Enter a vote for the Toyota/Lexus 100 Series. This is the best
overland vehicle faceoff, not best off-roader, and the Hundies offer superb comfort, plenty of power, decent range, tremendous reliability, big tire capability with the stock suspension and a workable traction setup that doesn't require driver intervention. It's a spacious truck without being gruesomely large; two people can sleep in it if the need arises and it's palatial for a solo traveler. Plus it has an SUV's advantage of keeping your stuff climate-controlled and relatively secure.
Build quality is superb, and the two I've owned were, at 100K+ miles, virtually as-new in all areas. They are routinely good for a quarter-million miles and are decently supported in most countries, and if you feel the need to upgrade components, the truck is well supported by the aftermarket. Compared to its well-loved predecessor, the Hundreds are more comfortable, are more powerful, tow (in most model years) 1500 pounds more, and have better fuel economy than the 80s, and lose only in the very small number of technical situations where a solid front axle is an advantage.
I'll also submit that there is an even greater advantage if daily driver duty gets any points. I know of no vehicle that will remain as competent in routine pavement use after being equipped as needed for serious trail use. It is an excellent choice when it's not sensible to have a dedicated overlanding rig. In fact, once the roof rack is off-loaded, you have to check out the tires and rockers to know it's not only an upscale mall crawler.
It would have been difficult in earlier years to support this choice because of their high cost, but the years have, even with the truck's modest depreciation, reduced the price of Hundies to a price that's competitive with other options, particularly if one buys into the idea (as I have) that a 100,000 mile Hundred is no closer to end-of-life than many showroom-new alternatives.
As for some of the other vehicles I've owned that it beat out:
Jeep JK: The JK wins hands down when off-roading, but gives away too much pavement and easy trail comfort. Build quality and reliability are also concerns.
Toyota/Lexus 80 Series: A fine truck, but beat in almost every category by the Hundreds.
Toyota Tacoma crew cab, circa 2004: As Scott mentioned above, the truck was superb. Just the right size and with all of the suspension dialed in. But the Hundreds got my nod for overall comfort, enough space to sleep in, and the fact all your stuff didn't get rained on and muddy. (Plus, let's admit it, by the time Scott and James Roy finished with it, that was NOT the average Tacoma.)
Jeep WJs: A fine overland truck, and a good sub $10K entry point. But the loss of some internal space could be important when carrying necessary gear, and the tire size is severely limited without going to a too-tall-for-general-use lift.
Mercedes Sprinter: A lot more capable than it would first appear, but limited by its 2WD to good roads and/or good weather. It was great to have all that quality living space in such an economical and reasonably-sized vehicle, but the best overlander's pretty much
op priori going to need four-wheel drive.
Unimog 416 Expedition Camper: Mine was famous for its months-long Sahara expeditions, and there'd be no better option for being parked on a beach in Baja. But it had no ability to make time. If we assume overlanding counts quick runs to the desert, beach or mountains Friday night after work . . . not so good.
Various dualsport motorcycles: Too much adventure compared to the enjoyment; too many comfort compromises forced by the limited carrying capacity.
BMW R60/2 with a sidecar: That made a big dent in the carrying capacity problem, but it was common to find road surfaces where the rig, let us say, lacked harmony.
SO . . . Get the newest Hundred series you can afford (preferably '03-on due to mechanical upgrades) that's been well-cared for and has a full service history and then don't look back. That'll be $0.02 please. :sombrero:
