Best Alternative to Toyota FJ40

I agree 100%. I misunderstood M8s, thinking he just wanted a good trailhead accessor. I've taken the my RAV, which has the 2.4L 4 cyl 160 hp 5 spd manual and LOTS of power, to many places in the CO/NM backcountry. I know what it can and cannot do. But it is more rally car than rock crawler.

I'd love to have a Land Cruiser of any year. My cousin restored a diesel FJ that he imported from Canada and it is stunning! But the newer ones are expensive and so I have Sequoia's instead. I think perhaps you meant Land Rover? My sister had one of those, an early 2000s Discovery, and paid either the Land Rover dealer or the Land Rover independent specialist about $2000/yr in repairs and maintenance. Imagine being told, "Yes, we can fix the leak at the rear main seal, but it will only last a year or two." She has a Pathfinder now -- cheaper than a comparable 4Runner. My mom had a 96 Grand Cherokee LTD, pretty nice inside, but the V6 was way underpowered, and it was on its 3rd fuel pump when the transmission went. That thing was damn squirrly on ice too -- perhaps due to the full time 4x4 -- Mom and I both lost control of it on separate occasions, and it has never happened to us in any other vehicle because we are pretty cautious winter drivers. She had a Highlander LTD now and needs it, living at 8000' in Colorado. I have never owned a Jeep but I have owned Chrysler products and every last one was a POS, the worst of the big 3.

 

I thought the secret to handling soft sand was lowering the tire pressure.

 

Yes, I meant to say Land Rover, and I agree they are expensive and expensive to work on. Also, I have a hard time comparing a Jeep Grand Cheokee to a Jeep Wrangler (the only real Jeep IMO). The CJ/YJ/TL Wrangler Style Jeep has not changed in years, and there's good reason. Also, the in-line 6 is the only way to go in any Jeep product, they have a strong reputation of going 300K miles or better and are extremely easy to work on. Jeep CJ/YJ/TJ models do hold up relatively well, however, I do need to caveat that with reliability having a direct correlation to use! If you're beating the crap out of it rock crawling, then yea, thinbs break, but you generally know that going in. On the plus side, parts are readily available and relatively cheap. As for any other product sold under the Chrysler brand, I'm with you, they are crap, and I wouldn't own one!

 

Behold the beauty of a low range transfer case... It's amazing how that and low gears really make a Jeep feel as if it could climb a telephone pole! As previoulsy mentioned, airing down the tires is key when traversing soft sand, that and not stopping in the middle of it, as you eluded to by your method of cross soft sand on your motorcycle. In a situation of 12" deep sand, ground clearance and high flotation tires will be your best bet! And don't forget the portable air pump so you can add air before getting back on the blacktop!

I really wanted a 2005 or 2006 Wrangler when I was looking. Those years have the 6 speed manual transmission. Also, the 4 cyl in those is a dual overhead cam design that does give a little more power over the previous model 4. I'd still opt for the 6 cly if you can find one, especially if you ever plan on towing a trailer (which it sounds you might if you have motorcycles). The "X" is the base model, it's the same model I have. Depending upon the options, the only difference I've been able to find from the "Sport" is I don't have cruise control.

 

If it is just the two of you, what about a small pick up?
Not as glamorous as a Jeep or FJ, but having the bed on hand can be handy.

 

I've owned at least one of every Land Cruiser, 4Runner (except newest gen) and FJ Cruiser models ever imported into the US.

IMO the FJ Cruiser with the full-time 6M/T drivetrain (w/RR locker standard) comes closest to your needs but has a fixed roof.

I've driven mine stock over most of the Oregon Trail in my state, navigate trails rated 4 out of 5 through mountain passes and sail through moderate sand and snow with stock tires. It would easily handle any of the roads/trails you mention. The M/T has an~ 45:1 crawl vs. ~32:1 on the A/T's. Not the 65:1 on Rubicon, but more than adequate with the 1GR 4.0 V-6 VVT-i low-end torque.

You can find an '07 (late production w/A-TRAC mod) for mid-teens most anywhere.

 

Not all Jeeps are slow. My 1972 Jeep C-J5 came from the factory with a V8. That was a very small truck for that big of an engine. It couldn't go much over 90 mph as it ran out of gears, but it was pretty quick up to that.

In truth you don't need a lot of power off road, except under some very special circumstances. It's mostly gearing. One of my friends had a Jeep with a straight six, the other had a four. They all did fine off road.

Tom

 

Ha! Yep, they certainly aren't race cars, that's for sure! Did it have the 4 or 6? The 4 is definitely lacking on the road! The AT doesn't help either, on either engine. I have the 5 speed with the 6, but my Prius would still easily blow it away. But then again, that's not what their made for, and they are good at what they are made for. The AT tends to suck gas too...

A buddy has a 2004 Sahara with the AT and 6 cyl and I tend to leave him behind when we take off in the Jeeps (especially from a stop light). He says the best he gets on gas mileage is 14 mpg, my last tank I got 18 mpg, and that was all city driving. But then again, I tend to drive the Jeep like I drive the Prius, and I doubt he drives that conservatively.

 

This is what you need, a nice new 2011 Icon FJ44! Only $150K

 

I'm betting they'd take $99K, that's $51K less than a new one! What a bargain! Gotta love the internet!