The 4x4 thread ...

[Anonymouse]

Wow man, those are some bad ass pictures. I would love to own my own 4X4 one day but it will most likely be when I have my career in 6 years.

[Sip]

The 6 years will go by much faster than you think Especially if you got a dream!

[Emil]

Seapahn, what other 4x4's have you owned? My idiot of a father always had 4x4's, so it grew on me. I have about 10 years worth of Petersens 4-Wheeler stored in boxes. I have a Dodge Ram pickup now, but it's not 4x4. I was considering lifting it using Fabtech's suspension lift, but with almost 100,000 miles on it, I don't think it's wise.

[Sip]

I had (gave it to my dad) this 92 S10 2-door blazer since 95. Then in 2001 I bought this ZR2 Blazer and that's when I really started getting into offroading because I finally had something reliable enough and enough money to fix the things that broke

I've had the Rubicon since last year around this time but I've been studying them for a few years now. So basically I know the GM S10 4x4 platform really well (basically all years including the ZR2's which GMC calls "highrider") and the Jeep TJ platform. I don't know too much about the Rams and the full size trucks.

I don't see much point in lifting a 2WD other than for looks or if you are going to build a desert race rig or go jump sand dunes. 100K miles may not be too much ... it really depends on what condition it is in.

So the question is, what do you want to do with it? If you plan on running big rock trails with sharp switchbacks then a full size RAM may not be the best buildup option. I have always been fond of the shorter wheelbase and smaller lighter vehicles. But they have their disadvantages as well (you can see the flop I did to the side up there!) But since I was going to UCLA and the parking spots seem to shrink every year, a small vehicle was a must for me.

A couple of times I parked my old blazer between two badly parked cars (basically very narrow spot) and came out the back!!!! You just can't do that with a honda

[Anonymouse]

I had (gave it to my dad) this 92 S10 2-door blazer since 95. Then in 2001 I bought this ZR2 Blazer and that's when I really started getting into offroading because I finally had something reliable enough and enough money to fix the things that broke

I've had the Rubicon since last year around this time but I've been studying them for a few years now. So basically I know the GM S10 4x4 platform really well (basically all years including the ZR2's which GMC calls "highrider") and the Jeep TJ platform. I don't know too much about the Rams and the full size trucks.

I don't see much point in lifting a 2WD other than for looks or if you are going to build a desert race rig or go jump sand dunes. 100K miles may not be too much ... it really depends on what condition it is in.

So the question is, what do you want to do with it? If you plan on running big rock trails with sharp switchbacks then a full size RAM may not be the best buildup option. I have always been fond of the shorter wheelbase and smaller lighter vehicles. But they have their disadvantages as well (you can see the flop I did to the side up there!) But since I was going to UCLA and the parking spots seem to shrink every year, a small vehicle was a must for me.

A couple of times I parked my old blazer between two badly parked cars (basically very narrow spot) and came out the back!!!! You just can't do that with a honda

Plenty of parking in Lot 3 and 7 for me

[Emil]

If I lift, it will be just for looks. If I go with the Fabtech, I HAVE to add a 2" body lift also, other wise the 35"'s won't clear the fender. I was also planning on getting the black rockcrawler rims, it would look good on a red truck.
But alas, I have to think about it, the truck is in great condition (knocking on wood.) I haven't washed her in 8 months, but everything else is taken care of on a regular basis, oil changes, etc. My mother said the other day "You're car is disgusting, wash it."

I agree with the parking situation, I hate going anywhere with it. I have to either take up 2 spaces or park farther away. Some idiot always manages to park 1" away from me.

Regarding idiots, how hard is it to see a huge RED truck driving next to you? I swear I have about 4 near accidents a day from people trying to come into my lane.

[Sip]

Plenty of parking in Lot 3 and 7 for me

Boy I tell ya ... you young folk don't understand the beauty of lot 7 ... there was a time when everyone in south campus had to stack in Lot 8 because they were still building lot 4. Of course none of us would dream of parking in 31 or 32.

Ah all the good old days of sneaking around the "lot full" signs in the hope of sneaking into a slot right before the stack guy is able to stuff it with one of the stacked cars!!!

I had the pleasure of parking in Lot 7 my last quarter there ... WOW!!!! What luxury

[Sip]

Emil ... do your homework carefully before starting to mod the truck. The cost adds up pretty quickly and it's never really "done". If you just want looks, I wouldn't mess with the suspension ... just throw on the body lift and get wheels a bit larger than stock that stick out a bit. It'll do wonders for the look. Heck just adding a couple of wheel spacers on the back axle with some aggressive tires (stock size) will do the trick!

I am guessing you are looking at at least 2K for the suspension, add another $500 for the body lift and $1200 minimum for wheels and tires and you are starting to go into the $5K budget range.

Note that I think modding a truck for looks is a perfectly valid reason! Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Just that you should be sure a lifted ram is really what you want.

With my older blazer, I did the 2" suspension lift in the hopes of fitting 31s. When they didn't fit, I had to add a 2" body and still the 31's dont fit quite right so I had to chop fenders quite a bit and add the fender flares. Plus the 2" lift ended up being a very chitty lift (superlift). If I had spent a bit more in the beginning and done the 5" trailmaster suspension lift, I would have had a much better truck and would probably have spent less in the long run!

Basically my view on the ram is after spending 5K you'll still have a 2WD ram that will be able to do what it used to do before, give you worse gas milage, and be even less practical but look hella cool.

[Emil]

Basically my view on the ram is after spending 5K you'll still have a 2WD ram that will be able to do what it used to do before, give you worse gas milage, and be even less practical but look hella cool.

And that my friend is what it's all about.

[leo007]

Seapahn, that Jeep is have is insane! Off-roading looks so much fun.