Pathfinder I
I get the feeling this isn’t the first you’ve ask yourself that question. Haha. Those are some strong builds. I respect the fact that you do your own thing, your own way and for your own purposes. I am much the same way in that my build is purpose driven specific to my own needs, and not what others think is ‘standard’. Thanks for posting!I think my answer would be different every day of the week you ask me, and depending on where I as intending to go. It's fun to dream and kick around different ideas though.
On the "semi-realistic" side of things, I think it'd be either a JL Unlimited or JT (Gladiator), starting life as a non-Rubicon. If money isn't a concern, it'd be Moab in the JL, or an Overland in the Gladiator. Either one I'd want in the new 3rd gen EcoDiesel when it's released. Why not a Rubicon? Well, I'd be putting a pair of really nice aftermarket D60s, or maybe D60/80 under it and 40-42" tires with the absolute minimal lift possible (big tires, low COG, tons of flex). I think the Gladiator would actually be my choice in this scenario since I could do a bed-rack and not have my RTT 5 miles above ground and I'd use the bed space for a giant fridge/freezer on a slide-out, reserve fuel, a water system, etc. Then I'd ditch the rear seats and build-out some really neat storage. I have some ideas in my head of what it'd look like, but again not giving money a second thought I'd work with a high-end cabinet builder and really try to do some innovative stuff. Obviously all the usual stuff like armor, lighting, etc. would get done. As I've witnessed in many other threads most would call 40" tires "overkill" or even "stupid" for Overlanding... but when I live about 2hrs from the Rubicon and a zillion other trails (some more difficult than the Rubicon) it's what I'd do. And yes, I'm aware you can make the Rubicon in a stock JLR on stock tires. But hey, if I'm spending "dream money" I'd go big.
On the fully insane side of things, I think I'd get an Earth Roamer. You're paying a lot extra just for the name, but hey a nice used one can be had for just over a half-million: https://earthroamer.com/pre-owned-190/ This would only be my route if somehow I fell into Bill Gates money and this was not going to be my ONLY rig. They're super bad-a and obviously very capable... but still they're too big/heavy for certain things I'd want to do. So I'd have this and a cool JL build or something.
In more of a "what would I build" scenario, I'd have to build something off a 'mog. I'd have to put a LOT more thought into it to decide things like wheelbase and such, but I think I'd want something overall smaller than the Earth Roamer, but that offers similar cabin space/tank sizes/etc. I'd also want a more modern motor in it and the ability to cruise down the freeway at 70 MPH without any issues. This is a route I still imagine doing "someday" when I have the time/space/money for a multi-year build, maybe as a retirement project, but then I'd prob be too old to really enjoy it by the time it was done.
Another "semi-realistic" would be building off of a '19 RAM 2500. The easy choice would be a Power Wagon, but I'd want a diesel so I'd probably start with a "regular" 2500. Much like what I'd actually build, how I'd build a RAM 2500 would surely change day to day too. There would be upsides and downsides to the various cab and wheelbase options. Some days I think I'd get a regular cab, then have an all-AL "tray" (aka bed) built for it. Something similar to:
Now, I'd have my tray a bit more built out with storage, fuel/water tanks, and a rack with RTT. But the "basic" version would be kind of like that. I'd want to run the AEV suspension that moves the front axle forward, allowing 40"s with very little lift (something like 2" IIRC) but AFAIK it's not available yet for the '19+. I'm sure AEV will get to making a 2019+ offering though, and I'd do a little tweaking to get a 42" under it. Since I wouldn't be starting with a Power Wagon I'd be adding lockers (and re-gearing) the axles, along with some trussing. I'd want an aftermarket fuel tank in the 50+ gallon range under the truck (like the 60 gallon I run on my '11 D'max) with custom armor for it, along with the fuel storage I'd build into the "tray" (perhaps having a separate stank for some gasoline to help friends out on longer trips). Other days I think I'd use a Quad or Megacab to have most of my storage inside the cab, then a much smaller tray for the dirty stuff.
Then, there are days where I think I'd just LS-swap my WJ, do a nice full-width D44 pair for it, get it on a 35-37" tire, armor it up, and run it!
-TJ
