Great question.
For me it's this, because... It's nimble, plush on dirt, comfortable, capable, durable, reliable, fairly simple, slow, can carry a heavy load and is in my opinion the perfect size. The addition of the pop-top and 50 gal fuel capacity have been alchemy.
It's also been in the family since new; nearly 30 years of trips makes for a lot of vehicle love.
If I had to replace it I would stick with the same basic idea (size, configuration). The contenders would be:
- pop-top LHD diesel 80
- 200 or GX460 and rtt
- pop-top troopy or 77
- pop-top diesel JLU sport, but the payload sucks
- low-spec defender (the Kia knockoff look sucks, but I love the payload and capability) and rtt
Or, sometimes I even dream of the comfort of a FWC on a high-riding, short wheelbase truck, like the Zr2 or F250 single cab.