What is a good vintage mountain vehicle?

[BMWgiant]

My '71 Volvo 142s is not conducive to winter driving, let alone mountain driving. I never really considered any AWD or 4WD cars, so I know very little about them. I've been curious lately about vintage AWD/4WD cars. Are there any you guys would recommend? I'm thinking about truly cool cars like old FJs, Land Cruisers, Rovers, AMCs, etc. but again, what are the best years? What other more obscure cars are awesome mountain/snow cars? Were 70s Subarus AWD? I'm thinking of vehicles that are bad ass from the 60s to the 80s. Just curious to hear what are your guys favorite AWD vehicles. Post a photo with your suggestions as well.

[tones]

e28 with studs

[Cactus]

Sure it may not go real fast, but it takes a hell of a lot to slow it down. Say hello to the two wheel drive Rokon Trailbreaker. The first solo vehicular crossing of the Darièn gap was reportedly done on one of these. Failing that, a Pinzgauer or 'Mog with portal axles will see you to the other side of almost any terrain.

[tsmall07]

Jeep Scrambler or Wagoneer, Ford Bronco (Early or full size), International scout... Pre-1985 4-runners are cool.

[My528e.awesome]

Ford Bronco (Early ONLY)

Fixed that for you, lol. Late model Bronco's are shit, better of with a Chevy K5 if you want an 80's full size suv.

[TheLazyDog]

A Land Rover Defender, if you can get one.



"... So, quite simply, unless you have dispensation from the U.S. Government to import a Defender for a specialist reason, you're gonna have to buy something that is 25 years or older. This is because, as long as the vehicle is sufficiently unaltered in identity (VIN, original chassis, correct type of engine etc) a blanket rule applies in the U.S. that allows any 25 year plus aged vehicle to be imported without prejudice under the banner of a classic car. I know what you're thinking... who wants a 25 year old truck, right? But wait Landy lovers, all is not lost: the Defender has not really changed much in 25 years. Land Rover kind of got it right the first time around and as a result they have stuck to their iconic 'go anywhere' design. You really do have to be an enthusiast to spot the difference between a well turned out 1986 110 Station Wagon and a well turned out 2008 110 station wagon. That means, as long as you start off with a good solid machine, the only implications of buying a 25 year old plus Defender is that you will probably miss out on a few mod-cons like air conditioning, a 6-speed transmission, or a Sony DVD sound system. Otherwise, a Defender is a Defender is a Defender (and there is nothing stopping you installing anything you like once the vehicle has successfully passed through customs!)."

[tsmall07]

Ford Bronco (Early ONLY)

Fixed that for you, lol. Late model Bronco's are shit, better of with a Chevy K5 if you want an 80's full size suv.

I was referring to the '78-'79. I like the '92-'96, too. The only Blazer worth getting is the California top.

[davintosh]

How about an e30 325ix? Stuart in MN found out the hard way the extreme lengths fashion model types will go to to meet their drivers.

As for winter driving in your Volvo, what tires are you running? Seems to me that with a decent set of snows and some extra weight in the trunk you should be able to get around ok. If you don't have a set of snows for it, you should; that's far more affordable than any new-to-you classic AWD vehicle might be.

[Mike W.]

My '71 Volvo 142s is not conducive to winter driving, let alone mountain driving. I never really considered any AWD or 4WD cars, so I know very little about them. I've been curious lately about vintage AWD/4WD cars. Are there any you guys would recommend? I'm thinking about truly cool cars like old FJs, Land Cruisers, Rovers, AMCs, etc. but again, what are the best years? What other more obscure cars are awesome mountain/snow cars? Were 70s Subarus AWD? I'm thinking of vehicles that are bad ass from the 60s to the 80s. Just curious to hear what are your guys favorite AWD vehicles. Post a photo with your suggestions as well.

At least some of the 70s Subarus were AWD. My only experience with one was doing a brake job on one with inboard drum brakes. Not fun. And as few as were made I think finding one from the 80s would be tough, let alone 70's. But IMO one from the late 80s, early 90s would be the way to go for what I think you're looking for. Bear in mind I do have an anti truck bias having owned a couple. And Subaru styling seems to age early, so having one from the 80s might seem like one from the 70s.

[Duke]

[wkohler]

Get a legacy outback wagon, a forester or a baja.

I wonder what Swedes drive in winter.

[cddallara]

FJ40.

/thread

Most, if not all first thru third gen 4Runners are great, just avoid the 3.slow v6.

I doubt you're going rockcrawling enough to warrant a solid axle '85 and earlier.

Defenders are sweet, except for the landrover part. They did import 110s, and 90s. Do an engine/axle swap, good to go.

Don't see too many around any more, wonder why...

[tsmall07]

I didn't mention any FJs because they usually go for a lot of dough. Early Broncos are getting there, though.

I doubt you're going rockcrawling enough to warrant a solid axle '85 and earlier.

They are the coolest ones, though.

[Matt]

I know a bunch of microsoftie's in Washington that have been buying up Subaru GLs, calling themselves the "GL Army"

They are anonymous, disposable, 4wd vehicles.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&featu ... t0BmphMSOU

[WildKarrde]

How about an e30 325ix? Stuart in MN found out the hard way the extreme lengths fashion model types will go to to meet their drivers.

As for winter driving in your Volvo, what tires are you running? Seems to me that with a decent set of snows and some extra weight in the trunk you should be able to get around ok. If you don't have a set of snows for it, you should; that's far more affordable than any new-to-you classic AWD vehicle might be.

I was gonna recommend the 325iX. I had one, wow, was it ever amazing!! Such a heck of a lot of fun, and endless amounts of grip. Sooo expensive if anything in the AWD system breaks though. I bought it knowing it needed a full restoration... and lack of money just didn't allow me to follow through. But it was totally worth the experience.

[cddallara]

I didn't mention any FJs because they usually go for a lot of dough. Early Broncos are getting there, though.

I doubt you're going rockcrawling enough to warrant a solid axle '85 and earlier.

They are the coolest ones, though.

Inorite ; )

[FastFiver]

Gelandewagen. Dem locking axles.

[nik77356]

Pre-1985 4-runners are cool.

So.... an '84?

[tsmall07]

Pre-1985 4-runners are cool.

So.... an '84?

Yeah. I wasn't sure what year they started making them. I think the '85s had solid axles too, though.

I know a bunch of microsoftie's in Washington that have been buying up Subaru GLs, calling themselves the "GL Army"

They are anonymous, disposable, 4wd vehicles.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&featu ... t0BmphMSOU

Those are pretty awesome. They also made a 4x4 6-speed civic wagon in the early 90s. I had a 2wd one. Great car. I bought a parts car to swap mine to 4x4, but ran into some issues and sold them both.

[WildKarrde]

Pre-1985 4-runners are cool.

So.... an '84?

Yeah. I wasn't sure what year they started making them. I think the '85s had solid axles too, though.

I know a bunch of microsoftie's in Washington that have been buying up Subaru GLs, calling themselves the "GL Army"

They are anonymous, disposable, 4wd vehicles.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&featu ... t0BmphMSOU

Those are pretty awesome. They also made a 4x4 6-speed civic wagon in the early 90s. I had a 2wd one. Great car. I bought a parts car to swap mine to 4x4, but ran into some issues and sold them both.

The BMW mechanic I work with has a Corolla 4WD wagon. It can be run in FWD as well to save some gas. I've helped him tow two cars with it, it's quite the work horse.

[alijonny]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mr38/1374971516/


[/I wish I didn't feel so insignificant :bawl:]

[a]

get a set of blizzaks and some ballast. and keep on driving the Volvo. It snows in Sweden

[WilNJ]

I like the '92-'96, too. The only Blazer worth getting is the California top.

I had a '95 Bronco with the 351. Nice truck but mileage was horrible. Granted I have a heavy foot but 13 highway was the best I could get out it.

[wkohler]

OJ got better mileage out of his.

[tsmall07]

I like the '92-'96, too. The only Blazer worth getting is the California top.

I had a '95 Bronco with the 351. Nice truck but mileage was horrible. Granted I have a heavy foot but 13 highway was the best I could get out it.

My '96 f150 got close to 20, but it had a 302 and MT.

[BMWgiant]

I love my car, and it drives fine. I could use some snow studs, but overall it's not terrible in the snow. It is terrible in the mountains though, especially with having to tune the carbs for altitude. Over all, I'm really just bored with the car and am looking out for something very different. I might end up in an old Bavaria if the right one came up. I've just been really interested in vintage 4 wheel drive vehicles while living in Colorado, but I'm so unfamiliar with them, I wanted to hear your guys suggestions. These are great so far! Keep them coming. I won't be selling my volvo till the summer, just an FYI. I'm just keeping my eyes open.

[pleasefixitup]

1980 international scout II diesel

[davintosh]

I love my car, and it drives fine. I could use some snow studs, but overall it's not terrible in the snow. It is terrible in the mountains though, especially with having to tune the carbs for altitude. Over all, I'm really just bored with the car and to look out for something very different. I might end up in an old Bavaria if the right one came up. I've just been really interested in vintage 4 wheel drove vehicle being Colorado, but I'm so unfamiliar with them, I wanted to hear your guys suggestions. These are great! Keep them coming. I won't be selling my volvo till the summer, just an FYI.

And the real reason behind the quest comes to light. That's the Blake we all know and kinda love.

[wkohler]

FYI, bavs have carbs too...

[Brad D.]

1980 international scout II diesel

Didn't have a diesel but I really miss my Scout II.