Crosslander

[The BN Guy]

Anyone heard of this...

http://www.crosslander4x4.com/index.php

I've been keeping up with this thing for over a year now. Looks like it will be coming to the US very soon. Late 2005. Nice lil engine, a solid axle, decent interior...looks promising. Oh, and a dang good price - 17k to 22k.

 

[Brian McVickers]

It looks like a mini LR Defender.
At the price you listed it would definitely deserve a closer look and a test drive. Looks like they will have four dealership in Arizona. Sure would like to see more pics, the website only had about 5.

 

[Scott Brady]

This vehicle has been off-and-on for over 10 years. Now they are having to fight federal safety regulations for airbags, side impact beams, etc.

 

[bluerunner]

Yup, thats why he's a SUPER MODERATOR!!!

 

[datrupr]

The Crosslanders are pretty cool, though a bit on the basic side in terms of design, maybe that's why I like it. I am not sure if the government will let them in with out all the "proper" safety equipment on them. I know I read I think on 4wdtrips that they are negotiating or increasing the wieght to get around these obsticals, but I have not heard anything new as of yet. I also am not real keen on the underpowered Ford V6. But I still would not mind to have one. And the price for a brand new truck can not be beat.

 

[Nullifier]

My good friend Mike Lokey has a shop called Lokey Cross Lander. He has started a great 4x4 shop that caters to the tripping market. He is one of several aticipating crosslander dealer around the U.S. here is a link. He actually carries all the goodies in stock from ARB, pull pal hi lift, lightforce camping trailers and more. Good shop and great all around outdoorsman. He has had his defender up to alaska and spent 2 years touring out west.

Lokey crosslander You can see his yello defender in some of the show room pictures.

 

[The BN Guy]

Gotta love the Defender! Love those trailers too.

 

[kcowyo]

I have good friend too who has a Crosslander dealership, and he has been patiently awaiting their arrival for several years.

The concept was interesting when they initially had a small diesel motor planned for the Crosslander, priced under $20K. Since they have changed to using the same V6 as in the Ford Explorer, well....I'm not as interested as I once was.

I don't think my friend is considering getting rid of his Landcruiser for one, even at cost, anymore either.

 

[datrupr]

A deisel in this would make it almost perfect for the price. The Ford 4.0 V6 is very anemic, and I think the truck will prove too heavy to give it any good performance #'s. I am not a big fan of the 4.0 6 that is in the Explorer's and Rangers.

 

[Nullifier]

Man it's funny how you guys don't like the v-6. I have a ranger as my daily with that motor. it has plenty of power and I have over 230k on it with no issues. Hell not even a leak. I also have several friends with fords that run that engine. I have never heard anyone say anything negative about it. Sure it could have more power but that would mean more expense for the crosslander. I just can;t imagine a 6 with more power then the ford unless you are talking super/turbo engines. That engine is strong and reliable and great part availability IMO LOL

 

[kevin]

The ford 4.0L is a strong and reliable engine, but perhaps outdated technology.
I belive it produces 207hp and 238foot-pounds of tourqe. A 3.5L Kia produces
193hp and 294foot-pounds of tourqe!! The 4.0L just does not produce enough power per litre IMO. It is however a great engine for durability and service as you mentioned.

 

[Nullifier]

Well I talked to my friend Mike who owns a crosslander dealership. He said that things have all been worked out and he is expecting his first delivery either late december or early January. He just a call this week so it won't be much longer. :jump:

 

[gjackson]

I was disappointed that they killed the diesel as well. It was going to be the new powerstroke 2.8L version of the Land Rover 300tdi made by International in Brazil. It is a fantastic engine! If they brought them in I was considering changing out my 300 for that engine, but alas. . .

You can still get the 2.8 over here and I know several people who have put them in Discoveries and Defenders, but they are pretty pricey!! East Coast Rovers puts them in:
http://www.eastcoastrover.com/Tdiconversions.html

And 277ft/lb of torque is stunning for an engine that size!!

cheers

Graham
www.africaoverland.org

 

[flyingwil]

Hmmm. The crosslander will be interesting... It seems to be a Romainian vehicle, and I think this thread is in the wrong folder.

It seems to a decent vehicle in direct competition with Rover. I think it will have a hard start-up similar to that of DaeWoo. The waranty will ultimate make or break the sales of the vehicle IMO. Americans are picky, and many may see drawback such as parts availability and unknown reliability issues. Just think of what the 19 year old guy at the parts store would say when you ask for a new air filter for a 2006 Crosslander, most of them have problems with my Toyota and I just tell them my part # as it is.

It definately has it pro's. But I also think it might be marketed to the wrong group, similar to the H2's, where most may never leave the road. It will also be interesting to hear what the Public will call it. My first thought was a Rover knock off, but I have to keep an open mind. It also seems a bit out dated for eye appeal (Boxy, no Carpet), however the price might appeal to others... looks like the tentative MSRP is from $17,865 to $22,300.

Notice the leak in the last one? Might not be a good thing to post up on a dealership website as their first one.

They seem to be marketing it for the off-road crowd, but yet they don't offer lockers? It would also be nice with a solid axle in the front.

Wil

 

[kcowyo]

I've got a couple of pics from that franchise owners part/unveiling in FL earlier this year too. The original concept looked like a little Defender 90 (to me), but the latest looks more like an older model Trooper, H3, Jeep Commander, et al.

I have nothing against Ford's 4.0, but when they were talking about using a diesel motor with it outfitted to the moon for under $20K, I was excited. Now with a gas motor, it's just another overpriced boxy SUV that cried wolf. :smilies27