Five best overland vehicles in North America?

[Chris S]

Greetings. Not exactly the right place to post but it will have to do.

I'm finishing a book on overlanding in Asia, Africa and Latin America where such travel is less straightforward than back home

It includes a big section on vehicle choice but I'm no so clued up on the US/CAN scene so need some help. I've scanned the Portal but if it's been covered, I've missed it so please point me.

Domestic or import, what would be the pick of the crop for a North American twosome or family planning extended travels across the above continents where you can't always just call or pay your way out of vehicle trouble? It does not have to be 4x4 and with a preference to older, less complicated/sensitive/expensive vehicles which are common in those places.

In no order, from what I've read so far I would guess the list would include:

• Anything Toyota (up to a couple of weeks ago!): LC 60 or 80, Tacoma, even this Tundra with a cabin on the back.
  
• Sportsmobile
  
• Mitsubishi Fuso/Canter or similar Isuzu FSR/NPS 4x4 diesels - with a cabin
  
• Whatever 2WD station wagon/van you can get for $2000. Import or domestic?
  
• Some sort of domestic 4x4 pickup + cabin from Ford Navistar/Powerstroke diesel?, mid-90s Dodge Cummins or newer Isuzu Duramax? These engines are found RTW, I imagine.
  
• Jeep - the newish Wrangler Unimited Rubicon. Is that the closest thing you have to a Land Rover Defender which the Brits go for? Don't know about the many older Jeeps.
  
• Mercedes trucks, including Unimog. Found RTW.

thanks for helping me out.

Chris S

 

[stclair]

What about a Westfalia ? The Syncro is available, but more common in 2WD. If you need more power, you can always add a Subaru motor.

 

[paulj]

While camping in British Columbia I've meet 2 Australian couples who had bought a minivan, and spent a month or more touring that province and neighboring areas, intending to sell at the end. One was an older Toyota, the other the more ubiquitous Chrysler.

Such a vehicle is easy to find on the used car market, and has plenty of space for 2 people to sleep, along with their gear. Obviously it wouldn't be the best for driving rougher roads. But I suspect these younger Australians were more interested in self-propelled recreation (hiking and kayaking) than challenging backroads.

My own vehicle of choice is a Honda Element. It has one of the highest reliability ratings. And the oldest models now are nearly 7 years old.

 

[haven]

Assuming you want to limit the list to petroleum-powered vehicles with four wheels, I think the current Jeep Wrangler Unlimited should be included. It's relatively inexpensive, has room for four and enough gear for an outing of a week or more, is quite capable off-road right off the showroom floor, and has lots of support from the aftermarket if you want to upgrade.

If you can't afford to buy a new Jeep, then the 1996-97 Toyota Land Cruiser FZJ 80 would be a good choice. It's still possible to find one with less than 100K miles and factory front and rear diff locks for $10,000 or so.

A pickup truck and camper should be included. While arguments can be made in favor of Fords with the 7.3L Powerstroke diesel, I'd nominate a Dodge 4x4 pickup with the 12 valve Cummins diesel from 1992-1996.

 

[charlieaarons]

Unfortunately there's very little to choose from in North America that I would want on a RTW trip.
The best Toyotas aren't available in NA - the 70 series LCs and the diesels
The Jeeps don't come with diesel except for the super-luxo Grand Cherokee
The pickup diesels might be seen a bit in Australia and parts of South America, but that's it for them

The Mitsubishi Fuso FG is the closest offering to a small "world truck"
The Mercedes Unimog U500 was the closest to a large "world truck"; only sold 184 2003-6. I was luck enough to snag one:
http://www.unicat.net/en/info/TC49compact.html
Unfortunately Mercedes doesn't sell any of its' other larger trucks here, nor do MAN.

Charlie

 

[Rbertalotto]

Need more information........
Round the World, North/South America, or just North America. Makes a lot of difference.

How much "Off the beaten path"...? True four wheel drive capability or the occasional dirt road with mud and snow?

Lots of set-up and breakdown camping (every night) or move into an area and stay there days or weeks.

Fuel availability and quality of fuel.

Are you mechanically inclined......Can you fix it if you are shipped parts or do you need a dealer network.

How many folks will be traveling?

Budget?

 

[pcampbell]

While not necessarily comprehensive, the official ExPo articles might get you started as they explicitly list which vehicles are available in NA...

http://expeditionportal.com/editori...rt-one-selecting-the-ultimate-overlander.html

http://expeditionportal.com/editori...expedition-camper-platform-by-chip-haven.html

 

[charlieaarons]

The original poster is a highly experienced overlander. He knows what's needed; I think he is referring to long time/distance overland travel. He's written excellent books previously, like Sahara Overland.
We should help him with opining on the offerings in the North American market. IMHO not what's best for rock-crawling/extreme offroad (i.e. short wheelbase Jeep Rubicon) but what is good for trips>10 weeks all over a large country or for international travel.
Unfortunately, as I said above, there's not very much offered within NAFTA that I would be willing to take out of the NAFTA zone.
Perhaps the current cream of the crop (other than Fuso FG and Unimog U500) would be an older "mechanical" diesel pickup like Dodge Cummins or Ford 7.3, pre-electronic. The emissions changes have decreased reliability in general. However, it is very hard to find a rust free older diesel pickup with low mileage; they tend to be driven a lot of miles.
If Jeep ever gets around to offering its' LWB 4 door traditional version with diesel that would be closer to the ideal of a 70 series LC or LR Defender....

Charlie

 

[jsmoriss]

[*]Jeep - the newish Wrangler Unimited Rubicon. Is that the closest thing you have to a Land Rover Defender which the Brits go for? Don't know about the many older Jeeps.

I can speak for the JK Unlimited -- one of the nice features is the rear seats fold flat, giving you lots of space out back. If you replace the rear seats with a platform, even better. It took a few years for the aftermarket stuff to catch-up, but the selection these days is excellent. Out of the box, the JK is also quite capable -- decent axles, tires/clearance, gas tank volume, etc. I guess it's only drawback is the engine. It would be nice to have something a little more torquee... The Rubicon, in my opinion, is the only way to go. The 4.10s are a real asset, especially if you're going to load anything in it. I think a few manufacturers are working on a second gas tank, but in NA, that may be overkill.

I think what really sets the Wrangler apart from the Toyotas, etc., is the solid front axle. It's certainly something that I considered before starting to look at the different truck models and manufacturers. Some (maybe most?) people might prefer IFS for their planned expeditions -- it all depends on the speed and terrain you'll be driving in.

js.

 

[Sangster]

My vote goes to the 05+ Frontier 4x4 crew cab. :wings:

 

[paulj]

Is a 'cabin' what we Americans call as shell, cap, or campertop, a simple covering for the pickup bed that effectively extends the cab?

 

[dzzz]

What vehicle have North American E.P. members taken off the continent? It seems to me this choice is the "vote" that really counts.

 

[skysix]

Perhaps the current cream of the crop . . . would be an older "mechanical" diesel pickup like Dodge Cummins or Ford 7.3, pre-electronic . . . However, it is very hard to find a rust free older diesel pickup with low mileage; they tend to be driven a lot of miles

What about a lightly used Guard M1008 (repainted natch!) with an engine swap to a fresh rebuild Cummins? Switch to 37" tires and surplus beadlock/runflat rims without having to regear... (4.56/Dana 60)

 

[paulj]

Are we talking about a vehicle that can be bought in the USA or Canada, and then taken to other continents, or one that a visitor might buy for using in North American?

In other words, is the focus on suitability for use in North American, or for use elsewhere?

 

[haven]

I think the original post asks,

"What vehicle found in North America should a couple or family choose if they were planning to travel overland in Asia or South America?"

The question does not specify how long the trip will be, or what sort of camping setup is desired. No budget for the project is included, either.

I think the idea is for the book to recommend vehicles that could be purchased in North America, prepared for overlanding, and then shipped to another continent.