4x4 with low ratio gearbox
Discussion
V10 SPM said:
I'm looking for a 5 door vehicle with high ground clearance, 4 wheel drive and a low ratio gearbox for driving up steep rocky tracks with tight corners. What choices do I have nowadays? Anything European, American or far eastern will be considered.
Do you have a budget in mind?In the UK you'd be mad to not consider a Land Rover product. Loads to choose from and all very capable. Parts supply is great, lots of upgrades and a massive owner community.
Many Jeeps are worth considering too, often very comparable to the Land Rover's in terms of ability. Huge aftermarket and owners community in the USA. But Jeep UK are rather pants....
Capable 4x4's from Toyota, Mitsubishi, Suzuki and others too.
300bhp/ton said:
V10 SPM said:
I'm looking for a 5 door vehicle with high ground clearance, 4 wheel drive and a low ratio gearbox for driving up steep rocky tracks with tight corners. What choices do I have nowadays? Anything European, American or far eastern will be considered.
Do you have a budget in mind?In the UK you'd be mad to not consider a Land Rover product. Loads to choose from and all very capable. Parts supply is great, lots of upgrades and a massive owner community.
Many Jeeps are worth considering too, often very comparable to the Land Rover's in terms of ability. Huge aftermarket and owners community in the USA. But Jeep UK are rather pants....
Capable 4x4's from Toyota, Mitsubishi, Suzuki and others too.
V10 SPM said:
Up to around 20k would be ideal but only the high end models tend to offer low ratio gearboxes.
How serious is the off roading? Is road performance a consideration?Something like a 110 Defender or Jeep Wrangler Rubicon will excel out of the box off road.
A Discovery 4, Range Rover L233 or Range Rover Sport should all have low range for this budget. All highly capable and more road biased. But not as rugged off road.
Jeep Grand Cherokees of various types would be on par with a Discovery/Range Rover.
Mitsubishi Shogun has low range and capable. Sort of a middle ground between Defenders and Discovery’s. Not as good off road as one, nor as good on road as the other. But capable in both scenarios.
Toyota Land Cruiser would also be worth looking at. Again should have low range.
V10 SPM said:
I'm looking for a 5 door vehicle with high ground clearance, 4 wheel drive and a low ratio gearbox for driving up steep rocky tracks with tight corners.
Answers here:https://expeditionportal.com/the-ultimate-overland...
Defender or Jeep, former having the edge in standard showroom trim. G Wagen OK but heavy and expensive. Land Cruiser is bulky.
Edited by 100SRV on Wednesday 10th April 23:20
Edited by 100SRV on Thursday 11th April 04:08
I thought there might be something a bit different out there but it seems to be the same options that have been around for years. I was hoping that one of the smaller SUVs might offer low range but I don't see any. Land Cruiser, Shogun and G are too big really and Jeep is too expensive.
V10 SPM said:
I thought there might be something a bit different out there but it seems to be the same options that have been around for years. I was hoping that one of the smaller SUVs might offer low range but I don't see any. Land Cruiser, Shogun and G are too big really and Jeep is too expensive.
Do you have pictures of the terrain?Older Suzuki Vitaras (not the current shape) and Shogun Pinins have low range. And are generally smaller overall. The older Jeep Cherokee XJ is pretty compact too.
Of the newer stuff. Many of the soft raiders are more capable than they look. The Freelander 2 and its Evoque/Discovery Sport variants are quite capable on lanes and tracks. They don’t have low. But usually have a lower first gear. And autos and hill decent control all add to the ability.
The Jeep Renegade is of similar ilk. And the Trail Hawk version does have a low range. These don’t have the best ground clearance. Which is why I asked about the terrain.
You said 5 door. Is there a specific reason for this? The SWB shogun is a fair chunk shorter than the LWB version. But will still seat people in comfort in the rear.
Your budget would also net you a lovely classic Range Rover. Not the smallest but a lot more compact than many newer vehicles and just as capable as a Defender.
There are probably quite a few left field options too, depends how new/old and how on road capable you are after. Santana PS-10, Land Rove 101FC, Pinz, Lada Niva 5 door, Explorer, Bronco.
V10 SPM said:
I thought there might be something a bit different out there but it seems to be the same options that have been around for years. I was hoping that one of the smaller SUVs might offer low range but I don't see any. Land Cruiser, Shogun and G are too big really and Jeep is too expensive.
There is a guy importing Lada Niva's into the UK. They are LHD but there is a 5 door option and they are very capable off road. And it's a bit different... Hyundai Terracan.
Tough, capable and cheap as they are unfashionable.
https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/car-reviews/hyundai/te...
Tough, capable and cheap as they are unfashionable.
https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/car-reviews/hyundai/te...
300bhp/ton said:
Truckosaurus said:
Suzuki Jimny. V popular in recreational 4x4 circles and actual farmers. Plenty of lift kits and larger wheels available if the standard performance isn't up to scratch.
V10 SPM said:
I'm looking for a 5 door vehicle.
Still worth considering the Jimny if a compromise is needed and small size and off road ability trumps the need for 5 doors.
Having looked at quite a few options I reckon the Jeep Compass Trailhawk is a contender (not cheap though). Most of the others are quite large vehicles and often I find I need to turn round on a track if my progress is halted by severe terrain. I'll try to post some images of the typical terrain shortly.
I think if you want 5 doors, "proper" 4x4 capability, and not so long you have to take shunts in tight spots, a live-axle Discovery with the 100" wheelbase is likely going to be a good place for things to meet in the middle for you.
That's going a bit old now, for your budget, but the trouble is that a lot of newer stuff that meets your needs is a 110+" wheelbase, might be a bit unwieldy from what you're saying.
Plus if it's serious terrain, spending £20k on something makes you wince a bit harder when you scrape stuff.
That's going a bit old now, for your budget, but the trouble is that a lot of newer stuff that meets your needs is a 110+" wheelbase, might be a bit unwieldy from what you're saying.
Plus if it's serious terrain, spending £20k on something makes you wince a bit harder when you scrape stuff.
V10 SPM said:
It has the Jeep Active Drive Low 4x4 system with 20:1 crawl ratio.
Described as a crawler gear on the Jeep website. Is it a proper two speed transfer box or just an extra low first gear? If that is the case what does it do for low reverse on the situation where you need it most (manoeuvres on a narrow track)?Gassing Station | Off Road | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff