Thinking outloud, please interject.

[Seanm26]

I love my Mitsubishi. It's quirky, fun, not super common, and i think it looks great. But aftermarket support is virtually non-existent. It is easy to find engine parts since thr 6G72 was installed in a bunch of Chrysler vehicles, but the rest of the vehicle is all special order parts. That generally isn't a big deal for me since I fix cars for a living. I usually find things before they fail and have a replacement in short order.

That won't work when we decide to get off the grid. If it breaks "out there" I need to be able to find parts and tools locally.

So the wife and i came to a decision last night that we are going to buy an overlanding rig. We need something to carry us, our 5 year old, and our dog.

I am leaning heavily towards a Jeep ZJ Grand Cherokee with a 5.2 V8. We already own one, and it is the Wife's but it is off-limits for modding. There is some history and sentimentality with that machine. But they are quite common and i can get one super cheap. Since i have spent the last 9 years working for Chrysler I have learned a thing or two about this chassis. The downside with this option is space. If we forego a RTT it won't be an issue. (Side question: who makes good weatherproof storage boxes?)

I thought about a truck, but i have a couple reservations: 1. I don't want a full size 1/2 ton and 2. Rear seat leg room is a joke in mid-sized 4 door trucks.

A Land Cruiser would be nice but Toyotas fetch an absolute premium. Our purchase budget is $2500. That would buy a beautiful ZJ. Repair costs aren't much of a factor since I get parts at wholesale and don't pay labor.

If you made it this far you must be extremely bored so you are required to respond.

 

[Road]

I love my Mitsubishi. It's quirky, fun, not super common, and i think it looks great. But aftermarket support is virtually non-existent. It is easy to find engine parts since thr 6G72 was installed in a bunch of Chrysler vehicles, but the rest of the vehicle is all special order parts. That generally isn't a big deal for me since I fix cars for a living. I usually find things before they fail and have a replacement in short order.

That won't work when we decide to get off the grid. If it breaks "out there" I need to be able to find parts and tools locally.

So the wife and i came to a decision last night that we are going to buy an overlanding rig. We need something to carry us, our 5 year old, and our dog.

I am leaning heavily towards a Jeep ZJ Grand Cherokee with a 5.2 V8. We already own one, and it is the Wife's but it is off-limits for modding. There is some history and sentimentality with that machine. But they are quite common and i can get one super cheap. Since i have spent the last 9 years working for Chrysler I have learned a thing or two about this chassis. The downside with this option is space. If we forego a RTT it won't be an issue. (Side question: who makes good weatherproof storage boxes?)

I thought about a truck, but i have a couple reservations: 1. I don't want a full size 1/2 ton and 2. Rear seat leg room is a joke in mid-sized 4 door trucks.

A Land Cruiser would be nice but Toyotas fetch an absolute premium. Our purchase budget is $2500. That would buy a beautiful ZJ. Repair costs aren't much of a factor since I get parts at wholesale and don't pay labor.

If you made it this far you must be extremely bored so you are required to respond.

.

@Seanm26 - as to your side Q: Here are seven pages of storage case ideas: What Do You Use To Store All Your Gear

As for switching up vehicles; sounds like you've already made up your mind.

Good luck out here.

Road

.

Roaddude - On the Road In North America - ROADDUDE

Roaddude - Traveling Photographer/Writer/Artist On the Road In North America. Gear, reviews, people, places, and culture.

roaddude.com

 

[Dave K]

How far off grid are you going? Where is “out there”? You already do not have parts locally and have to order them so what’s the difference between now and then? If you are getting by just fine now would you not then? That $2500 could go a long ways toward other stuff.. or just one thing. Just a thought.

 

[Seanm26]

Some people can turn their daily rig in to a good overlanding machine. My wife runs a cleaning business out of hers and I am constantly hauling stuff for my other money pit, a Columbia 26 MKII sailboat. So a 3rd vehicle that can be a dedicated overlanding rig just makes sense.

I have worked for Jeep for 9 years. I have a decent stock of parts, special tools, and skills to repair them on the fly. And ZJ's are full framed with solid axles front and rear. A 2 inch lift for the Montero Sport is $1300 + shipping. For that money i could lift the Jeep and throw a set of Wrangler wheels and tires on it.

 

[Dave K]

Well, it sounds like your decision is made. I must say, a dedicated rig does make life much more simple. Mine own rig is such. Good luck on the hunt and subsequent build.

 

[Anak]

ZJs are full framed?

I know they have better support underneath than does an XJ, but I thought they were still essentially a unibody construction.

I do think they are a good candidate for an overlanding rig. I would be more inclined to go with the inline six instead of the V8, but that's just me. Although if parts availability is your goal I think the inline six has a longer run and higher production numbers.

If you have been working for Jeep/Chrysler for the last nine years then you should have a good handle on the weaknesses of the platform and be able to keep on top of things before they become issues. And you have probably seen plenty of aftermarket options for it and been able to see the good and bad of those as they have come through the service bays.

It sounds like a reasonable decision to me.

 

[Seanm26]

I like the 5.2 V8 over the 4 liter I6 because it has wonderful low end torque.

The Magnum engines were introduced in 1964. The SOHC I6 was introduced in 1993.

 

[M Rose]

I like the 5.2 V8 over the 4 liter I6 because it has wonderful low end torque.

The Magnum engines were introduced in 1964. The SOHC I6 was introduced in 1993.

I think the 4.0 renix was put into the xj several years earlier... iirc like in 1987. I was surprised my 1988 xj had a 4.0 from the factory... the pre 1993 magnum and post 93 magnum engines aren’t even close to the same. The intake and heads on my 1978 dodge 318 won’t fit on my 1999 Durango 318. The transmissions won’t swap without an adapter either...

Also the sohc i6 4.2L was used back from 76 (maybe even earlier) to 1986 wrangler and pre 1987 Cherokee, wagoneer, and grand wagoneer.

the 5.2 magnum only puts out 60 more ft/lbs of torque than the 4.0, they both max out the torque curve at 3200 rpm

4.0 235 lb/ft @ 3200 rpm
5.2 295 lb/ft @ 3200 rpm

I don’t have any software where I can overlay the two torque curves, but they are both right about the same...the SOYP Dino can’t tell the difference in the torque difference between the two.

 

[Farook Ismail]

Seanm26 hi there,
"please interject" well ok i think i will

I think you can overland anything so if zj is your fancy go for it.
My thoughts are: Its too old. Unless you want to spend on parts and spare parts something newer might be in order..

Good luck with it all..I'm sure you'll make a wise decision about it..
Cheers..

 

[Murphy Slaw]

I think you can overland anything so if zj is your fancy go for it.

Yep. It's what you like, trust and are familiar with.

 

[Boostpowered]

Im 6ft2/ 185lbs and legroom in the rear of most new trucks isnt that bad, ive actually been pretty comfy with plenty of head and leg room in a few of the rear seats ive ridden in. Unless your planning on your kid being a basketball player or andre the giant rear seats in new trucks will work fine. Now on the spare part deal there are new cars that parts are hard to get for, i still havent been able to find a timing belt for my colorado duramax and time for replacement is sneaking up on me its supposed to be changed at 160k and im at 72k miles and do 500+ miles of commuting per week. Mechanically everything aside from the engine parts are common and easily found. Ive heard the 2.8 duramax engine is of the same design as the jeep vm 2.8 diesel so ill be lookimg into parts for them soon if i cant find what i need. Most engines out there have a sibling and you just need to do research to find another avenue for parts.

 

[grubworm]

Yep. It's what you like, trust and are familiar with.

Good point. Being confident that you can fix what you're driving gives you a peace of mind that is pretty nice to have when out in the boonies...

 

[Autism Family Travels]

Older model Tahoe or Burban is an idea too. I had an 05 for years and loved it after I got it fixed up.

 

[Boostpowered]

Large rigs are great if your main area to overland is wide open spaces like desert or plains, beach etc but if you plan on spending alot of time in any mountains id suggest something more midsized to smaller. Even in a midsize pickup its difficult to turn around on a mountain trail due to rockslide, avalanche or washout when one side is a 100ft drop and the other side is a 90° hill and the trail is only 6 to 10ft wide things get hairy quick and having a electric winch and a comealong are absolutely needed. Even switchbacks can get iffy.
Larger trucks will get hung up in most of the wooded trails ive been on im not sure how wide the trails are cut in your area but 6ft wide is fairly common around me and that has pinstriped the crap out of my colorado.

 

[Bama_Kiwi]

$2500 would go a long way towards getting your current Montero Sport up to top-nick and spec'd out nicely.

But, I'm kind of a Mitsubishi sympathizer, too.

It kind of seems like you have already made a decision and just wanted the community's confirmation. So, to that I say, "Follow your heart."

 

[Seanm26]

My mind is made up until it isn't.

I can't leave anything alone so the Mitsubishi will get modified somewhat. But finding parts for it is difficult. OME and Ironman 4x4 are the only companies that make lift kits, but they are special order with freight from Austrailia.

 

[Boostpowered]

My mind is made up until it isn't.

I can't leave anything alone so the Mitsubishi will get modified somewhat. But finding parts for it is difficult. OME and Ironman 4x4 are the only companies that make lift kits, but they are special order with freight from Austrailia.

Sometimes youve gotta do what youve gotta do. I regularly order parts for my truck from Australia and Malaysia and both only take about 2 weeks to arrive by boat then a few days to make it to tx. Usually the wait is worth it.

 

[Trail_pilot]

I would put the grand with the 5.2 in the same category as the one you are driving now. Parts can be hard to come by if something happens. Not sure about your area but I know I have looked for parts for them before and come up empty handed because parts were discontinued or on back order. Suspension may be easy to find parts for but some engine and drive line component may be a nightmare and if you did want to lift it in the future ( if your wife decided to let you ) you would need to have a custom driveshaft made because most lifts will not work on the V8 models because of the CV driveshaft. don't get me wrong I love the grand cherokees but I would be looking at 1 with the inline 6. i know you said you already own one but that's just my 2 cents, and maybe because you work at a dealership you will have better luck finding parts than I have in the past lol.

 

[Seanm26]

My perspective is slightly skewed. I have not had any problems finding parts.

I should buy a few clapped out ones, make them runners, and sell them to all the ski bums.

 

[Seanm26]

I should buy a Disco 2.