You’re forgiven for saying the Xterra “might be the ugly duckling” of the off-roading world. The boxy fenders and roofline make it a classic that will only get more attractive with age compared to the round generic looking newer cars. Its the same cool look that makes the Trooper, Defender, Discovery, etc., attractive. Having quibbled with you over that, I really like your discussion of your picks. Well done and well presented!
The main problem with the Nissan R50 is because it has McPherson struts in the front, you cant go up in tire size without spacing/offsetting the front tires out about 4 inches each to clear the lower spring perch. However, if you want one that has led a cushy soccer mom life like the Sequoia, search for an Infinity QX4. Same rig different badge.
I would agree, the R50 platform is the bastard child of the Nissan suv lineup with the front strut setup. There are ways to get higher lift with subframe drops that are being sold now to add bigger tires and removing the front sway bar for a bit more flex. Still very limiting.
Best kept secret is the 02- 06 Chevy Avalanche. Online forums have them exceeding 400k on the odo ranking them (along with the suburban) 3rd in the world in longest lasting vehicles, only being edged out by the Land Cruiser and Sequoia. They're also very affordable. Look up Avalanche overlanding, you'll see some very impressive rigs. You'll also find plenty of aftermarket support. Btw... if you're not a fan of plastic cladding, they came in non-cladded Silverado trim as well.
My ultra-budget overlander has been a 2002 Chevy Blazer I got for $450. New fuel pump, junkyard starter, and some 31" mud terrains and I'm only in around $1000 for a body on frame 4x4 with 4 doors and lots of interior room.
Great list! Considered EVERY vehicle on these 2 lists (and Discovery/LR3) and decided on an 03 4wd Sequioa 3 years ago for my overland build. Been incredible, SUCH an underrated truck! The 4.7, easy to lift, tons of storage and even at 6’02” me and the fam easily sleep in the back.
It's definitely a good choice. I think a lot of people are getting wise to them, but they're still the most cost effective way to get into a body on frame, four wheel drive Toyota! Nice choice!
I wish I could grab something like that, or I believe it was a highlander I looked at that I really liked. *I just sold my super clean first generation Xterra, as I just didn't like it for some reason, and found a really nice '97 ZJ Grand Cherokee that pretty much has all of the options I have wanted (in a first generation Grand Cherokee) aside from the factory tow package which comes with 3.73 axle gearing and limited slip rear end.. but it is really in great shape and has been well maintained so it's ready for me to put the 3" lift and extended shocks I have sitting brand new ready to install! Then it just needs some 2 or 0 gauge wire run for 2nd battery for reserve power for the stereo amplifiers and power inverter etc.. I am hopeful that this could be the best zj Grand Cherokee I have had so far!
Great video... love the info and the fun you are having. I just picked up 2004 Xterra with 102k on it for 4 grand. Took me 6 serious months of searching but now that the valves have been fixed it drives like a dream. Can’t wait to start modding
As a new owner of a "NEW" 2000 Pathfinder, and in the beginning of my first OverLand build....I thank you, and my R50 "PantyFinder" thank you for the shout out!
Luv the Troopers. Just picked up a 92 junkyard find for $900 in Dec. 5spd 3.2. Now runs great, very capable off-roader. Last month picked up an 88 5spd 2.6 in Arizona. Has a rust free body!! Engine needs work. Have had 2 Jeep xj’s, GMC Jimmy and a international scout. Plus various 4x trucks, the Trooper seems to be the more capable one so far.
I got lucky yesterday, picked up a 1996 FZJ80 here in Phoenix for $3200. It had a horrible sound coming from the front axle and a bad power steering leak. Fixed them both today and now it’s cleaning time, it runs great!
This spring I bought my 1997 Toyota 4Runner with 261,000km (162,000miles) for 5,500cad (4,300usd) which seemed to be an average price in Calgary Alberta. I wanted a affordable and reliable vehicle I could take off road but I had NO IDEA they were going for the crazy values they are. In Alberta they still seam to be a bit cheaper than down there but it has gone up by a lot. I guess I'm just very lucky
I have a 2007 Commander with the 4.7 and the best thing about is that maintenance is easy. I've changed alternators, radiator, A/C compressor, and today the electric fan. All were easy to do with plenty of room to do it. I have an Xterra and I rather gauge my eye with a rusty spoon, before I change the alternator again. Nevermind the A/c actuators!
I feel you, I love our 3rd Gen 4Runner, but I don't look forward to working all that much. Just rebushing the front end took me about twice as long and about three times as much headache as doing the head gaskets on our Discovery 1!
Maybe not for overlanding, but for fun cheap wheeling. FS Bronco, K10 Jimmy/ Blazer, Jeep Liberty, 1st Gen Nissan Titans, V8 Pathfinders, Suzuki Equators, Mitsubishi Raiders. The rag top 4 runners and RAV4s were always cool to me as are the Sammys, the Sidekicks/ Trackers etc. I have seen a few IH Scouts in the 5k range as well It was cool seeing a few rigs I have personally owned, like the montero sport, featured here. Awesome vids!
I second what Rust Dave says. The Kia Sorento first gen is by far the best value economical real off roader you can buy. Ladder frame, solid rear axel and low range. There are two systems. Especially in the 2003 - 2006 140bhp you got part time with 4x2, 4x4 lock and low range. But no ESP off button. The 2007-2009 got a simpler less effective system Permanent 4x4 . With Auto and Low range but no locking option. I have this model. You improve this buy fitting the Diptech superlocker that gives part time 4x4 with 6 settings!! I've installed it. It has all the confort of a SUV coupled with the amazing off road capability and quite a few 4x4 accesories. The 170cv 2007 -2009 with he diplocker with 100,000miles for 6000 euros is amazing value. 👏 This is the top choice.
I bought a 2004 v8 4Runner a couple of weeks ago. It does need a few things, but what a truck it is! I will build it out eventually, but it's simply great stock. I enjoy it!
I had a '05 Jeep Liberty 4x4..drove all over Southern NV...even with street tires. It was wonderfully agile. Small enough to squeeze through RR culverts
I bought a 1998 Explorer Sport (2 door, not the Sport Trac) a couple years ago and it has been much more capable than anticipated. Currently added LT265/75 R16 that fit with just a little plastic cut off the front fender flares. 126,000 miles when I bought it, $2600. Now has 145,000 miles with no issues as of yet.
I owned my 2007 Jeep Commander Overland with the 5.7L Hemi for 11 years and racked up >232,000 miles on it. It had the 4" Superlift with 33" tires, and with the QuardaDrive 2 system was unstoppable.
Great amounts of information, every time I watch this channel I run to Craig's List to see if these deals do really exist, and they do. I just wish he'd stop the extreme low angle close ups or grow his moustache thicker. He's got some wicked nose hair going on.
Good for you for incorporating suggestions from your viewers. One budget rig you might want to consider are earlier Kia Sorentos with 4wd vs AWD systems. They have a 4x4 low and ARB sells rear diffocks for them. Snorkels are available. Not quite as many after market supports as for Jeep or Toyota but you can get then cheap. Decent reviews on reliability.
@@LarryRichelli or 2wd. Awd wasn't an option for xterras. You pretty much have to message and ask, if you're looking for a first generation, you can look at the pics to see if it has a lever next to the gear selector for the manual transfer case. If second generation it will have a circular knob on the lower part of the dash in front of the shifter to shift it in to 4wd the non 4wd will just have a black blank circle where the knob should be.
matt, you nailed this list. all of these vehicles should be on the radar of anyone in search of a "sleeper" overloading machine for a good price. my relatives have first-hand experience with the gen 1 and 2 troopers, and they were amazing... when they worked. I miss the pathfinders that were the "4-runner we have at home". but, F-U for letting the cat out of the bag about the sequoia. my wife has been Jonesin for a Tahoe, but I have been shopping for a sequoia for her instead. they seem to be on the respect plane equal to the highlander, but with vastly increased capability. on second thought.. they really are garbage, and no one should buy them second hand-- avoid gen 1 sequoias at all costs!
If I get the Sport Trac, I only get the 2010 Adrenalin with V8 and slap an Edelbrock supercharger on it. 400bhp Baby 😋. I was hoping you'd mention the Ford Escape. Not too bad overland.
I'm a nostalgic fool (Classic Jeep Waggoner/J10 & 20 pu) so the Comander is a natural given that boxy body. But I owned a very similar truck,, The Dodge Durango. It was the 5.9L AWD version and I honestly never felt safer of all the Offroad vehicles I've owned. And I've owned many many different rigs. It was a freakin TANK💪! Hands down 💯.
Oh man, 5.9 Durango ain't nothing to be messed with! Friend of mine's dad had one and it was a beast... and that motor had one of the better exhaust notes I can remember from that era!
I drive a 1st Gen '91 Isuzu Trooper. I love everything about it, except its lack of power - ITS SLOW. Although it is slow, I have driven it everywhere and it hasn't let me down or gotten stuck. I bought it in Oregon and drove it home to Los Angeles. Planning on doing a 1UZFE V8 swap soon. It'll be perfect.
1998-2011 ford ranger/Mazda b4000 5spd 4x4 can be found for DIRT CHEAP and are quite capable off-road and can fit 265/75r16 tires from stock. Definitely lacking some passenger space with the crummy rear jumpseats but overall awesome for the money.
I have been looking for a Sequoia in the last few weeks, that is what brought me to your channel. Good stuff, I subscribed, thanks for the info. I have also been looking at a Pathfinder, also on your list. My reading led me to find that Toyota also used Dana axles on the Sequoia. Great video. I am going to look at a 2004 for 5600 bucks with 221k miles. The non-VVT engine is a JDM while the VVT was built in Alabama. Toyota Racing Development offered a bolt-on supercharger kit for the 2000-2003 Tundra/Sequoia and the 1998-2003 LX 470.
Wow, I didn't know there was a difference in the engine source like that. I'd definitely go for the non-VVT JDM variant if I had to chose. I also didn't know there was a TRD supercharger in those years too! I knew there was one for the V6 and even the 2.7 in the Tacoma and 4Runner in that era, had no clue they'd made on for the UZ!
Really enjoyed this. I've owned both generations of isuzu trooper. My daily driver is a 2002 trooper with the manual transmission and 265k miles on the original engine. The automatic transmission models are best avoided. The first gen models while lacking in creature comforts, are great vehicles as well. For me, an honorable mention would be the first 2 generations of mitsubishi monteros.
Thanks for this video. Glad to see you mention Isuzu! New subsciber! The later Troopers had an issue with oil consumption in the 3.5L engines. I'm going to paste the comment I had on your earlier video in case it helps someone. "I had a 93 Trooper RS, and currently have a '02 Rodeo 3.2l with only 74K miles and paid $1800 for it, leaving me lots of cushion for upgrades and preventative maintenance. It is a manual, with 4LO and 4Hi, or 2WD and 4.30 gears. The primary issue with these Isuzu's are the weaker automatic transmissions. If you are handy with a wrench then they are great budget builds/trucks. I've had a XJ, two ZJs, and two AMC J10s which I have done extensive work on and sold for a decent profit. I landed on Isuzu because they are cheaper than dirt, and the driving characteristics and interior remind me of 3rd gen 4Runners but without the Toyota tax. A result of the Bubble era. They are body on frame, really easy to lift(crank the torsion bars up front, spacers or coils in the rear). I like the rear doors swinging outward, allowing for a easy way to mount a table, or molle packs for organization. They don't have the aftermarket support so you need to be creative, or follow the lessons others have learned online. But I snagged a NIB ARB BullBar/bumper."
Thanks for watching and subbing, Joseph! Also, big thanks for the extra information on the Trooper. They are definitely one vehicle I wish we were getting a relaunch of!
The problem with the 4.0 V6 in the Sport Trac is one chain is in the rear the other is in front so when the chain guides go you have to pull the engine to repair it.
Ahh geez!! I found your Isuzu Trooper piece here, I feel special now! Fyi the Ford 4 Litre SOHC is a ROBUST mid-range V6 option. Barring the previously mentioned timing chain issues. Mine had nearly 400k on it when sold (running and driving)
In Australia, our used four wheelers go for a bit, so our budgets are stretched a bit more than our American counterparts. Most older patrols, that are affordable, are beat up. Discovery, rodeo, courier, and 1st and second gen pajeros are affordable. As are the older pathfinders, challengers, jackaroos , Frontera and the older Cherokees and grand Cherokees.
The US Air Force had a program that took engineers out into the field to work on stuff that had not been designed with ease of maintenance in mind. Things got better :-)
Trooper is a great vehicle, just a pitty that GM decided to put the POS 4l30e trans in the car, ruined it for me. You can put the aw340f trans in, but it's going to be expensive.
Hey! Thanks for waving! That was the first time someone ever recognized us from the channel like that in public... we thought you were just waving to tell us we were in fire or something! Anyhow, hit me up on the @frugalexplorerdad Instagram or email me matt@frugalexplorerfamily.com and we’ll see if we can set something up!
I wanted one of those Jeeps but they are hard to find in decent condition. I decided to go with a 99 Durango and I couldn’t be happier. We will see how it goes against my cousins 96 Cherokee.
@@donmynack there is so much more to it than peak hp. You have to look at a torque to hp chart to see how it is down all rpms. You want good low end torque for offroading. Honestlynyou probably never even use the max hp anyways, especially in an SUV
Out here in North Borneo it is Toyota that is king. Yes，we have our share of isuzu and Nissan and Land Rover but most people look on Toyota as the vehicle with the best second hand value. And out here diesel is the most common engine. The names for the vehicles also differ.
The most under rated 4x4 is the Mitsubishi Pajero/Shogun. I don't know what they go for in the US, but they're about the cheapest decent 2nd hand 4x4 here in South Africa. The Sequia is basically a 200 series and the Aussies have a slew of upgrades and mods on them. The Sparesbox 200 immediately springs to mind. They built a track rig in 24 hours(might be 48) from a mall crawler 200. They are however grossly overpriced here, and honestly I'd rather buy the 105 at half the price.
If you can find them, the our version of the Pajero/Shogun, the Montero can be a really gold value. We missed out on a very nice third Gen by a couple of hours before we bought the Disco. There’s a guy on the other side of town from me who does a lot of work on older Monteros, especially a lot of Toyota UZ swaps into them. He’s on Instagram @toastyfab (I’ll link at the end of the comment), he’s even got a imported RHD Pajero Mini! I think the Sequoia lacks a lot of the refinement a features compared to the 200 series we got over here. In fact, since the 80 series, I’d argue that Toyota abandoned the serious off-road market with the 100/200 series we got here. Heck, our outgoing 200 series has been a single spec, $80,000 luxury barge that then suffers from an even more luxxed-out teammate in the Lexus LX that is literally only a few thousand dollars more! Unlike some of the other flagship models that make good a good value down the road, unlike the various generations of Jeep Grand Cherokees, or literally any other vehicle, they never depreciate out. That sparesbox200 does look pretty impressive though, I just wished Toyota would have brought the more utilitarian versions of the LC over here. I mean, Christ, did they not look at the metric f-ton of Gladiator pickups Jeep has sold and not though, wow, we really missed the mark not offering the 70 series over there? Sorry, this is a rant and a gripe I’ve had for some time, maybe I oughta make that into a video, lol! instagram.com/toastyfab?igshid=yywq6v3t4k6w
@@MattKester I bought a Gen 2 Paj for ZAR 10k, about a 650 USD, auto box is fooked, but can got one for ZAR 7k or about 470 USD. Using it for my daily, but the 3,5 is thirsty gas at about 1,20 USD/liter and it gives me 7-8 km/l or 16,5 mpg. The ace up my sleeve though is my Yamaha Tw200, with winter only 3 months of the year I can live with the Paj. My farm truck is a series 2 Landy with a 2,25 petrol motor, it's quite clapped out, but still works on the farm. Can't take it on road as there's no regestration/title on it and no way to get it regestred 😭 because of the corruption levels we have. It has to either be trailerd or stay off road. If the cops find it on road it gets confiscated and destroyed. You see a lot mini Paj's in Botswana and they're just as good as the Suzuki Jimmy /Samurai. They're quite underpowered as they come with a 650cc motor, then you also get the turbo version that has a bit more punch. But on road you'll do well to go faster than 60mph. The Gen 1, 2 & 3 Paj's are the better ones to buy they still have a body on frame construction, the Gen 4 on is a pile of shit compared to the older ones, as they're unibody vehicles and can't handle what the older ones can. Don't mind your rant at all.
Hmm, might be worth looking at. The only thing I’ve ever seen on them in the off-road space was a brief shootout TFL did with them, the freelander, and I can’t remember the third rig they put up in that particular test...
I've had 2 first gen Xterras. They go everywhere, but not fast. Also, the VG33 is garbage. Hard to work on, underpowered, and is extremely sensitive to overheating. If you have a 1st gen Xterra, the first mod should be a radiator upgrade.
QX4 wouldn't be bad at all! I should have mentioned it when we were talking about the R50, as they're almost identical under the skin. I'm also feeling like I need to do a softroaders video sometime soon! The editor and founder of Overland Adventures Magazine, Mary Beth Ebnet, actually drives a second generation Honda Pilot!
If you can still find over in decent shape and for a good price, sure. I just don’t seem them all that often and a lot of the ones I do see are pretty much trashed.
@@MattKester That's fair I mean usually Durango's at least were soccer mom vehicles so you can find them in about the same condition as a grand Cherokee of the same generation
I doubt you’ll touch any decent 4Runner for the same price. That pathfinder is a solid rig, the VQ motor in it is a beast, I’d definitely consider it. I would definitely make sure that it’s had the radiator swapped or an aux trans cooler put in, or budget to do that right away to avoid the pink milkshake of death. Also, I don’t believe they came with a lot in the way of underbody protection, so if your gonna go start doing some serious off-road work, I’d make sure you’ve at least for skid plates installed under the sensitive bits. You’d be surprise how often we nail the bash guard under the radiator on our 3rd Gen thanks to how IFS lets the front end drop when it gets off camber.
@@FOPEZ they aren’t bad rigs either, for as much as I’ve rubbed on them. They’re just harder to find in gently used condition, if you know what I mean!
what's the highest amount of miles you'd be okay with purchasing on a car. i see a lot of these kinds of vehicles, in the 5k range but most all have around 180 - 210k miles. is it worth more for less miles?
I try to stay below the 200k range, ideally below 150k, but I realize in this market, that's kinda hard to do. One advantage to stuff in that 200k range, if you don't mind getting your hands dirty, is finding out what kinda big ticket maintenance items have/have not been done, and use it to start lowing your offer. Most anything on that list is gonna be looking for bushings, shocks, ball joints, and timing belts around that time frame, so I'd look something well over and try to use that to leverage the price. That being said, this assumes you want to/are able to do a lot of that work yourself.
Fed. Good used buyer second attempt when prices are going up +5%/month ? Sticking with a make or model that's still produced tells one an MY12 Nissan Y62 Armada/Patrol V8 is decades old design, including Bluetooth and upto 9000 pound tow rating should be there with a D3 ? V.
Isuzu has a reputation for swapping transmissions and driveline parts often making it difficult to find the right parts to fix the problems you have with the one you have.
I’d disagree about it beating all these buggies on price. Cheapest 4wd 4th Gen within 500 miles of me on Autotrader is a V6 dealer sale for $7000 and has 250k on the clock, which also means it’s probably gonna be looking for some bushings and potentially head gaskets sometime soon. That being said, I will say that in my opinion, 4th Gens are the best “value” option in 4Runners at the moment, and if I was going to buy another 4Runner, it’s the route I would go.
Pretty much! Spent a lot of time with one a few years back who I swear spent his weekends chasing butterflies with a net whilst wearing a propeller beanie!
Isuzu Trooper / better than Prado 90 in every way. BTW Ssangyoung are not Isuzu its based on Mitsubishi And Troopers 90-2002 are new models much more rugged and capable than older model. I owned Opel Monterey 3.1 Diesel (Trooper 93 model) and they are better than antyging from 90's... but less offroad capable than Discovery i owned now. Explorer are piece of old c...p in comparison to Trooper GEn.2
@@MattKester try to ride once Gen 2 Trooper is more like Toyota 120 or 200 in case of space nad comf than for example prado 90... this 3.1 td or 3.2 V6 are great reliable easy to maintain engines. :) And gas mielage... 9l per 100km with diesel option wow just wow. 3.1 TD got 4 cyl Direct Injection with top mounted Intercooler... great low end torque monster. I sold mine only becaue it got rusty frame... and i just love Discos... :P
I've had my '02 Sequoia for four years. Best $3700 I've spent. Glad I got mine before the rush.
You’re forgiven for saying the Xterra “might be the ugly duckling” of the off-roading world. The boxy fenders and roofline make it a classic that will only get more attractive with age compared to the round generic looking newer cars. Its the same cool look that makes the Trooper, Defender, Discovery, etc., attractive. Having quibbled with you over that, I really like your discussion of your picks. Well done and well presented!
The main problem with the Nissan R50 is because it has McPherson struts in the front, you cant go up in tire size without spacing/offsetting the front tires out about 4 inches each to clear the lower spring perch. However, if you want one that has led a cushy soccer mom life like the Sequoia, search for an Infinity QX4. Same rig different badge.
I would agree, the R50 platform is the bastard child of the Nissan suv lineup with the front strut setup. There are ways to get higher lift with subframe drops that are being sold now to add bigger tires and removing the front sway bar for a bit more flex. Still very limiting.
Best kept secret is the 02- 06 Chevy Avalanche. Online forums have them exceeding 400k on the odo ranking them (along with the suburban) 3rd in the world in longest lasting vehicles, only being edged out by the Land Cruiser and Sequoia. They're also very affordable. Look up Avalanche overlanding, you'll see some very impressive rigs. You'll also find plenty of aftermarket support.
Btw... if you're not a fan of plastic cladding, they came in non-cladded Silverado trim as well.
My ultra-budget overlander has been a 2002 Chevy Blazer I got for $450. New fuel pump, junkyard starter, and some 31" mud terrains and I'm only in around $1000 for a body on frame 4x4 with 4 doors and lots of interior room.
Another good pick for sure!
Great list! Considered EVERY vehicle on these 2 lists (and Discovery/LR3) and decided on an 03 4wd Sequioa 3 years ago for my overland build. Been incredible, SUCH an underrated truck! The 4.7, easy to lift, tons of storage and even at 6’02” me and the fam easily sleep in the back.
It's definitely a good choice. I think a lot of people are getting wise to them, but they're still the most cost effective way to get into a body on frame, four wheel drive Toyota! Nice choice!
I wish I could grab something like that, or I believe it was a highlander I looked at that I really liked.
*I just sold my super clean first generation Xterra, as I just didn't like it for some reason, and found a really nice '97 ZJ Grand Cherokee that pretty much has all of the options I have wanted (in a first generation Grand Cherokee) aside from the factory tow package which comes with 3.73 axle gearing and limited slip rear end.. but it is really in great shape and has been well maintained so it's ready for me to put the 3" lift and extended shocks I have sitting brand new ready to install!
Then it just needs some 2 or 0 gauge wire run for 2nd battery for reserve power for the stereo amplifiers and power inverter etc..
I am hopeful that this could be the best zj Grand Cherokee I have had so far!
Great video... love the info and the fun you are having.
I just picked up 2004 Xterra with 102k on it for 4 grand. Took me 6 serious months of searching but now that the valves have been fixed it drives like a dream. Can’t wait to start modding
Thank you! That's a great deal on that Xterra! I know you're gonna have a blast with it!
As a new owner of a "NEW" 2000 Pathfinder, and in the beginning of my first OverLand build....I thank you, and my R50 "PantyFinder" thank you for the shout out!
Right on! Love them R50's!
Also, a ton of 1st gen Honda Pilots around under 7500 and they are very capable.
Luv the Troopers. Just picked up a 92 junkyard find for $900 in Dec. 5spd 3.2. Now runs great, very capable off-roader. Last month picked up an 88 5spd 2.6 in Arizona. Has a rust free body!! Engine needs work.
Have had 2 Jeep xj’s, GMC Jimmy and a international scout. Plus various 4x trucks, the Trooper seems to be the more capable one so far.
Nice! Your resume of previously owned vehicles is pretty impressive too! I kinda get a little teary eyed every time I see an old scout on the road!
I got lucky yesterday, picked up a 1996 FZJ80 here in Phoenix for $3200. It had a horrible sound coming from the front axle and a bad power steering leak. Fixed them both today and now it’s cleaning time, it runs great!
Very nice!
This spring I bought my 1997 Toyota 4Runner with 261,000km (162,000miles) for 5,500cad (4,300usd) which seemed to be an average price in Calgary Alberta. I wanted a affordable and reliable vehicle I could take off road but I had NO IDEA they were going for the crazy values they are. In Alberta they still seam to be a bit cheaper than down there but it has gone up by a lot. I guess I'm just very lucky
I have a 2007 Commander with the 4.7 and the best thing about is that maintenance is easy. I've changed alternators, radiator, A/C compressor, and today the electric fan. All were easy to do with plenty of room to do it. I have an Xterra and I rather gauge my eye with a rusty spoon, before I change the alternator again. Nevermind the A/c actuators!
I feel you, I love our 3rd Gen 4Runner, but I don't look forward to working all that much. Just rebushing the front end took me about twice as long and about three times as much headache as doing the head gaskets on our Discovery 1!
Maybe not for overlanding, but for fun cheap wheeling. FS Bronco, K10 Jimmy/ Blazer, Jeep Liberty, 1st Gen Nissan Titans, V8 Pathfinders, Suzuki Equators, Mitsubishi Raiders. The rag top 4 runners and RAV4s were always cool to me as are the Sammys, the Sidekicks/ Trackers etc. I have seen a few IH Scouts in the 5k range as well
It was cool seeing a few rigs I have personally owned, like the montero sport, featured here. Awesome vids!
I second what Rust Dave says. The Kia Sorento first gen is by far the best value economical real off roader you can buy. Ladder frame, solid rear axel and low range. There are two systems. Especially in the 2003 - 2006 140bhp you got part time with 4x2, 4x4 lock and low range. But no ESP off button. The 2007-2009 got a simpler less effective system Permanent 4x4 . With Auto and Low range but no locking option. I have this model. You improve this buy fitting the Diptech superlocker that gives part time 4x4 with 6 settings!! I've installed it. It has all the confort of a SUV coupled with the amazing off road capability and quite a few 4x4 accesories. The 170cv 2007 -2009 with he diplocker with 100,000miles for 6000 euros is amazing value. 👏 This is the top choice.
I bought a 2004 v8 4Runner a couple of weeks ago. It does need a few things, but what a truck it is! I will build it out eventually, but it's simply great stock. I enjoy it!
I had a '05 Jeep Liberty 4x4..drove all over Southern NV...even with street tires. It was wonderfully agile. Small enough to squeeze through RR culverts
I bought a 1998 Explorer Sport (2 door, not the Sport Trac) a couple years ago and it has been much more capable than anticipated. Currently added LT265/75 R16 that fit with just a little plastic cut off the front fender flares. 126,000 miles when I bought it, $2600. Now has 145,000 miles with no issues as of yet.
I owned my 2007 Jeep Commander Overland with the 5.7L Hemi for 11 years and racked up >232,000 miles on it. It had the 4" Superlift with 33" tires, and with the QuardaDrive 2 system was unstoppable.
Great amounts of information, every time I watch this channel I run to Craig's List to see if these deals do really exist, and they do. I just wish he'd stop the extreme low angle close ups or grow his moustache thicker. He's got some wicked nose hair going on.
Being an owner of a 2008, 5.7L Commander, I appreciate you including it on this list. Interesting point you made about the 4.7L. 🤔
Great delivery! On point info. Nailed it good sir, thank you for your time!
Good for you for incorporating suggestions from your viewers. One budget rig you might want to consider are earlier Kia Sorentos with 4wd vs AWD systems. They have a 4x4 low and ARB sells rear diffocks for them. Snorkels are available. Not quite as many after market supports as for Jeep or Toyota but you can get then cheap. Decent reviews on reliability.
I just checked craigslist and am wonder how you tell if they are 4x4 vs AWD. It seems they all say AWD.
@@LarryRichelli or 2wd. Awd wasn't an option for xterras. You pretty much have to message and ask, if you're looking for a first generation, you can look at the pics to see if it has a lever next to the gear selector for the manual transfer case. If second generation it will have a circular knob on the lower part of the dash in front of the shifter to shift it in to 4wd the non 4wd will just have a black blank circle where the knob should be.
matt, you nailed this list. all of these vehicles should be on the radar of anyone in search of a "sleeper" overloading machine for a good price. my relatives have first-hand experience with the gen 1 and 2 troopers, and they were amazing... when they worked. I miss the pathfinders that were the "4-runner we have at home". but, F-U for letting the cat out of the bag about the sequoia. my wife has been Jonesin for a Tahoe, but I have been shopping for a sequoia for her instead. they seem to be on the respect plane equal to the highlander, but with vastly increased capability. on second thought.. they really are garbage, and no one should buy them second hand-- avoid gen 1 sequoias at all costs!
If I get the Sport Trac, I only get the 2010 Adrenalin with V8 and slap an Edelbrock supercharger on it. 400bhp Baby 😋.
I was hoping you'd mention the Ford Escape. Not too bad overland.
Honorable Mention: LR Discovery 2. Replaced my D1 with an 04 D2 after I rolled her.....
I'm a nostalgic fool (Classic Jeep Waggoner/J10 & 20 pu) so the Comander is a natural given that boxy body.
But I owned a very similar truck,,
The Dodge Durango.
It was the 5.9L AWD version and I honestly never felt safer of all the Offroad vehicles I've owned. And I've owned many many different rigs. It was a freakin TANK💪!
Hands down 💯.
Oh man, 5.9 Durango ain't nothing to be messed with! Friend of mine's dad had one and it was a beast... and that motor had one of the better exhaust notes I can remember from that era!
The location of the starter on the Toyotas is there to protect it from off roading conditions. It is a tradeoff they made to increase reliability.
I’d buy that, had the UZ engine not originally been designed for the LS400 and not off-road applications.
I drive a 1st Gen '91 Isuzu Trooper. I love everything about it, except its lack of power - ITS SLOW. Although it is slow, I have driven it everywhere and it hasn't let me down or gotten stuck. I bought it in Oregon and drove it home to Los Angeles. Planning on doing a 1UZFE V8 swap soon. It'll be perfect.
I'd love to see that project when it's all said and done! I love first gen Troopers.
1998-2011 ford ranger/Mazda b4000 5spd 4x4 can be found for DIRT CHEAP and are quite capable off-road and can fit 265/75r16 tires from stock. Definitely lacking some passenger space with the crummy rear jumpseats but overall awesome for the money.
I have been looking for a Sequoia in the last few weeks, that is what brought me to your channel. Good stuff, I subscribed, thanks for the info. I have also been looking at a Pathfinder, also on your list. My reading led me to find that Toyota also used Dana axles on the Sequoia. Great video.
I am going to look at a 2004 for 5600 bucks with 221k miles. The non-VVT engine is a JDM while the VVT was built in Alabama. Toyota Racing Development offered a bolt-on supercharger kit for the 2000-2003 Tundra/Sequoia and the 1998-2003 LX 470.
Wow, I didn't know there was a difference in the engine source like that. I'd definitely go for the non-VVT JDM variant if I had to chose. I also didn't know there was a TRD supercharger in those years too! I knew there was one for the V6 and even the 2.7 in the Tacoma and 4Runner in that era, had no clue they'd made on for the UZ!
@@MattKester I dug around a little about the supercharger, it will add another 115 HP to the engine, I didnt see any torque numbers though.
@@paladin11C40 Dang! That's an impressive gain from a factory authorized accessory!
Really enjoyed this. I've owned both generations of isuzu trooper. My daily driver is a 2002 trooper with the manual transmission and 265k miles on the original engine. The automatic transmission models are best avoided. The first gen models while lacking in creature comforts, are great vehicles as well. For me, an honorable mention would be the first 2 generations of mitsubishi monteros.
Is the automatic in the Montero pretty solid?
@@bradh6185 they seem to be. My 91 has the aisin built automatic and they have a good reputation..
@@shelbyshadow91 Thanks.
Thanks for this video. Glad to see you mention Isuzu! New subsciber! The later Troopers had an issue with oil consumption in the 3.5L engines. I'm going to paste the comment I had on your earlier video in case it helps someone. "I had a 93 Trooper RS, and currently have a '02 Rodeo 3.2l with only 74K miles and paid $1800 for it, leaving me lots of cushion for upgrades and preventative maintenance. It is a manual, with 4LO and 4Hi, or 2WD and 4.30 gears. The primary issue with these Isuzu's are the weaker automatic transmissions. If you are handy with a wrench then they are great budget builds/trucks. I've had a XJ, two ZJs, and two AMC J10s which I have done extensive work on and sold for a decent profit. I landed on Isuzu because they are cheaper than dirt, and the driving characteristics and interior remind me of 3rd gen 4Runners but without the Toyota tax. A result of the Bubble era. They are body on frame, really easy to lift(crank the torsion bars up front, spacers or coils in the rear). I like the rear doors swinging outward, allowing for a easy way to mount a table, or molle packs for organization. They don't have the aftermarket support so you need to be creative, or follow the lessons others have learned online. But I snagged a NIB ARB BullBar/bumper."
Thanks for watching and subbing, Joseph! Also, big thanks for the extra information on the Trooper. They are definitely one vehicle I wish we were getting a relaunch of!
My wifes jeep liberty has proved itslef to be solid off road and on. Other than the the ohio winters and road salt rusting it out
My cousin’s wife had one that went quite a ways too, they definitely are another under appreciate option, especially the diesels!
The problem with the 4.0 V6 in the Sport Trac is one chain is in the rear the other is in front so when the chain guides go you have to pull the engine to repair it.
Ahh geez!! I found your Isuzu Trooper piece here, I feel special now! Fyi the Ford 4 Litre SOHC is a ROBUST mid-range V6 option. Barring the previously mentioned timing chain issues. Mine had nearly 400k on it when sold (running and driving)
They sure do go man! I feel like the shortlist for the next rig I buy has Trooper or Montero written all over it!
@@MattKester DANG that'd be awesome!
In Australia it's probably the older Toyota Hilux and the Nissan GQ patrol
In Australia, our used four wheelers go for a bit, so our budgets are stretched a bit more than our American counterparts. Most older patrols, that are affordable, are beat up. Discovery, rodeo, courier, and 1st and second gen pajeros are affordable. As are the older pathfinders, challengers, jackaroos , Frontera and the older Cherokees and grand Cherokees.
In Mexico, Isuzus and Cherokees are very cheap, there are also some Monteros that are a little over the budget but with more reliability
I like your added feature of skip intro.
I just got an LR3 in the $5k range and I'm pumped about it.
I’m more than a little jealous!
I was surprised to not see the xj or zj. Montero should make the list too
Xj and zj were both talked about in pt. 1
"Engineers are some of the dumbest smart people I've ever met"... Man, I peed a little hahaha
The US Air Force had a program that took engineers out into the field to work on stuff that had not been designed with ease of maintenance in mind. Things got better :-)
I waved to you on the 60! 👋🏻
Trooper is a great vehicle, just a pitty that GM decided to put the POS 4l30e trans in the car, ruined it for me. You can put the aw340f trans in, but it's going to be expensive.
Would love to meet up and hit some trails with you! Just moved to your area
Hey! Thanks for waving! That was the first time someone ever recognized us from the channel like that in public... we thought you were just waving to tell us we were in fire or something! Anyhow, hit me up on the @frugalexplorerdad Instagram or email me matt@frugalexplorerfamily.com and we’ll see if we can set something up!
In Canada, the best deal is probably a 97-04 grand Cherokee. They are the cheapest deals and are plenty capable.
I wanted one of those Jeeps but they are hard to find in decent condition. I decided to go with a 99 Durango and I couldn’t be happier.
We will see how it goes against my cousins 96 Cherokee.
99-04 Grand Cherokees way down on power (235HP), which is pretty bad from a V8.
@@donmynack there is so much more to it than peak hp. You have to look at a torque to hp chart to see how it is down all rpms. You want good low end torque for offroading. Honestlynyou probably never even use the max hp anyways, especially in an SUV
Very nice I enjoyed watching 👍148 thank you for sharing 💖 waiting for your visit my friend 😉
Thank you!
I thinks about getting the jeep commander. Thank you for information. Any other inform from anyone on this suv, would be appreciated.
Out here in North Borneo it is Toyota that is king. Yes，we have our share of isuzu and Nissan and Land Rover but most people look on Toyota as the vehicle with the best second hand value. And out here diesel is the most common engine. The names for the vehicles also differ.
Yeah, it’s crazy how many different names the same vehicles got sold under around the world!
I'm looking at the gen 3 Montero Limited.
Oh man, that’s a good one!
@@MattKester Don't do a video on them yet!
@@bradh6185 we actually mentioned them in our first budget overlanders video, lol
Mitsubishi Montero SR - not the Sport. I am also very fond of the LR Discovery 1 & 2.
The most under rated 4x4 is the Mitsubishi Pajero/Shogun. I don't know what they go for in the US, but they're about the cheapest decent 2nd hand 4x4 here in South Africa.
The Sequia is basically a 200 series and the Aussies have a slew of upgrades and mods on them. The Sparesbox 200 immediately springs to mind. They built a track rig in 24 hours(might be 48) from a mall crawler 200. They are however grossly overpriced here, and honestly I'd rather buy the 105 at half the price.
If you can find them, the our version of the Pajero/Shogun, the Montero can be a really gold value. We missed out on a very nice third Gen by a couple of hours before we bought the Disco. There’s a guy on the other side of town from me who does a lot of work on older Monteros, especially a lot of Toyota UZ swaps into them. He’s on Instagram @toastyfab (I’ll link at the end of the comment), he’s even got a imported RHD Pajero Mini!
I think the Sequoia lacks a lot of the refinement a features compared to the 200 series we got over here. In fact, since the 80 series, I’d argue that Toyota abandoned the serious off-road market with the 100/200 series we got here. Heck, our outgoing 200 series has been a single spec, $80,000 luxury barge that then suffers from an even more luxxed-out teammate in the Lexus LX that is literally only a few thousand dollars more! Unlike some of the other flagship models that make good a good value down the road, unlike the various generations of Jeep Grand Cherokees, or literally any other vehicle, they never depreciate out. That sparesbox200 does look pretty impressive though, I just wished Toyota would have brought the more utilitarian versions of the LC over here. I mean, Christ, did they not look at the metric f-ton of Gladiator pickups Jeep has sold and not though, wow, we really missed the mark not offering the 70 series over there?
Sorry, this is a rant and a gripe I’ve had for some time, maybe I oughta make that into a video, lol!
instagram.com/toastyfab?igshid=yywq6v3t4k6w
@@MattKester I bought a Gen 2 Paj for ZAR 10k, about a 650 USD, auto box is fooked, but can got one for ZAR 7k or about 470 USD. Using it for my daily, but the 3,5 is thirsty gas at about 1,20 USD/liter and it gives me 7-8 km/l or 16,5 mpg.
The ace up my sleeve though is my Yamaha Tw200, with winter only 3 months of the year I can live with the Paj.
My farm truck is a series 2 Landy with a 2,25 petrol motor, it's quite clapped out, but still works on the farm. Can't take it on road as there's no regestration/title on it and no way to get it regestred 😭 because of the corruption levels we have. It has to either be trailerd or stay off road. If the cops find it on road it gets confiscated and destroyed.
You see a lot mini Paj's in Botswana and they're just as good as the Suzuki Jimmy /Samurai. They're quite underpowered as they come with a 650cc motor, then you also get the turbo version that has a bit more punch. But on road you'll do well to go faster than 60mph.
The Gen 1, 2 & 3 Paj's are the better ones to buy they still have a body on frame construction, the Gen 4 on is a pile of shit compared to the older ones, as they're unibody vehicles and can't handle what the older ones can.
Don't mind your rant at all.
I see a potential value in the first gen Mercedes ML’s. Alabama trash cans for 2-5 grand on Craigslist.
Hmm, might be worth looking at. The only thing I’ve ever seen on them in the off-road space was a brief shootout TFL did with them, the freelander, and I can’t remember the third rig they put up in that particular test...
I have the 08 with the 4.7
I've had 2 first gen Xterras. They go everywhere, but not fast. Also, the VG33 is garbage. Hard to work on, underpowered, and is extremely sensitive to overheating. If you have a 1st gen Xterra, the first mod should be a radiator upgrade.
Why does everyone overlook the Jeep Patriot ? They are a nimble little Suv.
Not yet in the "Cheap" category
I bought me a 2wd titan not to long ago it has low mileage and I wondering if there's an overland set up for 2wd trucks
Yes can’t wait to watch!!!
Great video love these keep em coming ,
Thank you!
What about the Infiniti QX4 (the Pathfinder’s dressed up sister)? Honda Pilot? Or more “soft roader”?
QX4 wouldn't be bad at all! I should have mentioned it when we were talking about the R50, as they're almost identical under the skin. I'm also feeling like I need to do a softroaders video sometime soon! The editor and founder of Overland Adventures Magazine, Mary Beth Ebnet, actually drives a second generation Honda Pilot!
Tahoe and suburban and variants.
For sure
What about the first gen Dodge Durango and second gen Dakota?
If you can still find over in decent shape and for a good price, sure. I just don’t seem them all that often and a lot of the ones I do see are pretty much trashed.
@@MattKester That's fair I mean usually Durango's at least were soccer mom vehicles so you can find them in about the same condition as a grand Cherokee of the same generation
So if I can find a 4Runner with under 200k and a v8 for around $8k, I should buy it? I was looking a d have a few near me at dealerships.
What do you think of a Mitsubishi montero
It’s been on my shortlist of “next rigs” for a while. It was featured in my first round B of budget rigs.
Stuck between early 2000s 4Runner or 05 pathfinder fully loaded 4x4 with 120k for 5000?
I doubt you’ll touch any decent 4Runner for the same price. That pathfinder is a solid rig, the VQ motor in it is a beast, I’d definitely consider it. I would definitely make sure that it’s had the radiator swapped or an aux trans cooler put in, or budget to do that right away to avoid the pink milkshake of death. Also, I don’t believe they came with a lot in the way of underbody protection, so if your gonna go start doing some serious off-road work, I’d make sure you’ve at least for skid plates installed under the sensitive bits. You’d be surprise how often we nail the bash guard under the radiator on our 3rd Gen thanks to how IFS lets the front end drop when it gets off camber.
@@MattKester thanks man 4Runner are only going up in socal. Also I’m looking into the xterras early 2000s
@@FOPEZ they aren’t bad rigs either, for as much as I’ve rubbed on them. They’re just harder to find in gently used condition, if you know what I mean!
We have a 2006 and original owners.
Isuzu Rodeo or Isuzu VehiCROSS (if you can find one)
what's the highest amount of miles you'd be okay with purchasing on a car. i see a lot of these kinds of vehicles, in the 5k range but most all have around 180 - 210k miles. is it worth more for less miles?
I try to stay below the 200k range, ideally below 150k, but I realize in this market, that's kinda hard to do. One advantage to stuff in that 200k range, if you don't mind getting your hands dirty, is finding out what kinda big ticket maintenance items have/have not been done, and use it to start lowing your offer. Most anything on that list is gonna be looking for bushings, shocks, ball joints, and timing belts around that time frame, so I'd look something well over and try to use that to leverage the price. That being said, this assumes you want to/are able to do a lot of that work yourself.
Looking for d1 winch bumper please help
I thought the trooper was the pathfinder?
Ahh yes the rodeo such a fun rig
You know it... I always kinda thought the Amigo variant would've been a whole heck of a lot of fun!
Fed. Good used buyer second attempt when prices are going up +5%/month ? Sticking with a make or model that's still produced tells one an MY12 Nissan Y62 Armada/Patrol V8 is decades old design, including Bluetooth and upto 9000 pound tow rating should be there with a D3 ? V.
Isuzu has a reputation for swapping transmissions and driveline parts often making it difficult to find the right parts to fix the problems you have with the one you have.
1999 to 2004 jeep grand cherokee
Hey Charles, we love the WJ here. We’ve got several videos on the channel featuring our buddy Rene’s awesome ‘99 4.0!
I think a cheap, high mileage 4th gen 4Runner beats all these buggies in price and reliability.
I’d disagree about it beating all these buggies on price. Cheapest 4wd 4th Gen within 500 miles of me on Autotrader is a V6 dealer sale for $7000 and has 250k on the clock, which also means it’s probably gonna be looking for some bushings and potentially head gaskets sometime soon. That being said, I will say that in my opinion, 4th Gens are the best “value” option in 4Runners at the moment, and if I was going to buy another 4Runner, it’s the route I would go.
Cheap and 4Runner are opposites!
@@LarryRichelli pretty much… know anyone looking for a 175k mile 3rd Gen? Clean four owner… $15k Firm… I KNOW WHAT I HAVE! LoL
I love that line engineers are the dumbest smart people I’ve ever met ditto LOL
Pretty much! Spent a lot of time with one a few years back who I swear spent his weekends chasing butterflies with a net whilst wearing a propeller beanie!
I've seen some soft cursers do what 90% of what most people want to do
Very true! I've seen plenty of Subies out on the trails around here too!
Honestly can't top the R50
You know, if I even had to replace our 3rd Gen, it would be one of the top contenders on my list, that's for sure!
Isuzu Trooper / better than Prado 90 in every way. BTW Ssangyoung are not Isuzu its based on Mitsubishi And Troopers 90-2002 are new models much more rugged and capable than older model. I owned Opel Monterey 3.1 Diesel (Trooper 93 model) and they are better than antyging from 90's... but less offroad capable than Discovery i owned now. Explorer are piece of old c...p in comparison to Trooper GEn.2
Dang it, Wikipedia screwed me on that Ssanyoug one!!!
@@MattKester try to ride once Gen 2 Trooper is more like Toyota 120 or 200 in case of space nad comf than for example prado 90... this 3.1 td or 3.2 V6 are great reliable easy to maintain engines. :) And gas mielage... 9l per 100km with diesel option wow just wow. 3.1 TD got 4 cyl Direct Injection with top mounted Intercooler... great low end torque monster. I sold mine only becaue it got rusty frame... and i just love Discos... :P
XTERRA UGLY!? WTF!