Basic 4x4
Author
Discussion

wifiwupding

Original Poster:

176 posts

190 months

Thursday 14th August 2014
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Hi guys I'm after a really basic bare bones tough 4x4 that just works and will be easy to fix if it does go wrong, my budget is about £3-4000, don't need electric windows, door mirrors, AC etc, its just more to go wrong, simpler the better, it doesn't need to be pretty either.

Wranglers really appeal but I think their out of budget unless I go really old, what would you all suggest?

Thanks

Edited by wifiwupding on Thursday 14th August 12:16

bobfett

144 posts

146 months

Thursday 14th August 2014
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Suzuki Jimny?

Impasse

15,099 posts

270 months

Thursday 14th August 2014
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Spare tyre

12,559 posts

159 months

Thursday 14th August 2014
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jimny

i have them as greenlaners - great cars

very simple, massive engine bay with a small engine in it, nice to work on

your welcome to have a look at mine if you like if you are near southampton


i go out laning with troopers, range rovers etc, the only thing i really suffer from is deep ruts - but if the ruts are that bad its probably best not to be there making them worse

wifiwupding

Original Poster:

176 posts

190 months

Thursday 14th August 2014
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Impasse said:
Not sure about these my brother has a much newer one and he's always working on it otherwise its along the lines of what I want.

Lee540

1,586 posts

173 months

Thursday 14th August 2014
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Land Rover Defender 90..

I had one a few years ago, was a 92' reg, 4C Diesel with a 200TDi conversion (from Disco) and I paid £2500 for it.

Pebbles167

4,575 posts

181 months

Thursday 14th August 2014
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My mate just bought an old 5 door Suzuki Vitara with a lift kit and snorkel. He swears by it. I've been in it, and although no 4x4 expert, I was very impressed.

mini1380cc

2,949 posts

200 months

Thursday 14th August 2014
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Daihatsu Fourtraks used to be popular amongst farmers for being reliable and hardy. They stand up quite well to cows landing on them whistle

iva cosworth

44,044 posts

192 months

Thursday 14th August 2014
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Fiat Panda.

Italians love them.......unsurprisingly.

Go for the old model for extra cheapness.

BugLebowski

1,036 posts

145 months

Thursday 14th August 2014
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Suzuki Jimny- from 2001 chain driven 1.3litre engine that is pretty reliable. Solid axels, big engine bay which is easy to work on. Simple electronics, auto locking hubs in the front can give issues so replace with a manual set.

They only weigh ~1000kg so with a decent set of tyres on them will go pretty much anywhere without getting bogged down.

wifiwupding

Original Poster:

176 posts

190 months

Thursday 14th August 2014
quotequote all
mini1380cc said:
Daihatsu Fourtraks used to be popular amongst farmers for being reliable and hardy. They stand up quite well to cows landing on them whistle
Yes perfect, will look into them, any others like this? I think the Jimny is a little on the small side

Spare tyre

12,559 posts

159 months

Thursday 14th August 2014
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the other one i fancied getting hold of was the vitara with the 1.9tdi from cit/pug

think the newer vitaras have the 2.0 hdi?

vinnie01

863 posts

148 months

Thursday 14th August 2014
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old G Wagen?

BugLebowski

1,036 posts

145 months

Thursday 14th August 2014
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wifiwupding said:
Yes perfect, will look into them, any others like this? I think the Jimny is a little on the small side
Good luck getting one that hasn't rusted away! The engines run for ever though and usually outlast everything else.

mybrainhurts

90,809 posts

284 months

Thursday 14th August 2014
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Spare tyre said:
your welcome to have a look at mine if you like if you are near southampton

i go out laning with troopers,
Funny how things change if you delete a bit of text....

wifiwupding

Original Poster:

176 posts

190 months

Thursday 14th August 2014
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Seems I need to go for something in the 90s era to get what I want, it will be my only car so it will need to be able to commute every day and I've got a multi thousand mile trip coming up in a few weeks.

Hows the rust problem on the Fourtrak's is it just cosmetic bodywork rust or is it chassis and other important parts, bodywork rust is fine as long as its not too severe like holes.

Jeep cherokee good shout can the handle everyday use without breaking?

deanogtv

761 posts

249 months

Thursday 14th August 2014
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Fourtrak gets my vote, all the farmer my way have them..................and brand spanking RR Sports

Hooli

32,278 posts

229 months

Thursday 14th August 2014
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wifiwupding said:
Impasse said:
Not sure about these my brother has a much newer one and he's always working on it otherwise its along the lines of what I want.
By newer one do you mean a 90/110/Defender (ie on coil springs)?
If so that's because they didn't really uprate anything when they put more power under the bonnet.

wifiwupding

Original Poster:

176 posts

190 months

Thursday 14th August 2014
quotequote all


By newer one do you mean a 90/110/Defender (ie on coil springs)?
If so that's because they didn't really uprate anything when they put more power under the bonnet.
[/quote]

I think its a 2007 90.

It looks like the Fourtrak is the way to go I think, I actually like the look of them to, just been reading up on them some people saying they are the japanese version of the Defender, sounds good to me smile

xRIEx

8,180 posts

177 months

Thursday 14th August 2014
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Lada Niva.

I've got no experience of them, I just wanted to throw it in there.