need a bulletproof 4x4
 

Right plannin on doin some heavy travelling now that i've finished uni and been workin a bit, and the plan was to buy a solid 4x4 thats cheap and easy to repair, and go for a drive, for well quite a few months, probably next summer with this one (and my funds) dwindling.

So i was thinking about an old land rover, mainly because spares are easily avaliable, long wheel base, so that i can rip the back out and fit a matress, so that those nites we cant camp we have some where to sleep, the price of them seems to have gone up quite a bit, probably coz there half decent,

so what about the Land rover Discovery, something like a 93-95 model? i've seen a few of them being used for off roading, but are they reliable?

It preferably needs to be a good solid reliable car, half decent at handling 'some' offroading, the more the better, coz that just means we can go futher, and all that for around, (preferable less) that ?3k, te lower the price the more i can spend on fuel/expenses etc

so any ideas, are there any decent jap motors i'm over looking?

Re: need a bulletproof 4x4
 

As a Landrover owner of many years I can say that they are great fun. Give the lro.com forums a shout. They are very helpful and there may well be some members close to you. A 110" Defender will set you back quite a bit as they hold their value, a Discovery could be had for less but you will need to be carefull and spend some time looking for a good solid one. The Discovery wouldn't lend itself to being converted to a camper but you can get roof tents which are a very handy addition for overlanding.
Good luck in your search :D

Re: need a bulletproof 4x4
 

Have you considered the old faithful Toyota Hilux? One of those will go on for ever.

Or have a look at this guy.

http://www.101fc.net/index.htm

Four wheel drive off road camper van.:smt038

Re: need a bulletproof 4x4
 

ANY 4x4 is expensive. END OF....


Why does it need to do off road:?: There are plenty of vehicles out there will handle 'difficult' situations without 4 wheel drive or off road capabilities. There are 4 wheel drive vehicles that are not marketed as being off road vehicles that you could choose.

Re: need a bulletproof 4x4
 

Well having seen the purple one you posted I had a look

Seems that they dont really take to conversion to camper van that well.

And if you are using a VAMPIRE as a base, you WILL knock £6k off the value.....

Re: need a bulletproof 4x4
 

I'd avoid LR if I were you. They're unreliable and spares are only easy to get in this country. Buy the old Land Cruiser; the square one. They still make that ancient design new for farmers in outback Australia because of their reliability. If you're wanting accomodation google for roof tents. Living in the back fo a 4x4 is tough (I did for months and months...in a '76 Range Rover Petrol V8 :thumbsup:). Also have a look at the old Nissan Patrols.

Re: need a bulletproof 4x4
 

What about this? (Have a browse around the site, you'll probably find something more appropriate - like Landrover 90/110's that are ex-forces).

Re: need a bulletproof 4x4
 

Series 2A or 3 109 GS - Ex - military version. Get a hard-top if you can and the 'van' type body (not wagon with rear seats).

Easy to repair and with a little maintenance will serve you well. With a bit of ply or chip board you can put a matress on top and sleep in the back without an issue with storage underneath, between the wheel 'arches'.

If you can get one, a 110 or Defender would be better due to better suspension and drivetrain.

Discoveries are not a bad thing, I have a '94 model, and they are pretty good. A 94 model and later is preferable as they have a revised drivetrain and interior.

Re: need a bulletproof 4x4
 

I make the ammunition for these http://www.witham-sv.com/infopage.php?ID=52&Overide=0

Suddenly <£5k seems like a bargain ;) I'm not a bit fan of London ....

Re: need a bulletproof 4x4
 

IMHO it depends on where you are travelling to. If in Europe, pretty much anything will be fine (Toyota / Nissan / Isuzu / LR / Mitsubishi). If travelling to Africa then your best bet would be a Toyota Land Cruiser or LR series III 109.

if you need cheap, an Isuzu Trooper mark I with the 2.8 diesel are pretty bullet proof, but all have been to the moon and back by now. Make sure the clutch is sound.

Also have you considered the off-road people carriers that the Japs made, such as the Mitsubishi Delica or Mazda Bongo?