i have been a reader of peterson's for several years (along with the other primedia conglomerations) but i have never had a 4x4.  i was mainly into muscle cars but i moved out into the sticks a while back and promptly got my trusty 2wd 1970 ford f100 stuck on a logging road (thank god for come-alongs...).  i need to get a beater 4x4 for driving on logging roads, old logging roads (more like trails now), the coastal beaches, and launching my fishing boat.  i have a line on three rigs -

1 - a rusty, dented, smelly 1967 dodge power wagon with a newer 360

2 - a 1991 jeep xj with 175,000 miles and the normal interior problems (power doors and windows don't work) and a 4.0 litre

3 - a 1989 full sized bronco with a 351.  it is in the best shape of all the choices, but is my least favorite for some reason.

what would you guys recommend?  any other cool vehicles to look for that are cheap (under $2,000), reliable for local use as a beach/firewood rig?  i was thinking of an older FSJ jeep, especially a two door model.  any particular models to avoid? 

thanks in advance for any responses.

roddimus

Welcome to the site! I'm not sure which would be best, but others could be helpful.

Are you planning on doing anything to it (suspension, drivetrain, etc, or will you leave it stock? (the answer to that may help others help you)

As for the three choices that you have listed, I'd go with the Jeep.  

i am not really sure what modifications i would want to perform...probably a 2-3 inch lift and some good tires.  the power wagon has pretty large tires already, but i am afraid that the old drivetrain (especially with a newer engine) won't be able to handle getting thrashed.  i was thinking of fixing what i break with stronger components...

If the trails you want to go on are wide enough to fit the Bronco, I would go with the Bronco. I have owned a Bronco for 12 years now and they are great trail rigs ,unless you are going on VERY narrow trails.  

Im a Jeep fan, however the Bronco is probably your best choice.  It has a great following, so parts and advice is easy to get.   

It depends on how big your boat is.  The Jeep doesn't have the tow capacity that the Bronco has.  Like everyone else says...if the Bronco will fit on the trails you go on then go with it.  You will be towing everyone else out of the woods.  I knew a guy in South Dakota that had a full size Bronco that he had turned into a hard core rock rig.  It went places that Jeeps couldn't go.  It sounds like you won't be worried about scratching the paint.  

I would also go with the Bronco.  I have good experiences with Broncos and the F-150's aren't that bad either if you could find one of those.  I had '91 F-150 with an inline 6 that never gave me a problem, not even when i hit a bridge with it.  body damage a little but still ran great.  

The Dodge should have a Dana 60 rear and 44 front. I have a 68 model that I bought for a dollor, The previous owner changed 3 alternators, I bought it fixed 2 burnt wires in the charging circuit, cut out 2 inches and spliced them back together. I have been driving mine all over the Oregon desert and on muddy logging roads with no problems. Other than the rattles from loos body panels. I put on a good set of 33 inch tires and a new exhaust, fixed the wiring and am having fun.

Good Luck----Have Fun