No-one makes a proper basic rough and ready 4x4

No-one makes a proper basic rough and ready 4x4

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Discussion

Tannedbaldhead

Original Poster:

2,952 posts

131 months

Thursday 22nd June 2017
quotequote all
I work in construction and over the years there have always been rufty tufty basic competent 4/5 seat 4x4s that could bounce about rough sites pulling a little piling rig for soil investigation work or a water bowser for decontaminating plant then when finished be used by the operative as a company car.

Over the years there have been plenty of vehicles up for the task: Daihatsu Fourtracks, Isuzu Troopers, Hyundai Terracans, Mitsubishi Shogun Sports, Land Rover Defenders and Nissan Pathfinders all did the job well and none broke the bank. There are no doubt quite a few that also fit the same bill that have been around over the years.

Now? Not one vehicle is around that fits this bill. Not one. If you don't want to drive a pick-up nothing is available.
Surely to God there is a market for a cheap, basic, off-road capable 4x4 that can tow a reasonable weight.

lucido grigio

44,044 posts

162 months

Thursday 22nd June 2017
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Is there a suitable Dacia ?

Not big enough probably.

SebastienClement

1,950 posts

139 months

Thursday 22nd June 2017
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Base spec Rav4?

Willy Nilly

12,511 posts

166 months

Thursday 22nd June 2017
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There's loads of people that need what you describe, OP, but all there seems to be is pickups now and most of these are fairly blinged up.

Personally I think the current crop of pickups are crap. They're too high to make putting things in the back easy and nothing is secure. I constantly baffles me that no body has jumped into the market that the Defender left.

The Dark Lord nails it

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=loZwcFrQASE

SlimRick

2,258 posts

164 months

Thursday 22nd June 2017
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Haven't they started importing the Lada Niva again?

loskie

5,144 posts

119 months

Thursday 22nd June 2017
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Korando has decent towing weight. Duster possibly less so.

caelite

4,273 posts

111 months

Thursday 22nd June 2017
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Both the Dacia and RAV are just jacked up hatchback monocoques with VC diffs shoehorned onto them.

OP is looking for something tough, box frame, proper locking centre diff and actual suspension travel etc.

To be honest I agree with his statement, nobody makes them anymore, a Disco might fit the bill but they are really going too upmarket, a Jimny is properly built but too small for more practical purposes.

Imo get a pickup with a bed cap. All the major manufacturers are good, all produce stripped out '4work' style models with hardy interior and no chrome tat.

Edited by caelite on Thursday 22 June 19:31

ambuletz

10,690 posts

180 months

Thursday 22nd June 2017
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Suzuki Jimny?

hehe

vikingaero

10,256 posts

168 months

Thursday 22nd June 2017
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Shogun Commercial?

snoopy25

1,858 posts

119 months

Thursday 22nd June 2017
quotequote all
ambuletz said:
Suzuki Jimny?

hehe
hehe

caelite

4,273 posts

111 months

Thursday 22nd June 2017
quotequote all
snoopy25 said:
ambuletz said:
Suzuki Jimny?

hehe
hehe
snigger all you want, mine gets a 1500kg Ifor dual axle chucked on it on the odd occasion, you need to rev the tits out of the motor but the chassis is actually very competent, just the peaky engine which let's it down abit, I imagine one with something like a 1.9PD in it would be amazing, although I know people often fit 1.6s from the swift into them as that engine has a near identical footprint.

Wouldn't want to tow that kind of weight on it every day mind, only legally rated for 1300kg and you'll need a clutch every oil change biggrin

Mound Dawg

1,915 posts

173 months

Thursday 22nd June 2017
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You can still buy a Jeep Wrangler.

I'm not suggesting you should though.

Tannedbaldhead

Original Poster:

2,952 posts

131 months

Thursday 22nd June 2017
quotequote all
ambuletz said:
Suzuki Jimny?

hehe
We worked with a fencer who did a lot of work with stables re-configuring fencing to grass fields. His works vehicle was a little old Jimny that had the back chopped off and then converted into a tiny off-road flatbed truck to carry his tools, posts and wire. It was also fitted with wide wheels massive oversized balloon tyres to spread the weight and save the grass he was driving on from damage.
To date it is my favourite 4x4.

anonymous-user

53 months

Thursday 22nd June 2017
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Volkswagen Amarok is exactly what you're talking about! smile


exelero

1,890 posts

88 months

Thursday 22nd June 2017
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Once I was doing some work as a student for a company where my mate worked. We needed 4x4's for loads of miles and offroading. They don't make proper ones anymore, but if you buy a box on the pickup you can use it just as well. the fleet was the following: Navarra, 2x L200 and an Amarok, all rough and tough capable off roaders and capable on the motorway as well.

FoxtrotOscar1

712 posts

108 months

Thursday 22nd June 2017
quotequote all
DSGbangs said:
Volkswagen Amarok is exactly what you're talking about! smile

No it is not. And the OP said no pick up's.

Zetec-S

5,832 posts

92 months

Thursday 22nd June 2017
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Appreciate it's still a pick up, but how about a basic Isuzu D-Max pick up. They always strike me as about as back-to-basic as you can get these days.

FourWheelDrift

88,381 posts

283 months

Thursday 22nd June 2017
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Veeayt

3,139 posts

204 months

Thursday 22nd June 2017
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Toyota FJ Cruiser - basic enough to pressure wash the floors, goes anywhere, cheap to run and maintain.

kbf1981

2,249 posts

199 months

Thursday 22nd June 2017
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Jeep Wrangler! Very good cars and great off road.