Perhaps. But unless you're trying to pull a full Kaczynski, you'll drive it on gravel and/or pavement most of the time....possibly at freeway speeds. When that happens, I'd find myself wondering about this:
http://www.aev-conversions.com/products/jk_hemi/

Or possibly the diesel version.

I won't argue that a Hemi would be fun, but I still think it's missing the point. A Jeep isn't supposed to go fast. It's made to drive well offroad. Period. Sure, many drivers don't ever take it off road, but they could.

I love my Land Cruiser. It's slow as hell and drinks gas like I drink beer. But it's made to be simple, bombproof, and kick ass offroad. Every aspect of the truck is focused on the singular goal of being able to drive it to hell and back. Like willtel said, it's refreshing to drive a vehicle that was designed to be awesome at one thing, without a real eye towards compromise.

I hate myself for saying this but vash you might look at an older Range Rover. They are very capable off-road and very comfortable on-road with soft coil springing and a decent wheelbase (about 100" IIRC). Carry a reasonable load, room for four or five. Can be easily lifted, there are ARB kits, etc.

The reason I hate myself is that my 95 RR LWB County has been a maintenance hog and a depreciation nightmare. But, almost all of that maintenance has been for the luxury electrical stuff including the cursed electronic air suspension (EAS), the basic vehicle is very solid. And the depreciation means you can get a very clean, all but perfect older RR (pre-EAS) for $2K. I will sell you mine for $500 except that I know you.

Range Rover? Bah! If you want an old SUV that you can drive through brick walls, an FJ80 Land Cruiser is your only choice.:D My 1991 with 191k drives like a new one. Plus, you know it's going to actually start when you turn the key.

Hey Cliff,

I have a 2004 Wrangler (TJ) Unlimited, which means it is the slightly longer wheelbase version of the standard Wrangler. What it gives up to a short wheelbase TJ in off-roading (had it on the Rubicon) it makes up for with the extra space it has behind the rear seat. We can actually fit our 2 kids and the Lab + a weekend full of gear in there.

Lets not forget that we live in Cali, and come spring time the top comes off and does not go back on until Fall.

I would not own a Wrangler if the top did not come off. Hard top goes on for the winter, soft top or no top all summer long. You don't get the full effect unles the doors are also removed.

You guys REALLY need to stop all this FJ60/80 talk! :D

You're making it very hard to forget about the two I have my eye on...

All production model SUV's are small potatoes compared to the Land Cruiser. The off road abilities combined with the reliability make them far superior to today's competition, which is 18-21 years behind the curve. Craigster59 has a FJ62, and a very nice one. I wish he would sell it to me.

In 1991 they changed a few things, such as full time 4wd, cruise, 3rd row seating, body style, but the one thing that I really like about the FJ80, which came out as 1991 year model and ended after 1992, is the front suspension changing from leaf springs to coil. I'm not busting on Craig's cruiser one bit, it's bad ass vehicle which is better than what anyone other than Toyota produces today, but the FJ80 is so much smoother on and off road.

I'm quite a bit biased as there are 7 Land Cruisers that range from 1974 to 1995 in my immediate family. Eight counting the '03 Lexus 470. We've had 10 altogether.

You don't want a Jeep, man.

If I had a Land Cruiser, I'd need a can opener to take the top off.:p

Nope, the top comes off on the FJ40.

You're obviously out of your element as that XJ axle held on for quite a while given the dumb things they were doing to it. That video demonstrated improper recovery, not poor build quality.

My jeep isn't for everyone. Sure works for me though. When this one dies, I'll go get another one. Maybe one of them 4 doors.

My jeep is like my Porsche. Lots of years of development, sometimes some of the development wasn't in the right direction, but its okay. Rather drive a crappy jeep than a excellent (fill in the blank here with most other cars not Jeeps or Porsches)

How about a 1st gen 4Runner?:)

http://www.wabfab.org/products/bikin...nitopjosh1.jpg

Looks to me like a large piece of tin over the front seats. Sorry. By the way- Do the Toyota's doors come off in less than a minute? Didn't think so.

It's also reliable.:cool:

Camrys are reliable, too. <Yawn> Doesn't mean I'll ever own one.

I've had four Jeeps, no problems. Three Wranglers (one purchased form an insurance auction) and a Cherokee that has well over 200,000 miles when some friends asked if they could buy it.

holy....!

craigster that is hot. i would love a bunch of 4x4's..early broncos, myriad of early toyotas...A DEFENDER! they are all cool.

i just got back from south lake tahoe. the amount of offroad hardware running around up there made me ill with envy. i want one. for hunting duty, a lightly modified small trailer would make sense..

damn, i hate being a hillbilly.

Just giving you crap. Like I said, I'd like a newer 4 door Rubicon.

Mine did. The "large piece of tin" also could be moved around if you put the effort in :)
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1245469345.jpg