I am looking for a REAL 4wd for doing some real 4wd work, it will be used in fire trails, and quite a lot of sand work, it won't see a lot of mud action.
What should I purchase?
I would like to use my F-350, but I don't want to lift 10" and put huge tyres on it because I tow 8000+ pounds often, and finding suitable off road parts for a Superduty is difficult here in Oz. Idealy I would like to buy another Superduty and lift it etc. but the budget doesn't allow that (My XL F-350 cost the equivelant of US$65000, after serious bargaining...) So far this is the list on order of preference. I would like to know what peoples opinions/experiences with the below models are (in order of my current preference): Is there anything obvious I am missing?

1. Mercedes Benz Unimog (1980's ish)
2. Land Rover 90
3. CJ40 Jeep
4. Ford Bronco (any version)
5. Original Range Rover
6. Toyota Landcruiser

 

Landcruiser FJ40 is a real Tank, I have a 1969 model. Not sure what you might find in your location though.

 

There are heaps of FJ40 landcruisers around here, in fact all the vehicles I mentioned are resonably easily to purchase, although there are very few original Bronco's (only private imports). I was quite interested in one of these, as from looking at this site they have quite a reputation, and its a Ford so that always helps, I am unsure whether it will keep up with a Land Rover or a Unimog off road though. I assume quite a few people here have taken them off road, what is everyones experience?

 

See if you can find a Land Cruiser FJ-55 - it's longer so you can put more stuff in it, and tough as hell. Land Rovers fall apart, and it's more difficult to get parts for Jeeps than Land Cruisers outside the U.S. Look for a '75 or newer, because those had disc brakes up front.

Here's a pic: http://home.off-road.com/~plasticboob/tlc2.jpg

 

So if the cruisers are available, they had Diesel ones outside the USA, sounds like it would be my choice. Not sure what your wanting to do with it. If your looking for a tank that will climb and manuver in rough terrain, The FJ is my pick.
The Uni-Mog would be big and bulky.....

 

Yeah, seems like the 'cruiser it may have to be, would really like to hear from some people with an original Bronco. I don't know if I will go a diesel one, as I am looking at older vehicles, the early diesel cruisers were gutless (like a lot of early diesels), not that the petrol ones were much better, but they were better.
Despite the Unimog being big and bulky, I have yet to see any vehicle that is more capable off road... and I just think they are cool, don't know why, I suppose I just like the concept of something being rediculously over engineered.
The vehicle will be used on my property as a general purpose vehicle. All it has to do is go places, I have a lot of steep rocky areas, and will be used when I go fishing (the sand work), will also be used to "ford" the occasional river

 

Out of your choices, the mog is the only "true" 4x4. Off road none of the others vehicles could compete due to the mog's locking diffs, ground clearance, and articulation. The mog is big and slow, but if you need a vehicle that can handle very rough terrain and carry large loads, that would be the best choice. Do you have Pinzgauers, Volvo C303s, or Land Rover FC101s out there?

 

Yes we do, but they aren't as common as the Unimog, as that is what our armed forces uses, so there are many ex military units available. Does anyone here have experience with Pinzgauers, C303s or the FC101? I know that they are all very capable, but has anyone here owned one?

 

Just keep in mind your total use of the vehicle. Unimog is neat as well as others, but it might be over kill to take fishing. I like the FJ40 I have, and it will go any where you want with the winch option. If your into heavier loads, better look for something bigger. Parts would be my number one reason in purchasing a vehicle, so keep that in mind. The ultimate 4-wheel drive does break now and then.

 

Darn good point...

 

Unimogs own! Can't deny their capability.

 

I haven't owned a Pinz or Mog, but I've driven them. I was very impressed with the Pinz. It's much smaller than the Mog, very manueverable, and a blast to drive. Here in the States, you can pick up a '70s ex-military version for $9k or so on up. There are lots of websites devoted to the Pinzs.

 

Yeah, I will try looking for a Pinz I think, its certainly overkill to go fishing, but so is going to the shops in a car with over 500 rear wheel hp...

 

Why not consider an International Scout, or are you just looking for something new? A Scout II would be a good choise or even a Scout 800.

 

I'm not looking for new (if fact second hand is better), as it will cop a few knocks etc. and I really don't want to damage a new vehicle.
I have had a look on the net for the International Scout (I wasn't familiar with them previously) and they look resonably impressive. Especially considering they have V8 power. Is there anyone out there that have owned a IH scout? And anone that has taken one off-road? How reliable are these vehicles?
Also there doesn't appear to be any Bronco owners around with their experiences with a Bronco 1, surely someone has gone off-road in one...