• Guest, UPDATE We went through the site migration runbook and completed all steps. We will need to complete the migration next week, but will leave the forums up for the weekend. A few days after maintenance, a major upgrade revision to the forum site will occur.
  • HTML tutorial

Budget Weekender Rig

Lance K.

Lance K.

Rank IV
Member

Enthusiast III

So, since the Xterra is currently down for rebuilding, the wife and I were discussing the idea of a smaller "Weekender" rig. We're toying with the idea of either a 1st Gen awd Honda CR-V or an older Toyota RAV4 sport. I've found a few of each for a pretty decent price. Just curious, has anyone else here used one of these platforms to build on?
 
Lance K.

Lance K.

Rank IV
Member

Enthusiast III

MMc said:
I have owned many Honda autos they have been bullet proof. They are not for more than dirt roads. Why not get a trailer?
Click to expand...
Unfortunately it's going to be a while before we're able to get the Xterra back on the road. Found more issues when we were getting into it the other day. Talked about building out a smaller rig for my wife and for doing short trips. Not looking to build anything to do something other than just gravel road for that one
 
Autism Family Travels

Autism Family Travels

Rank IV

Enthusiast III

That gen crv can take a beating. No issues at all besides the rusties. The newer ones with the roundish smiley face are brutal. Stay away from those. Rav's. Can't go wrong. Also look at subies and small jeeps too. We love the patriot and theres a decent aftermarket for it. Just don't buy the rough country crap lift. It's junk. Get daystar, or RRO.
 
BAJA-X

BAJA-X

Rank II

Enthusiast III

Ir1shDr1fter said:
So, since the Xterra is currently down for rebuilding, the wife and I were discussing the idea of a smaller "Weekender" rig. We're toying with the idea of either a 1st Gen awd Honda CR-V or an older Toyota RAV4 sport. I've found a few of each for a pretty decent price. Just curious, has anyone else here used one of these platforms to build on?
Click to expand...
Why not a Suzuki Grand Vitara. They are extremely offroad capable. Check out some You tube videos.
 
ThundahBeagle

ThundahBeagle

Rank V

Advocate I

Have a GMC Sierra, daily driver. Mild mods but more I want to do. But. It. Drinks!
So then I thought I'd add a Subaru Forester to the mix as the daily driver for better economy and the legendary AWD. Keep the Sierra for weekend duty. Haven't squeezed the trigger on a Forester yet because we bought a house.
Some folks say Subies are great AWD but cost more annually for upkeep, and high mileage ones are money pits? I dont know.

But what I DO know is all of my Hondas had put up with more than they ought to have. '87 CRX, '94 Accord, '06 Civic Si...unkillable, ALL of them!

So I thought about a 1st or 2nd gen Honda CRV and I'm still thinking about it. Once they got rid of the rear hanging spare wheel, I would go no further. That pic you present Ted would be great. Still WAY better fuel economy than my Sierra, easy to wrench on, etc.

Also thought about gen 1 & 2 Rav4...saw a UNICORN a couple weeks ago at a mechanic shop-1st gen 2 door standard shift! Of course, I would want the 4 door for a project like this but it was cool to see.

Sorry for rambling, I'm interested to see what you do here
 
Lance K.

Lance K.

Rank IV
Member

Enthusiast III

ThundahBeagle said:
Have a GMC Sierra, daily driver. Mild mods but more I want to do. But. It. Drinks!
So then I thought I'd add a Subaru Forester to the mix as the daily driver for better economy and the legendary AWD. Keep the Sierra for weekend duty. Haven't squeezed the trigger on a Forester yet because we bought a house.
Some folks say Subies are great AWD but cost more annually for upkeep, and high mileage ones are money pits? I dont know.

But what I DO know is all of my Hondas had put up with more than they ought to have. '87 CRX, '94 Accord, '06 Civic Si...unkillable, ALL of them!

So I thought about a 1st or 2nd gen Honda CRV and I'm still thinking about it. Once they got rid of the rear hanging spare wheel, I would go no further. That pic you present Ted would be great. Still WAY better fuel economy than my Sierra, easy to wrench on, etc.

Also thought about gen 1 & 2 Rav4...saw a UNICORN a couple weeks ago at a mechanic shop-1st gen 2 door standard shift! Of course, I would want the 4 door for a project like this but it was cool to see.

Sorry for rambling, I'm interested to see what you do here
Click to expand...
I actually ended up picking up this 2003 Jeep Liberty Renegade 4x4 from a work auction for stupid cheap. Just needed a battery. Just recently added some Falken Wildpeak AT3W's
 

Attachments

Lance K.

Lance K.

Rank IV
Member

Enthusiast III

Autism Family Travels said:
That gen crv can take a beating. No issues at all besides the rusties. The newer ones with the roundish smiley face are brutal. Stay away from those. Rav's. Can't go wrong. Also look at subies and small jeeps too. We love the patriot and theres a decent aftermarket for it. Just don't buy the rough country crap lift. It's junk. Get daystar, or RRO.
Click to expand...
Yeah, we actually just picked up this 2003 Jeep Liberty Renegade 4x4 from my work auction for stupid cheap, just needed a battery.
 

Attachments

BAJA-X

BAJA-X

Rank II

Enthusiast III

genocache said:
Depending on where you want to go, stay away from all wheel drive, The National Park Service is ticketing AWD on 4x4 trails.

offroadpassport.com

National Park Service ban on AWD on 4x4 only trails

What is the clubs policy on AWD vehicles used on club outings? Here’s a link to TFL’s discussion on the topic: https://youtu.be/lllZpRPrev4?si=LnNULM8hlCi3-QTM
offroadpassport.com offroadpassport.com
Click to expand...
This Suzuki Grand Vitara is 4 WHEEL DRIVE with a locking transfer case.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top