Jon R. Pickens wrote:
> Why don't you trust a Jeep?? That's one of the oldest and most proven
> designs still in production. Sure, the brand new Wranglers are

I don't trust a used Jeep because I don't know anything about Jeeps, in
general. Right now, I simply see it as a used car that you're going to
take out somewhere to further beat the crap out of. But I've never
purchased a used car before, let alone--a used jeep, I don't know
anything about them. Maybe it would be good and I just need to know
what to look for in used jeep. It's just ignorance and my learning
process, Jon--that's all.

> different than a CJ2A, but the basic design elements are still there.
> They're simple and functional. Jeep's 4.0L six-cylinder is a solid,
> proven engine, and most will come with Dana axles.

What's a Dana axle? Is that something that I should be looking for? I
know from experience that a Japanese engines will outlast most other
engines out there--I've owned two Pontiacs, one Chevy and an old Isuzu
p'up. I treated the p'up like crap (I was young). I never changed the
oil, never did any maintenance on it and it just kept going. Then I
sold it to my brother for next to nothing (family discount) and he
treated worse. The p'up wouldn't die--then he sold it--I've been
impressed by Isuzu ever since. But I babied my 1996 Camaro and my two
Pontiac Fieros and they both crapped out in the time that I saw the
little p'up running around town. I bought a Toyota after that. But as
I've stated before, I don't know anything about Jeep engines. I know
their dependable--it's a Jeep. At the risk of starting a GM vs. Japan
thread--which I don't indend to. By my, and only my observation, I've
been able to trust a Japanese engine even after >100k miles and not be
as succesful with a GM product. It's possible that I've had three
lemons in a row. But that's what my experience has been.

> I would personally get a used Jeep CJ-7, or an older SUV-type (I hate
> the term SUV applied to the following TRUCKS, but...) such as a Chevy
> Blazer, Dodge Ramcharger, or Ford Bronco. All of the above in their

Excellent, this is good to know. Because I see plenty of those types of
vehicles in ads going for < 4k, and that's what I'm looking for.

> With any off road vehicle, a good solid drivetrain is the most
> important thing. If the engine, transmission and axles are all in
> sound mechanical condition, then you have the makings of a good
> reliable off-road vehicle.

How can I verify that the drivetrain is in sound mechanical
condition--what do I look for?

> The cosmetics are of no importance off
> road, and frankly, the worse, the better. Having a well-worn vehicle

I kind of like the old Scouts. I've seen a few of them advertised in
my local Autotrader, but I don't know how dependable the engines or the
drivetrains are?

> By the way, if you spend >$20,000 for a vehicle that'll be used only
> occasionally just to get you further out into the desert, then you'll
> have spent about $15,000+/- too much. My rust-free 1986 Chevy K5
> Blazer cost me around $3800 back in 2002. It was a former Police
> truck--low mileage (around 100k at the time, not bad for a then-16yr
> old truck), solid body, and basic interior (vinyls seats, rubber floor)
> that just screams "get me dirty". I can practically hose it out when
> I'm done...

good, I needed to read about an example of something exactly what I'm
looking for.
Maybe I just need to know specifically what to look for and I'll be
good to go.

thanks, Jon