Sub-Compact Overlander

[Martinjmpr]

fairly new to expo, thought I'd let you know about my suzuki. it is a 96 jlx sport. these came with a wider track, and long wheelbase as it is a 4 door.

Last time I went 'Wheeling' up on Radical Hill in Colorado we passed two of those coming the other way - I think they came up the "front side" (i.e. the hard way!) up Radical Hill. They had mild lifts and slightly larger than stock tires but otherwise appeared to be pretty much stock. Impressive little vehicles for sure!

My wife drives an '06 Grand Vitara (new body style) and it's very impressive on the snow with it's full time 4wd system.

 

[nfpgasmask]

I saw a ton of these little Suzukis when I was in Japan a few weeks ago. Really cool little SUVs.

And I saw a lot of other little trucks over there I wish we had in the States.

IMO, the main appeal would be MPG. My current expo vehicle (1991 Isuzu Trooper) gets like 10-12 MPG which is extremely limiting. If you could find a vehicle that is setup for expo travel and get say 30-40MPG it would be very much worthwhile. As much as I dislike the looks of the Jeep Liberty, I rented one once and I was surprised with the fuel economy.

If you pack right, and bring the right type of gear, I think these smaller vehicles would make excellent expo rigs.

Bart

 

[FreeManDan]

Diesel for the love of bailouts! Am I obamaself in the desire for an affordable engine that fits the European standards, not at all requiring power robing and expensive widgetry?

 

[Jeff@QuadShop]

And I saw a lot of other little trucks over there I wish we had in the States.

We have these, it's the same as the Mitsubishi Montero and Dodge Raider. We just didn't get the diesel option.

The diesel motor for these however are available here and it's an easy swap! :wings:

 

[nfpgasmask]

We have these, it's the same as the Mitsubishi Montero and Dodge Raider. We just didn't get the diesel option.

The diesel motor for these however are available here and it's an easy swap! :wings:

Oh, really? I knew about the Raider/Montero, but I didn't know there was a diesel swap readily available!!

Bart

 

[Jeff@QuadShop]

Oh, really? I knew about the Raider/Montero, but I didn't know there was a diesel swap readily available!!

Bart

Yea, they use the Mitsubishi 4D56, you can buy new complete crate motor's or used ones.

There is also diesel swaps for the Samurai's.

 

[nfpgasmask]

That's pretty damn cool. I've been pretty dead set on eventually buying a Trooper RS (SWB 2dr) to add to the 'collection' but maybe I should think about a nice diesel Raider.

Bart

 

[Jeff@QuadShop]

That's pretty damn cool. I've been pretty dead set on eventually buying a Trooper RS (SWB 2dr) to add to the 'collection' but maybe I should think about a nice diesel Raider.

Bart

Now, you can get the older Troopers with a turbo diesel. :sombrero:

 

[jrsteffes]

:drool:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1983...rs_Trucks&hash=item519662ce8d#ht_10685wt_1216

 

[Jeff@QuadShop]

:drool:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1983...rs_Trucks&hash=item519662ce8d#ht_10685wt_1216

Too cool!!! :drool:

 

[VicHanson]

I fell in love with the Japanese Kei trucks when we lived in Japan, to bad you can't use them on the streets here, but you can buy them for farm or ranch use.

http://cajunminitrucks.com/index.php

http://www.twinriversatv.com/Web%20Pages/inventory.html

Most are available in either a truck or van version

Vic

 

[IdaSHO]

:drool:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1983...rs_Trucks&hash=item519662ce8d#ht_10685wt_1216

Nice.. but...

Automatic with push button 4wd.

No thanks!

 

[IdaSHO]

Looks very clean.

Minor quibble, though: You say "dual range AWD." As a former Subaru owner who did a lot of Subie research in past years, my understanding is that the Subaru did not get true "AWD" (that is, a system that drives all 4 wheels all the time through a center differential) until either the turbo Loyale/GL or the Legacy series. Previous versions are 4wd, not AWD, with no center diff, IOW you cannot use 4wd on the street.

Just wanted to point that out because you could do damage to the transmission or T-case (or whatever they call it on those old Subies) if you run it in 4wd on dry pavement.

If I'm wrong I'll stand corrected but I don't think I am.

You are correct!

The system does not use a center diff. The transmission has a transfer case built right into it.

But it is a 4wd system. And this silly thing will go places most wouldnt believe. :ylsmoke:

 

[nfpgasmask]

Now, you can get the older Troopers with a turbo diesel. :sombrero:

This is true. I see them go for a lot of money on eBay. I just want a 2DR SWB some day and I love the 89 Trooper RS.

Bart

 

[Riptide]

:drool:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1983...rs_Trucks&hash=item519662ce8d#ht_10685wt_1216

Man, it's always funny to see a pristine example of something you couldn't swing a dead cat without hitting back in the day...

Not sure I want one, but I do have some fond memories of my family of six all jammed into a 1978 Subaru 4WD wagon. My brother and I sat in the back seats, while my youngest brother and sister rode in the cargo area. My dad bought it new after the gas crunch of the 70's. I'm still amazed how we all fit in that thing. What a wacky little car that was. I remember the neighbors coming over to look at it right after my dad brought it home; nobody had heard of a Subaru. Everybody was peering under the hood at the little boxer motor, saying it was a "VW engine with a water jacket". At the time, I didn't know what a "water jacket" was, being all of 12 years old...