Little background first so you know where this question is coming from: Looking at trucks/suvs for my son that is about to turn 16 and it's turned out harder than I thought. His first thought was that he wanted a Tacoma. I thought that was a great idea as well until we saw the prices for those things. WOW! I know they are great trucks but didn't realize they would bring that much for 15 year old truck. They are probably worth it, just more than we have to spend. He is paying for half of his vehicle and he has saved $3,000 so the total budget is $6,000. Also, it has to be a crew cab because he has younger siblings that he will be taking to school or wherever. Almost a requirement (by him, not me) is that it is a 4X4. This isn't a necessarily a deal breaker, but I was 16 once so I understand it. Plus, if we end up going the suv route, so many look like soccer mom cars now, that understand why he would want a lift on it, even if he didn't really need one. We have looked for Colorados/Canyons and they may still be option, just not many of them out there. Found a 2004 Tahoe Z71 that cosmetically near perfect but had too many mechanical issues. Then a really nice 1996 Land Cruiser (the kind with factory locking front and rear) that was almost a done deal until we found out it needed a new transmission. Now looking at Trailblazers, but I swear some models look almost like a mini-van. But if we found one that was mechanically in good shape for the right price, we would have enough left over to make it look good with a lift and maybe a new grill.

This is where I need help.

I understand just putting a 2" leveling kit on the front doesn't cost a lot and doesn't affect the driveability much, if at all. I don't know if putting spacers on front and rear would be the same or if it would start to cause problems. If I did that, would I put 1" in the rear and 2.5" in the front? I think that is the max for trailblazer. Or is there a better option? Not looking to spend a ton on this, because it's as much for cosmetics as functionality (it would be used plenty off road, just not trying to build a mud buggy or rock crawler here). Once the lift is done, I know larger tires will be next requirement. Knowing how much those cost I'm hoping we can just put larger tires on the stock rims. Will that look right or will it need new rims too? I know it would look better with new rims but trying to stay to within budget.

Any other ideas? We are still looking at Tahoes, Yukons, Expeditions, Explorers, 4Runners, Land Cruisers, Tacomas. Unfortunately, Silverado's and F-150s are just too big for the high school parking lot. The parking spaces are made for smart cars or Pintos I think.

There is a clean durango in the classifieds right now. High miles, but cheap.

http://www.aldeer.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2246928#Post2246928

Cheaper than what you've budgeted for, but you can take those extra funds and put it towards lift/tires and repair *when* it gets tore up going offroad.

(I did plenty of that type driving at that age myself).

If it had of been on here 2 weeks ago I would have bought it.

Heck I just - last week - bought my wife a Pilot to replace the suv that she wrecked the week before, so definitely don't need it, and I'm still tempted to buy it. We had one of those 1st gen Durangos when I was younger and they're beasts. I can get over the miles looking at how clean it is and the price.

if the v8 are as good as the v6 then it got some miles left on it. I had a 98 sport with the v6 magnum and i put 330,000 in it before the transmission went out. I was scared the motor would be next so I just bought a used s-10 to replace it. in hindsight I wish I'd had the trans fixed.

They're stout. I'm no mechanic but ours was a '99 with the v8 and me and my brother dogged that thing and it ran like a scalded dog and kept coming back for more. I'd say it's got plenty of life left.

....Sorry for the thread derail, OP.

I have a 02 xterra. And it works great. It meets your requirement of 4x4 and it’s a V-6.

I lifted the front by adjusting the torsion bars to level it out. By doing so I can now fit a 33” tire on stock rims. I haven’t yet but I may in the near future. I can say that for the past 10 years of owning it, it has been just fine. Enough power for whatever you want, and can still pull a trailer or boat all day. And mine only has 145k on it.
Just an option for y’all to find one that would meet your budget with ease and still have money left over.

If I was him and depending on the price of the land cruiser. If the cruiser is cheap enough and under budget I'd probably buy it and have the transmission rebuilt. It would be a much better quality vehicle then a envoy/trailblazer which will him last him for years plus resale when he's tired of it will be alot higher especially if it has the optional lockers in front and rear. I wouldn't even look at those gm vehicles if it didn't have the 5.3 v8 in it. They had issues some issues with that straight six alot of them had. The only problem with the land cruiser with front and rear selectable lockers would be when he's stuck he's stuuuuck.

Yep. It was GOOD friend that was willing to let that land cruiser go for $6K because he knew that was the budget. Then he noticed the transmission was slipping, took in and was quoted $3,800 to replace. I'm guessing that was a new tranny not rebuilt but who knows. I just knew we were already at the limit. Would have probably gone over if it was close, but $3,800...about killed me to let that one go.

Back on topic, though, do to the leveling kits cause many problems down the road? I know people will have different opinions/experiences but that's what I'm looking for. Want to know the good and the bad and what problems I may get to look forward to.

Had one on my F150 and had no problems.

I've got a 2015 4Runner that I put a 2" Rough Country lift on. My local tire store did it for me. I can't remember but I believe it lifted the rear 1" and the front 2". It looks really good and allowed me to put a 295 all terrain tire under it. The kit was only about $150.00. Labor was a couple hundred. Doesn't affect the driving a bit. You wouldn't believe the people that stop me in parking lots and ask what I did to it because it looks so good. Good luck with the search.

My brother did pretty much the same to his '12 pathfinder. It looks sharp and runs smooth.

Most leveling kits you won't have any problems out of it the. You would with out one. Most people that I have complain about any lift is about worn out front end parts like ball joint etc. It's because they were already worn and the minute amount of extra stress from the leveling kits made the worn parts more noticeable while driving. We put tons of leveling and lift kits on at work the only problems I've ever seen with lifts of all types are from abuse or poorly/incorrectly installed lifts