What Off Road Vehicle For Me?

[scrubber3]

2 inches does not put a Montero on the bump stops or cause any problems cause I have done this and since I drive it everyday know that there are no problems in doing so. Find me a snapped torsion bar from a Montero as well. Oh, you may want to check on what the engine block is made of. Here is a hint: its not alloy. and...... most heads, even jeep ones are made of aluminum nowadays. I am not sure you are aware of the cracking problem in the 4.0 heads that jeep makes, or the fact that the exhaust manifold WILL leak. You may want to go ahead and get a coolant fan relay on hand for when yours goes out and be prepared to take the front apart just to get to it. Not to mention the electrical problems they have. You may want to look into what you are driving before you make snide remarks about other people's expo vehicles.. If you have any further remarks about the "Wanker" vehicle or your ZJ you may want to do just a bit more research first.

That being said, I know the Pajeros and Monteros have problems of their own but for the most part they are extremely reliable vehicles.

Now, off to find a good roof rack.

 

[red87]

Out of curiosity, where did you find a front lift for a 2nd gen montero? Or the longer UCAs?

 

[Doctor W]

2 inches does not put a Montero on the bump stops or cause any problems cause I have done this and since I drive it everyday know that there are no problems in doing so. Find me a snapped torsion bar from a Montero as well. Oh, you may want to check on what the engine block is made of. Here is a hint: its not alloy. and...... most heads, even jeep ones are made of aluminum nowadays. I am not sure you are aware of the cracking problem in the 4.0 heads that jeep makes, or the fact that the exhaust manifold WILL leak. You may want to go ahead and get a coolant fan relay on hand for when yours goes out and be prepared to take the front apart just to get to it. Not to mention the electrical problems they have. You may want to look into what you are driving before you make snide remarks about other people's expo vehicles.. If you have any further remarks about the "Wanker" vehicle or your ZJ you may want to do just a bit more research first.

That being said, I know the Pajeros and Monteros have problems of their own but for the most part they are extremely reliable vehicles.

Now, off to find a good roof rack.

I'm really sorry if I offended you (or anyone else) by mentioning the colloquial Spanish meaning of "Pajero" - it really wasn't my intention, I was taking a jibe at the Japanese for not fully researching the meaning/s, extrapolation of meanings etc.

OK, I accept your statement , proven by you doing it without any ill effects, of the ability to wind up the torsion bars for lift - that's a really simple and cheap lift!

I thought that the blocks in the V6's were alloy, if I'm wrong I'm sorry. But I still wouldn't have an alloy head out of choice. Yep modern/current Jeep engines use alloy too - and I wouldn't buy one....the modern (pre the new Pentastar 3.6 V6 - too new to judge - but "I don't like it and wouldn't buy one") are not anywhere near as good an engine as the old all-iron 4.0 I6, original origins go way back in 1920's!!!! They'll out last the 318/5.2 and 360/5.9 V8's. Even Jeeps own engineers didn't like the 3.8 V6......The 4.7 V8 (all alloy) gives a lot of grief and hates overheating. Yes, post 1999 Jeep 4.0 heads crack - they were modified in an attempt to meet new anti-pollution rules (when they go, people normally replace it with a 1995(?)-99 HO head).....and Jeep exhaust maniolds often crack (easily replaced with or better steel (stainless?) or headers).....but overall, an XJ or ZJ with a 4.0 is just so cheap to buy, cheap to modify - so much stuff available!....cheap to fix and buy parts for etc etc........

It was based on my experieces with my Jeep that I made the original recommendation. You have been very happy with your Montero (a friend of mine has a 1996 Pajero) and so you believe that a Montero is a good choice for the guy who originally asked the Q......

In Australia, they don't think especially highly of Pajeros/Monteros - but neither are Jeeps highly regarded..........What they seem to love here is Toyotas esp. the 80's and a bit less the 100's and Nissan Patrol GQ's (1980's to 2000) and GU's (2000 to now) models. I don't think any of these drive/ride/handle in normal traffic and especially at speed - they're too big and clumsy......parts are pretty expensive compared to Jeep parts......the GU's 3.0L diesel is reknown as being "like driving around with a grenade with the pin pulled" (quote from various Nissan drivers!!!) because of very common sudden catastrophic major failures of the engines....the 100's suffer from major front diff failures....both Nissans and Toyotas have major, major body rust problems as they age....I could go on about their shortcomings - but overwhelmingly people here buy them and almost nothing else! I can't figure it out!!!

So everyone has their own opinion and is welcome to it!

 

[BigSwede]

FWIW most Isuzus (Troopers in particular) can be lifted 2" - 3" easily and cheaply to fit up to 33" tires via torsion bar adjustment. While going beyond 3" lift can result in ride problems and other issues as noted above, 3" and under is really pretty inconsequential. A nice mid 90s Trooper with a manual transmission is a very reliable, durable and roomy beast.

 

[SteveG]

That said...I think you would be well served by a 1st gen(91-94) explorer

Ditto on the Explorer. If you go with a modest tire (31") and keep the truck maintained, you can still net 20mpg on the freeway (a 33x10.50 will work better off road but won't be as good on gas). I've owned several TTB Explorers and have loved them all. One had Autofab suspension and a single 2.5" shock per wheel. It handled incredibly well for what it was and took even huge bumps and holes in stride. I punished that truck hard and never had a single issue with it.

There are lots of good recommendations in this thread, but dollar for dollar, it's hard to beat a TTB Explorer. They are super cheap to buy and very cheap to maintain. If you like manuals, they put more power to the ground and get better fuel economy than the autos. If you like autos, just put a big trans cooler on it. Also add a power steering cooler if you plan on using at speed on technical sections for extended periods as the fluid heats up fast and you'll lose power assist and/or fluid.

I currently have a full size Bronco with essentially the same suspension modifications my Explorer had. I love the Bronco and even though it's taller, heavier and shorter, it actually handles a lot better. Still, I miss the Explorer's 4-doors and respectable fuel economy. The Bronco is a better prerunner. The Explorer is a better "Overlander". Of course, now that you can buy a bolt-on D44 (F150/Bronco front end) kit for Explorers, the sky is the limit... all it takes is money (or time)

A couple photos of one of my old Explorers:

 

[scrubber3]

Sorry guy's, he has already make a decision on a GEN II Montero.

 

[SteveG]

Sorry guy's, he has already make a decision on a GEN II Montero.

That's too bad. There's always next time!




Kidding! Good luck with the new ride.

 

[Repo503]

I like Jeep cherokee or ZJ or WJ Grand Cherokees. All can be had for a song, fit 4 plus gear, large enough to sleep in, easy to work on with parts available all over NA, and a huge aftermarket.

Jeeps just have so many quality parts available and a welth of knowledge is easily available online. I ended up buying my 2011 Wrangler Rubicon largely because the aftermarket is likely larger than any other vehicle. Before that my beat on rig was a much abused but always resilient 93 Grand Cherokee Limited. Comfy highway cruiser that would take on whatever I threw at it.

Sure they are chrysler products and stuff will break but a couple hours of research online will tell you what to expect and you can replace those parts with better ones before you ever hit a trail....my ZJ never left me stranded and believe me I abused the hell out of it. I sold it a couple years ago to a guy who I met snowboarding and I still see it parked at the resort on the odd weekend I can make it up there...probably has close to 250k on it by now.

 

[srch4me]

im particular to dodges... a 1st gen model durango would suit your purposes. you can lift it 5 inchs for 33" tires which would give you any hight you need. find one with the 9.25 rear end and put a detroit locker in. you would have to do a t/s lift and body lift for the 5 inchs. but do that and put on a good set of shocks and your set. i love mine. 5.2 came with the 231hd transfer case. lost of power. put on 4.56 gears and your set.

 

[roving]

Land rover: d1, d2 or p38

Land cruiser with a V8

Xterra

4runner

All have decent room and power.

I settled on a p38 range river. Paid $5500 for it. Put $2000 or so into it with a lift wheels and tires. V8, plenty of room for gear and people. Not to bad for reliability if you go coil suspension and ditch the airbags. I get 17 mpg usually on the highway. It has 117k miles now and much more reliable then my VW car.

 

[Ponyracer]

Mid 80's diesel suburban hits all your needs. I just happen to have one in the 4sale section lol.

 

[4x4junkie]

Another vote here for the '91-'94 Explorer.
Probably one of the most overlooked rigs out there, yet are very capable rigs that can be had real cheap because of that. It's drivetrain has many parts shared with 1/2-tons and IMO is much more robust than most vehicles in it's class (certainly there must be a reason the Jeep guys always swap it's axles into their own rigs anyway).
Only thing I would say is definitely try to get a stickshift. The Explorer's automatic trans (A4LD) is known to be somewhat delicate, however that's about it only major sore spot (external coolers would help them live a lot better).

Great resources out there on the 'net for these rigs. Plenty of locker & gearing options too. But you might be stuck dragging out the welder if you want some decent offroad bumpers, etc. that's up-to-date (though you'd also save a lot of $$$ too).

 

[Allof75]

Thank you for all the recommendations! I have not made a decision regarding which vehicle to purchase, so I am still in the hunt. I have narrowed my search down some though, down to:
Jeep XJ pre-1997
Nissan Xterra
Mitsubishi Montero
Jeep TJ (though I know it's limited)

And possibly a Jeep YJ which I may just buy and sell to fund the expo rig.

I have concerns about some of the rigs I mentioned though, mainly the Xterra and Montero.
I am curious about how much of a project it is to either do a timing belt change, or how much money it is to have one done by a mechanic, for me this is the main drawback of those 2 cars, a result of the SOHC/DOHC engines.
Otherwise, they are great vehicles: safe, capable, relatively inexpensive and smaller than my Dodge Ram- a major selling point, but that issue, combined with seemingly limited parts availability (for the Montero especially) is almost a deal-breaker for me.

My window to buy another car is coming up very soon and hopefully can be completed by September of this year. So any further help is much appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[4D55 Performance]

Thank you for all the recommendations! I have not made a decision regarding which vehicle to purchase, so I am still in the hunt. I have narrowed my search down some though, down to:
Jeep XJ pre-1997
Nissan Xterra
Mitsubishi Montero
Jeep TJ (though I know it's limited)

And possibly a Jeep YJ which I may just buy and sell to fund the expo rig.

I have concerns about some of the rigs I mentioned though, mainly the Xterra and Montero.
I am curious about how much of a project it is to either do a timing belt change, or how much money it is to have one done by a mechanic, for me this is the main drawback of those 2 cars, a result of the SOHC/DOHC engines.
Otherwise, they are great vehicles: safe, capable, relatively inexpensive and smaller than my Dodge Ram- a major selling point, but that issue, combined with seemingly limited parts availability (for the Montero especially) is almost a deal-breaker for me.

My window to buy another car is coming up very soon and hopefully can be completed by September of this year. So any further help is much appreciated.

Thanks!

Anyone who is trying to convince you of limited parts availability for the Montero is dead wrong. I can always get the parts i want the same day. Montero parts are also fairly cheap when compared to other manufacturers. I am actually glad I own a Montero because it's so easy to get parts. I can not even say this about my 2009 VW Jetta. It seems like I always have to wait 3-4 days for parts for my new Jetta. Go figure.

I also would not be concerned about the timing belt. You only have to replace it every 80K miles. Usually it is recommended that you replace the waterpump at the same time so I would plan on $700-1000. But that's not as bad as having to rebuild the front axle on an FJ80 every few years.

 

[Hill Bill E.]

Any reason for the 'Pre-'97 XJ' ?

I've had a few, and worked on many of them. IMHO, the '98 & '99 were the best years of the XJ, especially the ones with the Chrysler 8.25 rear axle.

My '99 was an unlimited, with leather seats (no heat, driver side was power)

I built a platform in the back, and with the driver seat full forward, had over 7' of room (diagonally) for sleeping.

Extremely capable off road, while maintaining decent road manners.

The HO 4.0L motor and AW4 trans are bulletproof, and even modified they will get 16+ MPG

The '00 and '01's had the low pinion D30, and the heads that had casting problems.

(yeah, I'm a little Jeep biased :coffeedrink: )