They remain Unbeatable

[Pskhaat]

I've looked high and low. Recently I felt a little jealous, a little limited, a little sad; stuck in this lifelong relationship. I flirted. I even--please don't hate me--cheated on them with several different prospects. The cold hard truth however to which I now arrive is that I was right all-along. Full-circle you may say.

Nothing beats a LandCruiser!

I was really wanting to seek something new, not necessarily expensive, but possibly something domestic. Honestly, I'm not brand bashing as to each her own.

Requirements:

• Fit 3 Britax carseats across 2nd row seats, or
• 3rd row seating.
• Tight turning radius ~20ft.
• Body-on-frame; a truck if you will.
• Reasonable articulation.
• Fit in garage.
• Made after 2001.
• Better mileage than 14mpg
• Would love manual tranny.

Contenders:

• Jeep 4dr JK
• Ford F250 SuperDuty Diesel shortbed. Can you say PTO?
• Dodge 2500 Cummins shortbed.
• Chevrolet/GMC 2500HD shortbed
• New Toyota Tundra
• Unimog (don't I wish!)

Oh Jeep, but a diesel in and you're mine, you just can't yet fit the kids. The Ford articulated like concrete slab. The Dodge had such a grand turning radius I seriously wondered if I'd make it out of a tight public parking garage doing multi-point turns; pray how to get down my favorite mountain switchbacks? I could only see sky in the new GM HD truck, the hood stretched to the horizon, and I simply couldn't find a decent quadrasteer GM truck in the Western US to test drive.

I don't think I have the resources for a 2001+ Unimog nor did I find one to drive, but someday I will. Nor shall I likely have the same for the new Tundra which I have driven often and liked very much. Until a future time and place, I'm recontent with my LCs.

 

[Willman]

YOur funny Scott.......

Your brother would cut you off from the family if you got a Jeep....... and i would not here the end of it on the trail on the CB....

Stick to your LC's.....your 80 is sweet and your 100 is also..(ps..I got first dibs if you sell)


I think a AT trailer or a military trailer like mine would solve just about all your problems! Frees space up....move the fridge to the trailer....and all the misc. gear and then your LC's will fit you more better.

Make the move!!!!!

:shakin:

 

[kcowyo]

Thought this was a thread about the Pats...

 

[Desertdude]

Pure poetry...

 

[FortyMileDesert]

So I am guessing that you haven't yet done well over 100 treks in the northern Nevada desert in a 2004 Land Rover Discovery:

 

[Sloan]

I own 2 Landcruisers and I have to admit after getting snowed in on top of the pass by Lake Shasta for 2 days in my wife's Discovery II, if I wasn't going to buy a LC that is the only other vehicle I would look at. It was 2am and a CHP officer was using us in the Disco to make paths for people to drive through on the 5 between the north and south bound lanes. Once we finally got into Yreka and were safe in a hotel I took it to the Walmart parking lot and tried to get it stuck. Couldn't do it, 4-5 foot drifts barely slowed it down. I'm really thinking about 2 LC and a Discovery II since my DD just got totaled.

 

[Willman]

Thought this was a thread about the Pats...

:xxrotflma

Nice!

 

[Green96D1]

So I am guessing that you haven't yet done well over 100 treks in the northern Nevada desert in a 2004 Land Rover Discovery:

I agree with Rocky

the Discovery II
does fit most of the requirements

A Strong! body-on-frame build
kickin articulation from factory
does offer 3rd row seating
gets 16mpg
will fit in 90% of garages
is made after 2001.

however
there is no manual tranny
and it does not turn very tight.

but for the what it offers a Discovery II is a tough truck and good option and will give many years of great service if kept in good hands.

my old 96 is 12 years old and still going strong with no engine rebuild.

 

[Pskhaat]

So I am guessing that you haven't yet done well over 100 treks in the northern Nevada desert in a 2004 Land Rover Discovery:

Not in Nevada and not in a Rover I'll admit I did not try Rovers, not because of a lack of respect. CMIIW but doesn't the 100 series LC have over twice the cargo volume of a Disco? I will admit I did not know they came w/ 3rd row seats.

My intent was to try and step up the capacity whilst not exposing me to further fuel costs. I could haul a LOT in a full-sized truck. I on a regular (this morning being the latest time) basis also need a vehicle capable of 7 in seatbelts with 3 oversized carseats (no the full-sizes can't do that either).

 

[Pskhaat]

and it does not turn very tight.

Don't the specs say under 20' in radius which about the LC's; yet I read on forums all the time about how dismal it is. What's the scoop?

 

[Willman]

DUDE......Keep the LC's and man up and get a trailer!


:shakin:

 

[Scott Brady]

Scott,

Test drive a G-Class

Test drive an Excursion with a diesel

The excursion would be my first choice for a full-size family/stuff hauler. You can fit a Deaver suspension to it with Donahoe remote res shocks, some 255/85's and it would be an excellent platform. The 2200 would fit on top with still a bit of room for some Pelican cases.

Just know that the suspension is wrong on the excursion from the factory, but can be fixed in a very effective way. Room no longer becomes and issue, and you can get 18mpg+ with those.

Not sure if the G-Class has a third row...

 

[Scott Brady]

I dig that picture!

 

[Scott Brady]

[*]Tight turning radius ~20ft.

What are your thoughts on the turning radius?

It has never been much of a consideration for me (the Tacoma is about twice your 20ft. requirement). Even a SWB wrangler has a turning radius of 34'.

 

[durangodds]

Just know that the suspension is wrong on the excursion from the factory, but can be fixed in a very effective way. Room no longer becomes and issue, and you can get 18mpg+ with those.

I have a friend with one he "chipped" and he claims to get 25 mpg fully loaded on the highway.