Longtravel Car?

[sixstringsteve]

So, a few buddies and I were having a fun conversation this weekend. What's the closest thing to a long-travel car? Something like the Ford Raptor of cars? Is there such a thing?

If I were to get one, here are the requirements I'd want in a backcountry travel car:

- IFS (and IRS preferably)
- awd or 4x4
- drives like a car on the freeway (aka, small and nimble). Comfortable enough for a 8+ hour road trip @ 85 mph
- good mpg (over 25 mpg)
- decent ground clearance (aka, no huge exhausts hanging down)
- 4 doors
- reliable
- cheap
- able to travel over rough roads at speed (but no real "rock crawling" per se). Capable enough to do Elephant Hill, but mainly built for bombing through bumpy dirt roads at 40-50 mph.


It'd be a huge plus if it had the following:
- low range
- limited slip or locker availability
- ability to run 29-30" all-terrains

 

[sixstringsteve]

I think a subaru would make a great candidate if only it had a bit more ground clearance, the ability to run all terrain tires, and the ability to go slow on more technical terrain (4-lo).

 

[Rot Box]

I was thinking about this the other day. Picture this:

First gen CR-V
Old Man Emu lift (yep they make one)
Modified 20B turbocharged/intercooled engine (turbo Honda parts are everywhere for that motor)
Manual trans.
Front and rear strut tower bracing
215/75 BFG Allterrains
Oversized drilled rotors
Full underbelly skid plates. The plastic kind UHMW? Not sure.
Big ol' running lights
WRC stickers for extra flair

 

[Deleted member 12904]

Jackson Rally Dirty Wagon! Google it because its awesome!

 

[sixstringsteve]

I was thinking about this the other day. Picture this:

First gen CR-V
Old Man Emu lift (yep they make one)
Modified 20B turbocharged/intercooled engine (turbo Honda parts are everywhere for that motor)
Manual trans.
Front and rear strut tower bracing
215/75 BFG Allterrains
Oversized drilled rotors
Full underbelly skid plates. The plastic kind UHMW? Not sure.
Big ol' running lights
WRC stickers for extra flair

Love it. How would you get the exhaust out of the way? Got any pics of something similarly built?

 

[Skylinerider]

What about an AMC Eagle. Although I'd love a Local Motors Rally Fighter

 

[sixstringsteve]

Jackson Rally Dirty Wagon! Google it because its awesome!

That's sweet.

 

[sixstringsteve]

What about an AMC Eagle.

I think you're on to something here. How reliable are they?

Although I'd love a Local Motors Rally Fighter

Yes! That's what I'm talking about. A 4-door version would rock.

 

[sixstringsteve]

It's not long-travel, but it might do the trick.


I dig these two:

 

[Rot Box]

Love it. How would you get the exhaust out of the way? Got any pics of something similarly built?

It might take some creativity with the skid plates. The cat is the biggest hangup and who needs those anyway

Behold:
[video=youtube;X6yxhjEcqL4]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6yxhjEcqL4[/video]

 

[sixstringsteve]

It might take some creativity with the skid plates. The cat is the biggest hangup and who needs those anyway

Behold:
[video=youtube;X6yxhjEcqL4]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6yxhjEcqL4[/video]

hm... that could definitely work.

 

[Unimog]

I've been thinking about this kind of vehicle. Maybe the next project with the Outback I picked up off an RMEer!

 

[sixstringsteve]

I've been thinking about this kind of vehicle. Maybe the next project with the Outback I picked up off an RMEer!

Awesome.

 

[Marsh99]

I remember the Monster garage build of a 4wd corvette using a toyota tcase.

 

[carsonc1974]

it doest fit all of your criteria, but I've had a TON OF FUN in and old baja style bug! Im not a rock crawler, but have surprised myself in some of the places we've been able to go.

 

[phatfoto]

If someone gave me a Pinto wagon, I could meet most of the OP's criteria, minus the 4 doors...

But I agree with Deviant, Jackson Rally Dirt Wagon is a beast. And with some effort, I believe the IFS in the old AMC Eagle's could be made quasi long travel. Eagles? Reliable? Like any other car of the era, except for the Jeep parts. MANY are still on the road after 30 years...

 

[capt scotty]

Porsche Cayenne Turbo...meets just about everything but CHEAP. Has an air bag lift, factory lockers front and rear, selectable auto. 400 hp. huge torque.

 

[sixstringsteve]

it doest fit all of your criteria, but I've had a TON OF FUN in and old baja style bug! Im not a rock crawler, but have surprised myself in some of the places we've been able to go.

I think a fleet of baja bugs would be so cool, I love those.

Did they ever make a 4x4 vw thing?

 

[Rock Taco]

This looks do able.

[video=youtube;aMnjxtPVu3o]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMnjxtPVu3o[/video]

I think this would be beyond my comfort level in one of these.

[video=youtube;ENsORPLeMok]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENsORPLeMok[/video]

 

[sixstringsteve]

I wouldn't want to do either of those in a subi.