Greetings all. I am just starting my research and information gathering for overlanding. I am the quintessential libra, and making up my mind if ridiculously hard.
My main reason is that I am a bit of a prepper. Overlanding rigs seem to be the best bugout vehicles and I and here to figure our what I will be purchasing. It's just my wife and I that I am mainly concerned with. So even if I have other seats, they would probably be taken out to make room for other essential things. Basically, I am not going to be getting a suburban or anything. We might be getting a small/medium size pup in the future though.
My main goal up until now was to get something that is super low tech. I mean roll up/sliding windows, hydraulic or no power steering... You get the idea. Old school diesel engine that is as close to EMP proof as I can get it. I have really been looking into an imported old school German Military G Wagon. Low end diesel engine to keep it simple. They have true 4 wheel drive with front and rear lockers, can hold plenty of gear and are basically beasts. Main issue... I am not much of a mechanic... very good with tools and such, but have never really learned how to work on engines. I am starting to back petal a bit because I don't know if that is really going to be very doable. Closest I have ever come to real engine work was I had an '85 accord that I changed the head gasket and times belt on. I had a book and just did it. I can follow directions, I just don't know how to really fix something on my own. It's going to be my daily driver, and actually it'll probably be my wife that would drive it 90% of the time because of the work I do. I don't have tons of resources at me disposal, and I live in a condo with extremely limited storage and without access to a garage.
This brings me to my new car options.... JKU, Pro 4x Frontier, Tacoma off road. My biggest concern is really going to be range and reliability. I like the aftermarket options for the jeep and the taco, but I really like the look and feel of the frontier. The wife likes the jeep and the frontier best, but I have dreamed of owning a Tacoma since the early 90's. I have even been considering a Subaru Forester/Crosstrek... mainly concerned with them not being trail worthy enough.
Another option I have really been thinking is a Grand Cherokee with the eco diesel. Mainly because of the range and they are pretty good for basic off roading, mud, sand and the like.
Any ideas or advise are welcome. I live in Baton Rouge LA. so water fording is a concern given the recent flooding and the fact that it rains here pretty much all the time...
My current vehicle is a 2002 Honda Accord, time for an upgrade. :)
My main reason is that I am a bit of a prepper. Overlanding rigs seem to be the best bugout vehicles and I and here to figure our what I will be purchasing. It's just my wife and I that I am mainly concerned with. So even if I have other seats, they would probably be taken out to make room for other essential things. Basically, I am not going to be getting a suburban or anything. We might be getting a small/medium size pup in the future though.
My main goal up until now was to get something that is super low tech. I mean roll up/sliding windows, hydraulic or no power steering... You get the idea. Old school diesel engine that is as close to EMP proof as I can get it. I have really been looking into an imported old school German Military G Wagon. Low end diesel engine to keep it simple. They have true 4 wheel drive with front and rear lockers, can hold plenty of gear and are basically beasts. Main issue... I am not much of a mechanic... very good with tools and such, but have never really learned how to work on engines. I am starting to back petal a bit because I don't know if that is really going to be very doable. Closest I have ever come to real engine work was I had an '85 accord that I changed the head gasket and times belt on. I had a book and just did it. I can follow directions, I just don't know how to really fix something on my own. It's going to be my daily driver, and actually it'll probably be my wife that would drive it 90% of the time because of the work I do. I don't have tons of resources at me disposal, and I live in a condo with extremely limited storage and without access to a garage.
This brings me to my new car options.... JKU, Pro 4x Frontier, Tacoma off road. My biggest concern is really going to be range and reliability. I like the aftermarket options for the jeep and the taco, but I really like the look and feel of the frontier. The wife likes the jeep and the frontier best, but I have dreamed of owning a Tacoma since the early 90's. I have even been considering a Subaru Forester/Crosstrek... mainly concerned with them not being trail worthy enough.
Another option I have really been thinking is a Grand Cherokee with the eco diesel. Mainly because of the range and they are pretty good for basic off roading, mud, sand and the like.
Any ideas or advise are welcome. I live in Baton Rouge LA. so water fording is a concern given the recent flooding and the fact that it rains here pretty much all the time...
My current vehicle is a 2002 Honda Accord, time for an upgrade. :)