J
Jake
Guest
Hello all,
I'm looking to get a 2nd vehicle for use in both on and off-road
applications. No major rock hopping/Rubicon requirements, but very
capable on trails and snow...think ditches, streams, inclines, but no
major requirements for climbing over boulders. I'm not looking to
blaze new trails, just have the capability to travel on established
trails that may possibly get washed out by rain/snow runoff or the
occasional tree falling and blocking the trail.
Here are my decision criteria in descending order of priority:
- First, is reliability. Must be able to count on it to start when I
turn the ignition key, not constantly leak or drop parts. Designed
simple, rugged, and idiot-proof in both the engine/transmission and
body/frame areas primarily. Also, an engine design that is fairly
easy to access when working on it and has wide availability of
aftermarket parts for future maintenance.
- Second, is 4WD system. The system's design, simplicity, durability,
and ease of maintenance.
- Third, is capability for modification. Enough to modify or beef up
the suspension, power train, and availability of the most important
accessories for 4wd (I'm new to this so I'm guessing winch, roll bar
install if not already there, carrying spare tires/tools/etc). Think
"on the beaten [up] path, not off of it."
- Fourth, is cargo capacity. Want to carry cargo internally,
preferrably with a 2nd row of passengers, so I am ruling out the Jeep
Wrangler or its predecessors. No flames on this decision; please
reference my above requirements. Again, not a dedicated 4x4 "King of
the Hill," just a vehicle to get me around in the country roads and
possibly hunting or fishing trips. I'm not putting a tight turn
radius into my criteria, so if an extended cab truck [maybe with a cap
over the bed] is something you can justify, please feel free to
mention it.
- Fifth, is towing capability. I may be using this to tow a trailer
or camper. Not definitely, just a "may."
- Sixth, fuel economy. Especially any info on any diesel models you
know of. I'm asking partly due to recent fuel cost increases, but
also because I've heard diesel performs well at altitude without much
engine adjustment. Now, if you have a vehicle that stands out in
criterias 1-5, but sucks in fuel economy, mention it and just be
upfront about the guzzler tendencies.
- Seventh, comfort.
If you can be generous with tech specifics or personal experience,
that would go a long way. Also any websites that you feel worthwhile
to help in my research would also be greatly appreciated.
If you have strong feelings about your personal rig, by all means. But
be able to support your position with specifics (strong engineering
design, better quality parts, etc) instead of slinging generalities.
Again, this is not which 4x4 won the most Rubicon competitions, but a
more general purpose rig, so...do your best.
I'm looking to get a 2nd vehicle for use in both on and off-road
applications. No major rock hopping/Rubicon requirements, but very
capable on trails and snow...think ditches, streams, inclines, but no
major requirements for climbing over boulders. I'm not looking to
blaze new trails, just have the capability to travel on established
trails that may possibly get washed out by rain/snow runoff or the
occasional tree falling and blocking the trail.
Here are my decision criteria in descending order of priority:
- First, is reliability. Must be able to count on it to start when I
turn the ignition key, not constantly leak or drop parts. Designed
simple, rugged, and idiot-proof in both the engine/transmission and
body/frame areas primarily. Also, an engine design that is fairly
easy to access when working on it and has wide availability of
aftermarket parts for future maintenance.
- Second, is 4WD system. The system's design, simplicity, durability,
and ease of maintenance.
- Third, is capability for modification. Enough to modify or beef up
the suspension, power train, and availability of the most important
accessories for 4wd (I'm new to this so I'm guessing winch, roll bar
install if not already there, carrying spare tires/tools/etc). Think
"on the beaten [up] path, not off of it."
- Fourth, is cargo capacity. Want to carry cargo internally,
preferrably with a 2nd row of passengers, so I am ruling out the Jeep
Wrangler or its predecessors. No flames on this decision; please
reference my above requirements. Again, not a dedicated 4x4 "King of
the Hill," just a vehicle to get me around in the country roads and
possibly hunting or fishing trips. I'm not putting a tight turn
radius into my criteria, so if an extended cab truck [maybe with a cap
over the bed] is something you can justify, please feel free to
mention it.
- Fifth, is towing capability. I may be using this to tow a trailer
or camper. Not definitely, just a "may."
- Sixth, fuel economy. Especially any info on any diesel models you
know of. I'm asking partly due to recent fuel cost increases, but
also because I've heard diesel performs well at altitude without much
engine adjustment. Now, if you have a vehicle that stands out in
criterias 1-5, but sucks in fuel economy, mention it and just be
upfront about the guzzler tendencies.
- Seventh, comfort.
If you can be generous with tech specifics or personal experience,
that would go a long way. Also any websites that you feel worthwhile
to help in my research would also be greatly appreciated.
If you have strong feelings about your personal rig, by all means. But
be able to support your position with specifics (strong engineering
design, better quality parts, etc) instead of slinging generalities.
Again, this is not which 4x4 won the most Rubicon competitions, but a
more general purpose rig, so...do your best.