advice on a "rugged" outdoor vehicle

adam0321

adam0321

Joined
Aug 20, 2009
Messages
495
please move if this is the wrong place for this.

I am in the market for a new vehicle as mine is starting to give me problems. I currently drive a 04 Yukon. I love trucks and have owned two Silverados but a SUV suits me better.

I am an avid backpacker and am always carrying gear, bikes, or dive gear.

these are my needs

4x4
able to carry 3 dogs in the back on road trips 2 are German shepherds.
4 door
decent ground clearance
and able to tow about 3000lbs

My biggest complaint about suvs and trucks nowadays is that they are all too luxury based. I get it that we will probably never see a international harvester or k5 blazer again but I hate that EVERYTHING on the new cars are push button and computer controlled.

I would prefer manual 4x4 and as few electronics as possible. these are my ideas

another Yukon, Toyota 4 runner, or an xterra.

Any thoughts or ideas.
 
I knew a couple who had an xterra and it accommodated them and their two boxers. I don't believe they did as much outdoorsy stuff though.
 
how many miles do you cover per year? what's your budget? SUV's get poor gas mileage, and parts for them are expensive. consider getting 2 older, cheaper vehicles, One a SUV for hobbyist stuff, and a little commuter car. Same or less money spent, have a spare vehicle in case one goes down, and burn less gas per year, have the ability for both you and the wife, kid, etc, to go in different directions for daily chores, etc.
 
alewn
not a bad idea. I cover about 5k a year. maybe 7 if we take a big trip. I'm not too concerned with the gas mileage. But the eco impact they have bothers me a bit.

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What "problems" do you speak of. My 04 Yukon has 170K on the clock and still runs like a top, but then again, I wouldnt be very good at my job if it didnt. Thoughts on the three you mentioned:
Yukon: GM trucks are my fav but I dislike several things about the new models. AFM is a nightmare whenit fails, and I despise electric steering.
4-Runner: probably the best Jap midsize SUV as far as reliability is concerned.
Xterra: Im also one of the fewer Nissan fans out there, but Nissan tends to be less forgiving when it comes to lack of maintenance/neglect. However, take care of them well and they last a long time. The Xterra is probably the most "rugged" of the ones you mentioned. Fairly minimal as far as electronics and gimmicks are concerned, but thats how and what it was designed for.
Hope this helps.
 
I'd give the Xterra a look. I'm up to 225K on my '01 and still running sort of strong, but the main selling point is it has never let me down. Before this I had Broncos - both early and late body styles, and while I miss the features of both of them, I've found the Xterra to be a decent mix of what made them good and more "modern" features.
 
I think the main thing is look model year to model year, or gen-to-gen on a lot of these trucks. A big change can happen between years. But if you are liking the Xterra, worth looking into.

It depends on whats going wrong with the yukon, it may be worth keeping on the road, since it will be hard to find a used 4x4 in the category you want that hasn't been driven hard. There is a bit of a false economy with two cars, as the idle car still needs all that maintenance, but depending on your circumstances (parking, useage, rating) you may or may not end up paying that much more insurance for the other car, just depends on what your local system is like.

Another option, a truck with a topper on the back? easier to secure the dogs for safety, more cargo space. Downside is worse back seats unless you go big.
 
4Runner. Ours is now 10 years old w/ ~225,000 miles on the odometer. Only scheduled maintenance and wear parts have put it in the shop in the last ten years.
 
4Runner as well, Toyota has a really well done 4wd not all wheel drive. Plenty of room and enough comforts to be nice to drive. My FJ has been a butt kicker off road and is comfy on road for longer drives. Low maintenance and reasonable economy. Of all the current new vehicles I think its the way to go especially one of the trail rated versions.
 
I've got to the point that I want two cars. I like having one OLD truck for ease of maintenance, 4wd, ruggedness, and something that doesn't matter if it gets dinged up. It gets pitiful MPG, but that's OK. Then I have a "city" car that I really don't like at all but it gets great MPG and works a little better around town. Neither are new, or even close to it. I can own and maintain both for less than a new truck payment.
 
blades&wrenches said:
What "problems" do you speak of. My 04 Yukon has 170K on the clock and still runs like a top, but then again, I wouldnt be very good at my job if it didnt. Thoughts on the three you mentioned:
Yukon: GM trucks are my fav but I dislike several things about the new models. AFM is a nightmare whenit fails, and I despise electric steering.
4-Runner: probably the best Jap midsize SUV as far as reliability is concerned.
Xterra: Im also one of the fewer Nissan fans out there, but Nissan tends to be less forgiving when it comes to lack of maintenance/neglect. However, take care of them well and they last a long time. The Xterra is probably the most "rugged" of the ones you mentioned. Fairly minimal as far as electronics and gimmicks are concerned, but thats how and what it was designed for.
Hope this helps.
Click to expand...
mainly electrical problems. DIC going out, rear view mirror compass/temp does not work, AC randomly blows very hot, ABS randomly kicking in.

I think I have ruled out the extrra. The only thing I keep going back to about the 4-Runner is that it gets roughly the same MPG has the Yukon.

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So the exterra is out. They ate now discontinued. I test drove a new yukon, a 4-runner, and a sequoia. I likes both the sequoia and the 4-runner. I am fearful that 4-runner is not big enough for the dogs. But the sequoia is bordering on too flashy. The yukon is also a bit flashy. the Yukon are both about the same price but the Yukon dealership is running a lifetime power train warranty.

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Speaking as to the dogs, I take 2 pretty often with me in my Fj and its smaller by quite a bit than the 4runner. Ones a 110lb boxer the other is a german shepard mix. No problems with size and room even with packs and gear for a 4 day camping trip. I have been very impressed with the 4wd system on the Fj which is just about the same on the 4runner. Pulled several full size pick ups that were stuck axel deep in mud out over memorial day weekend. Also one jeep wrangler that managed to get stuck, no idea how he managed to bury it that deep lol.
 
Jeep Wrangler Unlimited (the 4-door one) with a hard top might work for you. Jeep does not have the reliability reputation of Toyota, but you have a lot of aftermarket options for parts or modifications. I've driven larger SUVs and they are great for road trips but the Jeep is much lighter and the smaller size helps maneuverability.
 
adam0321 said:
mainly electrical problems. DIC going out, rear view mirror compass/temp does not work, AC randomly blows very hot, ABS randomly kicking in.

I think I have ruled out the extrra. The only thing I keep going back to about the 4-Runner is that it gets roughly the same MPG has the Yukon.
Click to expand...
We've owned 3 Chevys in the last 35 years. Damned things were plagued by non-power train problems, mostly electrical. The last one spent a huge amount of time in the shop under warranty so I ended up getting rid of it while it was still under warranty. We will never own another Chevy. Even if they turn around and begin making an ultra-reliable product, Chevy has forever lost me as a customer as I can't trust their products, and reliability is my top criteria in a vehicle.
 
leghog,

That is one of my biggest complaints with GM. I love their styling and the ergonomics of the interiors. However, for $60K+ I should not have to worry 30K miles down the road weather or not my lift gate will open or randomly lock and not allow me to open it. I have owned a Sierra, Silverado, Tahoe, and now the yukon. I have replaced the fuel pump in every one, the Front hub wheel assembly in every one because the ABS starts kicking in for no reason, the Driver information center craps out, the A/C will randomly start blowing hot air. I mean hot enough to burn you. Then when I went to the GM dealership yesterday I spoke with the salesman about all the problems I have had with my Yukon and why I am reluctant to purchase another full size GM. His reply was that it gives the vehicle character.

As I stated for what they charge for those damn things, they should be more reliable. The latest "character flaw" is that my Yukon will randomly engage the 4X4 and not come out. But good luck finding any vehicle nowadays that does not have push button 4X4.

We went to all the dealerships that have vehicles I am interested in. Nissan tried selling me a march or an altima once I learned that they no longer make the exterra. An altima seriously, when I come in and tell you I need a 4X4. The toyota dealership was the best. I have been watching a ton of videos and reviews about the 4Runners. I think when the time comes I will be getting one of those. They seem to be the last SUV that still has the outdoors in mind. We went up to one of the lakes yesterday and there were 4Runners everywhere.

Happy 4th everyone. Stay safe.
 
if you can find one, the older 4Runners are about as bullet proof as you can get. Mine is a 1988, with well over 300K miles. 24 mph on the highway, 18 around town. Goes anywhere, any time. Sand trails, mud holes, mountains. All the same
 
adam0321 said:
leghog,

That is one of my biggest complaints with GM. I love their styling and the ergonomics of the interiors. However, for $60K+ I should not have to worry 30K miles down the road weather or not my lift gate will open or randomly lock and not allow me to open it. I have owned a Sierra, Silverado, Tahoe, and now the Yukon. I have replaced the fuel pump in every one, the Front hub wheel assembly in every one because the ABS starts kicking in for no reason, the Driver information center craps out, the A/C will randomly start blowing hot air. I mean hot enough to burn you. Then when I went to the GM dealership yesterday I spoke with the salesman about all the problems I have had with my Yukon and why I am reluctant to purchase another full size GM. His reply was that it gives the vehicle character.
Click to expand...
You are just a bit slower learning than me. I only needed to own three GM vehicles to make the point. :)


There are two Toyotas (wife's and son's), a Honda (youngest daughter), and a Kia (mine) in my driveway right now. My oldest daughter owns another Toyota.
 
In 2012 we sold my 1978 HiLux P/U. It had 434,000 miles on it. The buyer changed the oil in my driveway then drove off.

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