New to the forum, not to 4 wheeling. I have owned and driven scouts, jeeps, and Toyotas for many years. I am considering replacing my T100 with something smaller. The ideal vehicle would be the size of a '50s jeep, with a hard top, the reliability of a Toyota, and highway gas mileage above 50 mpg:D. Since I am not going to find all of that in one vehicle, I am looking for the closest alternative. Unibody construction is not acceptable. Gearing for off-road use is essential. Manual transmission and standard gear-type transfer case are also essential. Something like a Suzuki Samurai looks attractive. I have seen Geo and Isuzu models that look interesting, though I don't know much about them yet. Does anyone have any suggestions? Where should I look for more info?

Thanx

reb

How much money are you willing to spend. I personally like the new 05 tacomas. I can give you a bunch of links as to why I do.

There is a 2.6 Raider/Montero for sale in Dallas for 1000. Its been on here recentally. And i belive it was a 5 speed.

The Isuzu Amigo's have a wheel base comparable to the Jeeps and is a body on frame. stock 4.56 gears I believe and tough as nails. available carb'ed 2.3l and injected 2.6l 4cyl. Find one with the wide tire package and get stock 15x7 wheels and 31" tires without a lift. Available lift options are a 3" suspension and a 3" body. Unless you do a SAS in the front and SOA in the rear then 37" tires are easy.

An '85 Toyota and the T100 I am driving now are the best 4WDs I have owned. I don't think Toyota reliability can be beat. However, for my purposes, I find the later model Toys, especially the 05s unsatisfactory. Fuel economy is a major reason. I think what I want will turn out to be used. I am accustomed to doing my own repairs and modifications, and prefer something without all the bells and whistles. I will consider price when I figure out what the best choices are.

89mudslinger, the Amigo sounds like a good possibility. What years were they made? Did I read somewhere that the Isuzu Amigo is the same as the Geo Tracker?

Just for my own information....I have yet to see an Amigo that has 4WD unless you add it yourself in alabama, So im guessing from your post that the Amigo does come in 4WD. If so that would be a great choice.

Chris_J: My experience is that Mitsubishi offers reliability rivalling Toyota. I don't recall seeing a Raider/Montero on the road around here for some time. Are they still made? If not, what years were they made? Are there any parts availability issues?

The SWB Mitsus in the US were offered form 83 to 89. The 89 was the only one with a V6. Dodge put their name on them from 87-89 called the Raider. There are alot of guys from AZ, on the Mitsu board, so their out there. They have a good solid frame to SAS as they come with IFS. They come with 4.62 gears some with a solid LSD, but the xfer case has a poor 1.92 low range. there is a Turbo bolt in and a 4.3L chevy swap that are common. Of course the chevy setup will give you unlimited Low range gearing in your 231 and 207 cases. They are very wheelable stock, but have a poor aftermarket following in the States. Anything that is avail is from OZ. So if you want more than 2" susp w/ 2-3" body and 35"s you better be handy with flame tools. The wheelbase is where you want it. short. I like Jeeps alot, but so does everyone else and I find owning a Mitsu is a nice departure, and a blast off road. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

Isuzu Amigo's were built from 1989-1994.

2.3L carb'd were not available for 4x4 models only the fuel injected 2.6L.

No association to the tracker.

Anymore questions feel free to ask. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Oh and they can fit 32" tires stock with no rubbing...ideal size is 32x11.5r15

Nick <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />