(Help a newb..)

I'm looking for an offroad vehicle that will handle the backroads and fire roads of Calif., but it needs to meet the following conditions:

1. 4x4
2. 1975 or older (doesn't have to meet emissions)
3. Hardtop (not bear proof, but better than a soft top and don't want a roof tent)
4. Able to sleep 2 in the bed of the vehicle
5. Able to carry about 3 weeks worth of supplies

I don't need a rock crawler or a specialized mud machine...

I'm not looking for esoteric vehicles such as the big buck expedition vehicles. I'm basically looking for something in the GM, Ford, Toyota, Land Rover, International group that will meet the contraints.

Vehicles on my list:

K5 Blazer - very big, but hits all the categories
Bronco - Will it meet #4?
Scout - Wil it meet #4
Toyota - FJ40 is to small for #4, FJ55 is pretty rare
Land Rover - not sure about #4

Any other vehicles you can suggest?

Thanks!

Mike

blazer.
its not really that big, it has a shorter wheelbase than a 4-door JK.

it would be my first choice of those.

How bout a Ramcharger

m725

Older full size Jeep.

A waggy or a ramcharger get my vote.
Travis..

Ramcharger, though you will only have two years to look for if you want '75 or older. Removable hardtop and decent full time 4WD drivetrain. Everything from a Slant 6 to a 440 available and Cummins swaps are easy.

old FSJ Cherokee or Wagoneer

any reason your not looking at a pick up with a cap? With an 8 foot bed you can sleep 2 then still have room for other gear in the bed.

Suburban or Blazer would be cheap and easy to find parts for. An older Jeep Wagoneer, Cherokee Chief, would be pretty cool and unique.

The reason we're not initially looking at pickups with cabs is that we'll have a couple of dogs with us.

2 people plus 2 medium sized dogs (Australian Shepherds) will make a pickup cab a little tight for riding during the day and the bed will be a little tight for sleeping at night. We're looking for something that is fully open inside.

Thanks for all of the suggestions! Keep 'em coming!

Mike

i hear you on the dogs; i travel with two Briards (french sheepdogs) ... they seem to need/use more space then a human :shaking:

how about using a pickup and install a permanent (sealed) opening to the bed/camper ...
something like this Unigrip accordion seal: http://www.accordionboot.com/

the dogs could travel in the back but would not feel isolated (i`m guessing your dogs are as spoiled as mine :p)

I have four big dogs (http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?p=12611638#post12611638) that go just about everywhere with me, and much prefer trucks/campers to open interiors. Reason being that my dogs are especially furry, and tend to get filthy when we're playing outside, so it's nice to be able to quarantine them. In the back of a truck bed, it's relatively easy to protect your bed and gear from the dogs. In an open interior, seems much less so. But that's just been my experience.

Why are you so dead-set on getting something pre-smog? Only wondering because that cuts you off from a lot of other good options (like an FJ80).

I have an enormous amount of respect for the FJ80's. There are some pretty amazing videos on YouTube showing their offroad capabilities.

Re: pre-smog

We want something that has limited electronics (no ECU/PCM) that could die while we're off road as well as being difficult to fix and difficult to pass smog. I have great respect for engine controls and the benefits they bring to the table, but, we want something that is simple and has little potential for failure, other than mechanical failure.

Re: Our Dogs

We too have 4 dogs, but 2 of them are rescue greyhounds who are pretty old and don't go with us anywhere. One of my Aussies is super-devoted to my wife. Aussies have the reputation of wanting to be with you so much that "they'd like to climb inside your skin to be with you". Sounds weird but this dog would do anything for my wife--he's gone after a bear up at our cabin in Tahoe who surprised my wife, son, and son's friend. I hear you on the dogs getting filthy...

Suburban or International Travelall. Broncos pre 75 are small. Scout II's are small too. A Blazer or Ramcharger pre 75 could work but I think you will find them a little cramped too.

i use a full size bronco for camping and wheeling and it does ok with me sleeping in the back. I have taken the rear seat out so there is a good amount of room but i still end up with my gear outside of the truck for sleeping. think it would get really tight with 2 people and 2 dogs and some gear.

not sure when they started making them but how about a 4wd van?

73-75 blazer, up to 1976 they had the rear floor go all the way up to the front seats so you would have more layout room with the rear seat out. They also had an option for a exterior tire carrier.

They are stupid easy/cheap to work on and anything you could need mechanically would be a common stock item at parts places.

I cant imagine saying the same for a IH travel all or cherokee although I think both of those have a bit more to offer in different ways like the expo look or more personality.


Your list aside I really think a TBI yukon or Tahoe is a much better choice for with the trails you have in mind.

Ifs.. better ride and with the intended use I think plenty durable
Already 134 ac
tbi is stupid easy to work on and to me very reliable
Nicer seats, with multiple adjustments and headrests
More soundproofed and has all that plastic junk too
in california it should be relatively simple to find a unmolested one.
Better gearing in the t-case 2.72 to 1 vs the 205's 2:1
air bags:flipoff2:
They also can be found with manuals, and both electric or floor shift t-cases
parts are very common

Slap on a warn winch and bumper, some 285 tires, a roof rack and tv scrren in the head rest for movies and bug out!


-shawn

Someone mentioned a FSJ. Here is my experience with one. If you are over 6' tall forget about sleeping in it. You will have to remove the back bench. And the metal hinges that the seat sits into on the floor at the front. And build a sub floor to fill the rear seat foot well. You will need a custom mattress in a sideways H shape around the wheel wells. You could put supplies on a roof rack. Or go rooftop tent might be the better idea.

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f166/BassnTruck/Cars/Jeep001-1.jpg
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f166/BassnTruck/Jeep154-1.jpg
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f166/BassnTruck/Jeep287-1.jpg
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f166/BassnTruck/Jeep244-1.jpg

Why pre '75. Just buy something that passes smog. You're a hell of a lot better off buying a newer 1/2-3/4 ton truck than any old POS that needs work.

I'm voting pre 1988 ramcharger. If you are a little creative in the design/tetris/fabrication department and remove the rear seat then you can live pretty comfortably in one. Especially if you find a way to put the seat pedals all the way forward.

I suggest you gather up in one place all the supplies you need for 2 weeks with 2 people and 2 dogs and then think about what size vehicle you need that would fit them and still have room to sleep inside. At that point im guessing you will be looking at a full sized van.

(Help a newb..)

I'm looking for an offroad vehicle that will handle the backroads and fire roads of Calif., but it needs to meet the following conditions:

1. 4x4
2. 1975 or older (doesn't have to meet emissions)
3. Hardtop (not bear proof, but better than a soft top and don't want a roof tent)
4. Able to sleep 2 in the bed of the vehicle
5. Able to carry about 3 weeks worth of supplies

I don't need a rock crawler or a specialized mud machine...

I'm not looking for esoteric vehicles such as the big buck expedition vehicles. I'm basically looking for something in the GM, Ford, Toyota, Land Rover, International group that will meet the contraints.

Vehicles on my list:

K5 Blazer - very big, but hits all the categories
Bronco - Will it meet #4?
Scout - Wil it meet #4
Toyota - FJ40 is to small for #4, FJ55 is pretty rare
Land Rover - not sure about #4

Any other vehicles you can suggest?

Thanks!

Mike

:shaking:

I'm voting pre 1988 ramcharger. If you are a little creative in the design/tetris/fabrication department and remove the rear seat then you can live pretty comfortably in one. Especially if you find a way to put the seat pedals all the way forward.

What's wrong with the '88-'93 models? (Even though he clearly states he wants '75 and older)

What's wrong with the '88-'93 models? (Even though he clearly states he wants '75 and older)

This is just my opinion here, but TBI is the problem. If it where MPFI or even 80's bosch EFI I wouldn't bitch, but I hate TBI.

This is also just my opinion, but I like to keep things simple, easier to find someone with a Qjet rebuild kit/spare carb or fuel pump for a small block mopar then trying to find a someone with spare TBI parts for a dodge.

I thought that might have been the case. I love my TBI and while I would prefer a MPI system, the TBI has been very easy to diagnose and fix in my experience. Computers seem to be the only real pain in the ass these days with the pats places wanting to send one off to be repaired rather than just get one over the counter. After wheeling carbs most of my life and now having EFI, I'll never go back to a carb again.

I thought that might have been the case. I love my TBI and while I would prefer a MPI system, the TBI has been very easy to diagnose and fix in my experience. Computers seem to be the only real pain in the ass these days with the pats places wanting to send one off to be repaired rather than just get one over the counter. After wheeling carbs most of my life and now having EFI, I'll never go back to a carb again.


Pretty much. I love carbs for the mechanical simplicity, but I love EFI for the reliability. But one thing I think we can all agree on is to say FU to those bastardized TBI setups and go with regular EFI.

(if you don't understand, have a few shots and read it to see how I wrote it. :D)

fullsize diesel pickup, extended cab if you think you'll need it. Mechanical injection, manual trans mission, all kinds of things you can fit in and on the bed. Modify as needed over time. no smog.

Burb?

I have a M1009, so a K5 diesel. I can carry plenty of supplies, and 3 big dogs. Look at the dog cage I built that closes off either behind the back seat or can be moved up to right behind the front seats.

I am building a rat-pack drawer system behind the back seat that will be 15" tall, which is flush with the back seat folded down once, at which time you will be able to have a 6'+ bed in the back.

And it gets 20+mpg with 37s and super reliable.

Just my 2 pennies.

Best wishes,

Dave

If I had this choice to make right now... It would be either a Grand Waggy, or an older suburban.
Scott

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i200/mntbkrguy/For_Sale_1.jpg

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/classifieds/showproduct.php?product=5434&title=52-chevrolet-1-ton-panelformer-schoolbus-2ffiretruck&cat=10

maybe a bobbed deuce and half? make your own cover and top to open it all the way back. blast to drive! dogs will love it! wife... maybe not so much.
just a thought.