i am very interested in off roading myself, and i was wondering if there were any other people on the board here who enjoyed that as a hobby. i have a 94 toyota excab that gets to be made more "capable" this summer.

danny

Hi Danny,

I love off roading. I currently have an 02 Wrangler, and frequently go off roading. One of my favorite things to do. I have modified the Jeep pretty extensively, but am currently in the process of tearing it apart and selling off the pieces. Change in marrital status, and owning giant breed dogs that don't fit in Jeep with wife and all the gear necessitate this. Still keeping a 4wd though. Wife wants a Land Rover Disco, and while I like that, am also looking at 4 door 4wd truck.

Keep the dogs.

Best off roading is done with your legs and a pack.

Motor vehicles tear up and damage too much too fast.

Besides, what's the point if you are in a metal box instead of being a real part of the off road experience?

Bountyhunter (Yes, I am a tree hugger!)

Good for you <img src="images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I thought tree-huggers were an endangered species in this forum <img src="images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

aardwolfe:

Without us tree huggers, motor vehicles couldn't run because of the lack of oxygen necessary for internal combustion engines, not to mention internal human and other animal lungs.

Those of you that justify 4-wheel drive houses with running water for emergency "bug out" scenerios (wheather short term or long term) should go see the movie "Deep Impact" for about 24 hours straight. All of you will end up in huge traffic jams except for motorcycles and foot travelers, and in the end, just foot travelers will continue on.

Bountyhunter

iljeepguy-- good luck finding a new rig, what kind of trucks have you been looking at?

as far as bug out scenarios, no... thats not what my trucks for, although im sure there are people out there. i just enjoy working on my truck and taking it to the off road trails there are. as far as tearing up the environment, yes there are a lot of irresponsible drivers who ruin things for everyone. its important to stick to the trails that already exist, and leave minimal impact even though it is already a trail. this isnt too difficult to do. i know that one of the larger off-road areas by my house has a cleanup every year that everyone loves to take part in so to keep the park open, and off-roaders out of other areas, and limited to the ORV area. in doing this, i think that you can have a lot of fun, still care a lot about the environment, and add an element to the outdoor experience that is enjoyable for many.

there is nothing like going down a really tough trail in your truck, or over impossible looking rocks knowing that you built your rig so it could do that (of course theres also nothing like breaking it completely and spending time in the garage trying to get it to work again <img src="images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

danny

My father and mother used to love off-roading. My father had a 60's blazer with 40" tires on a 9" rise....not only that it had the plow frame on there for winter work. <img src="images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" /> He drove that until it rusted to pieces in the 90's. He went from off-roading to fast, now he drives a Mustang cobra, but the diesel suburban in the garage isn't going anywhere soon. <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

well, it is hard to argue with the rush of a mustang

Disco has limited loadspace. You might like to try a Land Rover Defender 110 or Range Rover Classic. I have a 76 RR Classic, a labrador and a malinois.

Burak

Well, the disco is a limited on space, but has a metric butt ton of room as compared to my Jeep Wrangler. Also, the wife insists on getting something newish that will have at least some type of waranty. Land Rover pulled the Defender line here in the states back in 97 and hasn't sold a Defender 110 since 93 I think. The Defender 110 double cab pickup (available in UK but not here) would be my first option. So, the search goes on. In the mean time I am tearing down the Jeep and selling off the pieces since the sum of the parts is worth more than the whole.

Well just beware before you get into the Land Rover illness <img src="images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

A Disco is a really nice vehicle to own and drive. It is very comfortable and forgiving. Read this http://www.lrfaq.org/FAQ.6.taylorFAQ.html first and then visit www.discoweb.org and see both sides of the LR world <img src="images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

It is never over in a Rover.

Burak

I have wanted to get a Landy since 15 years (just another 20 and I'll have the money <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />), but I'd also consider a Unimog. <img src="images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Ahh, the Unimog, very cool vehicle, but HUGE and inappropriate in most senarios. Looks as if a Daimler / Chrylser product may be a choice. A friend can get me a great deal on one of their vehicles. (employee cost [roughly 5% under invoice] and all rebates) Still too early to tell though.

So you know about the Unimog, I didn't expect to get a reply. <img src="images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

I think Mercedes is now officially selling it's acclaimed Geländewagen in the US, but it's about as much as a Unimog or four Defenders. <img src="images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Yes, they are selling the Gelanderwagen (sorry can't make an Umlaut) and yes, they are very expensive. Until I win the lottery, I will have to stick with something a little less expensive. Of course, if I win the lotto, I would probably spend just as much money on a Hummer (original not H2) and then, I would have to buy an oil company to be able to supply the diesel for it.

I had rebuilt a 1976 404 into a camper a few years ago. It was an ex-military koffer. I had to sell it last year. But I still want a DOKA.

I know nothing that is better than a UNIMOG off-road.

Burak

a H2 is nothing but a Chevy truck with a different body on it. Go for an ex-military one if you ever would.

Burak

I love the unimog, that's my idea of an off roader. A few of my friends and I chipped together and bought an 8x8 M.A.N. tractor unit, which used to tow ICBM's around Germany. We bought it for raids like the Paris-Dakar, (who don't accept 8x8's, 4x4 or 6x4 only). Maybe this will change. When I left to live in France I had to sell my share, as far as I know she's still competiting. Her last "race" was in Saudi a year or so ago. I can't remeber all the details about her, other than she weighted in over 13T when we finished with the mods but could pull 44T as if is wasn't there, awesome doesn't come close. If I ever get my finances back in to some sort of order I'd still love to do the Paris - Dakar. <sigh>.

I know there are nice Belgian troop carrier Unimogs in France. I think I know the MAN truck you mention and all I can say is wow!



I like the MAN trucks they have nice diff designs. Hope you get to Paris-Dakar one day.

Burak

Yeah she was very similar to your picture althought she had a double cab and a standard fifth wheel inplace of the hook. Your image brings back fond memories thank you.