What small 4x4 for under $3k

it will be used for 70% off road 30% winter beater. Needs: Smaller than a Bronco/Blazer, decent aftermarket. wants 2 solid axles.

Is the answer still samurai?

Yes

Yes.

Maybe a Dodge Raider if you can find one.

Salt roads and either one of them will end up being a pile of iron oxide in short order.

Uhhh, xj.

You will actually be able to find one of those in nice condition for 3k. That's a stretch in some parts of the country with a Sammy.

There's always the Isuzu Trooper II as well, but they suffer the same issue as the Samurai and Raider; robust in every way except tinworm resistance.

XJ is the easy button, even if it isn't unique.

XJ if solid axle is a must. I would say a Discovery but they are far from reliable. How about an Xterra?

I have a Sami and it is rusty as all get out but it is still a great little truck.

Toyota pick up...

The fact that they don't show the damage leads me to question how bad it is...

http://asheville.craigslist.org/cto/5245979894.html

pimpm3 wrote: The fact that they don't show the damage leads me to question how bad it is...

Me, too. I also don't think they came in a 4 cylinder model, did they?

If solid axle is NOT a must, and for up to a level 3 trail, a Tracker/Vitara would be great.

It says 6-cylinder in the narrative.

Another vote for XJ. Solid axles, bulletproof 4.0 engine and either the aw4 automatic or ax15 manual transmission are both durable options.

I just checked, and yes, they do make a solid axle conversion for the Vitara.

http://asheville.craigslist.org/cto/5232085909.html

2dr boxy blazers are pretty darn small.

Brett_Murphy wrote: I just checked, and yes, they do make a solid axle conversion for the Vitara. http://asheville.craigslist.org/cto/5232085909.html

not for that model and the sas kit is $2700 without the axles, I've looked also pass drop narrow front axles are a pain to find since you have a 74-79 Wagoneer narrow track d44, 86 and older yota mini truck axles, or FJ80 axles 97 or older.(all of which you have to fight ifs toyota owners for.)

Also fist gen 89-98 tracker is the backup safe choice as of this moment followed by a Ford Bronco.

There are a few samurai's in my price range atm and xj's are really hit or miss. 2 door or nothing and has to have the 8.25 rear.

I am looking at the Asheville, Knoxville, TN and Upstate, SC craigslists. The Knoxville and upstate craigslists seem to be more reasonable in price than the Asheville one.

And Toyman01: what is with people in SC painting Samurai's like the General Lee? I swear I have seen at least 5 in the past few months.

This purchase is a little ways away as I am waiting on my roommate to move out to free up a parking space.

Early 1st gen 4Runner '84-'85

driver109x wrote: Early 1st gen 4Runner '84-'85

cheapest around is $7200

what about an Isuzu amigo?

mad_machine wrote: what about an Isuzu amigo?

I was just going to say that. I am picking one up later in the week myself and the second Gen ones are pretty sharp.

Isuzu is the best deal in cheap capable trucks

If I did not need to tow, I would have an amigo over my Disco. I always liked those little 4x4s

Honestly at this point I am looking for 2 solid axles or a bolt in sas and the only options are Samurai, Tracker, or XJ atm. With a full size bronco an option but i prefer a smaller suv.

Why not a run-of-the-mill Jeep Wrangler? XJ? YJ? (...or whatever the designations are...) Especially for "70% off-road/30% on". All of the other suggestions were designed more for inverse use.

I'm confused...

I think the $3K budget is the reason for no wrangler suggestions. They just aren't that cheap without being trashed. In fact at least here it's hard to find anything 4WD for that price point.

bmw88rider wrote: I think the $3K budget is the reason for no wrangler suggestions. They just aren't that cheap without being trashed. In fact at least here it's hard to find anything 4WD for that price point.

this the sub $4k ones are nothing but rust and a salvage title or have been beat to death.