good off roader ? 90, disco or sj

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mitchy

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I'm thinking about going 4x4 what would be a good vehicle ? But I can't really afford a 90 atm so disco or sj
 
I'm thinking about going 4x4 what would be a good vehicle ? But I can't really afford a 90 atm so disco or sj

oh go for a sj :doh: what you think peeps on a a land rover forum are going to say! :rolleyes: :doh:
if you want to spend half the time off-roading on the roof the sj is for you ;)
 
I could by a rusty disco and make a bobtail ? I can do the work and I can get one for 400quid ?
 
90 are expensive for just weekend warrior off roading unless you are proper keen. Disco will be rusty and cheap. SJ will be rusty and expensive....all the good ones are being kept now as they are not as common as they were 10 years ago.

There is an SJ that trials with us that has 3 drivers. It has been over a couple of times this year (one was a complete roll) and it always start up first time and finishes the day. Might be an LR forum, but those of us who don't wear blinkers will tell you that a good SJ is pretty indestructable.
 
I have seen some quite well sorted sj's for 1k so for 1.5 I should be able to find one with little rust ? Or a disco would cost more, if I bought a cheap one and cut the back out to make a bobtail it might then be rust free and better off road ?
 
iv had sj's they are a lot of fun for little money and seem to run forever, my disco is good off road but i seem to go throw diff every 2nd outing, you can not beat a 90 in the mud !!!
 
There are very few sound SJs or Discos out there now. The ones that are good the owners know that and consequently they price them accordingly.
If it is just for off road use then it has to be an SJ but if you have to do much tarmac miles then the Disco is your best bet. Both are very modifiable but the Disco will be cheaper.
Best of luck
 
I'm thinking about going 4x4 what would be a good vehicle ? But I can't really afford a 90 atm so disco or sj

What sort of budget and to do what with?

In reality a Disco is as good off road as a 90. The only real difference is the Disco will feel bulkier and has longer overhangs. But it'll conquer the same ground.

Any Land Rover will open up a huge world of parts and ownership community. Lots of LR only trials run by the ALRC too. Although the AWD Club will allow any marque to enter.

Sj's are ok. Getting on a bit and rust. Personally I'd look out for a Jimny. Highly capable and superb abilities. Think of them as a coil sprung 80" Series 1 Landy that is better built and doesn't leak.

Jeeps are worth a look too. Cherokees are pretty affordable and practical. Although you'll want to do a 2" lift on it to match a Disco.

Grand Cherokees are good too. I'll post some pics in a bit of what they are capable off.

Toyota Hilux pickups are capable too and pretty tough. The Hilux Surf is nice but most have IFS and aren't quite as capable.

Lada Riva is a good alternative option too on a budget but a bit rare.

Even something like a Ford Maverick/Nissan Terrano can be capable they are still ladder frame live axle (rear) 4x4's.
 
I want it mainly for off road, pay and play, ccv that kind of thing, I might drive it on the road to some events or maybe to work if i need to but mainly off road
 
SJ`s are hard to find that haven`t already been modified but conversely are not so good that you ought to just leave them alone - i.e. that range of vehicles in the middle .if its a known vehicle I might buy one that had already been modified but I wouldn`t buy one I didn`t know.
To my mind it boils down to road miles - if you are going to drive the vehicle on the road then a Disco probably gives you the better compromise.
 
I want it mainly for off road, pay and play, ccv that kind of thing, I might drive it on the road to some events or maybe to work if i need to but mainly off road

Who do you think you'll CCV with?

If its' the ALRC then it has to be a Landy.

Or are you thinking AWDC or someone else?

for trials the smaller the better normally, swb vehicle will be far more nimble. But you'll also face the largest competition.

Do you plan to build the truck up over time?

Jimny I'd still say is better than SJ though.
 
Ccv or rtv with landy pay and play of general stuff with the awdc and a sj, I'm quite happy to buy one with all the mods done it saves me money ?
 
Ccv or rtv with landy pay and play of general stuff with the awdc and a sj, I'm quite happy to buy one with all the mods done it saves me money ?
I think the worlds your oyster to be honest - budget permitting.

For good off road ability you need good suspension travel and flex. Usually live axles.

If not, then some sort of traction aid such as traction control or proper locking axle diffs (or an LSD). Few vehicles comes with these as standard or at this price point.

Minimal overhangs, good ground clearance and tough enough are important factors too.

RTV/CCV is certainly easier in a smaller vehicle. So local club level it'll be more enjoyable, although there will be more competition.

If you are considering Land Rover's then I would recommend looking at the ALRC as well as the AWDC.

Series motors are still worth a look, an 88 is still small and nimble and quite capable. Lots of potential mods too.

SJ's are fine - but a Jimny is better.

Jeeps are still worth a look too, esp on a pay and play sort of use.

jeep_john_2.jpg

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Bad ass Cherokee...........Pics Post - Pirate4x4.Com Bulletin Board

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Bad ass Grand Cherokee........ Pics Post - Pirate4x4.Com Bulletin Board

But as said previous, Hilux's are worth a look too:
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Jimny:
offroading-suzuki-jimny-iceland-10.jpg

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But a Disco is still a good starting point, as you can bobtail them, pickup or even turn them into an 80" special:
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with sj's becoming rarer have seen quite a few modded vitaras coming through.

seem pretty capable and not as rusty, even the modded ones are cheap.
 
with sj's becoming rarer have seen quite a few modded vitaras coming through.

seem pretty capable and not as rusty, even the modded ones are cheap.
I don't know so much about these. I quite like the look of them and suspect they can make a good platform, although lacking the live front axle I'd have thought for serious trialling??

On that basis, I'm not sure why you'd pick one over a Jimny?
 
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