O.k, so me and my s.o. finally has the opportunity to do a cross country tour. I need something reliable, something 4wd or awd and enough room to sleep in or pull a very small camper. Below is a list of vehicles I'm currently looking at. I'm looking for peoples opinions, experiences and pros and cons of each vehicle. Please feel free to add any vehicle you feel is worthy of consideration. I'm not looking to spend a ton on the vehicle. Probably plan on doing roughly 15-25,000 miles before returning home. This trip will not be in the winter and will be a lot of mountain driving, and a lot of interstate driving with some congested city driving. I came here looking for help because I know the dsm community knows its automobiles pretty good. Thanks to anyone and everyone who will contribute to this thread!

1.) 96-01 Ford explorer/mountaineer 5.0 v8 awd
2.) 02-08 chevy trailblazer 4.2 or 5.3
3.) chevy tahoe/yukon
4.) 95+ chevy blazer
5.) chevy astro awd
6.) older ford trucks with the 5.0 or 4.9 300 inline six
7.) gm trucks with the 4.8 or 5.3

Toyota 4runner
Nissan pathfinder/xterra

I second the 4runner or sequoia if you can budget it.

Those years explorers are pretty garbage. Astros and blazers are also junk imo. The trailblazer isnt a bad option, rhey have chincy interiors though. the older ford truck would be ok if in good condition, but plan on doing some maintenance, and id stay away from anything with a twin I-beam front axle. Early 2k's chevy and gmcs seem pretty solid mechanically (save front suspension and steering parts, but theyre cheap to fix), but the interiors are cheap as well imo.

What is your budget for this CC vehicle?

tametalon92 said:

I second the 4runner or sequoia if you can budget it.

Those years explorers are pretty garbage. Astros and blazers are also junk imo. The trailblazer isnt a bad option, rhey have chincy interiors though. the older ford truck would be ok if in good condition, but plan on doing some maintenance, and id stay away from anything with a twin I-beam front axle. Early 2k's chevy and gmcs seem pretty solid mechanically (save front suspension and steering parts, but theyre cheap to fix), but the interiors are cheap as well imo.

What is your budget for this CC vehicle?

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Around5-8k if including trade in. less if bought outright.

Spoolin18 said:

Around5-8k if including trade in. less if bought outright.

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I thought the explorer with the 5.0 was pretty decent..at least what I've heard from some people. Also, I don't really care about the interior being nice as we will likely sale it when we are done.

Well I work at a salvage yard and I can tell you which vehicles I see the least on this list and which ones I see most often and the common problems associated with them -

1.) 96-01 Ford explorer/mountaineer 5.0 v8 awd - Make sure the transmission has been replaced if you buy one with any more then 80k on it.
2.) 02-08 chevy trailblazer 4.2 or 5.3 4.2? No. just.. Don't do it, not with a 4.2. I see a new one come in at least once a week and it's half/half on blown engine or transmission.
3.) chevy tahoe/yukon Any year one of these that has been properly maintainted will get you good results, just be aware it will be a gas hog.
4.) 95+ chevy blazer - Most over 120k will start to develop transmission issues and if you're looking at one make sure the PO didn't put synthetic oil in it, it will destroy a 4.3 in a matter of weeks.
5.) chevy astro awd - Read above.
6.) older ford trucks with the 5.0 or 4.9 300 inline six If you an find a good one that's been well maintained? This or a 5.3 trailblazer would be my choice.
7.) gm trucks with the 4.8 or 5.3 Yes, same thing though make sure it's been maintained.

Toyota 4 runner. - Yeah I've worked at the yard for 4 years now and only seen two, these are amazing vehicles. Same can be said for Nissan Frontiers, Honda Ridgelines.

A Clean v6 5spd late model (02up) Tacoma would top my list, you just cannot beat them for reliability.

IIRC They changed something with the diff/transfer case setup in 00-01 explorer/mountaineer, they are not nearly as bad as the older models, but most of the ones that I see coming into work have RUST issues more then they have mechanical issues.

As a last resort we are also considering a fuel efficient small car or truck and tent camp along the way, however a lot of backcountry things we wanted to do would have to be crossed off. This of course is a last resort.

tametalon92 said:

I second the 4runner or sequoia if you can budget it.

Those years explorers are pretty garbage. Astros and blazers are also junk imo. The trailblazer isnt a bad option, rhey have chincy interiors though. the older ford truck would be ok if in good condition, but plan on doing some maintenance, and id stay away from anything with a twin I-beam front axle. Early 2k's chevy and gmcs seem pretty solid mechanically (save front suspension and steering parts, but theyre cheap to fix), but the interiors are cheap as well imo.

What is your budget for this CC vehicle?

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What about a toyota 4x4 4cyl, iirc its the 22re. Found a decent deal on one and thought about putting a camper on it.

Toyota pickups are great, i have an 87 myself, but tue 22r and 22re are anemic. Even turboed they just cant put the power out. Theyre both fairly complicated with electrical and vacuum lines, but nothing horrible if youre competent, and can be overcome with simple tricks/mods.

Im swapping a 7mge (early supra 6) into mine, and aside from efi and exhaust, its a bolt in affair essentially.

Id look for a v6 model (not a 3.0) from the late 90s/early 2k's like 19gsx91 said.

If you can find a sequoia youll be set either way. Spacious, hauling power if needed, and comfortable.

I vote Jeep cherokee XJ with the Inline 6 of course.

lasershark said:

I vote Jeep cherokee XJ with the Inline 6 of course.

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I never really thought about the xj, do you think it would handle the hotter temps in the southwest deserts?

tametalon92 said:

Toyota pickups are great, i have an 87 myself, but tue 22r and 22re are anemic. Even turboed they just cant put the power out. Theyre both fairly complicated with electrical and vacuum lines, but nothing horrible if youre competent, and can be overcome with simple tricks/mods.

Im swapping a 7mge (early supra 6) into mine, and aside from efi and exhaust, its a bolt in affair essentially.

Id look for a v6 model (not a 3.0) from the late 90s/early 2k's like 19gsx91 said.

If you can find a sequoia youll be set either way. Spacious, hauling power if needed, and comfortable.

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Well, power wise it doesn't matter too much. I only planed on making a bed, and hauling some supplies. I really only want to carry a set of basic hand tools for hopefully any minor repairs that might pop up. I've looked at a few sequoias and they all had high mileage with an outrageous price. Also, I'd like to steer clear of timing belts if at all possible.

Spoolin18 said:

I never really thought about the xj, do you think it would handle the hotter temps in the southwest deserts?

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We have plenty of 100+ degree days here and even with the a/c on our xj does fine. Temp might climb a little going up mountain roads at 65+ mph but it always stays within safe operating temperature, some people having cooling problems from what I have read but maybe poor maintenance has something to do with it; who knows. The models that have the tow package come factory with a external tranny cooler (auto) and the 97+ has decent interior compared to the ealier models. Gets around 20-22ish mpg on the highway as well, and when maintained are bullet proof!

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19gsx91 said:

2.) 02-08 chevy trailblazer 4.2 or 5.3 4.2? No. just.. Don't do it, not with a 4.2. I see a new one come in at least once a week and it's half/half on blown engine or transmission.
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the inline 6 is a total POS. Its #3 on my list of sh!ttiest vehicles i've worked on.

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i am going with jeep too. but i would say go with a jeep grand cherokee with the 6 cylinder and quadra-trac.

my dad bought one when they were released in 1993. he finally got rid of it in 2007, when he retired. He traded it in to buy the exact same thing in a 2007. The 93 was kinda beat up but still ran strong with close to 500k miles.
I would always tell my dad "there's no way the jeeps gonna make it". I was always wrong, the jeep always made it.
He has been running all over the US for the last 9 years in the 07. He just keeps up with the scheduled maintinace and hasn't had any issues with it.


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If power isnt a major concern, then a 22r or re powered pickup would be fine. I used to get 25mpg with mine (4x4 model), just needed more power.

I cant recommend jeeps myself. Worked on far too many, and not one has been more than a smoking pile of...you know. Heavy, poor mileage, poor drivetrain etc. Thereos a reason certain vehicles are cheap to get and fix, this is just my opinion tho.

Since power isnt a major concern, a late 90s/early 2k 4 cyl tacoma could be had for around the same price as a 2nd or 3rd gen toyota pickup, but offer more power, same reliability and fuel economy (if not better) and much simpler to do maint. on. My dads had his 98 since 04, 390k on it, no issues since 150k when he bought it. Still gets 22-25mpg, drives like new.

Either way youve got some info to go on now, itll just depend on the area youre in, whats available and what you can afford

Hey thanks for everyone's input so far.

Toyota, Toyota, Toyota....There's no reason to look at anything else.

A Tacoma or a 4Runner would EASILY outlast anything on the list. My 2005 Tacoma has 190k and runs like new, pulls my DSM and trailer with ease and has never let me down.

There's a reason the Tacomas/4Runners are the best selling vehicles worldwide. RELIABILITY.

Look for a 1st Gen Tacoma (since they will be cheaper than the 2nd/3rds) or any gen 4Runner. You cant go wrong.


GOOD LUCK!

GofaST4life said:

Toyota, Toyota, Toyota....There's no reason to look at anything else.

A Tacoma or a 4Runner would EASILY outlast anything on the list. My 2005 Tacoma has 190k and runs like new, pulls my DSM and trailer with ease and has never let me down.

There's a reason the Tacomas/4Runners are the best selling vehicles worldwide. RELIABILITY.

Look for a 1st Gen Tacoma (since they will be cheaper than the 2nd/3rds) or any gen 4Runner. You cant go wrong.


GOOD LUCK!

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Lol.. I'm looking, just haven't been able to find a good deal on any. Most are rotted out or trail rigs where I live. I did find a killer deal on a 93 yota...104k miles but it had been setting for like 10 years. No rust and had the 22re. The guy had replaced the gas tank, fule filter and pump but it still had a bad miss. I took it to my buddy, a local mechanic and he pleaded with me not to get it. He said they was plagued with timing chain guide problems and hg issues. I haven't marked it off yet though. Curious, I did find a low mileage dodge with the Mitsubishi 4.7. Ever had any experience with those? I've read mixed reviews.

I worked and wholesaled for Toyota and thatll be your best bet for buck I am sure. It'll pull and make the trip and you'll be able to resale. Honestly you should of seen the Toyos I sold ...