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Author: Subject: 4x4 beater preference
yakyak2010
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[*] posted on 10-23-2011 at 06:16 PM
4x4 beater preference


I'll throw this ? out there. If you wanted a used 4x4 beater for baja (read cheap,reliable as a rock, and throw in 20+mpg), what would you all think is the best vehicle out there? Not a offroad racer just something that will get you where you need to go.



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Barry A.
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[*] posted on 10-23-2011 at 06:20 PM


Your "20+ mpg" criteria sure eliminates most of them, if not all.

Barry
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yakyak2010
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[*] posted on 10-23-2011 at 06:38 PM


Quote:
Originally posted by Barry A.
Your "20+ mpg" criteria sure eliminates most of them, if not all.

Barry
I didn't ask for easy. As long has it doesn't have solar panels or more than one battery, I'm good.



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Bajaboy
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[*] posted on 10-23-2011 at 06:50 PM


4 cylinder Taco



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N2Baja
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[*] posted on 10-23-2011 at 06:55 PM


Does it have to be 4x4? I had a postal jeep that went everywhere the 4x4's went. It had a 6 cyl engine in it and was very easy to work on.



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Ken Cooke
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[*] posted on 10-23-2011 at 07:28 PM


Quote:
Originally posted by Bajaboy
4 cylinder Taco


You took the words right out of my mouth. Try to obtain one with a straight axle - '80-'84 model, preferably.




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mojo_norte
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[*] posted on 10-23-2011 at 08:26 PM


4 cylinder Taco - unless you want to lower the MPG to high teens..



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BFS
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[*] posted on 10-23-2011 at 08:31 PM


4 door sidekick 4x4 gets way over 20 mpg, flies across the sand, cheap to buy, easy to fix...



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mojo_norte
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[*] posted on 10-23-2011 at 08:37 PM


My 95 wrangler 2.5 FI 4 cyl 5spd gets 20 mpg -
My 87 F150 5.0 VI V8 gets 17 MPG.
Both are rock solid reliable




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ddawson
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[*] posted on 10-23-2011 at 08:50 PM


Quote:
Originally posted by Bajaboy
4 cylinder Taco


This.
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David K
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[*] posted on 10-23-2011 at 10:45 PM


Suzuki Samuri, Old Toyota 4 cyl.



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J.P.
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[*] posted on 10-24-2011 at 03:12 AM


I have a clean 1995 Nissan Se v6 4x4 with 138,000 mi with air,power brakes and steering,factory lift, good Toyo tires, Nice camper shell very clean truck Liscensed untill Oct 2012 I will sell for $4,000dls firm It,s in Ensenada.
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paranewbi
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[*] posted on 10-24-2011 at 03:20 AM


"4 door sidekick 4x4 gets way over 20 mpg, flies across the sand, cheap to buy, easy to fix..."
BFS is right!
Got one...230,000 miles and one new radiator. Won't haul cattle but really does fly across the dirt.
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rhintransit
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[*] posted on 10-24-2011 at 04:50 AM


Suzuki Sammys or GEO Trackers...
not much room, but they go anywhere, are easy to fix, and gas mileage is great. (unless you have/run AC, in which case it goes way down, as does the zip factor)




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willyAirstream
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[*] posted on 10-24-2011 at 05:37 AM


ditto on the Suzuki Samuri

also jeep wagoneer from the 80's, but it won't get 20mpg

[Edited on 10-24-2011 by willyAirstream]




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BooJumMan
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[*] posted on 10-24-2011 at 05:38 AM


Straight axle Toyota "Hilux" (They are just really the Toyota Pickups -- not considered a Tacoma).
They were made from 1979 through 1995.5. Straight axle variations: 79-85. Rest are torsion bar front with leaf rear.

1985 was the only year they offered an EFI (22-RE opposed to the carburated 22-R) and straight axle, and is the holy grail of Toyota pickups.

Even a freshly built 22-RE will give you only 20 mpg on mixed 50/50 city/highyway at best. The parts are very cheap to replace, but you shouldn't need to. I did my own top end repair (head gaskets, valve job, cam shaft, etc...) for about $250. ;)

I'm always tempted to buy one of those early 90's Jeep Grand Cherokee's for like $1k but I don't know how reliable they would be. The Toyota pickups will be a dime a dozen. The Tacoma's (95.5 and above) will be considerably more money because of the larger I-4, coil sprung suspension, body improvements, etc...
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BajaGringo
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[*] posted on 10-24-2011 at 07:33 AM


My suggestion? Buy the cheapest, most dependable 4x4 you can find and don't worry about the gas mileage....



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Islandbuilder
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[*] posted on 11-11-2011 at 05:17 PM


Hello,

I'm looking at a '96 F-350 regular cab. This has the 7.3 turbo diesel on a 5 speed stick. The seller assures me that it gets 20mpg on the highway due, I guess, to it having very tall differential gearing.

It's dented and worn, but it starts, pulls well, and is under $4,000.

Any thoughts? Anyone want to do an intervention before Monday when I put it on the rack and inspect it prior to purchase?

Thanks!
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tiotomasbcs
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[*] posted on 11-11-2011 at 05:53 PM


I'll vote for the Subaru GL Wagon. My 4X 87 Wagon has only 120,000 miles altho its rusting apart. The mountain communities are full of em and they are super dependable! Snow or sand! Shame on you DK for not mentioning your original Baja vehicles? ps mines not for sale. Tio
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Curt63
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[*] posted on 11-11-2011 at 05:54 PM


I cant speak about the year/model of that truck, but the Ford 7.3 Diesel is an excellent engine.



No worries
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