How would you start over?

[itsoutside]

I'm building out a new to me FJ Cruiser, while keeping in mind what I liked and didn't like about previous rigs. Capable, reliable, and organized are my goals for this one. I would add simplicity, but we all have different definitions of that. It's not my daily driver which makes it much easier to accomplish. Our first trip is only a week or two away and I can't wait!

 

[Kevin108]

I'm facing the same dilemma. In 2020, I went from a 2007 FJ Cruiser, which I was completely in love with and ready to drive for eternity, to trying to find a comparable vehicle in the lockdown market when insurance provided a not-yet-adjusted replacement value and 30¢ on the dollar for all the bolt-ons that were damaged or simply not worth the effort to remove.

Right now I'm trying to decide if I want to try something different and build a 3/4 ton pickup with a 6' bed and a camper shell, or to just get a new 4Runner with its dated interior that still feels so much like beloved FJ. I don't think this next build will be the last one I ever do, but it would be the first build I ever get to start with a completely new vehicle.

I made my decision yesterday. All I ever talk about is how good my FJ was. I was really impressed with the current 4Runner, but that was because of how much the dash reminded me of my FJ. With that in mind, I decided to build another FJ. I'd like to find a 13-14, but I'm open to other deals as well. From what I remember based on production numbers, I think approximately half of them are 2007s, so that may be what I wind up with yet again.

 

[Bama_Kiwi]

I love my Pajero. But... to play along, if money were no object and we're daydreaming, I'd love a Jeep Wrangler 392 or, a Rivian R1S.

To be more realistic, Toyota made a short-wheelbase, two-door version of the Land Cruiser 120 Prado. I would really like one of these and have seen a few decked-out ones around.

 

[JackAttack]

I'd purchase the same 2016 Ford Ranger with the 3.2L 5cyl but this time around I'd start my modification process from the ground up and with much more focus on weight from the beginning.

 

[thesyncroviking]

A classic LWB W460/461 G-Wagen or newer W461 Pur with Entdecker roof and barn doors. I'd update the interior a little to make it more comfortable with Recaro seats and a Bluetooth head unit, USB sockets.



Then I would build a trailer to carry all the gear, probably an ex-Bundeswehr 1 ton unit with box body.

 

[bgenlvtex]

I'd buy a boat.

Overland brown water style.

Maybe mount quad .50's on the fore deck, a couple M240 on the rear if I'm going near St.Louis, good PA system with "Fortunate Son" on continuous loop.

 

[Salt]

Starting over? What a great question!
Answer: 2015 Nissan Xterra Pro-4X. I have a 2013. Starting over, I'd want the last (and best) of the Nissan Xterra line.
An Xterra? Really? Why?

• Attachment, Continuity, and History - it's the only vehicle I've had an emotional attachment to. Too many good memories to throw away and start over with something new. Started with a 2010 Xterra. And if feels like home.
• It's "Old School" like me - OK, a 2015 isn't Old School like a 2005, but relative to many tech-heavy machines on the road, it's Old School.
• Little goes wrong with it. Like my old Toyota Corolla. Then again, I'm kind to it.
• Nissan stopped producing the Second Generation Xterra in 2015. It's not coming back. I have a thing for lost causes.
• And because everyone doesn't have one.

 

[Salt]

I'd buy a boat.

Overland brown water style.

Maybe mount quad .50's on the fore deck, a couple M240 on the rear if I'm going near St.Louis, good PA system with "Fortunate Son" on continuous loop.

Thank you! A refreshing answer. But for me, better than a boat, is a friend with a boat (I know how much work goes into owning a boat, has to be a labor of love).

 

[Mike W]

I'd start hunting for clean Land Rover LR4's ... and move as much from my current build over to it. I can't stand the tiny windows of most of the options people tend to go for (jeeps, tacomas, etc). I need my big box on air suspension with a 5.0L V8 and almost 400hp and 700+ miles of range with a long ranger fuel tank.

I wouldn't change a thing.

I do love the comfort and space of a full size, but I value turning radius and being narrow enough to fit down trails. Just run into too many places where a full size would not be fun.

 

[Sea Diamond]

Have already started entertaining a new approach to our overlanding. The RTT fly is already seeing the effects of UV and my wife nearly broke her leg climbing onto a slippery ladder one morning.

So we have our eye out for an ex-military style Iveco. Will build the box and fit out the build ourselves. But for sure it needs to be very offroad capable.

 

[MidOH]

I'd get something that could eat slab faster, without getting tipsy with a camper on its back. And redundant tires.

F550 cc drw 4x4, with a Bundtec tray camper. Detroit lockers front and rear.

 

[loper]

Either an old XJ, modified to suit, if I wanted to go with something smaller.
Ambo conversion if I wanted to go bigger.
LMTV if I really wanted to go wild.

 

[Outdoordog]

My jeep was rear ended last January and when they cut the check, I got another jeep with a turbo diesel, added a 3.5" lift and 37s. What I always wanted. Previous jeep had a 2" lift and 33s, was good but not great.
Now, I can go where most can't, which is exactly what I was going for, I dislike neighbors when I camp.

 

[MLGrace]

I drive a 2016 JKU rubi. 35s, all decked out and I haul an expedition trailer. I would probably go back to a Tacoma. I’ve had several and never broke one. My Jeep goes far more places than my Toyotas but my Tacoma’s were more than capable and lasted forever.

 

[BroncoTrail]

if I had to start over, I wouldn't change much.

I wanted a vehicle that was very capable off-road but is also comfortable to drive on the road, which translates into FORD BRONCO. These were the selling points for me:

- SUV
- 35" tires
- 11.5" ground clearance
- front locker
- rear locker
- enough room for me to sleep in the back if desired
- lots of aftermarket support and mods
- 360-degree camera
- sway bar disconnect
- thriving community
- adaptive cruise control
- great approach, breakover, and departure angles
- 4 Hi/Lo
- looks cool

I don't know of a vehicle that checks all of these boxes. A Jeep comes close, but the solid front axle doesn't feel great on pavement.

One thing I might do differently, and it's certainly not too late, is to remove one or both of the rear seats and install a full storage system such as Goose Gear, rather than put a slide-out storage drawer in the back. I am not using the rear seats for anything so I may as well take them out.

 

[grubworm]

i would start over by joining OB sooner!

 

[NoMoreGreen]

I currently am building a 2020 tundra. Though, I purchased before my issues with Toyota and it just made since to keep it after they got resolved.

probably an f350 7.3 gasser would be my route.
Or a gladiator, jeep wrangler 4 door, bronco.

 

[JimBill]

Love the WJ, wish I had got one when they were newer. It has everything going for it except age and size to fit me. Since I am 6' 4" and not comfortable in much else, I'd start over with a full size and live within the limitations.

I'd go 2016-2017 F-150 SuperCab, 5.0, FX4, slap on a lift and 35's and not look back. And I am almost there in pulling the trigger, as my time to maintain and upgrade an older vehicle is very limited right now.

And in my dreams I would win the lottery and have my 78 full size Cherokee restored and modified to my liking. It hits all the markers for an over the hill gearhead like me.

 

[delaronde]

Since we just traded a Tacoma in for a Tacoma, I'd have to say a Tacoma. I'm a Toyota fan-boi, so I'll adjust around the truck's shortcomings to drive what I think is the most reliable truck out there.

I might make a different decision if I won the lottery or something, but my lunchtime bonus prediction for today says I'm pretty happy with where I'm at now. In a dream rig, I'd add something like a go-fast camper, a crazy suspension setup, I dunno? Lots of options if money's no restraint.

A Tacoma is solid, no doubt, reliable and tough. But if that lunchtime bonus prediction ever hits big, a fully kitted-out overland setup would be the dream!

 

[MazeVX]

Coming from a JKU diesel, I would go for a pre emissions US fullsize diesel pickup with a full camper box (replacing the bed) or a canopy camper. Lifting it just enough to fit 35s, winch and solid recovery points and I'm happy.