The bumped TAT thread by skierd has renewed my (and the wife's interest since she started reading the thread with me) in aquiring a vehicle of this nature.
I wouldn't be ready to pick one up until about this time next year, so it would give me plenty of time to research the trucks, best $$$ for mods spent, etc etc.
I wouldn't be interested in some exo-skeleton, rock crawler. Something with a small lift, slightly larger tires, that could handle getting far off the beaten path without being a complete travesty on the highway at 65.
You mean like an expedition truck?
expeditionportal.com
Edit: D'oh, beaten!
Yeah, kind of like skierd's bike, but with a Jeep so you could have a bit more stuff with you.
Rack up top with extra fuel, etc.
Any reasonable way to get a diesel in an XJ?
Diesel, yes. Lots of home brewed 4Bt swaps. A few less Mercedes swaps. And both home brew and commercial VW TDi swaps.
http://www.hpamotorsport.com/tdijeep.htm
Or is there a better durable, affordable used vehicle for what I'm looking to do?
z31maniac wrote:
Or is there a better durable, affordable used vehicle for what I'm looking to do?
Inb4 Tommy and "Trooper."
PHeller
UltraDork
10/10/12 11:19 a.m.
modernbeat wrote:
http://www.hpamotorsport.com/tdijeep.htm
Whoa...I would be almost tempted to buy a compete swap.
Pirate4X4 dot com addressed every off roader I can imagine. It's a good source for information. things for sale and even some empty trailer moves.
They're mostly left coasters.
z31maniac wrote:
Or is there a better durable, affordable used vehicle for what I'm looking to do?
LandCruiser, depending on your definition of affordable.
93EXCivic wrote:
z31maniac wrote:
Or is there a better durable, affordable used vehicle for what I'm looking to do?
Range Rover. 
You know.... $5000 spent in the right places on a Range Rover Classic could very well be one of the more durable vehicles you could put together. ESPECIALLY if you got your hands on a base model that didn't have the dozens of ridiculous options on it. (All electrical.)
In reply to 92CelicaHalfTrac:
Believe me I have thought long and hard about that or importing an ex British Army Defender.
93EXCivic wrote:
In reply to 92CelicaHalfTrac:
Believe me I have thought long and hard about that or importing an ex British Army Defender.
The Range Rover Classic seems easier and cheaper.
EvanB wrote:
z31maniac wrote:
Or is there a better durable, affordable used vehicle for what I'm looking to do?
LandCruiser, depending on your definition of affordable.
I think Landcruiser or ZJ may be a better answer than an XJ anyway.
I'm not sure the wife likes how small the XJs are.
I would put a realistic purchase of the vehicle in the $3-4k range. But around here that doesn't seem to go far.........where are the deals found?
ZJs are better only because they can often be found for cheaper than XJs. Because they aren't as desirable.
They're also no bigger than XJs, really. They look bigger, but there's no more room inside, and they're actually lower.
Oh, and they feel WAY more underpowered than an XJ. And come bonus with a Chrysler transmission instead of the Aisin in the XJ.
Thoughts on the LandCruisers?
z31maniac wrote:
Thoughts on the LandCruisers?
Way more expensive in the same condition as an equivalent XJ, but probably a bit more comfortable depending on your tastes, heavier, bigger.
Awesome trucks, and as much as it pains me to say it as a Toyota fanboi... i'd take an XJ for the price all day every day.
I believe the Land Cruiser to get is the one with the 1FZ motor... big inline 6.
Bigger and more comfortable are not bad things in my view. 
You are talking about the 94-97 Landcruisers, right?
z31maniac wrote:
Bigger and more comfortable are not bad things in my view.
You are talking about the 94-97 Landcruisers, right?
Yeah that run... i may have messed up on engine, i think the 1FZ trucks were one generation before that.
http://www.expeditionportal.com/resources/91-guide/351-top-10-used-overland-vehicles.html
Check that link out... the 100-series will probably make you run screaming for the hills at the price, but the 80-series might be found in decent shape for a RELATIVELY reasonable price if you're very patient.
I also wouldn't hesitate to go older if you find a nice one.
Just have to figure out how important "bigger" is to you.
How big are you? I find my XJ positively roomy, but then again, i'm only 5'9".
But seriously, Trooper is the answer.
I gotta second the Trooper. The 88-91 are more Spartan and IMHO a better pure off roader, but the 92-97 ain't bad. 98-up is a pretty nice rig but like most any car toward the end of its run they got pretty bloated and cushy. The 98-up TOD is nice for a pavement DD and snowy roads, but IMHO won't come close to a part time system in true off roading.There's stories of the TOD programming disengaging the front axle on steep drops.
If you go Trooper huntin' check the ID plate in the engine compartment. G80 = limited slip rear axle. 
Nobody has mentioned 4Runner? Toyota reliability, toughness that even the Taliban loves in the Hindu Kush mountains, and if you get an old one you can run with the top off :)
