Offroad-Express

I have been looking at purchasing a Landrover Discovery Series 1 or posible a LWB Pajero.

But, after discusing with my other half we are equally quite keen to convert the rear into a sleeping setup.

Which 4x4 's provide the best setup for this?

We were hoping to build a rear tray with some lower slide out draws which we then both sleep on top.

I'm just over 6 feet to give you an idea of height requirements and are medium build.

A van would be ideal but they are hard to come by on trademe with the hi low box and tend to go for quite a bit or are quite rough due to being ex trade vehicles.

Any suggestions would be great - might need to stick it out for a van - I could only find a couple on trademe

We will use the vehicle for camping and shiny 4x4 adventures.

LWB Hi top Safari, lots of head room even after you set up a drawer system

Is the high top the more common version e.g the Grand road.

BMC wrote:Is the high top the more common version e.g the Grand road.

Such as this
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-ca ... 064436.htm


Another good option may be a Defender 110 or similar, DieselBoys build is pretty cool
viewtopic.php?f=21&t=24458
viewtopic.php?f=8&t=44104

Right - thank you - appreciate your help.

- The defender build is epic.

Does anyone have a 4x4 van out of interest or have had one in the past.

Would be keen to know how they stack to your typical 4x4 when doing basic off roading?

It would appear that the only options are the Mutsubishi L300 or Toyota Hiace - I can only find maybe 3 of these combined on trademe right now.

Must be very rare.......

Those mitsi space gear 4x4s would do the job bit more ground clearance than a hiace
Mates got one it's pretty cool has two big sunroofs and skylights downs each side
It's got electric everything even curtains and covers for roof glass,air con everywhere and it all still works

this thread here
viewtopic.php?f=18&t=44497&p=448817&hil ... an#p448817
discusses the 4wd van capabilities/limitations.

BMC wrote:I have been looking at purchasing a Landrover Discovery Series 1 or posible a LWB Pajero.

But, after discusing with my other half we are equally quite keen to convert the rear into a sleeping setup.

Which 4x4 's provide the best setup for this?

We were hoping to build a rear tray with some lower slide out draws which we then both sleep on top.

I'm just over 6 feet to give you an idea of height requirements and are medium build.

A van would be ideal but they are hard to come by on trademe with the hi low box and tend to go for quite a bit or are quite rough due to being ex trade vehicles.

Any suggestions would be great - might need to stick it out for a van - I could only find a couple on trademe

We will use the vehicle for camping and shiny 4x4 adventures.

check out 'dieselboy' and his Defender 110. Fits the bill very nicely. You can't do better than that.

My Sis & her hubby had a 4x4 Hiace that they set up as a camper - they were a bit disappointed with it's 4x4 ability. Too low & lots of overhang, hard to fit decent tyres. Depends on how hardcore you want to go of course.

I've seen a hi-top LWB Nissan safari with what looked like a factory camper setup in the back - pretty cool. The Safaris are a really tough & reliable wagon & are great offroad but you will pay a premium for a good one these days.

Cheers
Clint

as most of the above replies get the biggest longest highest bus you can find mate the more room you've got the more shit you can squeeze in to make it a more enjoyable experience , LWB GQ Saf, 80 (100 or 200 if your rich ) series cruisers work well and drive distances ok, was a few years back now but I was disappointed in the amount of room you get out of a GU saf, you wouldn't catch me dead in one of those old landy defenders but they do have square sides that makes up for really good usable space inside them, make sure you suss out a good awning to stretch out across the side and around the back it makes good indoor/outdoor living and plenty of room for the bbq, cooker, gas bottles, water containers, table, recliner chairs, beer, chilly bins, kayaks, mountain bikes, wetsuits and all that shit that you keep tripping over

In terms of usable interior space , there are only two options , Labdrover Defender 110 or Toyota Landcruiser Troop carrier .
You loose the headroom to sit-up properly in all the others, as soon as you build the bed platform up over the wheel arches .

Hi-roof Safari GQ /GU would be next best but a lot of the interior space in the rear is consumed with plastic panel work

Or try to find an old Range-Rover Ambulance...

what about one of these. http://earthcruiser.com/

Hi roof GQ Safari are no good either. My parents have one and we have tried two different set ups over the years to make it work and eventually gave up in favour of a Troopy

The rear doors are just normal low roof Safari size, so you cant get in and out of the back of them when you have a draw system or whatever in there. Not much useable space in them for a big old bus. There was no chance of setting one up like a Troopy or a Defender.

Going off a hazy memory here but I think the factory camper style Safari I saw had a higher roof than the std hi-top Safari. No idea how common they are but probably worth keeping an eye out for.

The Landcruiser troopcarrier is a good suggestion, it's hard to find a good one 2nd hand though as most are beat to near death by some forestry gang before being sold on. Do some research on the different engine variants if shopping for one, I think they change to a more modern motor in about 1989-90.

Cheers
Clint

Thank you for everyones comments.

I have located a couple of GU Safaris on trademe with the High Roof.

As mentioned earlier, they tend to be around $10k for a tidy one otherwise anything less appears to be a we bit of a gamble.

Was hoping to spend around $6k.

There does appear to be a number of Safari setups for sleeping in across the Web, but generally you only get to see the setup and not someone actually in it.

The Trooper would be great, but must be very rare as the only one I could find was around 2012 for $50k!

I was starting to lean towards the GU Safaris and become excited with the idea, but it sounds like they are no good and the 80 Series Landcruisers have less space so they are out as well.

Will have to read up on the GU Safari diesel engine vs the Turbo model along with manual vs automatic.

I understand the engines are very reliable if looked after and the auto box is as good as they come, but possibly not the best fit for the non turbo diesel given the lack of power ?

In the mean time I will try to see if I can find a trooper on trademe.

Another possible option is Mitsi Pajero with an independent front end they give a much smoother ride on the road and they are alot cheaper than most other options stay away from the 2.5 litre diesel engines though they blow head gaskets

BMC wrote:Thank you for everyones comments.

I have located a couple of GU Safaris on trademe with the High Roof.

As mentioned earlier, they tend to be around $10k for a tidy one otherwise anything less appears to be a we bit of a gamble.

Was hoping to spend around $6k.

A GU Nissan for $6,000-10,000 that would be good buying. I think you might be actually referring to the older GQ Nissan for that price? And as already stated they maybe big vehicles, but actually interior is very small and narrow especially from waist up.

DieselBoy wrote:Hi roof GQ Safari are no good either. My parents have one and we have tried two different set ups over the years to make it work and eventually gave up in favour of a Troopy

The rear doors are just normal low roof Safari size, so you cant get in and out of the back of them when you have a draw system or whatever in there. Not much useable space in them for a big old bus. There was no chance of setting one up like a Troopy or a Defender.

ive done a bit of travelling with draws in safari hi top neva been a prob getting in and out for me lol had full bed in back with small 3 way fridge was still plenty of room for gear under floor and 3 Jerry cans of xtra fuel and made it so back could fold back to make a wall so i could pop in a couple of passengers we required ... laid down was plenty of head room ... best way in and out of bed was side doors as the way i set it up had it in a wee bit at doors to accommodate getting in and still sleep 2 comfortably

That's good to know , as I would be wanting to sleep 2 people.

Do you have any photos of your setup by any chance?

BMC wrote:That's good to know , as I would be wanting to sleep 2 people.

Do you have any photos of your setup by any chance?

will try to find some as not sure if ive got any...
was just thick play box on floor fitted between wheel arches and as high as a steel jerrycan laying on its side with a top screwd to reaching from bak to rear seats with heavy hinges and section of ply that layed over folded down seats and foam matress with space at rear cut out to fit my fridge (had option to remove seats and make cupbourds but decided to leave them in

BMC wrote:I have been looking at purchasing a Landrover Discovery Series 1 or posible a LWB Pajero.

But, after discusing with my other half we are equally quite keen to convert the rear into a sleeping setup.

Which 4x4 's provide the best setup for this?

We were hoping to build a rear tray with some lower slide out draws which we then both sleep on top.

I'm just over 6 feet to give you an idea of height requirements and are medium build.

A van would be ideal but they are hard to come by on trademe with the hi low box and tend to go for quite a bit or are quite rough due to being ex trade vehicles.

Any suggestions would be great - might need to stick it out for a van - I could only find a couple on trademe

We will use the vehicle for camping and shiny 4x4 adventures.

I'm similar to you. I decided to hang out for a Mitsi Delica L400 for a year. It seems to be the most practical 4x4 van available in this part of the world. They are built on a Pajero chassis with full low/high Triton running gear. With minor mods they will take a 31" tire, though 30" is best, which is what I'm aiming for after christmas. They have a huge following in Aussy and the UK, Check out their global website delicaclub.com. Thousands of technical and camping mod downloads. Just bear in mind even as standard they sit very high and feel really odd. Some clubs wont allow them probably due to stability. Mines mainly for coastal camping so I just need sand clearance

For $6k you will end up coming back to the l400 in my opinion. I did, twice. The pajero doesn't even come close for room and nor does the Patrol (owned both). Obviously they are a compromise offroad but not to bad. Contrary to popular belief they are not based around a Pajero chassis, which will be immediately evident to anyone who sticks their head under one. They do however share the drivetrain. Despite looking a little 'tippy' they actually handle quite well on the road, certainly no worse than any other 4x4 and better in a lot of cases. I have found them good on fuel and reliable with ample power, usual small capacity diesel issues will come up if they have been neglected.