Some Jeep lineage recap...
As others have said, the Jeep XJ is the easy answer for best all-arounder.
However, this model was last made in 2001. Prices for them have been going up steadily. Following the XJ was the Jeep Liberty KJ sold from '02-'07
These are not as well respected as the XJ Cherokee that came before it. Its weakest link is the 3.7L engine. It is not the same stout and reliable as the 4.0L in the XJ (or even the 2.5L 4cyl in the XJ)
Following the KJ came the Jeep Liberty KK.
Still with the 3.7L and not much better than the KJ.
But, while XJ was in its heyday and super successful, Jeep expanded on the formula and stretched the frame a little longer and added a lot of lux in the Jeep Grand Cherokee ZJ of '93-'98
These too had the 4.0L and could be had with a couple of V8's too, 5.2L and 5.9L
Updated in '99 brought the Grand Cherokee WJ until '04
If going down the path of buying Jeep, I would go with Cherokee first and then Grand Cherokee. Though many Grand Cherokees have lead suburban/residential lives, don't let the leather and all season tires fool you. Swap in some tire capable of the terrain you wish to tackle and they will be up to the job. I'm not talking the need to add huge tires and a lift, just add some terrain traction tread tires and you'll be good to go.
The sweet spot of Jeep pricing, currently, seems to be Grand Cherokees which often are newer and cheaper than their XJ Cherokee counterparts.
Edited to fix my fumble fingered phone post.
$1200 will get you one of these. We added a $100 lift kit, tires and some maintenance items.
Around here, the jeep tax is pretty steep. Like almost Tacoma steep.
If I were doing it, I would get the first 2nd or 3rd gen Ranger that doesn't suck. Twin I-beam front with a D35, 8.8" rear (which is a corporate ripoff of a GM 12-bolt), stab some 32's on it, some beefier hubs, and have fun. Lots of ground clearance, too.
buzzboy said:
People seem to prefer the XJ(love mine) but for cheap I'd go ZJ. Mechanically similar but not as well loved. Solid axles, good engine options, reliable transmission.
I'd agree. Front suspension is identical between the 2. ZJ is a little bigger, but still a good size for trails. Rear suspension is coils instead of leafs like an XJ. And you can get it with a V8. The V8 ones are likely to need the intake plenum pan gasket replaced, but other than that, the engines are pretty bulletproof. Transmissions are beefier than what the 4.0s had, as are the rear axles on the 96+ models (although you'll want a skid plate for the aluminum diff).
It sounds like the answer in 4x4 speak is a Jeep Cherokee. A quick search finds some broken ones for really cheap. I like the idea of the grand cherokee, a lot of older ones are pretty ragged on.
But then I see things like this 
In reply to Curtis73 (Forum Supporter) :
I have seen a few older rangers that look pretty awesome.
dxman92 said:
Mountain Bike? I'll show myself the door.
I was going to suggest dirt bike 
.
Though I could sell my spare Miata nb and get something like this it seems... That doesn't seem outrageously expensive.
Vigo (Forum Supporter) said:
I bought my 87 Montero for $800 non-running, but like XJs (ive had 4 of those) they are on the way up and getting harder to find cheap in decent shape. On the flip side every time i see a Montero Sport it looks fantastic for its age and reminds me of all the other 90s compact suv's that i DONT see. Time has apparently voted the Montero Sport the least E36 M3ty compact SUV of the 90s, and they are still SUPER cheap and unloved. They're IFS, which matters absolutely none unless you were planning to go past 33" tires.
This. Had a small stint with one of these. Bought it cheap and it was in great shape to have over 300k miles on it. I also learned little 4x4 trucks aren't my thing lol
Here's a badge engineered one I guess?
fasted58 said:
Another vote for the XJ.
Right size between FS trucks and the mini rigs. Good aftermarket.
Most are hitting high miles now. Watch for floor pan and RR box frame rust that could fail state inspection. HG issues w/ high milers or if overheated.
The usual failure mode I saw was the front lower control arm mount breaking off of the body. Usually the right side.
The sad thing is it never looked like a "rusted apart" failure, it would be torn fresh-ish metal.
Those 80s Mitsus seem to be going up in value, riding the tide of older LCs and things like that. For something more modern, Xterras always seem to be quite a bit cheaper then the equivalent Yota. Body on frame, etc.
Around here XJs are just like fox body mustang's. The clean ones cost a fortune and the cheap ones are horribly molested garbage.
I like the ford ranger idea mentioned above. Those really are cheap and I have seen the front suspensions take a tremendous beating and they just keep going. Keep the tires relatively small and the driveline should be fine. They built billions of them so parts should be easily available and cheap, and I would venture a guess that you could use explorer parts for upgrades like an 8.8 rear axle with posi.
All good suggestions so far. I loved the Isuzus and Suzukis I have had experience with.
As far as trails in TN, it's getting to be a pay to play sort of thing. Windrock is near me, Loretta Lynn's Ranch and Land Between the Lakes are places you could check. When I was a kid, there were all sorts of trails were accessible in state. Not any more, sadly. I sold my 4X$ some time back.
And that's not an 85 Toyota. Looks like a later cab on an 85 frame.
I vote Samurai!
I have a '06 Suzuki Grand Vitaro. Got it about 4 years ago for less than $3K. Pretty amazing the places we've been.
4x4 with low range/lock . All the while with A/C, heat, etc. Runs 80 all day on the highway. Luxury off roader
accordionfolder said:
and the MCM special have given me a little push.
This!!! I want one of those "Tippers" and make a 3/4 scale unimog type camper all terrain vehical.
In reply to accordionfolder :
I went shopping on your behalf...Hot Dam! Seller claims to have the front doors too.
John Welsh said:
In reply to accordionfolder :
I went shopping on your behalf...Hot Dam! Seller claims to have the front doors too.
Lol! I saw that one too! 
is it sad that I kinda like it??
dean1484 said:
accordionfolder said:
and the MCM special have given me a little push.
This!!! I want one of those "Tippers" and make a 3/4 scale unimog type camper all terrain vehical.
Right?! I was oddly drawn to marty's car - a 3/4 unimog would be ef'ing awesome and now I have yet another terrible (awesome) project thought.
What's not to like about 3 cylinders of furry?
The XJ is the most produced Jeep ever. Yeah, there are some that are still worth money. There are some that aren't worth much at all. And around here at least, there's also all the stuff in between. You can pretty much pick your level of quality. Things may be different where there is rust.
We've got a WJ as well. Haven't done much more than a couple of passes in it but it would be fairly capable. Amazingly space inefficient inside and the leather interiors didn't age all that well.
If you do go for a Toyota, stay away from the 3.0 V6. It combines a lack of power with head gasket failure rates that would make a Subaru engine embarrassed. When I pulled up to my local machine shop in my 1989 Toyota pickup, the owner said "those engines have paid a lot of bills around here"... The 3.4 is a different story.
dxman92 said:
Mountain Bike? I'll show myself the door.
Black Friday $379 @ Wally World plus shipping costs.
I'll show myself the door.
Datsun310Guy said:
dxman92 said:
Mountain Bike? I'll show myself the door.
Black Friday $379 @ Wally World plus shipping costs.
I'll show myself the door.
I saw one of those recently at the local Rural King store. Not sure what to expect for $400, but it looked like a horrendously built piece of junk,
I have a 1995 XJ Cherokee and agree that it is the best option by far. That said, there are a few others to consider. I know nothing about issues or reliability for any of these. If you want something that you can also live with, old Troopers, and Monteros are pretty cool but the X-Terra was in production forever and can often be found pretty cheap. The OG is 21 years old now.
If I wanted cheap off-road and didn't want a Jeep, I would go for a Chevy ZX2.
I see ratty examples under $5K all the time, the Blazer version has good dimensions and would be my pick for added people carrying, but the truck version is probably as capable off-road and can haul mulch and such.
In fact, any small truck can do OK for light off-roading, find the best example you can for your budget.
