any one know anything about old military vehicles?

[rycov]

I've been looking at some cars online and don't really know what i want. i've been thinking that an old military vehicle would fit me perfectly. i'm really rough on everything and i break all my things (not on purpose, just wear **** out really bad). i always have to buy really sturdy simple things so i don't break them. i was wondering if any of you know of some different types of cars that might work for me. i did see one that i liked, called a VW Thing, but i couldn't find many and they were kind of expensive from what i saw. i also like the Jeep wranglers and those types, but just wondered what else was out there. thanks guys!

 

[Misplaced_Canuck]

I've been looking at some cars online and don't really know what i want. i've been thinking that an old military vehicle would fit me perfectly. i'm really rough on everything and i break all my things (not on purpose, just wear **** out really bad). i always have to buy really sturdy simple things so i don't break them. i was wondering if any of you know of some different types of cars that might work for me. i did see one that i liked, called a VW Thing, but i couldn't find many and they were kind of expensive from what i saw. i also like the Jeep wranglers and those types, but just wondered what else was out there. thanks guys!

I'd buy a fuel-injected 90-96 Jeep Wrangler well above a Thing. Easy to fix, easy to work on, and parts are cheap. Downside is the mileage, around 15 mpg.

M_C

 

[rycov]

Eh, i don't really go anywhere other than work and home. I just don't want my **** to break. Thanks for the info! I'll look those up.

Any other types of vehicles that fit in this category?

 

[Homercidal]

Wrangler and Cherokee are pretty basic and easy to fix and pretty rugged, considering.

I couldn't recommend any military vehicle because they are either pretty much like a civilian vehicle, or just not suited for driving on roads.

There are some VERY rugged vehicles out there, but you pretty much have to be a millionaire to buy one.

My recommendation is a Wrangler. If you want something a bit more refined, then a Cherokee. Or some Toyota trucks, etc.

 

[Airborneguy]

Jeep! Jeep! Jeep!

I love my Wrangler. My mother's boyfriend has a '46. Mine is 2010. My advice is to get a TJ (96-05) if you want to beat on it a bit. It will take it like a champ.

 

[JohnTheBrewist]

I'd suggest a 50s to 70s truck with a 6 cylinder engine and manual transmission. Although not a true military vehicle, these were used a lot by the military. My '59 International with a straight six could pull down a house! My '66 Clark Cortez Motorhome is also powered by a /6.

Those old 6 cylinders were pretty indestructable, very simple to maintain, and there's plenty of room in the engine compartment to work when you need to. Parts are still readily available, and you should be able to find one pretty cheap.

 

[rycov]

also if anyone feels like turning this into a show you're jeep/ bad ass 4x4's, feel free!

 

[Misplaced_Canuck]

also if anyone feels like turning this into a show you're jeep/ bad ass 4x4's, feel free!

There.

M_C

 

[Airborneguy]

My old TJ and my new JK:

 

[hamiltont]

I used to have a '79 CJ7. It was a 4 wheelin' fool. It went in 2-wheel drive where most 4X4's had problems. Had a 304 that ran like crap until I opened it up a little with a 500 CFM Holley and headers. Wish I still had it now. Cheers!!!

 

[ShakerD]

Did somebody say post your jeep???

Here is my CJ-8 scrambler with a fuel injected 327.

 

[rycov]

nice guys! i dig the scrambler. i haven't seen that before, is it like a jeep truck?

 

[ShakerD]

nice guys! i dig the scrambler. i haven't seen that before, is it like a jeep truck?

Yup and the hard top is removable.

 

[JeepDiver]

97-06 TJ (there was no 96 jeep) with the straight 6. One of the most dependable motors ever built in a vehicle new enough that you can find one in decent shape but old enough to be a good price. Lots of parts for it to do whatever you want. I love my 07 4 door jk, but my 97 was the toughest jeep I had (also had an 2000 and 02)

 

[Airborneguy]

Damn, I forgot about that. I actually almost bought one used in '98 and had that whole thing explained to me at the dealer.

 

[pd230soi]

Many military vehicles would take too many resources to make road ready in the U.S.

Many of the suggestions above are great. A well built respected 4x4 that folks near you can maintain might be better then spending money on a Thing (are they still in production?). I have driven some good American trucks and some Rovers and Toyotas that I have enjoyed... sort depends on your price range and intended use.

Currently I am drooling over the Land Rover Defender 120s. A great durable, flexable vehicle, but one that I do not have the cash to buy or maintain.

 

[CHefJohnboyardee]

I have a 98 Cherokee with the straight 6. The thing is a beast. I had to replace the suspension on it but everything else is running strong. It was a USDA farm inspection vehicle before I got it so it was probably drove hard an put away wet being a .gov vehicle.

I'm driving it 2k miles round trip next week without a question towards it (other than new tires but that is the tires fault, not the jeep's)!

 

[rycov]

A well built respected 4x4 that folks near you can maintain might be better then spending money on a Thing (are they still in production?). I have driven some good American trucks and some Rovers and Toyotas that I have enjoyed... sort depends on your price range and intended use.

Currently I am drooling over the Land Rover Defender 120s. A great durable, flexable vehicle, but one that I do not have the cash to buy or maintain.

yeah, i don't reallly know much about cars, i just thought the Thing looked cool and was giving out ideas of what i liked. (i actually dont think they are still making them.) i like the land rovers too for sure, but they are out of my price range (my range is gonna be pretty low). i'm thinking some sort of jeep seems to bee my best option, but i'm open to other suggestions.

 

[rycov]

also guys, feel free to show off anything you got. even if it is out of my price range, i still like checkin 'em out.

 

[JeepDiver]

also guys, feel free to show off anything you got. even if it is out of my price range, i still like checkin 'em out.

Only photo I have handy, my 07 4-door buried in Snow in NOVA last year

 

[rycov]

damn. i cant see the pic, just an x in a box

 

[rycov]

what do you guys think about the CJs ? i like that style better. all metal on the inside.

 

[Jklinden]

Owned a TJ and it dominated Ithaca ny winters and they were also pretty much metal

 

[rycov]

what year? i like they way they look on the out side, but all the ones i've seen have carpet floors and plastic peices. i'm kinda looking for no carpet, and metal dash. if i got one of the TJ's could i just take up that carpet? could i also take off any of the plastic from the dash? (these aren't deal breakers, just preferences)

 

[JeepDiver]

The carpet can come out but it won't hurt it to get wet just pull the drain plugs and drop the top on a sunny day. Not much you can do with the dash.

IMHO you will have a hard time finding a CJ in decent shape for a good price. If the are in good shape people will want top dollar. However if you find one in good shape for your price there is nothing wrong with them other than being 24+ years old. Last CJ was made in 86 with YJs (square lights) from 87-96

Also I like the ride of the coil springs on TJ and JKs better than the leaf springs on older ones.

 

[Jklinden]

I can attest to having another four inches of water in my TJ and it drained out no problem when I pulled the plugs. TJ is one tough vehicle. I recommend a rubicon because they came with dana 44 rear

 

[calpyro]

This is mine. Not practical as anything but a toy. Loud, cold, hot, slow.

<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm172/day1240/P1030079.jpg" border="0" alt="Kaiser in the Woods"></a>
<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm172/day1240/P1030071.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

 

[neovox]

I'm a big fan of the Jeep too. I just sold my 2000 Cherokee last year with 180k miles. Still in great shape aside from a little rust. Probably one of the best cars I've ever owned. I moved to a '09 Wrangler. It's pretty sweet, but I really miss the inline six. The V6 does offer a slight fuel savings but the reduced torque kind of bums me out.

 

[rycov]

sweet ride calpyro.

 

[ShakerD]

This is mine. Not practical as anything but a toy. Loud, cold, hot, slow.

<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm172/day1240/P1030079.jpg" border="0" alt="Kaiser in the Woods"></a>

Cool that thing is AWESOME!!!