Five best overland vehicles in North America?

[SafariPacific]

- Ford Ranger or full size

Since I'm one of the few Ranger guys on the forum I thought I'd add my two cents. Rangers are good for North and South America. The rest of the world is hit and miss on obtaining parts. Though most parts can be shipped in. Furthermore, the crucial element to consider if going the Ranger route is choosing the correct motor. From my research the 3.0 L is the best option in parts availability. The 4.0L is ok, though more difficult and the worst option is the 2.3l, which I have. The 2.3l motor parts are all special order, even a radiator hose here in the states.

The Ranger is a great truck, though there are better options available.

 

[SafariPacific]

My top

New:
1. A custom truck (built from highly available parts anywhere)
2. Jeep Wrangler
3. Toyota Tacoma/4Runner
4. Fuso FG140
5. Ford Ranger

Old:
1. Toyota Land Cruiser
2. G-Wagon
3. Land Rover Defender
4. 1967-1972 Chevrolet/GMC truck

 

[dzzz]

From the original post I figure the Sportsmobile is a rolling bandito magnet, likely the same for the "over the top" trucks like the Fuso, etc.

Yeah you people in work vans and delivery trucks......what were you thinking!?!

 

[Root Moose]

There's the rub - outfitted they look like anything but a work van.

 

[skysix]

Yeah - if you get a standard white 1-ton Chevy cube van with a walk through, leave the cab interior stock (well maybe a moderately priced am/fm that doesn't look flashy and a removeable GPS with mount and a CB), lower the roof inside 6" or so to mask the vents and solar etc (leave outside walls in place but add rain drain holes in all 4 corners), run all vents and air intakes etc either up or down, add large skylights and a locking walkthrough that looks like a sheet of aluminum from the cab side, leave the paint/decals - or switch to a generic contractor type name like ACME Plumbing - without the Road Runner/Coyote decals then even with a decent heavy duty front bumper, a rear under-box winch and somewhat hidden rear bumper plus a 4x4 conversion you'll pretty much be able to dry camp/boondock anywhere. Just park in an industrial area...

 

[aktroopers]

The list

1. The 1998 Isuzu Trooper. This vehicle is affordable to own, well engineered, easy to repair, large storage capacity, overbuilt drivetrain and much maligned in North America. The early versions of the 3.5 litre engine burned oil at an alarming rate and given Isuzu's long history of making excellent engines, this was a mystery and unfortunate.

2. The 1997 Toyota Land Rover. This vehicle was tough, overbuilt, relatively simply and offered toyota reliablilty with electronic lockers from the manufacture. If I could chose one good condition retro vehicle to have, this would be it.

3. The 2010 Toyota 4 Runner. if you haven't seen this revised model with the Trail package yet, take a look. For starters, it offers a V6 that can tow 5000 pounds, runs on four cylinders most of the time giving 25+ miles per gallon loaded and 19+ in town milage all the time. It also offers a rear locker, trail and hill assist modes along with a heavy duty suspension for a serious overlanding.

Numbers four and five have yet to be experienced.

 

[Root Moose]

1997 Toyota Land Rover

You know, all kidding aside, that would probalby be the perfect vehicle. Imagine a Discovery built with Toyota running gear and QC. Magnifico!

 

[jcbrandon]

...From the original post I figure the Sportsmobile is a rolling bandito magnet, likely the same for the "over the top" trucks like the Fuso, etc...

Yeah you people in work vans and delivery trucks......what were you thinking!?!

There's the rub - outfitted they look like anything but a work van.

A stealthy appearance is what elevates the Dodge Power Wagon on my personal list. There's not much need to hang a bunch of expensive expedition stuff on the outside of the truck.

Though I do miss all the hot ExPo groupie babes begging for a demonstration of my titanium espresso machine, the truck rarely draws a second look from thugs and dirt bags.

 

[Wonderland]

1. Honda Civic
2. Toyota Corolla
3. Ford Focus
4. Nissan Sentra
5. Chevy Cobalt

 

[mcm4090]

New truck that I think are the best.

1)Frontier
2)H3T

New SUV that I think are the best
JK
FJ
X

old trucks that I think are the best.

1)Tacoma

 

[Wonderland]

Hey Chris,

Great to hear of the progress with your book.

For new vehicles available in North America for serious overlanding, I would suggest the following and in the following order.

1. Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon
2. Toyota 4Runner
3. Toyota Tacoma
4. Nissan Xterra OR
5. Dodge Power Wagon (the US list must have a "big truck" option- right?)

For Used vehicles available in North America, I would suggest the following.

1. 60 and 80 Series TLC
2. 460 and 463 G-Wagen
3. 4Runner (any vintage)
4. Any Toyota Pick-up
5. Jeep Wrangler Rubicon LJ
***Defender (hard to include in the list due to high cost and lack of diesel motor)

Honorable mentions: Isuzu Trooper 1998-2001, Land Rover Discovery I and RRC

I go into more detail in this article here:

Not that it matters why do you list wagons first?

I would go with a pickup/ute first. Since they have more cargo room, gear is separate from the cabin, climate control is easier in the smaller cabin, pickups/utes can be more versatile, with slide out campers and/or tray top campers. If in an area for extended period of time you can leave the slide out or tray top camper at a base camp, don't have to pack it all up like you would with a wagon.

Just wondering...

 

[Viggen]

My top

New:
1. A custom truck (built from highly available parts anywhere)

Done. Sad truth is, if youre going to start with a vehicle available in the States to drive anywhere else, this is the best option. We have a pitiful selection of true 4wd's. Picking one and building would be the best solution or, better yet, buying a USDM truck and then outfitting a chase truck full of a couple spares for every single piece that might fail. If I were starting with a USDM truck for ROTW travel, it would be an FJ-60/ 80 (outfitted to ROTW specs with a ROTW diesel drivetrain swapped in), First gen Isuzu Trooper (with ROTW Isuzu Bighorn diesel drivetrain swapped in), Mercedes GWagen (with an OM series diesel swapped in) or import a D110 with the diesel factory installed.

I know that we have Cummins powered Dodge trucks that are tough but one of the things that makes them tough is that there are parts available all over in the US. I would never drive a Ram outside of the US. Break anything from a headlamp up to sheetmetal and youre going to have a tough time. Break any of the above in one of the three vehicles listed above, youll have a better chance.

 

[Navman]

However, I would gladly take a Tercel in the Gobi than a Defender in my driveway. . .

Sounds like a future Overland Journal article...

While I fully agree with the whole quote, I'm sure there are quite a few people that would rather have the built up rig in their driveway than the actual trip experience (even if they wouldn't admit it).

 

[bajajoaquin]

However, I would gladly take a Tercel in the Gobi than a Defender in my driveway. . .

How about a Tercel in the mud in Guatemala? Or stuck in the sand in Baja?

 

[Rev]

I can't speak about other rigs, but the Nissan Xterra OR has a lot of power, a solid 4x4 system with rear locker, can fit 33s stock and a 2-3" lift can be had for not much coin. It is very reliable and not too bad on gas compared to many. Has loads of space inside for gear (square shaped) and with a gobi rack on top can take a lot of gear or RTT. With sliders, and a winch bumper you are set. Not to mention it is very comfortable to drive. A good choice in my book.