Best domestic overlanders?

[Chris S]

Greetings, what in your opinions are the domestic vehicles of choice to undertake long-term overland travels? By this I mean 3 months or more in outback Latin America, Asia and Africa where spares and support cannot be guaranteed, conditions can be tough and so reliability and durability are important factors.

I'm talking about Fords, GM, Dodge, Jeep etc. I am particularly interested to know if there is a specific pre-electronic models (presumably older, pre-2000?) on which it all came together. I've tried scouring various forums but am not very much the wiser.

Over here for example the selection is no less small but the choice is almost exclusively Land Rover Defender (in particular Tdi300s) and just about any diesel Tojo LC. I wonder if the optimal range is as narrow in North America?

thanks for your input.

Chris S
(UK)

[DaveInDenver]

Does the truck have to be eligible for proper registration in the USA and Canada?

[Chris S]

I guess so - I'm wondering what you guys would choose if you were set on NA-built marques.

Ch

[pskhaat]

The Chevrolet Colorado is an good platform IMO and keeps it on the small. On the large-end I would consider a Dodge 2500 with Cummins diesel, purely for the Cummins and manual transmission option.

I like the looks and moderate body size of the GM HD2500s, but don't like the idea of only automatic transmission and a mostly/reasonably unmodifiable front suspension system.

I might even say Ford Ranger. The running gear appears from a distance to have some faults but I hear very few things wrong with these little trucks?

I've seriously considered selling some Cruisers and doing a full-size domestic build, but they're just as spendy as a new Cruiser and I don't like bench seats.

[DaveInDenver]

I might even say Ford Ranger. The running gear appears from a distance to have some faults but I hear very few things wrong with these little trucks?

My Ranger was a pile of junk. Owning that drove me back to imports for good (I sold a perfectly fine 1983 Civic to buy it).

Anyway, I think the answer to his original question is what domestic rig(s) are the go-to platforms. There are plenty of perfectly serviceable trucks here, just as there might be in the UK or anywhere else. But what are the choices should you start completely fresh?

I have to say a couple obvious options running through my mind are:
Ford F350 (the '97-'00 Powerstroke 7.3L, right?)
Dodge Ram 3500 ('01-'05, the ones with a NV5600, right?)

Can't say a Jeep only because the ones I consider worthy mechanically are probably too small volume-wise as a base. The CJ8 would be on the list, but how old are we looking for? Also can we consider a Tacoma as domestic because it's built here?

[Dirty Harry]

I would chose a 94-98 Dodge with the Cummins engine (all mechanical) and NV4500 transmission. Coil sprung front end with a solid axle and leaf sprung rear solid axle.

[Scott Brady]

Small: Jeep Cherokee XJ with 4.0L (actually very reliable and capable)
Medium: Chevrolet Tahoe 2-Door, Ford Bronco
Large: Ford Super Duty with 7.3L Turbo Diesel

I would only select the Cherokee or the Super Duty if I had the choice.

Great to see you here again Chris!

[pskhaat]

Woops, missed this comment:

...Jeep

Jeeps I would by all means consider

[grahamfitter]

Over here for example the selection is no less small but the choice is almost exclusively Land Rover Defender (in particular Tdi300s) and just about any diesel Tojo LC. I wonder if the optimal range is as narrow in North America?

thanks for your input.

Chris S
(UK)

If I had the narrow choice of a diesel Land Cruiser or Land Rover I would be pretty happy!

Can you still get diesel Jeeps (Wrangler/Cherokee) in Britain? If so that might be more attractive than a gasoline one available here.

Cheers,
Graham
(Ex UK)