Any engine would do, but the 280 gas would be nice..... or a 300 diesel and swap in a turbo-diesel. Taken care of, it's a vehicle that could last a fella's lifetime.

Frank

You ever looked at the front drive shaft on one of those, the U joints are clocked about 30* from each other rather than being in phase. Not that that matters to most people.

Mony no object, Unimog:




For a more regular DD, the decision is actually harder. I first started looking at, and eventually imported my Pajero because of cost compared to a 91/92 Landcruiser. If there were mo Monteros, I'd give the LC another look, but I've been wanting a Delica lately!

No, I've never even sat in one - much less driven one. I wonder why they did that. I learned long ago that Mercedes engineers (before about 1990) did some things that at first glance seemed weird - at least to someone used to American engineering...... but after thinking about a difference and working with it, I usually saw the light. The first thing I noticed about those cars back in the '70s was the o-ring seal for the thermostat housing...... so much easier to replace than scraping gaskets.

There was a time when those vehicles were the best automotive value ever built.

Frank

Early 80s toyota pickup.

I hate to say I did it. The Paj is up for grabs and there is a 2000 V8 JGC in the driveway waiting to be chopped to pieces and made snow ready.



A moog is not good for long distance highway travel. Slower than hell a sounds like farm equipment.

Since long distance highway travel was a prime criteria, I'd go with the Lexus GX470. Can't imagine anything better for that, plus its apparently pretty damn capable off-road. In fact, I think one of the 4x4 mags rated it overall number one a couple of years back. Half their readers probably cancelled their subscriptions after that pronouncement. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> Love to see one with an exo-cage and 38's!

Hmmm? Well, there it is, the question of all questions. What to do when the last Raider, or Monty, has finally called it quits. Hmmm. Tough one.

The FJ if anything. Wish they made a 4-door. Even then I would hesitate to go off-road with anybody driving a Raider for fear of my new FJ looking like a chump in the bush.

Good question ...

I'm in favor of the southwest Pacific-issue Toyota FJ79 models: 4.5L diesel V8, big axles and brakes, many body options. Plus a slew of ARB options... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Lots of choices to ponder. I definitely like all that have been mentioned here.

One that hasn't been mentioned, that I would probably seek out is an FJ40. I used to drive a '76 (wasn't mine, but I borrowed it a lot) and loved that thing.

Also loved the hell outta that J45 that Paul Walker drove in 8 Below. That was friggin suweeeeeet! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />