first truck

im looking into getting my first truck. i want to make it into a off road truck.what would be a good truck for snow mud and bush?i was thinking of a toyota  

In my opinion a jeep xj also know as the classic cherokee is an excelent choice.  You can fing the super cheap if you look around and even cheaper if you don't care how the body looks.  Some do's and don'ts to consider if you start looking.  Do check the unit body well for cracks and major rust in the "frame rails" and around the back above the gas tank and behind the bumper.  Do Not get one with a 4 cyl or that crappy 2.8.  Consider how big you want to go with tires before you do your lift, the rancho kit I have is a 3" with all new springs, shocks and lower arms but really limits me on tire size but it works great as a daily driver. Currently I run a 31x10.50 with no major issues but will soon put on a set of 33x12.50 and will have to cut the snot out of my fenders or get new lift, they say anything bigger than 3" lift requires a long arm kit to work right.  I could write a book out of all the things I've learned in the past 3 years of wheeling an xj, I started out with a 90 with a 4.0, 5 spd, and a near new looking body all with 166000 highway miles, I paid $3100 three years ago.  Alot of love, sweat, blood, tears, fights with my wife trying to explain why and most of all MONEY, will get you what you want.

Now if you asked my buddy he will tell you a toyota pick-up, I'd have to say he might be right about that but he is always complaining about not having a solid front axle.

Apples and Oranges I guess, I'm a Jeep guy through and through, American Made!!!  Good luck but most of all have fun.

It's hard to say because you  don't say where you're from for practatality reasons. But depending on what you want to spend for something,toyota go with a tundra,jeeps are sweet but you're going to pay when it comes to repairs.But then theres the mercedes suv that really sweet and there again you'll pay when it comes to repairs.The thing to remember is that the cheapest to fix is gonna be GM,then it's ford, then tied is mopars and jeeps. The insurance goes the same way with them also,pick the way you feel and have fun.  

I'm a ford guy through and through, although I also believe your on the right track with the toyota. Toyotas are an exellent starting point. If you want to keep to a smaller rig go for an '84-'85 toy. If you can find an '85 with fuel-injection your only a lift kit and lockers away from a super cool trail rig. My '86 toy wasn't mean enough for me so I crossed it with a 302 from an '88 crown vic and axles from a '77 f150. If your looking for more power and a bigger rig, try a '77-'79 f150 / bronco. Plenty of medium-ranged power with a drivetrain that can hold up. Just don't settle for anything get what you want, because as I've learned, down the road you will spend a lot of time and money on anything you buy. You want to be proud of the end result! HAPPY WHEELING.   

Thanks guys this is great

the only thing is i hate gm and chevs with passion

ford are very common around here but i want a rig that stands out

i think i will go for a toy or jeep.depends on what i can afford

thanks again

harris ford (no joke)

go with the toy it will hold up to the abuse of the trail and if you get a 77-81 you will have solid rear ends a strong 22r motor with all the after market parts you could dream of there cool rides and great for gas also even if they are carbed you can adapted them for fuel injection with just the parts from a newer truck also insurance is sooooooo cheap on them because its so old and you can also run a electrice fuel pump for those steeeeepp inclines we all like to take. ive owned every truck out there and for the money you get the best stock trail rig out there.you can add power steering to it from a newer truck ever swap total drive trans with out any headachs for little money most of the time if you hunt it down    good luck and have fun in wheeling your toy

I would go with a ford ranger. They have a shorter wheel base so u don't have to worry about the issues with a longer wheelbase.  I would get an 80's ranger i like the looks of them lifted more than the newers ones it would also be a cheaper build.  Plus it would work well in all three applications that you are wanting to use the truck for.