Which 4x4 is best?

[rashby]

Hi guys,
been looking to buy a used medium size 4x4. Heard some bad things about a lot of makes out there. Wondering which models are the best. I dont do a whole lot of off roading but need a bigger car every now and then. Also have a priority on economy because I use it to get around town, prob mix of town highway driving. Options are to get a turbo diesel or a petrol then convert to gas. main options ive been looking at;

grand cherokee
ford explorer
jackaroo
dicovery

any of these duds, which are best to convert and have the engine longevity, comfort factor. cheers.

[Quiggers]

You're asking this question on a Land Rover site?

Discovery. Or a bulletproof diesel Defender.

When my Disco goes, (probably to my kids) I'll get another.

If Land Rover didn't exist, I would've kept my 351 Bronco (and the petrol station it came with:D)

As for the rest you mention, no.

GQ

[Landy110]

I can give some anicdoltal comment on Jeep,
A mate of mine owned one and from what he told me they are not built for the long run, they are a disposable item.
Things like the rear wheel bearings don't have an inner race they just run directly on the axles etc.

[scrambler]

Even the Jeep dealer I spoke to didn't rate the early Grand cherokees highly. The Ford Explorer is a Mazda car with slightly raised suspension. Please don't mention it on a serious 4wd site. At least the last 2 options are possibilities. You haven't mentioned the common choices - Toyota, Nissan, Mitsubishi. For a large-car-substitute with occasional 4wd ambitions, they do as well as anyone. The Discovery tried to be like them, but was built on a genuine 4wd chassis and drivetrain so is better than most once you get off the blacktop.

The list you give suggests you want something a little out of the ordinary, reasonably car-like and with some genuine potential as an off-road vehicle. Your last two suggestions make the cut, IMHO.

[HangOver]

Wondering which models are the best. I dont do a


hmmmm is this a windup?


not meaning to be rude but if you never go off road why not buy a commodore?

[Loaded]

All those makes listed are just (Big Road Cars) not real 4x4's. Except the last one Discovery you can take that one off road and feel confident that you will get some where.

[JDNSW]

Hi guys,
been looking to buy a used medium size 4x4. Heard some bad things about a lot of makes out there. Wondering which models are the best. I dont do a whole lot of off roading but need a bigger car every now and then. Also have a priority on economy because I use it to get around town, prob mix of town highway driving. Options are to get a turbo diesel or a petrol then convert to gas. main options ive been looking at;

grand cherokee
ford explorer
jackaroo
dicovery

any of these duds, which are best to convert and have the engine longevity, comfort factor. cheers.

Well, first define what you mean by "best"! Until you do that nobody can advise you. You will find problems with any vehicle.

John

[timaus13]

:D:DI reckon a 2 Dr 76 Range Rover V8 On gas, I plan to convert mine this year to gas.:D:D
;);)Good storage with cargo barrier,seats 4 huge people I know as I am over 6 foot as well as very broad.;)
:D:D:DLove mine.:D:D:D

[Rovernaut]

The best most capable 4WD with out a bit of doubt is..... the one you hire from a rental company.
They go anywhere!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They have no boundaries:D:D:D:D:D

[walker]

Pajero! :eek::twisted::twisted::twisted::wasntme:

[Redback]

Even the Jeep dealer I spoke to didn't rate the early Grand cherokees highly. The Ford Explorer is a Mazda car with slightly raised suspension. Please don't mention it on a serious 4wd site. At least the last 2 options are possibilities. You haven't mentioned the common choices - Toyota, Nissan, Mitsubishi. For a large-car-substitute with occasional 4wd ambitions, they do as well as anyone. The Discovery tried to be like them, but was built on a genuine 4wd chassis and drivetrain so is better than most once you get off the blacktop.

The list you give suggests you want something a little out of the ordinary, reasonably car-like and with some genuine potential as an off-road vehicle. Your last two suggestions make the cut, IMHO.

Sorry but don't agree with this statement, the Ford Explorer is made at Ford in the USA and has no Mazda parts at all in it, in the US it comes in quite a few different styles from Short wheel base in ute or wagon and also a larger version F Truck size, the new Ford Ranger or older Courier on the other hand is a Mazda, the Ranger has the 4.0lt Ford V6 in it.

Owned an Explorer, they are a good vehicle.

Baz.

[MarknDeb]

Hmm maybe i should have asked this same question before i got the D2, oh thats right i test drove them all and as soon as i drove the D2 my decision was made, the boss would not even go back to drive the playdo a second time, her mind was set;)

[mittadisco]

Don't be a rashby and rush into it. Sounds like you're mainly looking to drive in city - stick with your Toyotas, Pajeros. Why not even a subaru or xtrail? Seriously - carefully consider why you want a proper 4wd in the city. Land Rovers are for people who are, or who will become, enthusiasts. If you want a vehicle that you don't want to keep fiddling with then buy Japanese. If you don't mind fiddling and things breaking - go for European or UK. If you live in the city and rarely venture into the bush - drive a late model petrol car - not a diesel.

[loanrangie]

Sorry but don't agree with this statement, the Ford Explorer is made at Ford in the USA and has no Mazda parts at all in it, in the US it comes in quite a few different styles from Short wheel base in ute or wagon and also a larger version F Truck size, the new Ford Ranger or older Courier on the other hand is a Mazda, the Ranger has the 4.0lt Ford V6 in it.

Owned an Explorer, they are a good vehicle.

Baz.

I think he was confused with a ford Escape/ Mazda tribute. Explorers are a piece of sh$t, they dont call them exploders for nothing, i worked with a guy that had one only 4 years old and had to replace both diffs and g/box transfer and it wasnt even used offroad. The current explorer sems ok and looking underneath looks very similar to the rear of a D3.

[wrex]

My 2 cents.....

I think what is important here is what sort of budget or age of vehicle are you looking at.

Then you can compare a new Disco with the new Grand Cherokee or even the Explorer. If you look at the old Explorer, up to 99 (I believe) were known to have plenty of problems and were really average on road due to their suspension not being tuned for "Australian Conditions" and not that good off road either due to poor approach/departure angles. I don't know much about the current shape explorer, it looks nice but I don't know how good they are.

Also, comparing the old Grand Cherokee to the new one, they are worlds apart.

Then you have the current D3 compared to the D2 which had live axles and not as much electronics as the current D3.

For some good advice, you would need to be aware of how much off road you want to use it for, the difficulty of off-road you are going to venture to and also what your budget is and also do you want 5 or 7 seats (I don't think the Jeep or Explorer have 7 seat options - could be wrong)

[Redback]

I think he was confused with a ford Escape/ Mazda tribute. Explorers are a piece of sh$t, they dont call them exploders for nothing, i worked with a guy that had one only 4 years old and had to replace both diffs and g/box transfer and it wasnt even used offroad. The current explorer sems ok and looking underneath looks very similar to the rear of a D3.

Another uninformed comment from someone that doesn't know anything about Explorers,

it's always "a mate had one and......blah balh blah"

Very similar to a toyota owning Landy expert:mad:

Baz.

[BigJon]

Another uninformed comment from someone that doesn't know anything about Explorers,

it's always "a mate had one and......blah balh blah"

Very similar to a toyota owning Landy expert:mad:

Baz.

I had to rescue a V8 Explorer from Dalhousie Springs back to Alice Springs. Under warranty, the water pump had failed (leaking coolant).

We had an earlier (6 cylinder) one traded in at work. It was a very unpleasant piece of machinery to drive. Seating position very odd, suspension soft and wallowy. Decent amount of grunt in a straight line though.

Should I now duck for cover too? :D:angel:

[mittadisco]

"I had to rescue a V8 Explorer from Dalhousie Springs back to Alice Springs. Under warranty, the water pump had failed (leaking coolant)."

Any MV can fail... I'm sure there are plenty of LR stories here to be told.

"suspension soft and wallowy."

Modelled on early discos?

"Decent amount of grunt in a straight line though."

Certainly not describing a diesel disco......

[mittadisco]

A bit off topic..... but may help your decision making.

The caption to the photo may speak a lot of wisdom:

"The happy couple in a horse drawn carriage - a safer option than a Land Rover
SSgt Rick Dawson RLC"

But read the whole story here (http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/PeopleInDefence/AMatchMadeInIraq.htm)



https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

[mittadisco]

Can't help myself... this might be a better option:

http://www.lr-mad.co.uk/images/cuthy.jpg

[loanrangie]

Another uninformed comment from someone that doesn't know anything about Explorers,

it's always "a mate had one and......blah balh blah"

Very similar to a toyota owning Landy expert:mad:

Baz.

If it was a friend of a friend kinda thing i wouldnt have mentioned it but since i worked with the guy and saw the crap he went thru with it, i believe its a fair comment.

[Redback]

I had to rescue a V8 Explorer from Dalhousie Springs back to Alice Springs. Under warranty, the water pump had failed (leaking coolant).

We had an earlier (6 cylinder) one traded in at work. It was a very unpleasant piece of machinery to drive. Seating position very odd, suspension soft and wallowy. Decent amount of grunt in a straight line though.

Should I now duck for cover too? :D:angel:

I had to rescue a certain forum member in a 95 Disco on a track down near Susex Inlet:p

http://forum.australia4wd.com/uploads/1103446358/gallery_43_4_1104359738.jpg

Baz:p

[loanrangie]

You obviously dont think enough of them to add it to your sig line :wasntme:.

[Redback]

You obviously dont think enough of them to add it to your sig line :wasntme:.

Drowned it:p

[100I]

Drowned it:p

Like an unwanted kitten?:angel:




:wasntme:
before anone gets upset, YES I DO HAVE A CAT

[loanrangie]

Like an unwanted kitten?:angel:




:wasntme:
before anone gets upset, YES I DO HAVE A CAT

Like the runt that nobody wants !

[FenianEel]

A bit off topic..... but may help your decision making.

The caption to the photo may speak a lot of wisdom:

"The happy couple in a horse drawn carriage - a safer option than a Land Rover
SSgt Rick Dawson RLC"

But read the whole story here (http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/PeopleInDefence/AMatchMadeInIraq.htm)



http://www.mod.uk/NR/rdonlyres/6ACDDCD4-EBFA-4309-AE4A-51BD47290D52/0/Savage_Day_05.jpg

Jeez, I hope they don't have offspring, talk about a pair of "hatfuls"
Did anyone read the story attached! ROFLMAO

Now for a bit of ACA/TT style editing and reporting

"In 2003 the couple were serving in the Royal Artillery in southern Iraq when their Land Rover hit a pot hole and Natalie was thrown out onto the ground."
FALSE - She stank and was ugly - they threw her out

"she was then attacked by a gang of Iraqi men who threw stones and kicked her as she lay helpless.
I'm sure she's used to it

But James, who had been driving the Land Rover, came to the rescue. Geez, he must be hard up

"When Natalie flew out of the car I thought she was dead," he said. "The people in the village we were in didn't like British troops and started really laying into her." Sounds familiar



But it seems the Iraqis can be chivalrous too, as James explained:
"I tried to pull them off her,
WHAT??:eek:
but there were so many of them I couldn't. It was only when I took her helmet off to show she was a woman that they got water to help her instead of beating her."
Jolly good show chaps
Natalie said:
"James was crying his eyes out."
Not sure that's the procedure set out in the field manual!
He thought he'd killed me.
Obviously he should have been going faster


:twisted::D

[HangOver]

I smell TROLL

no return comment for the originator

[460cixy]

she must realy eat alot of chicken. as for exploders there real quality working at a ford dealer here we see them daily. rear diffs weak chain driven transfers are made out of putty plus the pcm fails and locks it in 4x4 all the time. over head cam v6 that was based on a push rod v6 useing the old cam shaft as a jack shaft to run the over head cams with the chains at the rear of the engine with failing timeing chain tensioners no key ways on timeing sprockets to set up cam timeing failing wheel bearings rear windows that blow out for no reasion. how ever very first of the push rod v6 with 5speed manual only had almost no engine or trans problems. v8s also seem fairly trouble free except valve guied ware on the left hand head and again timeing chain tensioners but much easyer than the v6 to replace. and to finish it off try changeing a fuel filter on one

[incisor]

she must realy eat alot of chicken. as for exploders there real quality working at a ford dealer here we see them daily. rear diffs weak chain driven transfers are made out of putty plus the pcm fails and locks it in 4x4 all the time. over head cam v6 that was based on a push rod v6 useing the old cam shaft as a jack shaft to run the over head cams with the chains at the rear of the engine with failing timeing chain tensioners no key ways on timeing sprockets to set up cam timeing failing wheel bearings rear windows that blow out for no reasion. how ever very first of the push rod v6 with 5speed manual only had almost no engine or trans problems. v8s also seem fairly trouble free except valve guied ware on the left hand head and again timeing chain tensioners but much easyer than the v6 to replace. and to finish it off try changeing a fuel filter on one

its a visit to ron's punctuation and line spacing school for you my good man...

:P

[460cixy]

:2up: you will have to speak up im wearing a towel

[BradM]

Rashby I think the combined opinion is Disco II TD5 but it is a Landrover site.;)

[100I]

Wha? Steady Ned.

LPG'd V8 might be more usefull to him, he hasn't said what he intends to do with it yet...



EDIT. NO I think hangover's on the right track, everyone's been had..

[mcrover]

Hi guys,
been looking to buy a used medium size 4x4. Heard some bad things about a lot of makes out there. Wondering which models are the best. I dont do a whole lot of off roading but need a bigger car every now and then. Also have a priority on economy because I use it to get around town, prob mix of town highway driving. Options are to get a turbo diesel or a petrol then convert to gas. main options ive been looking at;

grand cherokee
ford explorer
jackaroo
dicovery

any of these duds, which are best to convert and have the engine longevity, comfort factor. cheers.

The Jack or the Disco are the only 2 decent choices but I know where you could get an exploder relatively cheap, come to think of it I could probably get you about 20 exploders relatively cheap because they are crap.

Ive owned 2 Cherokee's, they should have stuck with the XJ as they are pretty good but the grands are crap on crap, small inside and uncomfortable, under powered and unreliable as well as expensive to run and repair.

Jacks are a good solid car but with the diesels you need to be picky about what model you get as some of them had problems with injector rail and the V6's you may as well have a Disco V8 for fuel economy.

Disco's are a good balance on and off road in standard form but are still based on a solid chassis with live axel front end so an IFS Jack will be nicer on the road and a little more car like.

Dont discount a DID Pajero, they are a nice bus with plenty of room if your not going to take it off road too much.

[MarknDeb]

With mellons like that g, no military uniform could hide them, where the iraqis blind:wasntme:

[Snapper]

[QUOTE=rashby;595627]Hi guys,
been looking to buy a used medium size 4x4. Heard some bad things about a lot of makes out there. Wondering which models are the best. I dont do a whole lot of off roading but need a bigger car every now and then. Also have a priority on economy because I use it to get around town, prob mix of town highway driving. Options are to get a turbo diesel or a petrol then convert to gas. main options ive been looking at;






My Defender has a turning circle of a beached whale, not so good as a town car.

[Quiggers]

rashby gave us a choice of one...

of four vehicles

my next buy will be a late (03 -04) Disco 2 TD.

that choice is easy.

my wife is currently choosing a new small(ish) car -
she has 20 or more to test, and then decide....

for the record, my nearish neighbour, Paul, has an 03 Explorer, works fine for him and his family, but it is not an offroader, but his, umm, driveway, is a bit of a challenge - 300 metres of 'ruff as' and when wet, lotsa fun!

GQ

[FenianEel]

I smell TROLL

no return comment for the originator

And not even an offer of silicone wiper blades:D

[mcrover]

Another uninformed comment from someone that doesn't know anything about Explorers,

it's always "a mate had one and......blah balh blah"

Very similar to a toyota owning Landy expert:mad:

Baz.

Ok, I havnt owned an exploder because I think they are crap because of the 2 mates ones that I have had to fix and pull out of roads that a commodore could drive down

I know of another V8 one that the interior trim was falling appart, I saw it myself and it only had 1800km's on the clock, door trims, seat stitching, head lining.

The 3IC at work has one(V6), just got a quote on getting it RWC to sell, $10000, it's stuffed mind you he hasnt looked after it very well my other mates one (also V6) got traded in on a falcon after it granaded the engine after having the timing belt done AT A FORD DEALER.

There is no doubt that someone had to get a good one, you must have been it but the rest were crap.

[UncleHo]

G'day Rashby :)

I have read the other posts, so I will add my 2cents worth, I would go for a late>98/99, top of the range V8 Series 1 Discovery with all the bells and whistles, Cruise,Leather 7 seats,Bullbar, D/F Lights, as that will convert to under floor tanks and not need motor mods, it has an engine that with regular services will go 300,000klms without to many problems, yes, it is a pushrod motor but it's been around in many forms since the 60's it is proven, and it is very repairable. if you intend to keep the vehicle for a few years it would give good value for money as the V8's are K's cheaper that similar Diesels

That my 2 cents worth:)

cheers

[001525]

I asked this question on the Australian 4WD Action forum and boy did I open a can of worms not to mention a lot of smart **** remarks. My advice is to get hold of the Australian 4WD Action buyers guides. They cover a wide range of vehicles and offer some good advice for each model. Good luck.

[roverfj1200]

Austin Champ

http://www.austinchamp.com/

I miss my old champ...:wub:

[Redback]

Ok, I havnt owned an exploder because I think they are crap because of the 2 mates ones that I have had to fix and pull out of roads that a commodore could drive down

I know of another V8 one that the interior trim was falling appart, I saw it myself and it only had 1800km's on the clock, door trims, seat stitching, head lining.

The 3IC at work has one(V6), just got a quote on getting it RWC to sell, $10000, it's stuffed mind you he hasnt looked after it very well my other mates one (also V6) got traded in on a falcon after it granaded the engine after having the timing belt done AT A FORD DEALER.

There is no doubt that someone had to get a good one, you must have been it but the rest were crap.

No offence but that's 2 that you know of, out of how many sold world wide, you do know that they are the MOST popular 4WD sold in the world, they even out sell the entire toyota range.

Mmmm seems i've heard this story before, oh sorry that was me defending the Land Rover on 4WDMonthly forum:2up::2up:

[001525]

Everyone is going to have a different opinion. Like I said, check out the Australian 4WD Action buyer's guides. You can also get further information from vehicle reviews on the internet just by typing in something like Land Rover Discovery review or Nissan Patrol review as an example. You can narrow your choice of vehicle down to what you want it to do and what you expect to get out of it. There is no such thing as one single best 4x4. They all have their pros and cons. You will have to compromise on things like fuel economy, power, interior space etc. One is going to be thirstier than the next or it might not be as capable off road but superb on the black top and vice versa. Vehicle choice is a very personal thing and it's all things to all people. The one thing that appears to be accepted universally is that the most popular true off roaders are Land Rover Defender and Discovery, Nissan Patrols and Toyota Lancruisers. All the rest come in at second place with a few more that don't even rate a mention.