Hey!  How come YOUR Jeep is parked in front of MY house???

(I fixed the image link)

In an effort to avoid taking Craig's thread too far astray, perhaps we should go here...

When haven't I been looking?  LOL.

Brian - take my list of requirements and see how well the DII matches it.  The difference is what I don't like about my DII.  Or more specifically: extremely poor fuel economy, too much interior, too much luxury (power ***) for a long-term "working truck", ABS/ETC system, performance when backing down a hill, too many integrated computers (ECU talks to SLABS ECU, Body Control Unit, etc), SRS System, etc.  I want a truck that is as bone simple as possible, and as easy to maintain long term as possible.

This thread has been good.  The info on the Monteros was fantastic as I didn't know much about them before.  That 8k diesel Montero really is a nice low budget way to get into a capable diesel offroader.  In the end, a *perfect* vehicle is one that meets all of the technical requirements and is aesthetically appealing to the buyer.  I haven't got my head (or heart) around the idea of being a Pajero owner, but because of this thread it is the first time Ive ever considered them.  They've definately made it onto my list of "Vehicles to Consider" list.

I should say, the LWB Rangie is kinda off the list.  I should have never put it on there.  The RRC and D1s aren't really on the list either.  The only reason they are there is the buildup potential to a 100" Defender since the suspension, driveline, axles, and engine are essentially the same between all three.

Craig

??? Isn't the only difference between an FJ** and a BJ** that the BJs have a diesel?

Craig

Steven... this isn't a phpBB based board.  [IMG] tags don't work.  See the FAQ for the various ways to include a picture in your post.

Craig, you were right, i had the wrong LC in mind. The one I am thinking of is the home market turbodiesel with the cable lockers, etc.  The Canadians have been importing them like hotcakes, and we can't get them down here.  The ones I've seen are typically 10-20 years old.

One of the vehicles I have looked at over and over is a 2000-01 Jeep Cherokee four door.  I think that for a couple years earlier versions could be had with a Renault 4 banger diesel, but I'm not sure about that.  'The Cherokee should be big enough for you, the Missuz, your son and dog.  I believe ARB makes coil/spring setups for them.  You could go a little higher with a TerFlex or similar 3" suspension upgrade. etc.  It is easy to swap out the rearend and put in a Ford 8" one with good disc brakes thrown in to boot.  They are very reliable, cheap, easy to work on, parts availability is phenomenal, and if you break it, it is pretty easy to pull off your parts and find an new one to install them on.  If I remember correctly, the front seats kinda suck, but they can be replaced easily too. So with a small HD lift, ARB preferred, you can run 31" tires on 15" rims.  ARB lockers, stock six cylinder engine (straight six preferred), auto tranny.  Very inexpensive, very doable, and it will take you anywhere you want to go.  Oh, ARB still has winch bumpers for them (I think) and you can get away with an 8000 Warn winch.  The rear end is pretty spacious, especially with the rear seats down/out.

It's too bad the Delica was not available in the US. A turbo diesel 4x4 (with low range) mid-size van would be a nice option.

Anyone have detailed info on second gen Troopers? They seem to have a following on ExpoPortal.

Brian

So, I know you don't want to spend this much, but isn't Peter's 110 that is for sale pretty much what you would end up building yourself?

Brian

Found this.. http://www.expeditionswest.com/vehicles/ewvehicles/Isuzu_Trooper/index.html

Craig here are a few links that inspired me for Monteros.

http://www.4x4wire.com/mitsubishi/projects/budget_lift/

http://www.4x4offroads.com/1987-dodge-raider-montero-pajero.html

http://cn4xc.com/groupee_files/photo_albums/9/4/5/9451008361/9801046112_D0B43BE564F66DB9F3F5FD16CD60A1D3.jpg

http://cn4xc.com/groupee_files/photo_albums/9/4/5/9451008361/9021058691_FC8ABEBBFC959F0A097A38F9A74FCBA2.jpg

Craig, I also just remembered how much you like to drive in the snow for snow camping and snowshoeing. The Monteros are light enough to stay on top of the snow. I have no problems what so ever in 2 to 3ft of snow in this rig. Benn up and down many Mt. Hood area snow roads and never an issue unles you try to pull your buddies Yukon out of a ditch in 3ft of the white stuff.

most reliable? wrangler JK. the electronics are designed to fail passively, if they do at all. power doors and windows detach from vehicle. you can have two sets of doors - one for winter, one for summer. things are nicely sealed under the hood. the air intake is tucked quite nicely to draw from the top. the stock suspension and chassis is now fixed, compared to TJ's. The ride is much more modern, compliant. Low compression, push-rod 3.8L V6 with MPFI gets decent mileage (18~21mpg for my unlimited) and will likely be much less prone to issues than even the venerable 4.0L straight six of yore. This block has been serving mile after mile after mile in minivans crumbling around it. It's fully sorted in terms of reliability. It's also pretty easy to fix.

The current JK is the most "reliable" modern vehicle in production - you're not going to beat this setup. Everything else has made a point to wire the electronics for failure or making the vehicle inoperable in some way ... except Jeep ...  The reason they are ubiquitous is because they just plainly, outright work at just about everything and, technically speaking, meet all of the "requirements" you've listed. solid axles, body on frame, 4 wheel disc brakes, and lots of other touches that make the things friendly to off-pavement and on that I haven't found in any other vehicle.

for me, I had to get over the rover snobbery and learn to value taking trips more and dreaming about rigs less. the jeep has allowed me to do that, sitting in stock form. 32" tires, mild lift compared to most SUV's, rear locker, 6-speed manual transmission, real axle gearing options, and the trick electronically disconnecting swaybar. I can hit dirt and be in 4-lo, locked and disco'd with two button pushes that takes all of about 15 seconds, and I'm not afraid to go anywhere. and i love the new hardtop that lets you take off the overhead panels.

point is - once you get over the "mystique" value of most of these other foreign vehicles, i think you find that really there is only one jeep

I'm enjoying this thread.  Isaac has a point on a rig that should not be overlooked.  Underneath my Rover snobbish grin I live with the knowledge that I once owned a 1997 Jeep Wrangler and although I felt it was not built as strong as my Rovers it never broke.  The aftermarket accessories for them are much better now.  One of my favs is the late 70's Toyota FJ's.  They are great rigs for building up/refurbishing.  Can put deisels in them, power steering, disc brakes, even A/C.  You can buy a completely updated one from that child actor, TLC Cruisers for $60k+. 

Bingo Dale

I'll always have a soft spot for rangies -  putting that in the other thread - "desirable" ;)

The newer Monteros, I think, are great.    I'm usually not a fan of most Japenese styling but for some reason it works for me on that particular rig.     A friend of mine took his wife's Monty out to Quilomene with us once, because he couldn't get all the camping gear and what not into a SWB TJ rubicon with his two daughters.     The independent suspension on all four corners sure looked comfy as he few down those roads!!!!     And it was like a vault inside.   I was very impressed - toss in a rear lockers and factory size Mud terrains and you're still going to go plenty of places in a newer one. 

Other's have said it best - "the best rig is probably the one in your driveway."

I still have the snobbery, Brad, I just hide it deep inside and don't like to talk about it unless it involves a psychotherapist