O.K. fellow dirt dogs, let's play!  If you had it to do all over again, what rig would you get that:

1) Provides the best bang for the buck?

2) Is easy to maintain, service, and find parts for?

3) Can provide both daily and off-road exploration capabilities?

4) Is reliable enough to take from Prudhoe Bay to the Beagle Straights?

5)  will work with the camping gear you already own?

My Toyota Tacoma has proven to be very reliable, almost maintenence free, and has taken me through Moab, all over the northern Rockies, and through the Great Plains.  It's pretty comfortable, easy on regular gas, and a joy to drive.

However, just to make this a fun brain game, I think I would nominate another vehicle.  It would be a 2000-2001 Jeep Cherokee.  Either auto or manual, with the straight six gas engine.  I know it is getting a bit long in the tooth, BUT it is pretty reliable, needs very little to make it a good exploration vehicle, the parts are easily sourced and are available throughout the western hemisphere.  In fact, there is very little I would do to the rig; a 2" lift with a slightly heavier duty suspension, BFG AT's, and maybe a winch.  It is big enough for two, the tent can go on top, the Engel wired into the rear, and it will take one just about anywhere all the super built up rigs will go.  Oh, and it has pretty good visability out of the cabin too.  Just like the RRCs.  Many newer vehicle's bodywork was built to look good, but it leaves one with great diffuculty looking out at the world around you.  The FJ Cruiser and Hummer 3 come readily to mind.

What would you do?

how many of us secretly want to add an old domestic ute to the stable?  Make mine a Dodge Ramcharger with the 318.  tons of clearance - rides like a *dream*   - way better than any bronco or blazer I've ever been in.   this one is a '91. 

I'm saving up to shop for a new rig in late Jan or Feb.   The plan is to pick up another RRC.  bang for the buck I don't think they can be beaten.  The sacrifice of extra maintenance for ability is worth it, to me.  

I think the JK Unlimited, hands down, is the best rig money can buy right now.  Jeep really knocked this one out of the park.  I just couldn't afford to hang on to mine.    An RRC or, potentially, a D1 I can get my hands on and not have a payment.   

Time to check your hookah dude...   That ain't tobbacco....

I would also have to say early box Broncos. I really miss both of mine. They are easy to work on easy to find parts anywhere. Both of mine were lifted with James Duff 3 in kits and road decent. Both had well built 351C with C-6 and would drive through a brick wall, or over that same wall if I had wanted. Very fun to wheel. Small enough to go anywhere, just REALLY hard on the gas bill.

Wow, some really nice answers and great ideas.  I can't fault a single one.

How about a slight modification to the original question?  What would your top three selections be to meet the original criteria?

Here are mine:  1) Jeep Cherokee still in first place; 2) Toyota 4Runner, early 2000's version, coil suspension & four wheel disc brakes, fuel injection, conservative engine build for long lasting lifespan; 3) an 80 series Land Cruiser.  (just because!  But then I'd end up giving Slee all my money for farkles and would overprice it out of the competition.)

I've already had one RRC and really, really liked its capabilities.  To me the perfect size, pretty good engineering, incredible brakes, mediocre engine, and the very best ability to see well from inside the cabin.  Cons are poor mileage and high level of wrenching to maintain it. So maybe this would fit at #4.

If I were to purchase something brand new, it would be one of the new Unlimited Rubicons.  But that wouldn't fit my best bang for the buck criteria.

Thanks for giving me your feedback, everyone. Maybe we should try doing the same thing for dualsport bikes???

Posted By Scott Williams on 12/30/2009 7:03 PM
Isaac,

Knock it off.

Scott

*snicker*   hehe  ... ok ok!! 

Gret input, Mike.  Let's hear somemore!

I've witnessed two Cherokee failures that are cause for concern.
On an overland trip quite a few years ago, a loaded Cherokee with us went over a dip faster than he probably should have, and it resulted in front doors that could barely be opened or shut the rest of the trip. Apparently the unibody bent slightly, near the firewall.
On another trip in snow, a Cherokee in our group had something in his rear suspension come loose, probably caused by the rhythmic bucking as the truck was struggling for traction in deep snow. I was in my D90, and we had enough vehicles, so wasn't that interested in what broke and didn't crawl under his truck for a look. It forced us to abort the trip and he limped home.
Both these cases happened in moderate conditions.  Conversely, I've spent a lot of time with Cherokees on other successful outings and been generally impressed with their abilities,  especially considering their cost.

An RRC, JK and 3rd Gen 4Runner side by side- their similar size surprised me... but maybe it shouldn't have

where's the trooper love? While I loved my trooper I'm definetly sticking with the Wrangler unlimited..right out of the box, it's ready to go.