I hate to admit it, but it's time to get a phat 4x4 truck. But which one? I want a standard truck's truck - not a bubble-butt chrome and plastic mega-monster. That takes out the new Toyota Tacoma (the older ones work). And what about something with character (harvester, bronco convertible, jeep) oh yeah, that RELIABLE.
So readers, please help me out. I need a truck. I want to haul art and building materials and tools. I want to drive it off road on BLM lands. What should I get?
If I were looking for a new truck, I'd explore the Nissan Titan. It may not have the historical character of say a Harvester or the topless fourby that Chief Brody drove around Amity Island in "Jaws," but it looks like it'll haul you, your nunchuks and whatever your welding at the moment out to China Lake. Easy.
Posted by: Will Campbell | June 21, 2005 at 07:49 PM
Screw the Titan.. that things a beast. Toyota's last forever. Make sure to get the extra cab - you'll thank me later. The new Tocomas are massive. I would get a 2000 or 2001. Reliable, cool and will take you anywhere. The late 80's and early 90's Toyota 4 bangers are bombproof and run upwards of 300,000 miles. Not very fast but run forever. I'm a big fan of Diesel. Find a old Ford Diesel or GMC and convert it to a greesel / SVO car. http://journeytoforever.org/biodiesel_svo.html Diesels run forever and with the gas prices it's cheaper and better for the enviroment (less greenhouse gasses). Plus if you go SVO you'll smell like french fries driving down the road.
Posted by: Pete Petras | June 22, 2005 at 11:29 AM
If I may interject a pet peeve... there are few things that frost my fenders as rapidly as when a follow-up comment to something I simply suggest begins with something along the lines of "Screw that." WTF is that about?
Posted by: Will Campbell | June 22, 2005 at 01:46 PM
I'm rather fond of my 6x6 Styer-Puch Pinzgauer. They make a 4x4 version, it was rather nice when I test drove it. But the 6x6 was slightly more capable off-road. Also, both the 6x6 and 4x4 models come with a double helping of character standard.
Remind me to thank the swiss army for selling these things as surplus equipment.
Posted by: knarph | June 24, 2005 at 11:45 AM
You probably don't want something with **this** much character, but I have been driving my 1991 Jeep Cherokee happily for 12 years, and fully intend to drive it for another 20 at least . . . there's a competition between my pal Beast and I (who drives an old Tacoma, '86 I think) for whose vehicle is going to end up out in the Black Rock desert year-round with the doors off as an art installation/Ranger vehicle first. So I'm a big fan of the Jeeps. Of course Joe wants a Unimog . . .
http://www.unimog.net/
Posted by: Anathema D | July 04, 2005 at 03:36 PM