What would you choose ?

[lowbox]

Now this is probabley a bit of a crazy thing to ask on a forum. I need to make a choice about buying a 4x4 in the spring. I have run an XJ, Range Rover, Defender and a few others in the past, all solid axles. I would like to keep the XJ, but I have to look to a bigger vehicle at some stage............

Criteria, I need a diesel, bags of room as we use the vehicle for camping and touring, and occasionaly we sleep in the wagon, the XJ is a bit cramped. Would prefer hi and lo, and any extras such as LSD or locker. The vehicle is used off road, forest trails, axle deep mud, snow and I got to be able to use as a daily driver.

I have been looking around and a number of vehicles have caught my eye, however I do not know how well they perform off road.

I do not intend to spend a lot of money on big lifts, a small lift maybe, set of tyres, good recovery points and a couple of off road lights. And we will see how it goes from there...................

So here goes, what would you choose? An Isuzu Trooper (Jackaroo) or BigHorn, Toyota Surf, Nissan X-Trail, Jeep Grand Cherokee, and finally just to confuse things a Patrol, all around year 2000 or a bit newer........

Of course there might be some thing I have missed so suggestions welcome.

Lowbox

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Our XJ in the snow last year.

[stu050]

Lowbox,

For mine, a diesel 100 series Toyota Landcruiser. (see my shed pics) :D

Where are you located?

[chikoroll]

how much are you looking to spend?

surfs have no balls and are too small (you said you wanted bigger than the jeep)

aslong as you don't want a big lift, the Jackaroo will do what you want (and you have the fun of laughing at the bigger trucks when they look down on it, yet you keep up with them), extremely reliable engine, if you are gonna fit bigger tyres, and not a gear ratio change, get an auto, the manual will struggle a bit with heavy weights on the bigger rubber, the diesels also have fantastic fuel economy...

X-trail is too small

Patrol's a bit pricey...

[lowbox]

In the UK where I am writing from, all the vehicles are around 5 to 6K in pounds that is, that I will be looking at to get an idea of prices here go to Auto Trader UK - Buy & Sell New & Used Cars, Car Loans, Car Insurance (http://www.autotrader.co.uk) . Patrol and Cruiser are both at the top end of my price range. I can't afford much more and do mods, and put on a set of decent rubber on.
Yes Stu I looked at the Cruiser and I have not made up mind about the 100, I prefered the Patrol in looks, however I know both are good.
Chikoroll thanks for the feed back on the Surf, I had not seen many off road and not much on the forums about them. There are not many in the UK any way, however they seemed like they might suit the bill, but I have not had the chance to do measure up. I am not familiar with the engine, but being a Yota I figured it would be OK ? They may be off the list.......
I am getting the impression the Trooper, Jackaroo, is possible, I have just found a UK forum Isuzu Trooper Owners Club UK - free to join isuzu trooper, rodeo and bighorn owners community (http://www.itocuk.co.uk) which may be of some help.
Any further feedback welcome...
Lowbox

[boof]

From your list and needs I would have to say the Patrol it is the only diesel in your list with heaps of room. The others are only as big as or smaller than the Jeep you have.

[steelo]

As much as I hate to say it, Boof is right, the Patrol is the only 1 you've mentioned that's got the size, & with a 4.2 t/d the low down power.
Maybe a really good GQ could be the go so you have some pounds left for any mods. Don't know about over there but over here you can get some really good deals on them, GQ's that is.
The Jackaroo is a good 2nd pic but I wouldn't in all honesty suggest the others as being in your criteria.

p.s. it was the Patrol that I was talking about hating to agree about not you Boof.:thumb:

[cac]

i'm a little surprised the land rovers aren't on your list.....i would have thought a defender would fit the bill nicely...ok so it lacks somewhat in creature comforts compared to the other vehicles you mention, but apart from that, i don't see why it would be a problem

[chikoroll]

From your list and needs I would have to say the Patrol it is the only diesel in your list with heaps of room. The others are only as big as or smaller than the Jeep you have.

the jackaroo has
2 foot extra room in the cargo area front to back, and the tyre is outside so that isn't an issue either... 6" more head room, and heaps of room in the engine bay

take the patrol and the jackaroo for a testdrive
the patrol might be a bit too big for your parking over there

[lowbox]

Hi Guys thanks for your input, here is some feedback so far, more soon....

Well I have been to have a look at a Patrol and a Jack (Trooper) today. I did not have time to do a test drive as had to get fireworks organised for big do tommorow.

The Citation model had a 3.6 in it and I did not like it anywhere as much as the Duty with the 3.0. We did measure the back with the rear seats folded up and the Duty had 68 inches, five more than the XJ with base swab removed ! The Patrol had 63 inches with the seats folded up same as the XJ without swab, though if I could remove the seats easily, it would be 74 inches in the Nissan, that means it would be the same dimensions as 110 Defender in the rear.

The Patrol was slightly wider inside at the wheel arches than the Jack' but again only slightly, that was a suprise. Nissan has designed the seats to fold up the same way as the Jackaroo, but they are some what heavier and thicker swabs.

The Jacks interior was not quite as nice as the Patrol, though to be fair the Nissan was an SE so had full leather, etc. I only just fitted in the seat of the Patrol, more head room in th Jack' though no sunroof.
Now I will have to get time out behind the wheel to make a choice, but the Patrol sounded good, heck what an engine bay!

I did get a quick look at a VX, mmm not sure about that one. Not a good example. I think the Patrol has it as far the Mrs. is concerned ......
:thumb:

Out of the two engines 2.8TD and 3.0TD which is the best on the Patrol, I would assume the 3.0 ?

Thanks
LowBox

Below is the XJ on the way to work last year, note tyre on custom Thule rack. This is now a four bar set up with custom cb areial mount.

12781

2.5 TD 1996 LTD SE
VM updated heads, rods and seals
HD Lesjofors rear springs
1" Spacers
Front disconnects, no rear sway bar
CB, driving lights, light guards,front and rear recovery points, etc