggest 97-99 Jeep Cherokee (XJ)
They say you can tow up to 5,000lbs but 1,600 is it's max if towing up mountain ranges, 8% grades, etc. Or a 2nd generation Dodge Dakota.
* To get a 4WD vehicle with NO computer chips involved, you'd need a pre-'86 model, as that's when everyone in the US started using the OBD1 protocol (though some models started earlier, with variants). Then, in 1996, OBD2 (with the 16-pin connector) was standardized, so unless you get a 1985 or earlier 4WD, you'll have to deal with computer-chipped trucks (or cars).
* I intended to build my trailer light enough to be towed by my FWD HHR Panel, but at 2225lbs (initially 1438lbs) using my 2WD Chevy 2500HD made more sense, so it has been my tow vehicle for nine years now. I've outfitted it for hauling trailers, and have my camping/emergency get-out-of-town gear loaded in the covered bed, full-time, so it's seldom used for other purposes. As both those vehicles were my daily drivers at one time or another, I became familiar with the OBD2 computerized equipment, both good and bad, that runs them...and I've used various scan-tools/dongles to diagnose problems, and/or monitor them. Though I have been an old-school shadetree mechanic, drag racer, and GM-trained tech school grad, for over 50 years, my preference for old-school non-computerized vehicles has given way to accepting new-tech vehicles.
* After retirement a few years ago, I had planned to get a 4WD vehicle to camp/explore with, but never could find what I liked, for what I wanted to pay (or could pay, at the time). I did realize that the year-models to search for would be '96-'04 (1996 being the first year of OBD2, and '04 being the last year most vehicles weren't forced to use a TPMS -tire pressure monitor system-, which I detest). Earlier vehicles ('86-'91) with OBD1, had primitive diagnostic feedback, and were harder to diagnose for me (I had an '86 S-10, and '88 Fiero, so I know!), and '85 and earlier 4WD vehicles had mostly been used-up, or clapped-out, and would require a total rebuild; So, I gave up my search, until my neighbor agreed a vehicle swap (a 4WD or AWD for my retired race-car).
* So, after 3-4 years of rebuilding/restoring, I now have now traded for a soft-road capable 2001 BMW X5 3.0i (no rock-crawling, mudding, or river-crossing for me, I'm too old and worn-out to start doing that) truck, that is able to navigate over Texas country roads (where I live and/or camp) in all-weather. I might not use it for camping, unless the right conditions need its' capabilities, so the 2WD HD truck will remain my first choice for camping, as my reality doesn't include hard-core offroad adventuring.
* In closing, let me say that any or all 4WD/AWD vehicles might be sufficient for 95% of the trailering afficianadoes on this website, and that most of the 5% hard-core are probably using computer-chipped vehicles, so don't bypass those vehicles in your search. I would search for a '96 or newer Jeep, specifically,if you're serious about off-roading (because of the tremendous aftermarket support for that platform), and get familiar with the OBD2 diagnostic tools that can help in maintaining that vehicle. In my case, I will certainly need OBD2 proficiency, as BMW seems to have more computer-chipped modules inside than any other vehicle. Good Luck!
