DD/Weekend wheeler help?

[BELMONT148]

It looks like I am going to be moving, and changing careers. My new job is going to be working with a large construction management firm overseeing construction of schools in SC. I am trying to decide what to do about a work vehicle.

A little background about my job and weekly commute to help you, help me decide. I will be working about 2 hours from "home", but will only be driving back there on the weekends. I will be staying reletively close to work during the week. I am married and have a 4 mo. son. I need to drive to and work at construction sites monday-friday, but will not be towing anything. I currently have a 2004 camry for DD now, and a 71' FJ40 for wheeling.

Option #1:

Keep the camry for reliable commuting, and make the FJ40 more street friendly. I.E., soft top and doors, 35" all terrains, get all wiring and wipers working, new seats and center console, stereo and i pod. Will cost me about $3000 to go this route.

Option #2:

Keep the camry for long commuting. Keep the FJ40 the way it is for serious wheeling, SOA, 38's, no top. And purchase this killer 4 runner for jobsite duty, and weekend wheeling. http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=604886

Option #3:

Keep the FJ40 the way it is, trade the camry for a 2001-2004 Double cab tacoma. Slowly build it up to be a weekend wheeler. Will probably immediately lift it and put more aggresive tires on it, and replace the front and rear bumpers and put sliders under it. Get it something like Kaderabak's rig until I can buy a diesel tow rig. At that point, I will SAS the tacoma and add lower gears, and ARB's front and rear.

I am posting this here because ultimately I would love to drive the 40 back and forth to work, but didn't know the practicality of it since it is so old. Granted I have brought it up date with sag. steering, discs, rebuilt drivetrain, new carb, exhaust, cooling system, and charging system.

So what are you guy's thoughts. Gas mileage is not an issue on the day to day drive, and the weekend commute doesn't much matter either because my job will pay me to go home on the weekend.

Jeremy

 

[JJS]

Uhhhhh...not sure. I'm sure you will make the right decision.


I'll sell you my F-150 cheap.

 

[mr_manny]

Jeremy,
I would go with Option 3, BUT make your 40 more street friendly (no tacoma build-up).
Even though I no longer drive to work everyday, when I did...I enjoyed it in my 40.

Being able to drive a 40 on the street is a GOOD thing.
Besides, how many wheeling rigs do you need

Congrats on your new job btw

 

[F-junker]

You couldn't build a 4runner like that for $15,000, that's a VERY nice truck. Of course I'm a bit jaded as I have one similar to it. I wish m 4runner was that tricked out.

Hey man, If you funds permit it. Keep your 40, DD the Camry to work and such and buy the 4runner for serious banging on the trail.
It would keep your 40 in better shape and make it more of a pleasure cruiser than a serious short wheel base truck with big tires that rides like a freakin' hay wagon. I think that 4runner is a steal, If I was in a better position I'd buy it site unseen. There's a whole lot of sweat and busted knuckles put into that 4runner.

 

[BELMONT148]

Thanks for the response so far. I already have my 40 for serious offroad use, SOA, 38's, lockers, longfields, lower gears and such. I was just looking at the runner as an all purpose rig. DD, drive to the trails, wheel the s*** out of it, and drive home, drive back to work on mon.. All this while taking my wife and son in it with ac. I really like the runner, in fact I get wood everytime I look at it, I just have never owned an old truck like this and did not know how practical it was driving it everyday.

It is harder to take the 40 out because it doesn't have a top, large tires, no radio, hard seats, and just plain load. Which means if it is longer than a 20 min. drive it has to be trailered. I would like to keep it as a trailer rig for now, until I can get it more streetable, and the runner would give me immediate play time.

The Tacoma will cost me about $15000 to get it the way I want it now, but I will get about $9000 for the Camry. The money is the same, but the tacoma will have 100,000 miles, no open top, be kind of plain, and will not begin to compare in wheeling ability. Plus the I keep the Camry smooth drives home. As you can see, I am trying to talk myself into this rig.

Jeremy

 

[D'Animal]

Option #3.

Gumby loves his new ride.

 

[Cruiser_GT]

I've got to travel to Cancun next week for work and I swear if I could (travel time is critical) I'd drive my 40. So my vote is mighty biased.

 

[Benson]

I love my Taco. I'd keep the 40 and switch the Camry for a Taco. They are very capable rigs and fun to wrench on.

 

[shelfboy1]

my dd for 37 years has been a 40 type vehicle so i dont know any better good luck

 

[Josie'sLandCruiser]

Hi All:

I don't understand what the problem is? Drive the Camry to the job site!

Job site muddy? Well, InterCo makes "baby sized" TSLs!

I think you are buckin' to drop the Camry for a 4X4 and are looking for reasons here!

Regards,

Alan

 

[cpmarcani]

The runner would be nice... but what happens when you break somthing "weekend wheeling" and then don't have a ride to work?

Spend your money gitting the 40 the way you really want it. Driving the Camry to work will help save money for 40 parts.

Just my opinion...I could be wrong.

 

[BELMONT148]

I would be keeping the Camry in all options except for buying the Tacoma or Diesel. I don't see how that is itchin to get rid of the Camry, just trying to find a good balance of transportation for my needs. A camry is not practical for construction, I have done that part time for three years. You can't tow shnit with it. Plus, I would like to be able to take my boat to the landing without having to bum my wifes SUV. I am leaning torwards getting a Tacoma and getting the 40 more street friendly slowly. Or Keeping the Camry and making the 40 street friendly now.

Jeremy

 

[graygoose67]

having a pick-up truck for your dd is a very useful thing. With cars you cant get them out of bad situtations if you have to. Trucks have always been more durable and capable than cars. With me living and working on a farm hauling hay and feeding cattle i dont think a camry would work too well, lol. I say get the Taco and do whatever you want with the 40-it'll still make it through anything you throw at it.

Matt Baumann

 

[BELMONT148]

Found a 01' Taco with V6 and TRD package for 11,500. It has 100,000 miles and just had the timing belt, water pump, and all new belts. It is an Xtra cab 4wd. Think I might trade the Camry in on this, and be done with it. Will probably do a mild lift with some 33-34's. Maybe a new bumper and call it good. I'll let you guys know what I decide. Thanks for all the help. I figured it wasn't smart to add another vehicle to the stable, especially when it is hard enough to find time to use the 40. I will just finish up the 40 and drive the Taco until I can get a bigger truck. Who knows maybe I'll keep the taco forever and let my son drive it in 16 years.

Jeremy

 

[projektdotnet]

voted for #2. I wouldn't go backwards towards DD/Weekend Warrior if it is already setup for serious off-road use personally