Damn, so page 3 was the last "good" page. I was all ready to respond to Jimmy's advice post that referenced me.

FWIW, I was going to recommend you consider giving it up, UNLESS you were really interested in learning how to work on your own truck and improve your mechanical skills. I thought I was when I bought the 4runner, then decided I just didn't have the interest or mechanical aptitude to do most of the involved stuff.

I really think you should look for a ready to go, or close to ready to go rig. A sammi or jeep would be good starters and they can be had trail ready for pretty damn cheap. Then you can learn how to wrench (or learn you don't want to learn) while upgrading it.