Yep, two of them look like

Don't forget about the FJ frame cracking problems and that X thing, hardly an off road truck.

 

I looked at a wide spectrum when I was replacing my TJ for something more family friendly, and dollar for dollar the H3 won hands down. Not to mention the fact I liked the looks and features of it much better regardless of price.

As Doc stated, regardless what reviews you might read the Xterra is not a serious offorad vehicle, and the FJ has the buckling front inner fender design flaw going on when you do take it offroad. Those two were out of the running instantly for me. It was between the H3 and a foor door JK, and the H3 was so much more refined.

No regrets in one year of ownership.

 

To be fair, the Xterra is made in USA

Nissan - Xterra Pro-4X - Made In America - 4Wheel Drive Magazine

Requirements

Good road manners, takes a few hours to get to mountain spots.
Good off road capability with AT tires.
Good storage.


We plan on camping, doing some mild offroafing, maybe some mild rocks.

 

Proud owner of an HUMMER 09 H3T for almost 4 years now and no plans on ever trading her in. Enough said.

 

How is the H3 without front locker? All the H3's close to me are 2007s in my price range

 

You siad earlier mild offroading you will be fine w/o locker. My first H-3 was an 07 I5 Adv outstanding truck. I needed towing power so I got an 08 Alpha also great truck. Take a test drive in anyone and you will see why they say like nothing else!

 

I want the front locker to do 'more' if I want too. I think the Nissan is out, been reading about exploding front diffs. Seems the new ones have smaller diffs than my 2001 Frontier.

 

Me and a buddy (owner of an 09 H3 Adv) of mine went up to Hidden Falls in TX and the trail had me with the "Oh-$hit" face the whole time, he went in locker front and rear one time and I went 4lo two times. Plan the best path and be easy on the gas paddle and you'll go anywhere. Also helps to have a great spotter and don't over do it.

 

I've need my front locker occasionally to pull the read end over what the rear just helped push the front over. I'll show friends on the exact same climb how 4low alone won't work, 4low+rear-lock won't work, but 4low+rear+front-lock will get over the hill.

If you plan on going places a tow-truck cant go, lockers are a must. I almost got stuck in the middle of nowhere in my old H3 base cause of some deep ruts. And you might as well get an H3 that's a year newer and with the front lockers. Just keep looking:

ebay motors
Cars.com
AutoTrader.com

I found my T through ebaymotors. Got in touch with the dealer that was 300 miles away in Dallas, he was so ready to sell the truck he drove it to me.

 

what state are you in?

found some in FL, TX, PA, IL, NY, OH