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Thread: Need a Different Vehicle - Opinions Please

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    Default Need a Different Vehicle - Opinions Please



    I've had fun with my 99 Wrangler and it is a very good trail vehicle even with my minor mods. But comfort is an issue, especially for my wife with some back issues, plus the lack of interior space and poor highway manners are significant problems for me too.

    So, I'm considering getting something else that has four doors, some cargo space, and more comfort while still being very reliable and a reasonable off road vehicle for mid-difficulty trails at the most. The trails I'm most interested in are those with beautiful scenery and the occasional fishing spot, as opposed to challenging my vehicle.

    I don't have a particular budget in mind at this point. Offhand, a used Toyota 4Runner seems like a reasonable choice.

    Input from anyone would be much appreciated.

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    Default Re: Need a Different Vehicle - Opinions Please



    I like the 4 Runners

  3. The Following Member Says Thanks to Rick For This Post:

    Bob (December 26th, 2015)

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    Default Re: Need a Different Vehicle - Opinions Please



    Cant go wrong with the Yota's
    ___________
    In a never ending search for the proper mix of dirt & rock !

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    Bob (December 26th, 2015)

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    Default Re: Need a Different Vehicle - Opinions Please



    Another vote for a 4Runner - we switched from a Land Cruiser primarily for comfort. My back is shot but I can drive in the Runner all day. I just have a small lift, bigger tires and it gets me anywhere I want to go though my preferences only go as high as 'moderate' trails which sounds along the lines of what you do too.
    ___________
    Chris in Florida

  7. The Following Member Says Thanks to Chris For This Post:

    Bob (December 26th, 2015)

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    Default Re: Need a Different Vehicle - Opinions Please



    A couple of months ago we traded in my wife's Forester for a 2013 Nissan Xterra S and I absolutely love it, if I didn't have my LJ I'd be looking for a PRO4x for myself. It is a monster on the highway, fast, comfortable and quiet, and pretty efficent for what it is, we made it to Grand Junction on 1/2 a tank. we set the cruise at whatever speed we want and it never struggles. It's comfortable on the trails and actually around the same size as my LJ so it fits, comes with 31" tires and a lot of clearance. You can fit 33s with a hairdryer (google melt mod) and no lift, but for 2.5" a RC spacer / shackle lift is about $150.00. In a nutshell it does everything except trails better than my Jeep. Worth a test drive, IMO.

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    Bob (December 26th, 2015)

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    Default Re: Need a Different Vehicle - Opinions Please



    4 runner is a good choice as is an Xterra. I like Libertys even though most die hard jeepers don't like them. The one my mom had I thought was comfortable and able to go most places.

  11. The Following Member Says Thanks to dscowell For This Post:

    Bob (December 26th, 2015)

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    Default Re: Need a Different Vehicle - Opinions Please



    The 4runner is my top vote then the pathfinders and xterra.
    A disco would very jice to, they are basicly a defender 90 but the different body.

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    Bob (December 26th, 2015)

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    Default Re: Need a Different Vehicle - Opinions Please



    The LR3/LR4 is quite the bargain these days.

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    Bob (December 26th, 2015)

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    Default Re: Need a Different Vehicle - Opinions Please



    So are the dico's
    Just depends on if you want solid axles or not.

    The LR3 is a great truck.

  17. The Following Member Says Thanks to dieseldoc For This Post:

    Bob (December 26th, 2015)

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    Default Re: Need a Different Vehicle - Opinions Please



    3rd gen 4runner or newer.

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    Bob (December 26th, 2015)

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    Default Re: Need a Different Vehicle - Opinions Please



    dieseldoc previously posted:
    "So are the dico's
    Just depends on if you want solid axles or not.

    The LR3 is a great truck."

    the Land Rover mechanic I know just sold both of his Discos and got an LR3. He couldn't be happier with his decision.

  21. The Following Member Says Thanks to ExplorerTom For This Post:

    Bob (December 26th, 2015)

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    Default Re: Need a Different Vehicle - Opinions Please



    I like my tacoma a lot and would certainly be interested in a 4runner if my needs shift from truck to SUV. Can you get a factory locking rear diff on the runners? Great feature on my trd taco.
    ___________
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  23. The Following Member Says Thanks to FINOCJ For This Post:

    Bob (December 26th, 2015)

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    Default Re: Need a Different Vehicle - Opinions Please



    FINOCJ previously posted:
    "I like my tacoma a lot and would certainly be interested in a 4runner if my needs shift from truck to SUV. Can you get a factory locking rear diff on the runners? Great feature on my trd taco."

    Yes, I know locking difs are available with some models but can't give specifics. Since the 4Runner and FJCruiser are basically the same chassis a lot of people swap in an FJ third w/e-locker & associated switches etc. I'm pretty sure all 4th gen have the center dif lock standard, surpringly it's pretty efficient.
    ___________
    Chris in Florida

  25. The Following Member Says Thanks to Chris For This Post:

    Bob (December 26th, 2015)

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    Default Re: Need a Different Vehicle - Opinions Please



    I would be that Land Rover mechanic. Biggest reason we moved up to a LR3 is comfort. We felt we were getting too beat up at the end of the day in the D1's. I researched Jeep, same problem, rigged and extremely capable but too hard on our bodies. Not enough cushion in the seats and still had to drive it lifted on the freeway. Toyota, although I love the reliability the cargo space is way smaller than our D1's and the seating was lower like a sport car. Keeps your legs outstretched in front. Again. Had to drive it lifted. We settled on the LR3, can get them fairly cheap, even cheaper if your willing to go out of state. Got mine in Dallas for $8200, flew down and drove it back. Seating position is more upright, air suspension (which can be pricey to fix but rarely fails) allows us to drive on highway at normal height and lift it at the trailhead. We drove it 13 hours back from Dallas and weren't even sore. Air suspension can be calibrated to give you a 1.5" lift. No parts needed. Traction system is second to none for off-road. Some come with a factory rear locker but can be hard to find.

  27. The Following Member Says Thanks to Brad For This Post:

    Bob (December 26th, 2015)

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    Default Re: Need a Different Vehicle - Opinions Please



    the LR3s are sweet, there's a guy in my neighborhood with a white one that has a full coil spring conversion / lift and some pretty large duratracs on it, and I drool everytime I see it. As I understand it that model was a huge turning point in reliability for LR too.

  29. The Following Member Says Thanks to Java For This Post:

    Bob (December 26th, 2015)

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    Default Re: Need a Different Vehicle - Opinions Please



    Get a Samurai! Drive it for 3 weeks and the ol' Wrangler will feel like a Cadillac.

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    Bob (December 26th, 2015),FINOCJ (December 22nd, 2015)

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    Default Re: Need a Different Vehicle - Opinions Please



    Thanks everyone for the input so far.

    I'm surprised that no one mentioned the Cherokee or Grand Cherokee...

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    Default Re: Need a Different Vehicle - Opinions Please



    flashboiler previously posted:
    "Get a Samurai! Drive it for 3 weeks and the ol' Wrangler will feel like a Cadillac. "

    That's kinda how I feel about my 70cj5!
    ___________
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    Bob (December 26th, 2015)

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    Default Re: Need a Different Vehicle - Opinions Please



    Thats how JKs feel to mean but am not a cadie guy

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    Default Re: Need a Different Vehicle - Opinions Please



    Bob previously posted:
    "
    I'm surprised that no one mentioned the Cherokee or Grand Cherokee..."

    OK - I did the same thing as you and did buy a Grand Cherokee. With medical problems I decided to sell my Wrangler and not do anything in the future but mild scenic trails. I also wanted something that could pull a trailer in the future so I made sure my Grand has a Hemi. The Grand is an awesome vehicle, my wife loves it. With the Quadra Drive 2 it seems to easily handle snow, ice and mild off-roading and could handle much more if built some. The Hemi is an awesome engine.
    The down side to me is that there are buku electronics in this thing and could be expensive to fix. Also with the Hemi there ain't much room under the hood and it's hard to work on anything.
    I probably will leave it stock and it will do What I need it to do. I bought it with 91K in very good well-maintained condition.
    Jim

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