Hey folks, I just signed up and I'm very impressed with information in these forums!

Anyway, I'm considering trading one of my hondas for an '84 longbed 4x4. I was just wondering what your opinions on longbed vs. shortbed were for off roading. My group of friends had a communal '85 shortbed that was very capable off road near stock, and I felt like the shorter wheelbase had something to do with that. I would much rather have a shortbed (or 4runner), but but this guy is willing to swap and it seems like a good deal.

I know its only ~9", but the truck just looks stretched and not as capable. Do you think it would make a big difference? Do I just have OCD?

Your thoughts and opinions, please.




:BTW: If you're interested, its an '84 longbed with shell and toolbox and comes with a 3" lift (uninstalled, and I don't know what kind yet). It has 215k miles, but a recent rebuild. Approximate trade value is ~$2000. Good deal? :edit: I have not seen it yet, though.

 

Typically, the longer the wheelbase, the more difficult it'll be to make it through tight trails.

An '84 though would be a solid axle up front and be (theoretically) more capable than the newer IFS rigs.

 

yeah, I'm pretty much only considering '85 or older trucks (unless I get a smoking deal). I plan to do some pretty hairy driving.

 

You could bob the bed. I would personally go with an older Gen 1 yota and then mod it than start with what I've got (91 4Runner) and have so many issues to deal with (3VZE).

 

I'm not interested in doing any heavy modification (like bobbing and swapping beds, SAS, etc) so I'd rather get something as close to what I want as possible. I just don't know if I want to pass up a good deal to get a shortbed.

I just don't know whether it will really make a difference, or if it will be a PITA on the trails... meh.

 

my buddy has an 84 longbed and he goes anywhere he wants, its mostly stock with a 3 inch body lift and 36 inch road king tires. those tires pull like a sumbitch in the soft florida sugar sand.

 

Stock springs, stock steering and stock joints work great for hairy driving that is not too serious.

My experience, in Colorado, Moab, Arizona, Wisconsin, has been under 100" of WB is too short. On climbs it wants to come nose over. Over 110" of WB it is too long. Good climber, but tight manuevers are sketch.

Sounds like any 4wd truck will work well for you.

 

I went ahead and made the trade. After driving it around a bit, I don't think manouverability will be a big problem. The p/s will definitely go a long way as long as it holds out. The old truck required real muscle to wrestle with the steering wheel.

 

The longbed is fine in terms of wheelbase.. What may get you is the bed hanging so far past the rear axle... I ended up going to a flatbed, which solved that issue.

The toyota isn't as good as a Jeep in the tight stuff, but it has other advantages.

 

Wheeling in my Tacoma with a bunch of 4Runners, I've had to make many 3 point turns on the trail but I haven't been held back from it. Just put a stout rear bumper on there and don't worry about it. Not much to a bed bob if you're just looking to remove a foot or so and not have to relocate your rear setup.

 

longbeds ride a bit smoother and climb better. the tradeoff comes in turning radius and breakover angle, as well as the departure angle in the rear, as the bed is also longer past the wheels.

straight axle vs ifs, stock vs stock, i feel they perform about the same. buy whichever truck you like, you should be happy.

 

I ended up getting the '84 longbed. I won't be doing any bobbing or bed modification, as I'll need the stock bed for camping/chores. It doesn't have a rear bumper, so that gives it a little better departure angle. I think it'll do fine once I get some decent sized tires on it.

It came with an advertized "3 inch lift kit" which turned out to be a shackle with two spring mounts in the front and blocks in the rear. A little to ghetto for my tastes, so its riding stock for now.

 

Sweet, another longbed in the area,I just pulled mine out of a field where it has sat for 2 years with a blown motor.Were doing the motor swap right now and once its done will be getting a major rebuild. If you want send me an IM. Im up in longmont and need some more wheelin guys to bounce ideas off and trade out parts