Dare to be Different - I need your HONEST help!

[RealJon]

Thanks Zuk, I had only read of the Honda on Wiki and internets and never actually seen one myself. Like you said I would LOVE to find a nice Toyota/ Mazda/ Ford/ Isuzu/ Mitsubishi 4x4 truck but it seems like everyone I find is WAY overpriced and over modified for what I need. I think a nice little 5 speed / 4 cyl will do decent on gas and have real 4wd.

I will look into a sidekick / tracker as an option because most the ones i see are not modified. I think just decent tires and I will be fine.

On another note, NO one wants to buy my Trooper. Its getting pretty annoying.

 

[Warn Industries]

A couple thoughts:

I used to own a '92 Mitsubishi Expo LRV. In college, I actually had a website for them called the Mitsubishi Expo LRV Pages (this was back in the mid 1990s.). I'm pretty familiar with them. Mine was a 1.8-liter FWD manual. Good little car. Parts can be hard to find for them, and there's no aftermarket at all. I had put on a custom exhaust system and intake for mine. However, the Expo/Summit/Vista never came with the 4G63 in the U.S. (overseas they did as well as the 4G64T. Google Mitsubishi RVR Hyper Sports Gear! It was essentially an EVOIII with an Expo body). They were available with either the 1.8-liter (4G93) or the 2.4-liter (4G64).

Have you thought about a Suzuki Sidekick/Vitara or Geo/Chevrolet Tracker? Lots of aftermarket, parts are pretty easy, they get decent fuel economy, and are tough little mountain goats.

I'm a Suzuki fan, and own a '95 Sidekick with a mild lift, bumper, winch, 235/75/15 ATs, etc. I also on a '10 SX4.

The Expo/Summit Wagon/Colt Vista in AWD is a cool little rig. I want to get another one as a project vehicle.

- Andy

 

[RealJon]

A couple thoughts:

I used to own a '92 Mitsubishi Expo LRV. In college, I actually had a website for them called the Mitsubishi Expo LRV Pages (this was back in the mid 1990s.). I'm pretty familiar with them. Mine was a 1.8-liter FWD manual. Good little car. Parts can be hard to find for them, and there's no aftermarket at all. I had put on a custom exhaust system and intake for mine. However, the Expo/Summit/Vista never came with the 4G63 in the U.S. (overseas they did as well as the 4G64T. Google Mitsubishi RVR Hyper Sports Gear! It was essentially an EVOIII with an Expo body). They were available with either the 1.8-liter (4G93) or the 2.4-liter (4G64).

Have you thought about a Suzuki Sidekick/Vitara or Geo/Chevrolet Tracker? Lots of aftermarket, parts are pretty easy, they get decent fuel economy, and are tough little mountain goats.

I'm a Suzuki fan, and own a '95 Sidekick with a mild lift, bumper, winch, 235/75/15 ATs, etc. I also on a '10 SX4.

The Expo/Summit Wagon/Colt Vista in AWD is a cool little rig. I want to get another one as a project vehicle.

- Andy

I would love to get an SX4 but with college and having to be responsible and what not, I don't want to get into payments again.
Zukrider suggested the Tracker/ Sidekick as a good option so I am looking into them right now. I have seen yours and I must say its pretty sweet. Do you happen to have any real world numbers for MPG?

I would love to have one of those Mitsus to go play around with all these guys with mustangs and Honda on Friday nights!

I guess its time to update my list of possible options!

Sidekick / Tracker
Toyota / Mazda / Chevy / Datsun Ext Cab 4cyl/5speed Pickup (If I can find an UN- molested 4wd version)
Volvo Wagon

Like I said, were mainly looking for something comfortable to travel in and be able to carry a Canoe on top and gear on the inside!

 

[Warn Industries]

I Do you happen to have any real world numbers for MPG?

As is, I'm getting about 23-24 MPG, which is mostly "city style" driving. The only downside is the itsy-bitsy fuel tank. I'm not sure I've ever gotten 200 miles on a tank according to my odometer, which is off 6.5% due to the larger tire size. So I suppose I could add 6.5% to my odometer reading (and therefore increase fuel economy). It wouldn't be much, though.

I would love to have one of those Mitsus to go play around with all these guys with mustangs and Honda on Friday nights!

It's been a dream project of mine to have a FWD 4G63t-powered Expo. Someday it'll happen. The swap has been done before, but it's not common.

- Andy

 

[RealJon]

As is, I'm getting about 23-24 MPG, which is mostly "city style" driving. The only downside is the itsy-bitsy fuel tank. I'm not sure I've ever gotten 200 miles on a tank according to my odometer, which is off 6.5% due to the larger tire size. So I suppose I could add 6.5% to my odometer reading (and therefore increase fuel economy). It wouldn't be much, though.



It's been a dream project of mine to have a FWD 4G63t-powered Expo. Someday it'll happen. The swap has been done before, but it's not common.

- Andy

Thats VERY good, I am extremely please to hear those numbers. I think I could swing my lady into liking a Sidekick. How do you think the MPG would be affected if I were to get a 4 door model? Also I assume the 16v does better on gas then the 8v? Mine wouldn't have a bumper / winch right away and the only upgrade I might make after tires is a small lift. I appreciate every ones input!

 

[BigSwede]

Troopers are just not at home on the highway and feel like death traps on the freeway moving at 75.

Oh, I don't know...I drive my lifted Trooper on mushy 35x12.5x15 tires 3000 miles to Moab and back every year, 75 mph most of the way. It's not that bad at all. It's not a quick-handling vehicle, but how many tall boxy SUVs are? Although I will say the stock suspension and shocks are too soft, a nice OME lift and shocks do wonders for the ride and handling.

 

[RealJon]

Oh, I don't know...I drive my lifted Trooper on mushy 35x12.5x15 tires 3000 miles to Moab and back every year, 75 mph most of the way. It's not that bad at all. It's not a quick-handling vehicle, but how many tall boxy SUVs are? Although I will say the stock suspension and shocks are too soft, a nice OME lift and shocks do wonders for the ride and handling.

I am sure he is talking about stock suspension and thats what I am running!

Good news though, I have a G80 Rear in my Trooper, Just now went and looked and BAM lol

 

[Warn Industries]

Thats VERY good, I am extremely please to hear those numbers. I think I could swing my lady into liking a Sidekick. How do you think the MPG would be affected if I were to get a 4 door model? Also I assume the 16v does better on gas then the 8v? Mine wouldn't have a bumper / winch right away and the only upgrade I might make after tires is a small lift. I appreciate every ones input!

My numbers were for the 16V. For a 1997, http://www.fueleconomy.gov lists the 2 and 4 door models as the same fuel economy (both 4WD, both manual trans): 21 city, 24 highway.

- Andy

 

[RealJon]

My numbers were for the 16V. For a 1997, http://www.fueleconomy.gov lists the 2 and 4 door models as the same fuel economy (both 4WD, both manual trans): 21 city, 24 highway.

- Andy

So realistically I could expect about the same! That is really encouraging to me. I am starting college and I will be driving 80 miles a day so my Trooper would need a tank a week for gas just for college(2 days a week). If I could manage to get a 25 average that would cut my costs in at least half while not losing a ton of offroad capability!

With your modifications does it cruse the highway fairly well?
Sorry for all the questions, I love to learn things about vehicles and be completely sure about a vehicle before I buy one!

 

[Warn Industries]

No need to apologize at all!

My Kick has the stock 5:13 gears, so with the stock 205/75/15, it is pretty high strung on the highway. Going up to a 235/75/15 actually helps it a bit on the open road, and you can run 235s without a lift if you wanted. Mine, being a soft top, isn't very quiet on the highway. And, since my driver's door had been hyperextended at one point and therefore, doesn't seal 100% perfectly, there's a ton of wind noise. That'll get fixed one of these days, though.

The only other thing is, and I need to verify this, is the steering is a bit loose. Not sure if the steering box needs to be replaced or if it's just the nature of the beast. I've got 143,000 on my rig, so it's possible that the box needs to be replaced.

You can follow my build on my blog, Subcompact Culture: http://www.subcompactculture.com/search/label/Sidekick

- Andy

 

[RealJon]

No need to apologize at all!

My Kick has the stock 5:13 gears, so with the stock 205/75/15, it is pretty high strung on the highway. Going up to a 235/75/15 actually helps it a bit on the open road, and you can run 235s without a lift if you wanted. Mine, being a soft top, isn't very quiet on the highway. And, since my driver's door had been hyperextended at one point and therefore, doesn't seal 100% perfectly, there's a ton of wind noise. That'll get fixed one of these days, though.

The only other thing is, and I need to verify this, is the steering is a bit loose. Not sure if the steering box needs to be replaced or if it's just the nature of the beast. I've got 143,000 on my rig, so it's possible that the box needs to be replaced.

You can follow my build on my blog, Subcompact Culture: http://www.subcompactculture.com/search/label/Sidekick

- Andy

Yeah if I find one it will be a 4 door so no soft top and I def will get the bigger tires. I am thinking that the Sidekick is at the top of my search list. Second is still a Volvo Wagon and third is a pickup. I really appreciate your help Andy, friendly and helpful people are what draws me to a company to purchase my gear from.

 

[Warn Industries]

Yeah if I find one it will be a 4 door so no soft top and I def will get the bigger tires. I am thinking that the Sidekick is at the top of my search list. Second is still a Volvo Wagon and third is a pickup. I really appreciate your help Andy, friendly and helpful people are what draws me to a company to purchase my gear from.

Feel free to send me a PM at any time, too. Good automotive forum sites, such as ExpeditionPortal, are what it's all about—getting info and meeting new people.

- Andy

 

[bajajoaquin]

I'm going to be the guy who says a third option when you mention two others. Have you looked at the Toyota Tercel 4wd wagon? It is similar to the Honda, but it has a part-time transfer case. So when it's engaged, it's a locked center differential, like on a "real" 4x4. When it's not, it's a regular FWD sedan. This is (to my mind) better than the Civic, which uses Honda's Real Time 4wd which depends on wheelspin to engage the rear wheels.

The Toyota may have an extra-low gear below first available, but I really don't remember clearly. I do know that my brother drove one down the Baja peninsula, through the Mexican Mainland to Guatemala, and back up, with lots of off-road, and no problems. Other than lots of flats and the Zapatista revolution.

 

[RealJon]

I'm going to be the guy who says a third option when you mention two others. Have you looked at the Toyota Tercel 4wd wagon? It is similar to the Honda, but it has a part-time transfer case. So when it's engaged, it's a locked center differential, like on a "real" 4x4. When it's not, it's a regular FWD sedan. This is (to my mind) better than the Civic, which uses Honda's Real Time 4wd which depends on wheelspin to engage the rear wheels.

The Toyota may have an extra-low gear below first available, but I really don't remember clearly. I do know that my brother drove one down the Baja peninsula, through the Mexican Mainland to Guatemala, and back up, with lots of off-road, and no problems. Other than lots of flats and the Zapatista revolution.

I never thought of that. I will look into it! Thanks.

On another note, I am expecting too much for my Trooper?

http://www.expeditionportal.com/for...Isuzu-Trooper-2500-1000-Drop-in-Price-Atlanta

 

[GroupSe7en]

Japes - I'm still not clear as to the design brief - what are you going to do with it?

All I've got so far, is that you need a good MPG, 80 mile/day DD, that has to be able to do 80+ on the highway, and needs have some offroad capabilities.

What's the plan, man? How much DD vs how much offroad?
What kind of offroad?
How long will you be gone?
How much stuff do you need to carry, etc.?

You might be able to get away with a Honda Element, but I''m hesitant to recommend it, because it's not the king of the offroad jungle LOL

I might also suggest that you might lean more towards your DD now, and splash out a bit more when you finish your school stuff.:coffeedrink:

Good luck, either way!

Cheers,
Mark