I had a V6 Xterra, and I know of lots of people who love them. My particular example was infuriating me with a bunch of small problems, but it was a non-running rescue that I picked up for $350. I ditched mine for a V8 4Runner, but that was mainly to get a bit of a buffer zone while towing (7000 lbs with a load distributing hitch).
EastCoastMojo- If you're on Facebook, check out the Carolina 4Runners Off Road Group.
LifeIsStout wrote: Also, any opinions on the v-6 xterras?
i had an 01 with 265,000 miles on it, drove like it didnt have more then 100k on it. didnt leak or burn any fluids, was pretty rust free, very strong engine and drivetrain, i loved that thing. only downside is it was slooooooow. You can do a 2 inch lift for the price of shackles and a few turns of the torsion bars.
Thanks Brett, I have resisted creating an account on the Book of Faces. I have been reading a lot on www.toyota-4runner.org though!
We've had multiple XJs in our family. All had the AW4 automatic. It's actually a pretty good automatic. So don't let the lack of three pedals deter you from the XJ.
RossD- Yep, when I had a ZJ, i purposely got the i-6 with the auto behind it, I don't have a problem with an automatic on that one, I did my research on those at the time.
LifeIsStout wrote: I have seen a number of about 95 and up 4 runners, all of them seem to have 'head gasket needed' or overheating issues. How bad is that job, I have never had to do one, but I am not opposed to it. Are replacement parts able to fix the job or are there other concerns (I think they look a bit nicer than the cherokees, and I will be driving a decent distance to get to the woods). Also, I like the pricing on the trooper, but how are the parts availability on those? Anything to worry about?
You won't see head gasket issues on the 96+ trucks. They have the 3.4 liter motor, not the 3.0. That 3.4 is pretty much indestructible.
Third gen runners are really tough trucks. If I was doing a runner, it would be a second gen two door with a supercharged 3.4 swap and total chaos gen2 kit.
I've owned 4 XJs (and 2 monteros and one rodeo) and while they have been cheap and some still are, the better ones are starting to command a little bit of a premium. I've seen a couple on BAT auctions lately if that tells you anything about where they're headed.
Tough call I like the xj but they are so small and antiquated. I'd say late 1st gen 4runner but rust and you'll want to do a solid front axle. I'm leaning Montero or Trooper. Great trucks and cheaper plus roomier and very well built.
Solid front axle on the 1st gen 4Runner is way over rated. Unless you're building a rockcrawler the IFS is just fine.
I absolutely love the AMC 4.0L in those Jeeps. Slurps gas like crazy but they're tough. I don't know if it's true, but I have been told they use a 4-pack of them on aircraft carriers to haul the tailhook landing wire array back into position after each landing.
I like the look of the XJ better than the ZJ. But actually occupying the ZJ chassis with the car in operation is a somewhat more kinder and gentler experience than the XJ. And many ZJs spent the first 100k of their lives as mommymobiles, so they can be in better shape. The ZJ auto is a good fit for the car, if you remember to change the transmission fluid once or twice during the lifetime of the car. Watch out because the lines to the transmission cooler are a failure point at the crimps.
The 4-Runner will be more comfy and refined. The Jeep will be better off road, and cheaper to maintain, but they are pretty crude. The Troopers are rugged, but really, really slow. (even in V6 form) The 4.0 liter Cherokee will feel like a rocket in comparison.
Like others have said, find the nicest one you can find. 4x4s are cheap as chips down here in FL, as no one really needs them. (besides the mud-bogging guys) I was given a free-- running-- Cherokee Limited a few years ago, and sub $2K examples are everywhere. 4-Runners command more of a price premium because.....well, they are Toyotas.
parker wrote: Solid front axle on the 1st gen 4Runner is way over rated. Unless you're building a rockcrawler the IFS is just fine.
Not just fine imho, far superior. Straight axles kinda suck except for crawlers.
parker wrote: Solid front axle on the 1st gen 4Runner is way over rated. Unless you're building a rockcrawler the IFS is just fine.
Seconding this opinion. I've beat my IFS pickup off of everything imaginable (deer, rocks, rivers, mud...) and have yet to break something.
Here she is at cline ranch in Texas. IIRC I was the only non-lifted vehicle on the run and this was as close as I came to needing a tug (she made it on the third of fourth try)
The camera doesn't show it, but that was already a pretty steep incline without the rock shelf to crawl over. My carb was already giving me issues and I had to keep in the gas just to keep it from stalling.
The spotter thought I was going for the gusto and kept telling me to "calm down" 
Good times
so, uh... ahem. Yeah. IFS wooo! (and try to find something with fuel injection)
I've got experience with XJs and 4.0L Sixes, and now I've got a 98 Tacoma with the 2.4l 5spd 4x4.
My ideal XJ would look like this:
Otherwise I find them too short for adequate camping duties. When the summer storm blows in and threatens to flood your tent, the ability comfortably sleep in the vehicle next to camp is worth. I find that despite my years tent camping as a kid, and having done plenty of backpacking, if I've got the vehicle, I want to sleep in it, comfortably.
I feel like the 4Runner is overpriced. I've never seen anything but a 3.0L V6 model for under $4,000 unless its got gazillions of miles or its an underpowered thing like my own truck.
XJ's are all over the place. Occasionally you've find a steal of a truck, other times they are ridiculously overpriced.
I think Monteros are awesome, but I worry about the relatively uncommon motors that are pretty damn complex compared to the 4.0L found in the Jeep. The newer 01+ Monteros are just about the cheapest modern off-road capable luxury vehicle you can find, but they'll still run you $4500-$6000 for a nice example with the timing belt recently serviced. The one to get is the 03+ with the 3.8l, but they are even more unicornish. The older 3.5 will do you well, but some people might want more power.
Ive secretly been watching this thread because my girlfriend is getting a new vehicle in a week. I wanted to see if there's anything that beats out the xj im so personal attached to. The only negative is space if you try to sleep in the back but ive uh tested it and you can kinda almost stretch out with the back seats down
I think Monteros are awesome, but I worry about the relatively uncommon motors that are pretty damn complex compared to the 4.0L found in the Jeep.
That's only true for the very rare DOHC models. All the SOHC 3.0 and 3.5s are pretty normal to work on (dont be afraid of the timing belt) and not difficult to find parts for.
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