So instead of swapping one tons under my truck and trashing it off road...... I will be buying a jeep or sami=) (and trash that off road lol) I figure and so did my parentsa that my truck is too damn nice to beat up off road all the time and lockers wouldnt be much fun on all the snow and ice we get here. BUT!!! I am ordering a 3in lift for it and some 33-1250-15s and a nice set of offroad lights.... so i can still do some light duty wheeling. My plan with a jeep or a sami is..... (eventually) jeep=swap dana 44 front and ford 8.8 rear, 488 gears, lockers, 35in tires, atlas 4:1, full cage..... sami- swap yota axles under go 513 gears, lockers 33in tires(maybe 35s..), full cage. I figure a jeep or sami would be way more fun to build than my truck... i wont feel as bad if i roll it lol, it will fit on our trails easier and go way more places including moab. My initial plan is to find one cheap in good condition(pretty easy to do) and then slowly build it as i get money. Axles i can get cheap from a wrecking yard... and i have even seen atlas t-cases in wrecked Rubicons at the yard! So if i buy major stuff i need cheap there i can save a **** ton of money. This will be a pretty slow build as i dont have a ton of cash right now but i think its a better choice than destroying my nice truck that i drive daily lol. What do you guys think? (remember i am ordering a 3in lift and 33s plus wheels all as a birthday gift and a lil extra money from me for the tires) So throw your opinions! Oh yea one last thing! took my huge bumper off and im herciulining it Got all the prep done just getting ready to primer it and hit the first coat. if i have any left over I might buy a little more and do my bed.


Josh

 

I did something similar for pretty much the same reasons.



I went with Toyota because they are smaller than a full size truck and fit nicely in the trials around me. Not to mention there are a TON of aftermarket parts and support for them. You can usually find them pretty cheap if you look around. I don't think my Dodge would have fit through here:



It will be cheaper in the long run if you can find something already built, but it takes the fun out of building it up yourself.

Good luck!
Cartman

 

Yea i want to build lol =P but if i find something mildly built maybe that would work. I am really glad i got to thinking and decided to sell my 1 ton axles...(got 800 for them)

Sweet yota btw!

 

Thanks. You'll have to keep us posted on your build progress...

 

Thanks=) I am more excited about the lift, tires and lights im getting for my truck now lol then comes my sami/jeep/yota build. I think maybe a full size yota older with solid axles would be best... good enigne, strong axles, reliable engine, pretty safe with a exo cage, lots of parts, easy to build capable wheeler on 35s and lockers. So maybe I will go that route... who knows haha but for sure not going to trash my truck.

 

that is sometimes the best way to go. ive seen people around here with toy rigs on 52" Michlins and a geo prism as a DD.

 

Yeah thats what i have for my lifted dodge is a set of 52" Michlins....

 

I am hopping that i have enough lift to get them on the truck.. 77 4 door 1 ton short bed 4x4 with about 14 in of spu lift and a 3 in body lift.. 413 big block 5.73 gears...