I've been looking for a junker for offroading, and looking at jeep wranglers and such. Its so easy to find a decent ram 1500 4x4, lifted on offroad tires for 2000-2500. It has the power needed for offroading (I know because I have a 98 and used to have a 94), and good looks. It has a strong enough frame for a winch, and there is some body flex but its not too bad.

Why not get a ram 4x4 for offroading instead of like a 4 cylinder jeep? Seems smart to me, but why don't other people do it? Is there some blatant issues I'm just missing?

 

the weight and width and hight

 

Not to mention the difference in manuverability (sp?) between the Ram and the Jeep.

I used to rock crawl and trail ride with a very heavily modified CJ-7, and to be honest it sucked when our group got behind a full-size truck. They always got hung up in tighter turns that our lil Jeeps buzzed through. It just made for a longer less fun day wheeling when a full-size was involved.

I guess if it's just you and some buddies out wheeling, then it really doesn't matter what anyone thinks of your rig. Just build some strong a$$ bumpers and make room for the full-size.

 

also - the jeeps have ton and tons of aftermarket mod's that are easily purchased and bolted on. things like selectable lockers, t-case reducers, axles, fender kits and flares. the list is endless.

 

Yeah, the aftermarket support for the cj's/wranglers is absolutely stellar. You can get anything you want. Cheaper to build than a ram, and MUCH more maneuverable.

 

dont play around with jeeps and rams get a m35a deuce n half.....

 

I'm fixing to build a 1st gen Dakota and sas it with d60's. They come with 318's.

 

I actually use my 1998 dodge for mudding its not to beastly (yet) except for the 360 lol but its GREAT in the mud except for what i think is the distributor, the stock ones let in water somehow and causes the engine to run like crap, misfire and die, i have this problem alot! i still am trying to figure out how to fix it. I know this is not my thread and i dont mean to jack it but any help on this? lol Thanks!

Here are a few pictures of it.





Oh ya and it currently has a front bumper off a 2007 dodge with tow hooks!

 

I had this problem, when I did my cap and rotor I put a bead of RTV around the rim of the cap. Haven't had the problem since.

 

The water on the distributor is most likely from the weather stripping between the hood and windshield. These have knack for coming apart and letting water down directly on the distributor. Fix that along with new cap and rotor and you should be good. It has happened on everyone i know who has a 2nd gen. Went off roading the other day, my friend has a 98 5.2, his weather stripping is garbage and the first mud hole his struck was spitting and sputtering. Mine never missed a beat. Fix that, new cap/rotor and you will be set.

Anyway, to OP, jeeps are lighter and more nimble, and after market is more plentiful. Not to mention they are cheaper. Rams are pretty capable off road, but it just makes more sense to go with a jeep. You can build an XJ for practically nothing. If mud is your only concern then by all means buy a ram, lift it with some big mud tires and be on your way, but for all around, don't get a full size.