In reply to EvanB :
The Montero was awesome and I say this as one who dislikes trucks (but admittedly loves 80s type things). It made no pretenses about what it was, and this meant it was able to be good at it.
It towed amazingly well, too. Yeah you couldn't pull hills in top gear at 1500 or whatever, but so what. It's a 6G72, let it sing.
irish44j (Forum Supporter) said:That said, pretty sure they've always used the Land Cruiser Prado frame and running gear, not the 4Runner (though plenty of parts cross-over)
Starting with the 4th Generation, 4Runners are based on the Land Cruiser Prado 120. I love mine. 338500 miles and still going!
irish44j (Forum Supporter) said:John Welsh said:
Isuzu Trooper too
I looked into Troopers when I got my Monty, and the part that stopped me was the surprising lack of both aftermarket and regular OEM-replacement parts, or at least it seemed so. Plus it's rare to find someone parting them out, since there just aren't many left. I was like 5 minutes from buying one when I bailed, and I'm pretty happy I did for those reasons.
Meanwhile, the Monteros (aka Pajeros, Shoguns, Raiders, Gallopers) were sold all over the world for many years, so you can still buy OEM parts for the 80s trucks from Korea (Hyundai Galloper), the middle east, and literally any small town in south/central America (plus the US), and the engines were basically the same as a million Chrysler minivans in the 80s/90s. There are huge, active parts groups on social media, etc. I can get any part I need for my '89 pretty easily.
I had to hunt and hunt for a hood release cable for my Trooper, and when I finally found it, it took almost 3 months to arrive from somewhere far, far away. Your concern about parts availability is real. And the 3.5's all consume oil like it's their job. But, I like em. Have had 3.
After driving one in Costa Rica, I decided that a manual, diesel Prado was my dream vehicle in this category. Now, just have to smuggle one in.
My 2001 LX470 might be for sale - relatively low mileage (145k), decent shape over all but it really doesn't like sitting around and unfortunately that's what it does almost all the time.
There's a link to the Cars & Bids auction in this LM thread: https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/trucks-tow-vehicles-trailers/learn-me-lexus-lx470-gx470/228965/page1/#post4008145
PM me if interested and no, I'm not expecting anything like what I paid for it.
In reply to Floating Doc (Forum Supporter) :
if you can find one of these for 5-10k, let me know and i'll buy at least 3
I haven't driven a Montero but I think that would be my first choice, otherwise a 955 or 957 Cayenne. I don't think you will find a Lexus or Toyota that's anywhere close to ready for daily use for your budget though. The Pathfinder (or the Infiniti version) or one of the Jeeps should be doable too. I have driven a couple different Expeditions and they actually handle decently well on the road but were not that great off road.
I'd probably make are really poor decision like lifting a gen 1 Cayenne.
Lexus GX, Porsche Cayenne and Mercedes ML430/500 to be unique. I'd go for the Lexus above any the suggestions in this thread so far.
As a Montero fan I love the idea of one. Personally I have owned all versions and have to say my favorite is the Gen 3 hands down. That said I decided to get a XJ Jeep this time as they are easier to work on and super common. I wish it was a Gen 3 Montero but not willing to start all over again.
Depends on how big you want to go, but GMT400 Yukon Denalis and Escalades have the autotrak transfer case. I think all 4x4 GMT800 Tahoes and Yukons have it as well. You can tell because in addition to 2 hi, 4 hi, and 4 lo, there's a button that says 4wd auto. If it doesn't have the auto button, then it isn't an autotrak t case and so is more like a typical truck t-case. Engages the front axle but lets the transfer case freewheel until slip is detected, and then sends torque to the front as needed via an electronically modulated clutch. Basically a 2wd until you actually need 4wd, and then back to 2wd when you're done needing it. Works great, though if you're paying attention you can feel it when it engages.
Lighter vehicles are always going to feel better in the snow, along with having good tires. My favorite snow vehicles have been 3000 lbs or less regardless of how many or which wheels are driven.
A bit off topic, but how does the 4wd work in the third gen 4Runner (2002)? When I press the 4WD button, is it driving all four wheels? Or just when it slips?
Funny thing is, this montero just popped in my FB feed:
The montero sport took 10 years of abuse from my friend who is not what I would call good at maintaining cars and is still running. I would rock either.
CyberEric said:A bit off topic, but how does the 4wd work in the third gen 4Runner (2002)? When I press the 4WD button, is it driving all four wheels? Or just when it slips?
Unlike early 3rd gens that have a transfer case that allows you to engage 4x4 instead of 4x2, '01-'02 4Runners have multi-mode 4WD system, which means they have a center differential.
I don't know how the selectors work on the 4Runner i.e. what buttons you push, but with 4WD enabled, all wheels won't be driven until they slip. With both 4WD enabled and the center diff locked (I think you'll have to disable VSC to do this) then all wheels are driven.
Lots of good suggestions above. I'd add the Nissan Xterra. There are lots of them out there, and they are quite a bit less than a Toyota. Can be had with a rear locker, and even a manual. They can be parts bin upgraded with Titan axles and suspension parts, or even the V8 if you want to take it a step further.
The Volkswagen Touareg is very good off-road stock, with available lockers all around and air suspension. They are expensive to fix, especially said air suspension- but the buy in is really low. Can't be worse than a Disco, could it?
In reply to No Time :
The WK/XK Jeeps have, to my understanding, three AWD options: Quadratrac 1, which is just regular AWD without low range, Quadratrack 2, which has LO, and QuadraDrive 2, which is the one that has AWD/ LO with automatic electronically controlled limited slip front and rear diffs. That's the one you want if you're going to do any wheeling. Any Hemi-equipped Jeep Commander or Grand Cherokee from that generation should have QDII. (I believe it also came on the diesel Grand Cherokee). I've been considering a one of these myself for the off road/towing capacity combo.
Commanders with a slight lift look GREAT.
3.7L V6 or 4.7L V8
Completely avoid the 3.7, it's crap. The 4.7 is good. Not great but good.
The Commander has a 3rd row. Pull that out and customize a better cargo area.
Boost_Crazy said:Lots of good suggestions above. I'd add the Nissan Xterra. There are lots of them out there, and they are quite a bit less than a Toyota. Can be had with a rear locker, and even a manual. They can be parts bin upgraded with Titan axles and suspension parts, or even the V8 if you want to take it a step further.
I don't believe there are any AWD variants of the Xterra.
theruleslawyer said:I'd probably make are really poor decision like lifting a gen 1 Cayenne.
Not that it probably wouldn't be a disaster, but I see 955 Cayennes on the road nearly every day still. For as old as they are now that is at least somewhat of an accomplishment. I have driven a couple and they seem nice too.
Did someone say Full Time 4WD?
1975-79 Dodge Ramchargers (and Plymouth Traildusters) came with the NP203 Full Time 4WD transfer case. This is probably far from what you want, but it would look the coolest! Plus, the top comes off like a big Jeep Wrangler! Magnum swap it, retrofit EFI, and it would be somewhat dependable, too.
(In all seriousness, I like the Montero and Commander ideas. Lifted Commanders look amazing.)
budget_bandit said:In reply to Floating Doc (Forum Supporter) :
if you can find one of these for 5-10k, let me know and i'll buy at least 3
They're all over FL at sub 10k prices.
I still think it's a bad idea but I stumbled upon this local to you ..
1996 w/81k @$19k!
Dealer front plate
I've been pretty happy with my H3T. It's a 2009 Adventure. Locking front and rear diffs. AWD/4H/4L. It has been pretty much unstoppable off road. Currently sitting on 35" tires instead of the OE 33" tires. Mine is the 3.7. While it's not gutless it spends a lot of time above 3k RPM and gets E36 M3 for fuel economy. It will be getting a turbocharger kit this winter.
If I was shopping for an H3, I'd be looking for an Alpha with the 5.3. They are fairly thin on the ground and bring a higher price but the V8 would be well worth the extra $$$.
Edit to add: If you are buying in the land of road salt, do a careful inspection on any Hummers. Frame rust is a thing.
Brett_Murphy (Agent of Chaos) said:Starting with the 4th Generation, 4Runners are based on the Land Cruiser Prado 120. I love mine. 338500 miles and still going!
Same - I just sold my '05 V8 4runner with 255k to my brother in law who needed a little convincing on mileage but will have another 150k easy. The only thing to watch for on the 4runner and GX is frame rot. Market price on my car would have been about $6k - find a non-crusty one and drive on!
In reply to Toyman! :
I can't remember the last time I saw an H3, so rust isn't an issue anymore 
Actually, I do remember it. It was four years ago. The ignition coils rusted out. A couple months later, the fuel sending unit started leaking, and the area where the fuel tank mounts to the frame on the outside simply crumbled when we tried to remove the tank.
If you want to stretch the budget a bit and be super cool...
https://www.facebook.com/share/18e6SChaN2/?mibextid=79PoIi
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