Outer Limits 4x4 Board

ok so im finally getting a new 4wd iv narrowed it down to these 3 vehicles
jk wrangler
suzuki jimny
swb late model pajero

im leaning towards the jimny only because i have a soft spot for suzukis!
although a mate has a jk wrangler and i think it is a far more capable vehicle offroad than a jimny could ever be?. The pajero well i jus like the look of em but dont like the limits of ifs and irs. main purpose of vehicle is daily driver/tourer but also must be able to do harder stuff when necessary!
anyone out there own these vehicles want pros and cons of each??
cheers peeps.

I like the JK, if you want a tourer you can get the 4 door. It will give you more room then the 2 door also have you looked at the new SWB prado?

Mark.

the JK is built like crap but it is THE best 4wd on the market for the $ (as far as being a 4wd goes, its probably one of the worst on road though with everything else being friendly IFS) and also has the most amount of aftermarket support (upgrade parts).

The vehicles you have listed as possibles are so wildly different as to make suggestions very difficult.

What exactly are you after is terms of road / off road capability.

Everything is a trade off - better in one are means worse in another so you have tt decide what you want to achieve.

Many complaints about 4WD's come from people making choices based on image rather than practically. Swampers may be the image you want, but you then have to accept lousy road characteristics - if you follow.

And .... my JK's been fine, i didn't pay for a Roller and so wasn't surprised by its clip together plastic bits..... It works well off road ( not a DD ) so i'm happy with it.

I hate to say this but JK.
Go the rubicon.
Despite what a few people have said they aren't too bad on road and they're brilliant off road. Double locked, stronger drive line and low gears in the transfer.

Another option is the new 90 defender?

MightyMouse wrote:The vehicles you have listed as possibles are so wildly different as to make suggestions very difficult.

What exactly are you after is terms of road / off road capability.

Everything is a trade off - better in one are means worse in another so you have tt decide what you want to achieve.

Many complaints about 4WD's come from people making choices based on image rather than practically. Swampers may be the image you want, but you then have to accept lousy road characteristics - if you follow.

And .... my JK's been fine, i didn't pay for a Roller and so wasn't surprised by its clip together plastic bits..... It works well off road ( not a DD ) so i'm happy with it.

they are sort of all different but still all 2 doors with low range
the main thing that puts me off the jeeps is the reliability issues to lay up so much money for an unrelible vehicle puts me off as apposed to the two jap vehicles mentioned.

Long distance driving, comfort you can't go past the humble padj, reliability there up there with the best. Don't be put off by the IFS unless you plan on going hardcore. In saying that Mitsubitshi is known for having the strongest front ends around (as far as ifs goes) and when couple with a 2" lift kit should see you going most places. Also mitsubitshi have one of the best LSD diffs around (same set up as patrols). Front lockers are also redidly available for them.

Just my 2c
Jonezy

JK.

It's almost impossible to choose between a Rubicon with a crappy engine or a diesel with crappy diffs, but the basic design is sound either way.

Jimny's are unfortunately made of glass and pajeros aren't really comparable. I think late model SWB pajeros are fairly irrelevant, even though I do know they have their fans.

Steve.

Gwagensteve wrote:JK.

It's almost impossible to choose between a Rubicon with a crappy engine or a diesel with crappy diffs, but the basic design is sound either way.

Jimny's are unfortunately made of glass and pajeros aren't really comparable. I think late model SWB pajeros are fairly irrelevant, even though I do know they have their fans.

Steve.

i think your right steve as much as i hate to admit it.
guess i just wish the jimnys were as strong as the sierras

Like most modern vehicles the JK is reliable. You rarely hear of them breaking down and not being able to be driven.

if I could do the JK thing again I'd probably put up with the V6 and go a Rubicon.

I wheel with rubicons and honestly while I've got a shiteload more torque and power than them and much better crawling ability you can't beat their axles and transfer. E lockers would be bliss after the run I've had with ARB air lockers.

Not that it will help if your looking at buying now but the next V6 is a very differnet animal - quad cam VVT etc etc.

And..... whilst id always like more torque...... i'm not unhappy with the petrol engine generally. Once again I knew what i was buying so no surprises. Gears, bigger diffs, e-lockers, auto disconects... if your looking for a new offroad capable Jeep then a Rubi is the answer.

However why Jeep in their "infinite wisdom" didn't produce a VM diesel / auto / Rubi escapes me.... they would sell bucketloads IMO.

I REAKON THE WRANGLER HAS POOR RESALE AND FUEL CONSUMPTION, THE SUZUKI IS TOO SMALL AND THE PAJERO WOULD BE YOUR BEST BET OUT OF THE 3 FOR A GOOD ALL ROUND VEHICLE

if you want a wealth of aftermarket support i would go the jk. its a good vehicle and leaves its old tj stablemate for dead. if its for the family have a good look at the new challenger, you might be impressed.

Yom wrote: E lockers would be bliss after the run I've had with ARB air lockers.

have a good search on yankie forums for dramas with these items.

zukiviagra wrote:ok so im finally getting a new 4wd iv narrowed it down to these 3 vehicles
jk wrangler
suzuki jimny
swb late model pajero

im leaning towards the jimny only because i have a soft spot for suzukis!
although a mate has a jk wrangler and i think it is a far more capable vehicle offroad than a jimny could ever be?. The pajero well i jus like the look of em but dont like the limits of ifs and irs. main purpose of vehicle is daily driver/tourer but also must be able to do harder stuff when necessary!
anyone out there own these vehicles want pros and cons of each??
cheers peeps.

You don't mention how many people will be touring with you kids,wife,dog etc? You will always hear more and loudest from those that have had problems with whatever various model. All vehicle companies have problems at one time or another. Toyota has had to recently recall 2.5 million vehicles in the US and 1.8 million in Europe for safety issues with runaway accelerators. Jeep hasn't always had the best reputation here in Oz but times change. Go to the dealers and climb under the cars and see how they are made. Compare them all. I recently decided I wanted a new 4wd and something that was reliable and capable and able to take myself 2 kids and the Missus touring. I could not go past the Jeep 4 door. I got the Diesel unlike others above in the thread. I can always upgrade axles or install lockers at a later date not to mention crawler gears or diff ratios easier than changing a motor. So though the Rubi is nice straight from the factory my diesel is what I wanted for touring. The Mitsi is a very nice truck but with a monocoque body and IFS it isn't for me. But I would guess that it rides heaps nicer than the jeep. My jeep is still built for offroad from the factory. I think for the money if you want something really capable you just can't go past the utilitarian jeep. There is a good following of jeep here in Oz with Ausjeep and other forums. Go to the states and you will be shocked at the shear amount of accessories available. Most of that gear works fine on our Aussie jeeps. I got my jeep brand spanking new. I intend to maintain her meticulously and have some good adventures with her. The trick with any new vehicle is how good you maintain them. A few lemons here and there but for the most part new vehicles these days are pretty good. If you buy something new and take good care of it it most likely will take good care of you. You know what you want a 4be for. Don't let us tell you what you want. Go drive them all and see what fits you. Don't let my uncle's friend's dad had a XXXX and they suck type of internet stories scare you off of any of them. BTW if it was me I'd buy the Jeep and I did.