Sub-Compact Overlander

[joethefordguy]

2005 Toy RAV4

This is a 2WD 4CYL automatic 4 door, with about 32k on it. it came with the factory roof rack.
so far, I've put a lifted suspension on it from ARB and Goodyear 245/75R16 Kevlar Wrangler MT/Rs on it.
I'm looking for storage solutions, inside and out, skid plates, rock sliders, bumper replacements,etc. any advice, etc. would be appreciated. I'm particularly interested in storage solutions that fit on the spare tire mount with the spare in place, though i realize i may eventually have to put the spare on a roof rack. does anyone know how much weight that mount will hold? i assume i can at least put a hilift, shovel, etc. on it. i'm also looking for snorkel and a hicap alternator.
I've got a CB, a ten meter and a 2 meter combo ready to be installed as well.

thanks
jg

PS pix to follow.

 

[FreeManDan]

I have on my laptop a bunch of episodes of xtreme 4x4, and I just had to watch the 69 scout (part 2) episode again because of this thread. This guy competed in the W.E. rock nationals all stock class and took 4th in a geo tracker with solid axles on leaf springs. At 2840lbs, 89 inch wheelbase, and 85 hp STOCK it was inspiring:smiley_drive:
For my backcountry/expo needs however, as many as 4 bicycles, 4 people, and all necessary gear must be transported in one vehicle...or get the tuck bed trailer street legal again.

 

[life_w_vagabonds]

Found this one on CL. No affiliation of course...

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/wvl/cto/1955575428.html

Only $1800 less than the original sticker price 22 years ago! Screw it I'll just buy a cheap landcruiser!

 

[Riptide]

Only $1800 less than the original sticker price 22 years ago! Screw it I'll just buy a cheap landcruiser!

Well, the hardtop was not a factory option, I think. They are about a grand, new, so factor that into the asking price...

I have a 1995 Sami, with only 22k miles on it. Very clean, rust-free, and mostly original. Took me 6 months of searching to find one like it. It wasn't cheap, but it's what I wanted, and I was willing to pay for it. Me and the seller walked away happy...

The trucks are simple, reliable, and well-supported. Heck, they're still in production in some parts of the world!

 

[REasley]

There are still good deals out there to be had. I picked up this very clean, no rust 86 a couple of weeks ago for $1000.

 

[Superu]

Found this one on CL. No affiliation of course...

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/wvl/cto/1955575428.html

Only $1800 less than the original sticker price 22 years ago! Screw it I'll just buy a cheap landcruiser!

$6500 for a 1988? Rust free or not, this looks like a candidate for Jalopnik's "Nice price or crack pipe?" poll.

 

[getlost4x4]

why, when you can pick up a YJ jeep grand cherokee limited V8 for $600?

had some mechanical problems the previous owner couldn't fix. he wanted $3000, i talked him down to $600.:elkgrin:

power windows didn't work, wouldn't start because security system (fixed that in less then a second with the key in the door lock:bike_rider, and AC needed to be recharged.

small, compact, good mileage (22 highway), solid axles, leather, air conditioning, power everything, cheap parts in the states.

 

[IdaSHO]

By todays standards 22 MPG highway is NOT good.

Especially when you find out my old '96 F250 diesel gets a solid 20MPG on the highway.

Im in the market for a light duty compact, comfy, high MPG 4x4 or AWD myself. Our rigs are getting old, and the maintenance is beginning to kill me. We want a brad new rig with a warranty, that we can jump in any time and drive wherever, with no worries.

So the requirements are simple. (yeah right!)

4-door
AWD or 4x
compact
decent cargo space for gear or dog
Comfy
Reliable
>25mpg
<$30k




And right now it is a tossup between the Subaru Outback, and the Rav4

The Subaru IMO has the edge in AWD performance, and the Toyota has Toyota reliability.

And if the Rav 4 was sitting on a chassis, Id have one in my driveway right now. If the Subaru got a solid 30MPG, Id have on in my driveway right now.

 

[sross]

I'm doing a Samurai build that is on hold until I get back to the States. What has been done so far a retired mechanic friend of my dad's did for part costs and beer money!:

done so far:

engine and transmission rebuilt
all the bushings and body mounts replaced
ome lift
front and rear bumpers
the few spots of rust repaired and a couple dings filled
front and rear axle services (only part I did so far)

current status:

waiting for paint unless its happened in the last two weeks. British Racing Green with white roof and wheels, all else black

parts waiting to be installed:

235x75x15 GY MTR's
Dodge Neon seats
tuffy center console
stereo stuff out of a car I used to own
Warn M8000 (used)
cheapo cobra cb from my old truck

To be ordered/built:

4:10 t-case gears
roof rack (for light weight stuff like camping chairs and mesh bag full of wet/dirty clothes)
15 gallon fuel tank
possibly an ARB in the rear which is dependant upon a job I may or may not get for next summer and will find out about in early November. (All the above will be ordered if I get it.)
front lockright
rear drawers (will build myself)
rock sliders/ (will build myself)

Will it be the most comfortable truck on the road? Big no, I'm a little concerned about this but I'll deal.

Does it have lots of storage? No again but still more than a bike.

It does get 25 mpg or so if driven conservativly, carry everything one person really needs, is easy to park, super simple in pretty much everyway, parts are cheap and it is just unusual enough to be interesting.

 

[life_w_vagabonds]

Hey, I thought this was a build thread :elkgrin:

 

[FreeManDan]

If you build it, you could expo

I believe getlost4x4 has a very valid point, but what I had floating around in my head was build your own! Like the scratch built scrambler peterson off road made you could build your own cj 2a/3a or pre 1975 cj 5 or cj 6 for around 15 grand and get exactly what you want...small and solid axles. Aqualu makes aluminum tubs and throttle down kustoms makes frames with a lot of options. Power train could be a jeep 2.5 4 cylinder or the inline 6, or buick v6, mated to any jeep manual or non electronically controlled auto trans. Possible duel fuel set up from got propane, Yj 2.5 inch wide EZ ride springs for comfort and load bearing. D300 transfer case from stak4x4 is strong and light at only 89lbs. Junk yard axles from a pre 1975 cj would fit at 48.5 inches wheel mount to wheel mount, or get the narrowest axle housing dynatrac offers at 56 inches. Wheel choices would be quite good, I would keep it looking compact with a good amount of back spacing with the wide axles, it would reduce scrub radius. I would also select some narrow tires, BF goodrich makes their all terrain in 33x9.5 15.
An xj build could be cheaper however, and you could drive it as you build it up...
One things for sure, a married man could get the wife to daily drive a small 4 wheel independent crossover utility the market is trending to, but I'm not married:victory:

 

[sross]

Hey, I thought this was a build thread :elkgrin:

Haha, sorry, just thought I would throw up an example of what I am doing with a subcompact truck. I'm interested in seeing what others have to say and have done in very small vehicles.

 

[life_w_vagabonds]

Haha, sorry, just thought I would throw up an example of what I am doing with a subcompact truck. I'm interested in seeing what others have to say and have done in very small vehicles.

Not you, just pokin the OP. I would like to see pics of your build though. When you get home. Safe travels!

 

[sross]

I am waiting on them myself. The guy doing the work is a ways away from my folks house and I don't think the guying doing it is internet savy. I have nothing to base that off of. I am really excited to see how the paint job turns out.

 

[ratkin]

Budget 1994 Vitara

This could be really interesting indeed.

So far I have narrowed it down to:

Kia Sportage
Suzuki Sidekick 4 doors
Grand Vitara
Toyota Rav4

One of our requirements (Scott and I) is to have it with a manual transmission.
Budget $5000 max.
Modifications would be minimal but what we consider essentials:

-new tires
-new suspensions springs
-fridge
-light/low profile rack to carry surfboards/bikes
-fog/rally lights

Most likely no roof top tent, we would be carrying a regular tent instead.

To try to pull this back to the contemplated build, I thought you might like to take a look at a budget build truck featured in Issue #146 of Australian 4WD Action magazine on pages 136-141.

Attached Thumbnails

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The owner is Steve West and he is a member of the North Brisbane Suzuki 4x4 Club, according to the article.

- Richard