Good expedition platform for a rookie?

[SGV]

Thanks Martinjmpr, that helps. I will primarily be traveling around New England but I take occasional trips to the midwest. What we drive there will probably be whatever is most comfortable on the road. This year we took my GV. Last time we took her RAV4, since it was more comfortable and much better mpg than my old Cherokee. Never should have traded it in.

Also, a diesel sure would be nice, but the ones I see for sale have some astronomically high price attached to them. It's like they make diesel engines out of gold and make all the seals out of diamonds.

 

[4Rescue]

When I'm through Oregon next year you can come and admire it if you like! I was on McGrew with the TLCA in July.

please drop me a line when you roll through, I'd love to come drool over your truck eh.

I still disagree with the unibody issue. Never in my life have I seen one with a failure, and I love that my rig weighs so little. But we will have to agree to disagree.

One thing we can agree on is that an 80 series is probably going to be the best thing to role with. An 80 will probably be my next build. Of course that will be after my unibody spontaneously combusts!

Yep, we have different oppinions on that one but oh well... I can see from your Avatar that we probably have alot in common outside of just XJ ownership

Cheers

Dave

 

[jh504]

Yep, we have different oppinions on that one but oh well... I can see from your Avatar that we probably have alot in common outside of just XJ ownership

Cheers

Dave

Yes brothers in the fire service must stick together. I am glad that ExPo isnt one of those places where a different opinion will get you flamed. After all, if everyone thought the same way, how boring would life be?

Good luck SGV on whatever you go with.

 

[SGV]

Good luck SGV on whatever you go with.

Thanks, I think I will need it. I have a lot of variables in my life right now which may also effect the choice (in terms of money spent). I will be thinking about your posts if I choose to go with an XJ.

 

[mrbishi]

Hey guys thought I'd jump in as there were a few questions about the Montero Sport (Mitsubishi Challenger here in Australia).

Mines a 1999 model - rear leaf sprung/front independant/torsion bar. The 2000 onward models were rear coil sprung which is what I'd go for if I was going to do it again mainly to be able to use airbags more easily in the bag for loads.

The run a ladder framed chassis and everything is nice and tucked up underneath (nothing really protrudes underneath the chassis) and has good steel guards / skid plates on those things that need to be protected.

I'm currently running about 3" of suspension lift and 2 inch of body lift. This allows me to run the 33x12.5s MTRs with very minimal scrubbing up front (with some modification of the bump stops and a bit of plastic trimming/beating the inner guards).

I have the 3lt V6 Petrol in mine but I believe you guys get a 3.5lt version over there too? Fully loaded for remote trips I can get just over 500km out of a 70lt tank of fuel - not to bad for the level of modification of the vehicle!

I've got mine fitted out with a custom rear storage system with a slide for the Engel, electronics etc. Have a custom made canvas awning mounted to a Rhino Rack roof rack. Pretty much all of the modifications I have done myself to turn it into a comfortable expedition vehicle. Each trip sees me tweak something small to make it that little bit better.

Next on the list is a rear ARB locker and some custom sliders. I'm umming and ahhing about a front ARB bar - they look cool but weigh a hell of a lot and I'm not all that sure I need it (haven't thus far!).

In my opinion for 2 people it's a fantastic size and a very under-rated vehicle. Mine has been driven hard and has done a lot of offroad KMs with no problems ever. Just lately I've developed a bit of an oil leak in the rear main that I'm going to get looked at but apart from that she just keeps on going.

If you guys have any specific questions let me know!

 

[lathamb]

It depends on a lot of other factors. If you live close to the areas you are exploring, then MPG might not matter. But if you live in, say, Rhode Island, and you want to go exploring in Utah or Colorado, then the difference between 14 and 20 MPG can be significant. Let's say you do a 5,000 mile round trip (I'm just talking about highway time - not 'wheeling time):

5000 miles / 14 mpg = 357 gallons used
5000 miles / 20 mpg = 250 gallons used

During summer when gas prices peak, you can expect to pay up to $4.50/gallon. So 4.50/gallon x 107 gallons extra (the fuel you will use on the 14 mpg vehicle that you will not use on the 20 mpg vehicle) = almost $500 more. That's $500 that you can't spend on other stuff.

It also affects how you 'wheel. I don't know how big the tank was on the FJ80 but on my 90 Montero it was 24 gallons. 24 gallons x 17 mpg (my low average when driving on dirt or undeveloped roads) = 408 miles range. Assuming an FJ80 has a similar sized tank at 12 mpg = 288 miles range.

So bottom line is that in my opinion, yes, it matters.

I'll second that. On my trip from Philly to Moab earlier in the year, when gas was about $3.75, fuel cost was almost prohibitive. I estimate I was getting about 14 mpg in my Cruiser. A more fuel efficient vehicle would have been nice on the highway. Range was between 280 and 320 miles per tank.

Ben

 

[SGV]

mrbishi, thank you for the additional information. I was wondering if the Montero Sport (Challenger) had a locking rear differential. I really like the looks of those. I wish the states had more support for them, but for my purposes I believe there might be enough. Also, lalamb, thanks for more insight on fuel efficiency.

Unfortunately, I am putting the new rig on hold. It turns out I am keeping my GV, so I will be waiting for a bit and then looking into a more purposeful vehicle while keeping the GV for a DD and soft roading. I will look into installing the components to the center differential to give it low range and locking. I believe it is only about 5 parts, but more than $1000 to do it. I will also do some minor modifications.

As for this thread, thanks everyone for the responses and please feel free to keep it going for other new guys and girls out there who want to get into the lifestyle, but don't know where to start. I feel I have a firm grasp on what I want to start with, but I have to wait until the dust settles from my old business. Thanks again, I will be lurking and commenting occasionally on things I can actually comment on.

 

[4Rescue]

Hey guys thought I'd jump in as there were a few questions about the Montero Sport (Mitsubishi Challenger here in Australia).

Mines a 1999 model - rear leaf sprung/front independant/torsion bar. The 2000 onward models were rear coil sprung which is what I'd go for if I was going to do it again mainly to be able to use airbags more easily in the bag for loads.

The run a ladder framed chassis and everything is nice and tucked up underneath (nothing really protrudes underneath the chassis) and has good steel guards / skid plates on those things that need to be protected.

I'm currently running about 3" of suspension lift and 2 inch of body lift. This allows me to run the 33x12.5s MTRs with very minimal scrubbing up front (with some modification of the bump stops and a bit of plastic trimming/beating the inner guards).

I have the 3lt V6 Petrol in mine but I believe you guys get a 3.5lt version over there too? Fully loaded for remote trips I can get just over 500km out of a 70lt tank of fuel - not to bad for the level of modification of the vehicle!

I've got mine fitted out with a custom rear storage system with a slide for the Engel, electronics etc. Have a custom made canvas awning mounted to a Rhino Rack roof rack. Pretty much all of the modifications I have done myself to turn it into a comfortable expedition vehicle. Each trip sees me tweak something small to make it that little bit better.

Next on the list is a rear ARB locker and some custom sliders. I'm umming and ahhing about a front ARB bar - they look cool but weigh a hell of a lot and I'm not all that sure I need it (haven't thus far!).

In my opinion for 2 people it's a fantastic size and a very under-rated vehicle. Mine has been driven hard and has done a lot of offroad KMs with no problems ever. Just lately I've developed a bit of an oil leak in the rear main that I'm going to get looked at but apart from that she just keeps on going.

If you guys have any specific questions let me know!

Thanks for chiming in mate, I knew you'd have some of the answers we're looking for. Your truck is truly beautiful and really cool to drool over eh. PLus ev ery time I see your pics I start day-dreaming of being back in Australia where I think I belong.


I love these trucks, the looks, and the fact that they're Mitsu's are great. they are IMO a seriously under-apreciated rig here in the states. Our old Dodge Caravan ahd a 3.0L mitsubishi V-6 in it and that motor ran over 400K with minimalissues and only routine maint. needed. Having a frame is to me, a plus, and 4 doors make it nice for added company.


Cheers

Dave

 

[SGV]

Gosh, the GV is back on the chopping block. Good news is my wife is thumbs up on a Trooper. There are several low mileage ones in the area for under 5k. Also, there are quite a few Cherokees for the right price. As soon as my lawyer lets me know what the heck is up, I will begin taking action on this endeavor. Thanks all for the help.

 

[bootzilla]

That is one stong dude, to hold up that trooper like that!

Heh heh - the Troop is a great choice if you can find one that has low enough miles - they have a good amount of room and are small enough to get by on tight trails, and they can fit 32's without a lift, and 33's with a 1.5" lift.

 

[Cackalak Han]

I just skimmed the thread, but one thing to keep in mind is the availability of aftermarket parts. I know for 4Runner/Tacoma's (and other Toyota's), there are TONS of parts available.

 

[XJxplorer]

I'm going to have to go with the XJ here... I have owned 3 and I have honestly never had a major problem, EVER (knock on wood).... I know A LOT of hardcore XJ guys and have never once seen the uni-body fail... Even if you are THAT worried about the uni-body, TNT makes a frame stiffener kit that helps TREMENDOUSLY. The 4.0 is one of the most reliable motors out there, other than the 22re. I have seen a couple 4.0s with 400k+ miles on them and still cruising down the highway just fine. There is soooo much aftermarket support for the XJ that it gets overwhelming sometimes. You can build it to your exact tastes because of all the aftermarket support. Yes, the XJ does have sensor problems sometimes, but, it's an easy and relatively cheap fix. Almost anyone can work on the 4.0. I would seriously reconsider the XJ... Check out naxja if you haven't already. There is a wealth of information there. And mileage isn't really that bad. On long trips with 33's and 4:56's you can average 18mpg easily.

 

[SGV]

Right now, in my head, the Trooper and the XJ are battling it out. My last vehicle was a Cherokee but I fell for the classic "I'm making good money and now I want a new car" folly. It was a 2-door with, I believe, the high-pinion D30 up front and the Chrysler 8.25 in the back. Here it is in a blizzard that shut down RI back in March of '06.

(Hmm, the embed pictures feature seems to have changed.)

Anyway, cost and wife approval are big factors. For both of us reliability is the biggest one and when I mention a deal I find, the first question for her is about reliability. The second is about mpg. Because of my situation I have to rely on her. She said she does not want me to buy a Jeep and turn it into some off-road machine which I will destroy. I assured her that is not what I want to do, that I want to use it for exploration and to camp out of. A Toyota would be nice, but when price comparing, they are way higher than the others and I just can't justify spending the money on them. I know they are reliable, but so are the Trooper and the Cherokee, which can be found for so much less.

I like how the Trooper will be ready pretty much out of the box, but all the Cherokee needs (I believe) to put it on par is a rear locker to compete with the G80 on the rear of the Trooper. I want to keep lift to a minimal, just an OME kit and some fender trimming. Hmmm...

 

[Colorado Ron]

Tough call between Trooper and XJ. They both have pluses and negatives. But if reliability and MPG are your main concern, Id have to say Trooper.

 

[SGV]

Manual hubs?

The Trooper gets better mpg? It is bigger and heavier, so I would figure that would be reversed. I know the 4.0 I6 is thirsty. I have read that the Trooper does get decent mileage, especially with manual hubs.

Speaking of manual hubs, if you lock them but leave it in 2Hi, is that the equivalent of the driving in 2Hi with automatic locking hubs?