4x4 with low ratio gearbox

[AndrewCrown]

V10

My suggestions..

1. A 1995 Jeep Cherokee XJ4.0 ...with some proper tyres...buy as good as you can...then throw 5k at it to get it really sorted...and I’m not talking lifts and overly customised..it’s fine as it is.

2. SWB Jeep Wrangler with a petrol engine any one will do...as above if you can’t access a late model JK

[camel_landy]

An example of the terrain would be useful.

FWIW - Don't discount completely 4x4s without a transfer box. If it has an auto option, that's often a decent alternative and the fact it's an auto will help compensate for lack of Lo-Range (i.e. you don't have a clutch to burn out!!). e.g. Freelander TD4 Auto.

M

[LasseV]

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.

Jeep Cherokee KJ? It has low ratio box and it is great in tight corners. Has good ground clearance and skid plates. Cheap but still fairly reliable. My 2006 has been a great car/suv/whattahellitis

Also some of the new jeep trailhawks has low ratio gear and 20cm of ground clearance, ie Cherokee and Compass. I prefer older ones tho...

[Milli94]

What about an older W163 270CDI Mercedes.... I know that people knock the interior quality but ours ( 2002 and 110k ) has been faultless and good on diesel and has low range which works perfectly

[PugwasHDJ80]

Well i'm just about to sell my 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland- worth around £15k

Has Low Range, Centre Difflock, Rear Difflock, Terrain Control, Descent control, Air Suspension and a proper wading depth

Its 5 door and very very nice inside.

I bought it specifically because i wanted a proper offroader that could also be used as a daily driver- its been perfect in that role as well as faultlessly reliable.

[ninjag]

Not many around and a little old but I've always liked the JEEP Commander.

[BenPG]

A bit late in the day I know, but further to the five door motor with low ratio and more than competent off road, less than £20000, have a look at the Nissan Pathfinder Tekna. I have had one for three years, do more than the average fellow off road and never been let down in snow either. Based on the Navara but with better rear suspension, very comfortable, all the extras you could wish for including rear air conditioning etc etc. Unfortunately Nissan stopped making them in 2014 but a decent one can be picked up for up to £15000. Make sure it is post 2010 when the motor was uprated to 190 bhp and with Tunit I now have 215 bhp and average 35 mpg. It pulls up to 3.5 tons. And with all the seats folded, can throw all sorts in the back.

[was8v]

BenPG said:

A bit late in the day I know, but further to the five door motor with low ratio and more than competent off road, less than £20000, have a look at the Nissan Pathfinder Tekna. I have had one for three years, do more than the average fellow off road and never been let down in snow either. Based on the Navara but with better rear suspension, very comfortable, all the extras you could wish for including rear air conditioning etc etc. Unfortunately Nissan stopped making them in 2014 but a decent one can be picked up for up to £15000. Make sure it is post 2010 when the motor was uprated to 190 bhp and with Tunit I now have 215 bhp and average 35 mpg. It pulls up to 3.5 tons. And with all the seats folded, can throw all sorts in the back.

Pathfinders do look great value. But do they share chassis "issues" with Navaras?

[Ed/L152]

Jeep Cherokee XJ of course.

[Test driver]

Jeep Wj, cheap as chips second hand and as good if not better than the equivalent LR Discovery.

[Ecosseven]

How about a VW Touareg escape? I believe this is the only model in the mk2 range (2010 - 2018) that comes with a low range, centre diff lock and rear diff lock.

[BenPG]

Re the 5door 5 seater 4 x 4 with low box, I have a Touareg Escape Model.. They stopped making them in 2016 or therabouts. It is v6 Diesel 260bhp and 428Ft/lbs. Mine is auto with the options of on road, off road, low box and diff locks on rear and centre. I have a steep grassy bank which I sometimes have to drive up diagonally to get to my rear garden, the Tourag laughs at it. It will wade through about 19 inches of water comfortably. A very comfortable car, brilliant on the road, and pretty good off road. Trying to find one is like looking for hen's teeth and if you can find one with the air suspension for the extra inches of ground clearance, brilliant. Beforer this car i had a nissan pathfinder which I put Grabber AT 3 on, and it would leave Landrovers in muddy fields. The touaregt goes like that wet stuff down a gully if you put your foot down The only problem with the Touareg is that the seats do not fold flat properly, so the load space is restricted. If I could find another late model Pathfinder I may return to that for the load area. only.

[was8v]

955 Cayenne. Have your cake and eat it.

Just change the wheels and tyres