What is the most capable offroad 4WD you can walk into
- Thread starter Gavin S.
- Start date
I concur.
techno
New member
I wondered if you would see that...Finally, someone who knows their stuff!!!Thanks techno....
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offshorebear
New member
Short, narrow, and light make a good offroader. Add in solid axles and lockers and you have the Rubi. Best for trails for sure.
If you like more expedition type offroading you need something larger.
If you like more expedition type offroading you need something larger.
Let me add to my post... I still agree that it's the Rubicon. BUT, I will say that if I were told to go buy something that I'd want to own for off-roading and everyday driving it would still be the FJ Cruiser Trail Teams. I had one for 2 years as many of you know, and I absolutely loved it. It did everything I wanted of it extremely well. A lot of driving offroad is skill related. I am sure that the FJ in the right hands is just as if not more capable than the Rubicon in the wrong hands.
I've been up in the mountains with many people that were driving all kinds of crazy tricked out vehicles and they were relying too much on the features of the vehicle and had no real idea what they were doing, which is unfortunate and leads to a lot of the damage and closures that we see (getting off track I know!). But if I were buying today for something that I wanted to get me through the back country and last a good long while, I'd still go with an FJ because I trust them and mine always treated me well and never left me stranded. I can't say the same for many Jeepers who had no idea what they were doing. Now that's not a knock on the Jeep guys. There were MANY that were great and knew what they were doing. But even the nicest instrument will sound bad in a poor musician's hands! :violin:
I've been up in the mountains with many people that were driving all kinds of crazy tricked out vehicles and they were relying too much on the features of the vehicle and had no real idea what they were doing, which is unfortunate and leads to a lot of the damage and closures that we see (getting off track I know!). But if I were buying today for something that I wanted to get me through the back country and last a good long while, I'd still go with an FJ because I trust them and mine always treated me well and never left me stranded. I can't say the same for many Jeepers who had no idea what they were doing. Now that's not a knock on the Jeep guys. There were MANY that were great and knew what they were doing. But even the nicest instrument will sound bad in a poor musician's hands! :violin:
Duhockey
Senior Member
At this point there is no doubt that the correct pick is...
Drumrolll
the Jeep Rubicon...
but the if you invest time and money into a vehicle, the 3rd gen can be as or more capable than the Rubicion... it wont be as comfortable after its done, but what are you looking for?
Im sure that we can help you Imagine/build/use your money to pay for it!! LOL :thumb3:
I love the members of this board! so eager to spend their comembers money just to see a pic of a 4runner they envy/dont own!!
Drumrolll
the Jeep Rubicon...
but the if you invest time and money into a vehicle, the 3rd gen can be as or more capable than the Rubicion... it wont be as comfortable after its done, but what are you looking for?
Im sure that we can help you Imagine/build/use your money to pay for it!! LOL :thumb3:
I love the members of this board! so eager to spend their comembers money just to see a pic of a 4runner they envy/dont own!!
Thai
Elite Member
Why not pick the 2010 4runner Trail? The 2010 4runner Trail has exceeded the FJ in off-road capability IMO. For one, the 4runnner Trail now has technology that makes a neophyte look like a half decent expert on the trail.
A bad driver in a FJ will likely break it before a bad driver in a Rubicon....
But, if you invest the same amount of money into a Rubi, then you have a truly unstoppable rig! And with the aftermarket support of the Jeep Wrangler, you will likely accomplish more for less. I think that is what separates the Jeep Wrangler from everyone else...aftermarket support. Toyota tried that with the FJ, but i think that the aftermarket support for the Jeeps are still more numerous.
Hybrid Dana 44s (stronger than regular Dana 44s), 4:1 Transfer case (truly crawling!), RTI of over 800 via anti-roll bar discos, compact size (except the long wheelbase version), extended breather tubes (not very high, but higher than Toyota's), standard 32" BFG Mud Terrains, impossible approach/departure angles, and open top fun...nothing will touch it off-road IMO from the showroom floor. You would need to modify a lot of any other vehicle to come close to the Rubicon's off-road capability.
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Thai
Elite Member
And if you really want it all and unlimited cash, then you get one of these: American Expedition Vehicles (AEV) - Custom Turnkey 2 & 4 Door Jeep JK Rubicon Wrangler Conversions
Awz
New member
How about the FZJ80 Land Cruiser. Front and rear solid axles and e-lockers, spring over coils from factory, granted they don't make these anymore so FAR less then a new Ruibicon . The only problem I've seen with the Rubicons is wheel base, I've seen Rubicons in Moab that couldn't get up some obstacles, that a Tacoma only locked in back crawled up with out issue, even with IFS.
Mike
. The only problem I've seen with the Rubicons is wheel base, I've seen Rubicons in Moab that couldn't get up some obstacles, that a Tacoma only locked in back crawled up with out issue, even with IFS.Mike
Clemsonfan15
New member
I like the H1 idea. I'd probably change my vote to that. Those things are awesome.
Mr. Leary
New member
This whole discussion is still limited to the vehicles available in the US...
Overseas, for example, you can still buy a new 70 series land cruiser with solid axles, toyota e lockers, diesel engine, and in some cases, a snorkel.... and its a heavy duty truck... good luck trying to break it...
I have driven a new Rubicon. They are nice. They are capable. They are, unfortunately, one of only a few capable vehicles being sold in the states right now.
Overseas, for example, you can still buy a new 70 series land cruiser with solid axles, toyota e lockers, diesel engine, and in some cases, a snorkel.... and its a heavy duty truck... good luck trying to break it...
I have driven a new Rubicon. They are nice. They are capable. They are, unfortunately, one of only a few capable vehicles being sold in the states right now.
SkylineGTRracer
New member
Well if it is to cars sold over seas I would have a Toyota hilux that looked like the ones from District 9. It was awesome! the movie was ok too. :lookout:
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JohnsD90
New member
Thats why i said Defender as the SWB king.
Because I am NOT a bad driver.
Plus the FJ can be had cheaper than a 4Runner trail and call me crazy, but I just like the Tonka truck looks of the FJ and have ever since I saw the concept in 2003 or whenever it was. I like the 4Runner Trail. Don't get me wrong. I checked one out at the dealership and was quite impressed. I felt like it was a mix of all of the best things between a 4G 4Runner, an FJ Cruiser, a Prado, and the looks of an evolved 60 series Landcruiser. I guess I just miss all of the headroom in the FJ. The 4Runner feels a bit cramped for me due to my height (although the 5G seems better in this department).
Either way... I think I'd choose a Toyota Landcruiser, FJ, 4Runner, or even a Tacoma before I'd even go anywhere near a Jeep, even if money were no issue.
Thai
Elite Member
How about the FZJ80 Land Cruiser. Front and rear solid axles and e-lockers, spring over coils from factory, granted they don't make these anymore so FAR less then a new Ruibicon
Mike
You can always choose the long wheelbase or the short-wheelbase. Personally, i prefer the SWB.
Well, the Rubicon probably can match the Defender's axle articulation. RTI on the Rubi is 832 (for SWB). So, with the Rubi, you have the benefit of BOTH lockers and articulation...you can't say that about the Defender.
H1 is great for open-area off-roading, such as desert driving. In small technical spots, it is a major hassle (as RonM wrote). But, i would give my left nut for a H1 Alpha!
But, we're not talking about driver...we're talking about vehicle capability. Given equal drivers, a vehicle with more capability will always win unless Lady Luck steps in.
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