Pickup based SUV? Yet another car thread.

**bsavery** · 01-15-2014, 01:11 PM

I'm missing my old 2 door Chevy Blazer zr2. Great truck.

engine. Are there any modern rugged SUV's out there worth looking at?

Criteria:
Capable of going on nasty fireroads or snowy/muddy crap.
Not based off a car chassis (rav4, crv, etc)
Not overly huge like the modern 4Runner.
(nice to have) enough space to sleep in the back, fold down seats.

Options? There doesn't seem to be many of these still out there..
FJCruiser - My god is that thing ugly inside and out. Plus took one for a test drive. Redefines the word "blindspot".
Xterra? They still making these?
2000ish 4runner? Seems like exactly what I'm looking for but I'd prefer something a bit more recent.
New Jeep Cherokee? Crossover SUV but may be rugged enough for off road in trailhawk version.

**uglymoney** · 01-15-2014, 01:21 PM

4th Gen 2002-2009 4-Runner with V6. Get some bigger tires maybe a small lift and you can cruise fire roads just fine. We just have a stock 2003 Sport with street tires and it goes off road if you take it slow. Most reliable vehicles ever. Yeah it isn't as capable off road as the Gen 3 but you can also find a four or five year old truck that will give you years of service without hassle. V8 is fine as well but power is not needed, mileage is worse, and it has a timing belt that needs to be changed. The V6 has a chain and just needs oil to run forever.

**North** · 01-15-2014, 01:33 PM

^^^This. Love my 99' 4runner but the 4th doesn't give up much, and 3rd gens are overpriced.

**bsavery** · 01-15-2014, 01:39 PM

Originally Posted by North

^^^This. Love my 99' 4runner but the 4th doesn't give up much, and 3rd gens are overpriced.

4th gen is quite a bit bigger though no? It looks bigger in the lot at least. And what about the 5th gen vs 4th.

**uglymoney** · 01-15-2014, 01:44 PM

5th Gen is huge but an extremely capable vehicle and loads of $$$$$. Read up on them.

4th Gen is a nice size imo. Back seats fold flat. Functional. Not sure how much bigger it is than the Gen 3 but we take it when we need a little more room than our 2002 Outback has. Also has a bigger trunk opening so fitting big stuff inside is a little easier than with the Subaru.

**RockChalk** · 01-15-2014, 01:45 PM

'96 bronco

**nickwm21** · 01-15-2014, 01:47 PM

Why truck chassis? Are you towing?

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**El Chupacabra** · 01-15-2014, 01:51 PM

Originally Posted by bsavery

4th gen is quite a bit bigger though no? It looks bigger in the lot at least. And what about the 5th gen vs 4th.

4th is a lot bigger and lower than the 3rd (worse offroad, stock-vs.-stock), but also considerably more powerful.

5th vs 4th: interior and exterior are about the same size, though the 5th looks larger outside to me. No V8 available in the 5th. Lots of changes between the 4th to 5th gen; if you're interested, take a look at http://www.toyota-4runner.org/ for plenty of info on both, and comparisons.

The FJ Cruiser shares most of its drivetrain with the 4th gen 4Runner & Tacoma, but also offers a manual transmission (unavailable in 4th or 5th gen 4Runner). Both the FJ and 4Runner are based on the 120 platform (Land Cruiser Prado) -- for that matter, the Lexus GX is the closest thing to the Prado in the U.S., so you might consider that too.

Current (2005+) Xterra is less expensive than 4Runner, more powerful motor, cruder materials inside (more hard plastic surfaces = could be good if you value easy-to-clean). Mrs. C. has a 2010 Xterra, I have a 2008 V6 4Runner. The Xterra feels more powerful when driving, generally feels more truck-like (rear leaf springs). The 4Runner is nicer inside, particularly in the back seat, and generally feels more solid and better-built. All 4Runners are built in Japan, FWIW.

**Scrubadub** · 01-15-2014, 01:52 PM

100 series Land Cruiser....gas mileage sucks, but will take you anywhere...

**uglymoney** · 01-15-2014, 01:57 PM

Originally Posted by El Chupacabra

5th vs 4th: interior and exterior are about the same size, though the 5th looks larger outside to me.

That surprises me and I stand corrected. 5th Gen looks huge to me as well.

One thing the 4th Gen has is an AWD mode in 4wd. The 5th Gen doesn't have that from my understanding so you have to get the Lexus GX470 equivalent if you want that feature.

**El Chupacabra** · 01-15-2014, 02:09 PM

Originally Posted by uglymoney

That surprises me and I stand corrected. 5th Gen looks huge to me as well.

I haven't actually measured to compare -- just my observation when checking out the 5th gen at a car show, as I was curious what changes there had been since my 4th gen. The 5th didn't feel bigger inside, though it looks bigger outside.

**The Tortoise** · 01-15-2014, 02:17 PM

Jeep Wrangler Unlimited.

Likely not as reliable as the 4Runner but better off-road.

**undertow2** · 01-15-2014, 02:29 PM

You already shot it down, but my buddy has the first year FJ and now has a 165,000 of absolutely trouble free use (zero issues and I mean zero)... Blind spots I get, but the machine is unstobbable in the off-road, easy to drive, plenty of power and is a snow eating machine... I have had 3 diff models of the 4 Runner (current model included) and to say I love them would be an understatment, but for what you are looking for the FJ is unbeatable... Especially since you are coming/came from a Cheby...

**bsavery** · 01-15-2014, 03:21 PM

Originally Posted by Undertow

You already shot it down, but my buddy has the first year FJ and now has a 165,000 of absolutely trouble free use (zero issues and I mean zero)... Blind spots I get, but the machine is unstobbable in the off-road, easy to drive, plenty of power and is a snow eating machine... I have had 3 diff models of the 4 Runner (current model included) and to say I love them would be an understatment, but for what you are looking for the FJ is unbeatable... Especially since you are coming/came from a Cheby...

I actually agree with you... the fj is kinda perfect for what I want. I'll have to go drive one again and see if I can get over the blind spots/ugly stickification.

**oldblue** · 01-15-2014, 03:52 PM

4th Gen 4runners are great. Have an '04, love it. The Torsen center diff is amazing in the snow. Easy to mod suspension if extra ground clearance is needed.

Also had a 5th Gen 4runner, it was a Limited - only way to get the Torsen center diff (aka full time 4WD) since the model redesign in 2010. The 5th gen seems much bigger since it is so much taller and a bit wider. However, it is essentially the same size since the frame is virtually identical between generations. 5th gen is much cheaper build quality. I traded in the 5th gen for a truck after a year (some shitty depreciation on the 5ths compared with previous generations).

Xterra seems like a decent choice and is a bit smaller with a shorter wheelbase.

FJ cruiser has good bones but damn its ugly and the suicide door deal is just stupid. Not sure you could really sleep in the back of it either.

**east or bust** · 01-15-2014, 04:33 PM

Love my Zr2.

When I was buying a couple years ago it was between this and a 4runner. I really like the older gen ones that you mentioned. The newer ones do nothing for me.

What about an 05/06 Tahoe with the z71 package?

**bsavery** · 01-15-2014, 06:30 PM

Originally Posted by east or bust

Love my Zr2.

When I was buying a couple years ago it was between this and a 4runner. I really like the older gen ones that you mentioned. The newer ones do nothing for me.

What about an 05/06 Tahoe with the z71 package?

Dammit. I miss my zr2 more now. Guess you can always drop a v8 in when the vortec v6 craps the bed like mine did.

**El Chupacabra** · 01-15-2014, 06:37 PM

If you really want that body style Blazer, my dad has a 2000 model (4-door, not ZR2), with some ridiculously-low mileage. Like 40K. Red exterior, gray leather interior, 4WD w/ autotrac, 4.3L V6.