Which if any overland platform/vehicle sounds like it fits my needs&wants?

[ChasingOurTrunks]

The 4 Runner is not a bad option if you shy away from LC/Patrol/Montero (which I can understand). I had one as a second vehicle in the Congo, and it was not bad, although I recall that it was the only one in the country (at least that I saw) which implies less familiarity if you have to get help from a mechanic, and less availability of spares. Lots of people underestimate the spares issue. If your windscreen (windshield) is smashed by a passing truck's throwing up a stone, getting a new one will be difficult to impossible if the vehicle/model is not sold locally. It gets boring driving a month or two with saran wrap and duck tape...

Lots of wisdom there - the 4Runner is great in North America but it’s not a global platform. But, it does have availability in parts of South America — how popular it is I have no idea.

If you do your own maintenance AND repair, and take key spares with you (more weight and space) then Land Rovers aren't bad. I recall a conversation with a local cop who had just been issued with a LR3 in which he said that it wasn't bad except for the wooden brakes (!). I recall a friend in Botswana for whom replacing rear hub bearings was almost as frequent as filling with fuel; and we have friends with whom we travelled, somewht informally, in Tanzania, whose LR was in need of repair on a weekly basis. When I first travelled in Africa LRs were 80% of the 4x4s you'd see in the bush, now they're 10%. There's a good reason for that. Personally I wouldn't consider a LR in any circumstances.

That’s been my impression as well, but a different conclusion - I would definitely consider a Land Rover in the lower 48 (OP’s location and primary travel space) where a person is only ever 150 miles from the nearest MacDonalds, and there is 100% reliable satellite coverage for a SPOT and about 80% reliable cell coverage. That’s not true elsewhere, but in the lower 48 if one does have an incident there are options for help. In the bush in Northern Canada though (where most of my travel takes place) or in Africa, I would be much more cautious for the reasons you quite rightly stated. And the caveat you have identified is spot on — I enjoy turning wrenches and tend to personify my vehicles to the point where maintainience on a rig gives me the same satisfaction as walking my dog — I feel it’s “good” for them, and I feel good having done it. As I said in my other post, I’m hopeful in my heart-of-hearts that JLR reliability turns a corner with the new Defender — that one is high on the list for my next rig, if they have delivered on their promise. Time will tell.

And besides — this is a forum about adventure travel by vehicle, and “Adventure begins when things go wrong” so from a certain point of view the BEST choice is a ratty, broken down old LR — Think of the stories you can tell when (if?) you eventually make it home! (Obviously that’s meant tongue-in-cheek!)

 

[verdesard0g]

4 runner

 

[Metcalf]

That sounds like a sweet rig!! What range do you get out of the V10 on 38 gallons? The nice thing about a rig with 3k lbs payload is you can convert some of that payload into range to go as far as you want, but I am curious all the same.

I honestly just can't bring myself to push it THAT far without needing to stop for something ( I am a fill up at half kinda guy generally). It can easily go 300-400 miles between fill ups on the highway. It is a full size truck, while it will happily go 80mph down the highway with the cruise and AC on, the mileage does drop off. 60-65mph seems to be 14-16mpg. 75+ seems to be 12-13mpg. I went out the other weekend for a rescue trip to flat tow my friends little old jeep back home. We left Moab, Utah and ran all the way down to the north side of Phoenix, AZ at 5+ the speed limit getting 12-13mpg on the way down. On the way back we where limited to about 60-63mph with the old Jeep being a little squirrelly with the tow bar. The truck got 14.6mpg on the way back up to Moab at the slower speed even though we where towing 2500lbs. I found it kinda funny that we got better mileage towing since we where going slower.

3000lbs is an almost ridiculous amount of legit payload rating when you think about it. That is almost 50% of the total vehicle weight. I don't see many other vehicles getting even close to that in OEM form.

The Ford Excursion fuel tank looks like a possible option to extend the range to a ridiculous level using mostly OEM parts. It is a ~44 gallon unit that was mounted aft of the rear axle. The stock 38 gallon F350 tank in my truck is mid-ship mounted. Looking at the differences I would need to modify the crossmember where the spare tire mounts ( relocate the spare tire ) and use an excursion trailer hitch to get it all to fit. That would give the vehicle over 80 gallons of fuel capacity. With the right combination of parts you might even be able to plumb in two factory fuel pumps, switching, and fuel level with the stock gauge using stuff from the cab/chassis trucks. Do I need 80 gallons of fuel......probably not.....yet....

 

[ChasingOurTrunks]

I honestly just can't bring myself to push it THAT far without needing to stop for something ( I am a fill up at half kinda guy generally). It can easily go 300-400 miles between fill ups on the highway. It is a full size truck, while it will happily go 80mph down the highway with the cruise and AC on, the mileage does drop off. 60-65mph seems to be 14-16mpg. 75+ seems to be 12-13mpg. I went out the other weekend for a rescue trip to flat tow my friends little old jeep back home. We left Moab, Utah and ran all the way down to the north side of Phoenix, AZ at 5+ the speed limit getting 12-13mpg on the way down. On the way back we where limited to about 60-63mph with the old Jeep being a little squirrelly with the tow bar. The truck got 14.6mpg on the way back up to Moab at the slower speed even though we where towing 2500lbs. I found it kinda funny that we got better mileage towing since we where going slower.

3000lbs is an almost ridiculous amount of legit payload rating when you think about it. That is almost 50% of the total vehicle weight. I don't see many other vehicles getting even close to that in OEM form.

The Ford Excursion fuel tank looks like a possible option to extend the range to a ridiculous level using mostly OEM parts. It is a ~44 gallon unit that was mounted aft of the rear axle. The stock 38 gallon F350 tank in my truck is mid-ship mounted. Looking at the differences I would need to modify the crossmember where the spare tire mounts ( relocate the spare tire ) and use an excursion trailer hitch to get it all to fit. That would give the vehicle over 80 gallons of fuel capacity. With the right combination of parts you might even be able to plumb in two factory fuel pumps, switching, and fuel level with the stock gauge using stuff from the cab/chassis trucks. Do I need 80 gallons of fuel......probably not.....yet....

Very cool. 3000 lbs gives you so many good options - slide ins, deck conversions, and so much more. I drool at the idea of 2k lbs, let alone 3k, just for the flexibility and freedom of choices.

Thats one of the neat things about some of the newer trucks with the 8- and 10- speed autos - my canyon has better fuel economy at around 125-130 Than it does at 110 (kilometres per hour to be clear - I’m not Mario Andretti, just Canadian!). It obviously depends on road and conditions, but it’s nice to eek out that extra economy on long highway runs at speed.

But the easiest way of enhancing a vehicles range is exactly what you described — slow down! I rarely went over 100 kph in my Rubicon. The main highway here averages 120 KPH to 130 KPH but at those speeds any time I saved “keeping up” was lost on long trips due to way more frequent fuel stops. At 100 KPH I would routinely hit 500 km without a fuel stop. At 130, my range sank to around 275.

But I’m in the prairies and I’m sure wind is also a major factor in all these numbers. Here’s a shot of my 5.3 litre Silverado’s estimated range on a full tank after a recent run across the prairies. First is the “normal” range, unladen, from summer last year. Second is the range I had due to the wind on a trip in December (granted I was towing a light cargo trailer but it was sail)





I was stopping for gas every two hours!

 

[Deleted member 9101]

You can get an F150 with a 2000lb payload rating. The new F250 are between 2500lbs and 4300lbs.

 

[ChasingOurTrunks]

You can get an F150 with a 2000lb payload rating. The new F250 are between 2500lbs and 4300lbs.

I just learned that the other day myself - neat option. I still prefer the ‘footprint’ of a midsize for the places I like to travel to but for a lot of applications that F150 with the fold-flat seats and high payload option is really good.

 

[alanymarce]

But I’m in the prairies and I’m sure wind is also a major factor in all these numbers.

I was once driving east from Crowsnest Pass and thought my fuel gauge must be stuck - no movement at all and almost at Fort MacLeod... The first part is downhill, but then it's fairly flat. Stopped for a break, opened the door, and it nearly came off the car - probably a 100 Km/h tailwind! Hardly used any fuel to get to Lethbridge!

 

[alanymarce]

It can easily go 300-400 miles between fill ups on the highway... 60-65mph seems to be 14-16mpg. ...The stock 38 gallon F350 tank in my truck...Do I need 80 gallons of fuel......probably not.....yet....

Yes - probably not yet. However, if you want to cross the Simpson one day, then you're looking at two challenges:

- One is the distance between fuel availability (around 770 Km from Mount Dare to Birdsville via the southern route, to be safe). You need reserve fuel, and one opinion is to carry at least 100 Km extra fuel, so that's 870 Km (544 miles). So far, no problem. However...

- Your fuel consumption in the desert is going to be higher than "normal". In the Simpson our usual 1.7 L/100 Km (at 90 Km/h highway speeds) went up to as much as 27 L/100 Km in some parts of the route, our overall consumption was 22.0 L/100 Km - 32% higher than "normal". So, if your consumption at 60-65 mi/h is around 15 mi/gal your desert consumption is going to be 11 mi/gal. For the desert crossing you're going to need at least 50 gallons. Given that your track is wider than that of the majority of vehicles on the route, you'll be scuffing the ruts and burning more fuel than this, so I suspect more like 60 gallons needed.

I realise that this may not be in your immediate plans, however in some parts of South America, Africa, and Australia, you may well need extra fuel capacity.

 

[Deleted member 9101]

I just learned that the other day myself - neat option. I still prefer the ‘footprint’ of a midsize for the places I like to travel to but for a lot of applications that F150 with the fold-flat seats and high payload option is really good.

When you look at the measurements a full size truck it isn't really that much larger than a mid size. The midsized trucks are now the size of past full size trucks...lol.

A few years back I had an F150 with the Heavy Duty Payload Package and Max Tow Package for work. It was rated to carry and tow what 3/4 ton trucks were rated for a few years ago.

Now I have a 3/4 ton due to needing to haul even more in the bed whilst towing.

 

[Smileyshaun]

Something crazy to think about is a newish 4 runner is almost the same size as a older square body suburban .

 

[alanymarce]

I think you could put my old Mini in the boot (trunk) of the current one...

 

[Metcalf]

Yes - probably not yet. However, if you want to cross the Simpson one day, then you're looking at two challenges:

- One is the distance between fuel availability (around 770 Km from Mount Dare to Birdsville via the southern route, to be safe). You need reserve fuel, and one opinion is to carry at least 100 Km extra fuel, so that's 870 Km (544 miles). So far, no problem. However...

- Your fuel consumption in the desert is going to be higher than "normal". In the Simpson our usual 1.7 L/100 Km (at 90 Km/h highway speeds) went up to as much as 27 L/100 Km in some parts of the route, our overall consumption was 22.0 L/100 Km - 32% higher than "normal". So, if your consumption at 60-65 mi/h is around 15 mi/gal your desert consumption is going to be 11 mi/gal. For the desert crossing you're going to need at least 50 gallons. Given that your track is wider than that of the majority of vehicles on the route, you'll be scuffing the ruts and burning more fuel than this, so I suspect more like 60 gallons needed.

I realise that this may not be in your immediate plans, however in some parts of South America, Africa, and Australia, you may well need extra fuel capacity.

I don't disagree. More fuel capacity can be added.

In most situations however, I would lean toward having that not be a permanent addition. I don't really need to carry it around every day. It can be very nice to be able to unload the vehicle when stuck also, that is hard to do with a full ~350lb fuel tank. You will probably have to accept a slight weight penalty to have the fuel in manageable containers, but you are also more free on where you place that weight in the vehicle to better balance the vehicle.

 

[calicamper]

Well your range is s problem for any Toyota and thats from a guy thats had a 4runner, Landcruiser and the best and last one the Sequoia.

I’m a Ca guy I just did a 5 day trip to Gold Country camped on private family land and my current vehicle was averaging 400 ish mile range on its 23 gallon tank. No stuff on the roof!! Clean stock setup on 285 tires that currently are not A/T tires!! But size wise are in your general range. 2019 Ford Expedition with locking rear diff 4low etc. No I wouldn’t bash it down a trail that beater Tacoma’s and jeeps are going down.

4runner? Nope range especially with stuff on the roof would be a no go.

I think you need to decide what’s important on the list and prioritize because the trails the Tacoma and JK guys do aren’t Subaru trails. And Tacoma’s and JKs honestly are terrible dailies in LA.

 

[Metcalf]

Something crazy to think about is a newish 4 runner is almost the same size as a older square body suburban .

This!

New vehicles are steadily growing larger and larger.....

I found this comparison pretty entertaining when talking about my F350 with a friend.

 

[calicamper]

You can get an F150 with a 2000lb payload rating. The new F250 are between 2500lbs and 4300lbs.

I was thinking F150 large fuel tank option. It would be light yrs superior in LA highway daily use than a clapped out trail jeep or Tacoma.