Top 10 Used Overland Vehicles: Do you agree?

[Pedro]

No Lexus GX, but you swoon over the prado. It has the usability of the prado, the engine and driveline of the 4runner, same suspension as the 4runner. and it is under your 30K limit.

Although I would probably group chassis if I were to make a list. Toyota 120 and 90 series chassis in one group would cover your tacoma, 4runner, FJ, and GX. Seeing as performance is similar, but the loadout can be customized for the end user depending on the needs. That way you can have the Xterra and Frontier both represented as well.

or that could make no sense. And that is quite possible since my daughter has decided not to sleep this week (10mo).

 

[Box Rocket]

the "spirited" debate is definitely entertaining. Overall the list seems to be pretty accurate to me as well. A couple of things that suprised me are the LR3. I had no idea that they are that much of an improvement over the Discoveries. That's great to hear. After having owned a D1 I vowed to never own another LR. I have always loved (and still do) the LR styling and the intent behind the design of the LR's but I just didn't have confidence in the vehicle getting me out of the places I wanted to take it. Really quite glad to hear that the LR3 is a legitimate option. It probably isn't enough to get me to buy one because I consider myself spoiled now with so many wonderful experiences in several Toyotas that I'll probably never not own a Toyota 4WD.

The other suprise was like some others have mentioned. I expected to see a Jeep Cherokee (XJ) on the list. Not near the top mind you, but on the list.

However, I'm going to count myself one of the fortunate ones who owns two of the very best that should be on any overlanding list whether it's a "safe" list or not. I love my 80 series LC, and my '03 Tacoma. My 80 is a '93 and has been incredibly reliable with ~270K miles on it now and lots of trail miles. I should also mention it has not blown a HG yet. :knock on wood: It has survived my dogs and 4 kids (so far). But like Scott said, it's old. Is it done? I hope not for quite a while yet, but it's only recently started to show it's age which has me thinking about what to do next. Do I continue to maintain it or replace it. My gut tells me to continue to maintain it, but the problem is that it's most likely replacement would be a 100 series LC. Not a bad quandry to be having. As for the Tacoma. I've had mine for just over a year and it is rapidly finding it's way to the top of my personal favorites list. It will take some proving to remove my FJ40 from the top of that list but it has been everything I would have hoped for and then some.

Very interesting list Scott. Thanks for putting it together. It's always interesting to hear opinions from people with far more experience than my own.

 

[Hilux_Max]

What? no hilux?

i cant beleive the current model hilux didnt make the list when the current tacoma got 2nd place?

i cant beleive the 100 series cruise made top spot.....what a lemon!

100 series landcruiser IFS only has the sweet petrol v8 in its favour, the front diff isa the small 7.5" unit like previous gen hilux/taco's not to mention limited suspension travel or ability to lift any decent/usuable height.

The current hilux has not only the D4D diesel engine which as an overlander craps all over the 1GR V6 in the Tacoma, plus the fully boxed chassis all the way through, not C-Channel chassis in the rear half.

as an overland vehicle comparison the hilux comes up trumps in all departments....payload, economy, comfort, etc etc etc

atleast thats how I see it - maybe my views are biased.

 

[Viggen]

i cant beleive the current model hilux didnt make the list when the current tacoma got 2nd place?

i cant beleive the 100 series cruise made top spot.....what a lemon!

100 series landcruiser IFS only has the sweet petrol v8 in its favour, the front diff isa the small 7.5" unit like previous gen hilux/taco's not to mention limited suspension travel or ability to lift any decent/usuable height.

In your country, maybe. In our country, we dont get your truck. We get a Tacoma and thats it.

But like Scott said, it's old. Is it done? I hope not for quite a while yet, but it's only recently started to show it's age which has me thinking about what to do next. Do I continue to maintain it or replace it. My gut tells me to continue to maintain it, but the problem is that it's most likely replacement would be a 100 series LC.

So what if its old? Even old, it will be better off road than a 100 series ever will be.

 

[TangoBlue]

i cant beleive the current model hilux didnt make the list when the current tacoma got 2nd place?

as an overland vehicle comparison the hilux comes up trumps in all departments....payload, economy, comfort, etc etc etc

No argument there, but its what we can get in the USA! Like Viggen said, "... we dont get your truck. We get a Tacoma and thats it."

Hey, how about sending me a 1KD or 1KZ front clip? I'll be your buddy!

As TUFF as I can be in my 3RZ... heavy sigh

 

[TKSC01]

It is just a list. Drive what you love.

My favorite vehicle and the one I drive every day didn't make the list either

Well Thanks Scott, I do appreciate it, didnt meant to sound harsh in my reply, looking back it may have been.

 

[Ozarker]

Does anyone have an opinion on this site? LOL

I saw a couple posts, one about the Mitsu not making the list and another about F-150s, well kinda curious since I have both??? The Pajaro is probably too old to fall into any comparison...I guess, I thought F-150s were scattered all over....

 

[goldenbeagle]

Great topic here….and I truly dig the fact that the list is detailed and not just showing the rigs that look cool with a roof rack and a lift.

With that said, I was a little shocked the JK made it. My overland rig is a Jeep TJ…not much different than a JK when you get down to the nitty gritty. I run into people all the time out and about that tell me they want a wrangler style Jeep for adventure travel (overlanding). Even though I am a huge fan….I am brutal honest about the big negatives when choosing any style wrangler for vehicle dependent travel. Sure, I get out of my Tj and respect its capability, and love looking at it and admiring all the added bells and whistles…but at the same time I am gawking at it, I am stretching the sore joints on my body from the trip I just made in it. Being in a lifted/modified wrangler (crammed to the brim) for 6 hours (offroad-onroad mix) = absolutely spent.

Not only is the wrangler a body beater, but so is the coveted “LR D90”. I had a friend talk his D90 up about how different the ride was compared to my tj….after a 7 hour trip in WV…the only difference was the view. I got out of that thing still beat to crap just as my wrangler leaves me.

I am rambling, but great read and review Scott. I hope some of the new “overlanders” to this forum read this info. Really puts things into perspective for those getting into the overland lifestyle and choosing a base for an overland rig. It’s not all about a roof rack, snorkel, gps, and a winch that makes it a solid overland rig…..<-- or is it? Hahaha… J/K

 

[Viggen]

No argument there, but its what we can get in the USA! Like Viggen said, "... we dont get your truck. We get a Tacoma and thats it."

Hey, how about sending me a 1KD or 1KZ front clip? I'll be your buddy!

As TUFF as I can be in my 3RZ... heavy sigh

Someones jonesin for a diesel, eh? Could there be another "safety" mod in your future? :sombrero:

 

[nwoods]

... or night at Senor Frogs in Puerto Vallarta.

Oh wow does that bring back some good memories from my navy days. Thanks!

 

[TangoBlue]

You read me like a book teach...

 

[Denny Different]

Viggen,

Here is a list of countries with operational Mercedes dealerships with service support:
Albania
Algeria
Argentina
Armenia
Aruba
Australia
Austria
Azerbaijan

...
shortened for time
...
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
United States
Uruguay
Uzbekistan
Venezuela
Vietnam
Yemen

LOL, and that is what I call a fire extinguisher it certainly puts out the flaming

 

[scottishpinz]

I have really enjoyed reading this thread and so will now add my own armchair observations

Is dealer support really an issue? I would look for a vehicle that anyone with mechanical knowledge can work on and only worry about parts supply! I was really surprised when I read one post saying the only time their vehicle was in "the shop" was for a burnt tail light! Well I would never think to use a garage to get a bulb replaced! I really don't think world travel can be done if there is such reliance on manufacturer dealer networks, one needs to be able to be much more self supported.

So I have chosen Pinzgauer... no dealers anywhere, a few specialists in the world maybe, but that's it! Parts if needed will need to be mailed around the world, but I'm happier with knowing I could phone one of the few specialists and speak to a real person who would mail out what I needed to wherever I needed it!

If logic was the only deciding factor for most european travel a Ford Transit van would be good choice or the Mercedes Sprinter. An expedition vehicle I think needs to stir the emotions, so choice becomes distorted towards more romantic vehicles

I also think its easy to forget vehicles that are not available locally. Going east in europe a UAZ van would be high on my list (yes I have a thing for forward control box-on-wheels vehicles)

Perhaps a new thread should be which vehicle would you be most happy to break-down in whilst traveling the most remote part of the world! Let's face it everything has the potential for break-down so its more about ease of working on your choice of vehicle and parts!

I presume as also made by Steyr Puch, the G-Wagen has same quality as Pinzgauer, which if you've not experienced it you would not believe it! Its in another league from any other vehicle I've ever seen! I can see why G-Wagen makes most overland vehicle lists because it fulfills the main requirements most people have:
1. Aspirational romantic dream vehicle (lets face it this is most important)
2. Payload / capability
3. Ease of maintenance (this is a lot to do with quality of engineering)
4. Reliability

Oh cost!!! If that was really important then just buy some old local van and change vehicles as needed but this is about dreams

 

[Frank]

I like your list.

"Why didn’t __________ make the list?"

H1 Hummer.
Its the most quietest vehicle on this forum. To be fair, you said you wanted newer vehicles. Ok, Ill say your list is based on newer vehicles.

I would purchase a 97ish Hummer and put it against any of those vehicle, in stock form any day of the week. I could keep it under $30k and would travel anywhere in it after typical prev. maint was completed.

The H1 was produced on the same assembly line with the same components as the HMMWV (Military vehicle). I've seen first hand them being assembled. The assembly plant is a bicycle ride away from my house.

Ok, parts arent available worldwide. I was in the Marine Corps 8 years. I was a radio operator and lived out of humvees. Never once did I ever go some place with a HMMWV and have something break to the point where I was stranded. I dont even think our vehicle mechs took anything "major" on our journeys around the world.

Payload...Ive been gone for days, 4 people in the truck with gear and have had no problems.

Scott, Id love for you to grab an older H1 from ebay, and beat the crap out of it. It would have been a much wiser choice than your stupidru. BTW, I too have been through a lot of engines in Subarus. With a reliable engine, it would be a great platform. I'd consider a rotary engine more reliable than any Subaru engine produced.

=============================================================

What makes a great used overland vehicle?

Typically, someone buying a used vehicle is looking for value, but they are also looking for something reliable. As we discussed in our April, 2010 article LINK: [LINK=http://www.expeditionportal.com/resources/91-guide/159-expedition-vehicles-part-one-selecting-the-ultimate-overlander.html]Selecting the Ultimate Overlander[/LINK], the article was also published in Chris Scott's new title the Overlanders' Handbook. there are critical attributes that all overland vehicles should have:



CAPABILITY:

The ability of the vehicle to traverse rocky, muddy, crossed axle terrain including deep-water crossings, severe side slopes, hill climbs and descents. This is of course only important if you intend to leave improved roads on your travels.

The H1 would complete this without hesitation


CAPACITY:

The ability to carry weight in the vehicle. This is measured by payload statistics. Capacity, or payload, must be one of the first considerations given to vehicle selection, as little can be done to safely improve its rating after purchase.

Again, Ive lived out of these trucks time and time again, sometimes for long periods of time. We would have at least 3 people in our crews. It was all safe

DURABILITY:

The ability of the vehicle to travel rugged terrain, fully loaded without chassis or drivetrain failure with years of continual use.

Again, without question I would put an H1 against anything under a $30k price tag

RELIABILITY:

The ability of a vehicle to perform over long distances and after years of service in rugged terrain without engine, electrical and support system failure due to component malfunction.

Ive stated above my thoughts on reliability

VALUE:

Valuation of vehicle cost to content. Vehicles with high functional content and minimal “luxury” content will score the highest value ratings.

An H1 is only a luxury vehicle to rappers and gangsters. :elkgrin:

 

[red87]

Out of curiosity, how do the H1s ride? I know they've got coils and independent suspension all around so I would imagine pretty well but I've never had the opportunity to ride in one. Don't they fit 37s or something huge stock? I saw a white wagon the other day and it reminded how much I like the H1s and how much I hate the H2/3s