Compact Suv
This segment is probably the most bang for your buck when it comes to purchasing a used 4x4. Compact SUVs are typically inexpensive because they are lighter and therefore have less beefy components requiring fewer raw materials to manufacture in the first place. We like them because as dedicated trail rigs, they are towable, cheap to maintain, and super-easy to modify. We're always impressed with how well lightweight rigs do on the trail. They always seem to make impassable lines look easy.
1st Place: '85-'95 Suzuki Samurai
Price range: $200 to $1,600
The Skinny: In the world of four-wheeling, Samurais are often the butt of many jokes: "How many squirrels do you have under the hood?" It's a question we frequently overhear while watching a little Suzuki on the trail. All jokes aside, these microsized quasi-Jeeps really hold their own despite the absence of big power and flexy suspensions. We like them because they're small and simple. The Samurai had a 1.3L, 63hp four-cylinder engine and was available as a convertible or a hardtop. In '88 1/2, the Samurai was improved with a softer riding suspension, a larger antisway bar to help reduce body roll, and a lower Fifth gear, which increased engine rpm and power at highway speeds. Further improvements came in the form of interior upgrades.
The Hot Setup: The trick arrangement for any Sammy is to swap in a fuel-injected 1.6L Geo Tracker ('89-'98) motor and drivetrain. We've seen Toyota pickup axles used under these rigs with great success. However, most owners leave the drivetrain stock and simply modify the rest of the rig to work better for extreme trail use. Lots of surprises exist in the aftermarket for Samurai owners.
Runner-up: '97-'06 Jeep Wrangler TJ
Price range: $2,500 to $12,500
The Skinny: Jeep TJs have earned more respect in the last 10 years than any new 4x4 we've witnessed. Ever since the release of the new JK, TJ sales have plummeted, resulting in a surplus of clean, buildable Wranglers perfect for aftermarket perfectionists.
There really is no limit to what you can do when it comes to modifying a TJ. The better of the two motor options is the multipoint-injected 4.0L I-6, which did a decent job of moving the lightweight Wrangler chassis around in stock form. Once bigger tires are added to the equation, more power is definitely needed. We like that they have fully boxed frames, simple coil suspensions, and are an incredibly nimble drive around town. Other noteworthy items include the factory-installed creature comforts like GPS, lockable storage compartments, and a kicking stereo system with available subwoofer.
The Hot Setup: The cat's meow in our opinion is the '06 Rubicon for obvious reasons. However, for this story-and for those of you looking for a good deal in the $2,500 to $12,500 range-the '02-'04 Wrangler is probably your best bet. Many of them exist and some even have a few of the desirable building blocks already in place for a very capable trail machine. These might include a dealer-installed suspension lift, genuine Jeep accessories such as a Warn winch, and bash-resistant bumpers front and rear. The hardtop is a good asset to have if you can find one, but most of all, consider the total mileage when searching for a TJ. Under 100,000 miles, they are strong runners and quite reliable. Upwards of 100,000 miles, you may want to think about big-ticket items such as engine, transmission, and transfer-case rebuilds.
Midsize Suv
Modern suburbia combined with higher gas prices has caused the midsize SUV segment to go nuts in recent years. This is great for the used-truck buyer because there are lots of them to choose from and the aftermarket is well established. Sizewise, these vehicles are great as daily drivers, yet the cost of ownership typically will not prevent the average Joe from owning one as a dedicated trail machine.
1st Place: '84-'96 Jeep Cherokee
Price range: $500 to $5,000
The Skinny: It might be appropriate to say the Jeep XJ is the VW Beetle of the modern SUV world. Literally millions of these unibody rigs were produced in a whole assortment of configurations: Two-door, four-door, I-4, I-6, V-6, gas, diesel, two- and four-wheel drive. These vehicles were Chrysler's catch-all solution for everything from family hauler to rural-route delivery truck. Now they're sought after because of a lightweight (3,057-pound) design combined with easy-to-find parts. Jeep Speed recognizes them as the average working-man's desert racer, while even the strictest of Jeep purists will admit to having a soft spot for yesterday's grocery getter. Built in Toledo, Ohio, these rigs have served as workhorses in every sector of government, including the U.S. Postal Service and the armed forces. If you want a ton of options, the Cherokee will deliver.
The Hot Setup: Look for a '93-'95 model with the 190hp H.O. 4.0L engine. These years featured improvements to the electrical wiring harness as well as upgrades in fuel delivery, body stiffness, and instrumentation. The cooling system features a cap-on radiator design, and the I-6 of this era remained relatively simple in terms of emissions equipment. You can do almost anything with a used XJ; rocks, sand, mud, and snow are always easier in a lightweight rig.
Runner-up: '85-'89 Toyota 4Runner
Price range: $500 to $3,000
The Skinny: Where the mid-'80s Cherokee fell short, the Toyota 4Runner picked up. We loved the fact that these came with a removable rear fiberglass hardtop. Better yet, they're basically a Toyota pickup hiding underneath an SUV costume. Options abound, and these little trucks can be tricked out with everything from solid-axle swaps to V-8 conversions. Consider a 4Runner if you have kids or like the idea of lockable storage. Private party prices are quite high compared to other SUVs of the era, but that's not a big surprise considering how well they age. We suspect 4Runners are at the top of many high-schoolers' wish lists.
The Hot Setup: Keep in mind that just about anything that can be done to a Toyota pickup will apply to the 4Runner. As such, we'd look for a rare '85 with a solid front axle and fuel injection. Otherwise, a solid-axle swap is a good idea for serious trail work. If desert prerunning is your thing, look into long-travel IFS suspension such as the Caddy Kit from Total Chaos Fabrication (951/737-9682).