Full Size (LARGE) Family Adventure Rig - Selection Question

[4671 Hybrid]

I'm running an 80 series Landcruiser that I added an extra seat belt too (overseas models have them stock but mine is a US model). Anyway, I have 5 kids and I can haul them, my wife and I, and an extra passenger in total comfort. When they're all taller than 5'10 I don't think that'll still be the case but that's 10 years down the road. When we go on longer road trips, we put the car top carrier on the roof and occassionally add a hitch rack.

 

[Harmgrissom]

So it seems the Land Cruiser and Commander are getting a lot of nods.

My brother sent me a website this weekend for a company which makes a 3rd row seat for the H3. That would expand its occupancy to 7 passengers. Any thoughts on the H3 for expeditioning. :sombrero:


Regarding seat space and gear space - I'd really rather take a trailer and negotiate necessary gear than to decline certain trails/trips etc. based upon the inability of the vehicle to handle it. An adventure trailer is certainly an option that will be considered. If I can find one of the old military trailers everyone always brags about (I forget their M designation) then I may jump on that.

 

[BCHauler]

Most of the criticism of the H3 seems to focus around poor outward visibilty due to the small windows, and general "Hummer = wanton excess" attitudes. If neither of these are an issue for you and there is an aftermarket 3rd row option, then that sounds like a plan. If you do it please share some pictures. We like pictures.

 

[Harmgrissom]

well I have never had a problem with the perception of Hummers. More concerned with their capabilities. Especially as any vehicle I get it going to look a lot like a clown car with people continually pouring out of it. I can't see a difference between a 7 passenger SUV with a Hummer badge versus one with a Land Cruiser/Toyota badge. As long as the vehicle goes where I want it to.

That said the visibility is something I will need to contemplate. Additionally I'm also very seriously NOT considering the Alpha due to gas mileage. The V8 is awesome and certainly tows the best out of many I've seen thus far (the Commanders in V8 are also right there) but for the loss in gas mileage - reported as serious as 12 MPG to just shy of 15. If the 15 is accurate - thats not so bad. If 12...

Just an FYI this won't happen anytime in the next week or two as this project vehicle is dependent upon my raise at work this fall. If its (fingers crossed & knock on wood) what I HOPE it to be then it will happen before the end of the year. If not then it might have to wait a bit.

Regardless of what I decide, bet money I'll have pics up as I experiment with the options to make it an effective expedition vehicle.

 

[Pskhaat]

I don't have that # of children (bless you) but with you wanting to do the likes of the classic Moab treks, I would think a Toyota Sequoia, here's why:

Trying to remove my Toyota bias, I did not think the Jeep Commander was as big as advertised. The 3rd row seats were markedly narrower than the Cruiser's and fit only 2 persons back there. The large majority of LandCruisers 80 | 100 | 200 series are 8 passenger with a 3-person 3rd row. (Exceptions were a few 80s got only 2 3rd row seatbelts despite the same seat room).

Neither the LCs nor the Commander have any appreciable space behind the 3rd row. As such I've considered both the Excursion and Sequoia both in the past and now. I lean towards the Sequoia-side as the Excursion though beautiful in the diesel and interior volume department left a little to be desired on the tighter trails (IMHO).

The Sequoia has much more room than the LC back there and still seats 8. You'd need to take it pretty easy exiting steep obstacles (e.g. fins & things) or plastic armor a rear bumper for sliding, but it (again IMO) was an easier fit to do these style trails than the Excursion.

With a sufficient roof box, you might be able to fit all the junk and children necessities. YMMV.

 

[4671 Hybrid]

If you're looking at H3's then money probably isn't that big of a deal but just in case, consider the price point of a Landcruiser 80 series. A locked version in good shape can be had in the $6k range. Add to that a roof rack and car top carrier for $100, a winch for $400, skid plates for another $200, and you're looking at a ready to go truck for less than $7k.

That being said, it's hard to argue with an older Suburban in terms of trailer towing capacity, comfort for 7 people, off-road prowess with a cheap locker, aftermarket support, the ability to run a mild lift with 35" tires, and most importantly for frugal people like me, price. Also, if you get a diesel, you'll still be pulling better MPG than vehicles that are considerably smaller.

 

[mesha]

I had a early 90s suburban and loved it. Solid axle, easy and cheap to lift, tons of room, cheap starting price, fuel injected. I only sold it cause I needed more towing ability adn settled on a 04 cummins 4 door. The cummins is amazing, but probably not big enough.

 

[hoaxci5]

Just as an FYI on the Commander, I just returned from Moab and did Fins and Things with no issue. Mine is mildly modded, spacer lift and 32" tires. I hit my rear bumper lightly once. I can't comment on other "full size" suvs but I don't think they would have faired as well without significant mods.

 

[Sock Puppet]

Nothing beats loading the family in a rig and trying it on for size. It's all guess work until your wife is sitting in the passenger giving you the stink-eye because the kids are uncomfortable. Narrow it down to 3 or 4 to test drive, then take them home and load your kids and junk. Yeah, it will be a pain, but not nearly as much as buying the wrong vehicle.

 

[Mexican_Hippie]

I also have 4 kids (ages 1-9). Two kids in the Jeep TJ was fine. Three was doable with the extra seat belt I added. Four just doesn't work. I'm torn between a 2012 Rubi Wrangler w/ the Pentastar and a 3rd row, and a 89-91 3/4 ton Suburban. The Suburban would be SO much more comfortable, just lots of work to get it where I'd trust it with my family in BFE.

Let us know what you decide...and why.

 

[Deleted member 9101]

Diesel excursion

-Sam

I would go for a big old full size van, do you really want 7-8 people crammed in anything smaller? then you have to haul gear and have the power to get all of that up a hill.... yeah.. full size van....lol

 

[Paijanne]

Suburban, definately

My family used to have a 1998 Chevrolet Suburban and its the only car that I've ever used that could comfortably fit eight people and two dogs (a lab and a bull mastiff, those animals take up a lot of space). We used to take it on all sorts of road trips around the country and through Mexico. It was also exceptionally handy for driving around little league players and all of their gear. They are just useful vehicles, especially when you are driving kids everywhere.

P.S. - They even have six door models now (which I think sounds kind of insane, even though I understand how it could be practical).

 

[adi]

I guess I was a little spoiled as a kid. Family of 4 in a Suburban, us 2 kids had an entire row to ourselves for the 8+ hour road trips.

Of course both my parents come from large families, and my mother still tells stories of her 9 person family going on trips (some to Nogales to get alcohol. Only allowed 1 bottle per person, and kids counted) in their VW bus, and spending time in Europe with similar sized vehicles that they all crammed into.

I'll echo the votes for a LC 80/100 sized vehicles for passenger space, plus a supply/shelter trailer you can keep at "base camp" when you want to explore off road.

 

[xpdishn]

Here's a 03 Excursion. It is on a lot, stopped and looked. The doors were open so I hopped up and those are HUGH. Only bad thing is the 6" lift. Seems it could hold as many as you like. I have absolutly no (financial) interest in this vehicle. The saleman said it came from Arizona.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.j...rds=25&cardist=47&standard=false&rdpage=thumb

 

[zukrider]

i vote suburban or excursion. goes diesel in the excursion. pulling a trailer wont always be practical. you have to think that with the seating required, there needs to be gear room to. an excursion has close to 4 feet of space behind the third row seat. burb is close to that too.

if you must stick to the smaller mid size, a 94-96 mitsubishi montero SR will give you 3 rows, good for 7 passengers. all 3 rows are reclinable. an sr has a big sunroof, rear locker, 3 way adjustable shock system, and easy to clean leather. 215 hp 3.5 v6, awd selectable transfer case. there is a guy in cali running 37's on a 3" body lift with some trimming, and wheels in the rubicon. has not broken a shaft yet. he is a friend of offroader, here on the mitsu board. offroader is running a 2" body lift and 35's. i have all stock with 33's. i get 14-16 mpg loaded for camping with the a/c on. 15 unloaded flat towing my samurai in the rocky mountains.

awesome platform, and significantly cheaper than a 80 series. half the price or better than a 100 series.

good luck with your choice.

33's on stock rims

31's

link to offroader's

link to LAoutbacktrails build