The Perfect Vehicle for LFers is ?????

jovo · Aug 23, 2004

I've really enjoyed our 2000 Subaru Outback wagon since we bought it, used, in October. It holds all my gear in the back which is hidden by a retractable cover and the back hatch offers a bit of shelter from rain when I'm putting the camera away. The all-wheel drive is mandatory here, and has made getting home in the snow not only possible, but easy. A roof platform would make it ideal....perhaps I could write to them....hmmmm...

RAP · Aug 23, 2004

That is my big concern with a 2wd truck, snow and fish tailing. I had an old 1978 Pontiac Bonneville Landau that was like driving in your living room. The most comfortable car I have ever ridden in. Even getting around in the snow on the rear wheel drive was no real problem. But the truck is very light in the rear as mentioned. I was going to put a cap on it which adds around 200 lbs and maybe, if necessary, add some weight to the back.

What about these no slip differentials. The new Chevy Colorado offers them as does the Toyota Prerunner. Any thoughts, especially in snow?

Ole · Aug 23, 2004

jovo said:
... The all-wheel drive is mandatory here, and has made getting home in the snow not only possible, but easy. ...

Excuse me?

I have had problems exactly three times in winter: Twice on wet ice on very steep slopes, once when I came out to find 80 cm (2'8") of snow had fallen during the night. On the first hill, the wheels of my Fiat no longer touched the ground!

I now drive a SAAB 900, my second one. And my third SAAb all told. My nex one will probably be a SAAB too - front wheel drive.

raucousimages · Sep 6, 2004

For short trips I drive a jeep with racks on top and back but for long trips nothing beats a full-size truck. I now have a chev I am soon buying a long bed Dodge with shell.

John McCallum · Sep 7, 2004

EricR said:
My favorite ride is my 71 VW hippy van. Has the pop top and a big happy face on the front.

D'ya find the snaps Eric?

roteague · Sep 7, 2004

Donald Miller said:
My '95 Toyota 4WD has 249,000 miles. The only problem has been brakes and head gaskets (taken care of by Toyota at their expense at 184,000 mi). So to answer the question are they really that good...Yep!!!

My 1989 Chevy S-10 Blazer 4X4 had 252,000 original miles; I replaced the radiator at 160,000, starter at 200,000. I got into an accident which is why I don't drive it any more. A friend of mine, blew the clutch on his brand new Toyota 4-Runner in the dealers lot. So, you can never tell. But, there are still more old Chevy's on the road than old Toyota's.

TStodPhoto · Jun 11, 2006

Nissan Xterra LF platform

Hello All, I was wondering if anyone has built or seen pictures of a platform built on top of a Nissan Xterra.... I saw a post some time ago but cant seem to find it... If anyone has done this or know of anyone who has done this... please forward me the info or link to the pictures..... I'm curious to see how this was done...

Thanks

JBrunner · Jun 11, 2006

1999 Jeep Cherokee. Lots of room. Decent off road. Good highway manners.
Venerable engine (based on the six that been around for like 50 years). Good power without being a total gas hog. Up to 25mpg, which is fantastic when you consider the size, and that it is 4wd. Loads of aftermarket accessories, so it can be anything from demur, and station wagonish, to radical Utah BMW.
(Big Mud Wagon)Oops! there went the mileage!!

Kimberly Anderson · Jun 11, 2006

I think the ultimate photo vehicle is the truck I built for myself.

Unfortunately I'm not using it to it's full potential and so it is for sale.

Here's a link to the construction of the vehicle, a custom-built Land Rover Defender, utility-box, Chevy 350 (for parts availability), AC, on-board air, custom everything, yadda yadda yadda...

Sorry for pimpin' my truck here, but since this thread is about photo-vehicles, I thought I'd share mine:

http://www.tawayama.com/gear/crewcab/crewcab.html

Dead Link Removed

roteague · Jun 11, 2006

Thanks Michael. I really enjoyed reading about the building of this vehicle. FWIW, you and Per Volquartz would get along well I think - he was driving a Range Rover the last time I saw him.

kjsphoto · Jun 11, 2006

Jeep Wrangler.

There is nothing more to say

roteague · Jun 11, 2006

kjsphoto said:
Jeep Wrangler.

There is nothing more to say

Michael has some great shots of a Jeep with the Italian CRD diesel engine on his website. Sadly, Jeep has discontinued this engine for 2007 because of the new stricter emission laws - however, the Jeep Grand Cherokee will come with the new Mercedes Diesel engine in 2007 - which is 50 state compatible.

kjsphoto · Jun 11, 2006

Yeah I know. And the 2007 not only look terrible but hte engine I think is a mistake. The engine in them now are tied and true.

The Diesel in the Cherokee looks interesting.

roteague · Jun 11, 2006

kjsphoto said:
Yeah I know. And the 2007 not only look terrible but hte engine I think is a mistake. The engine in them now are tied and true.

The Diesel in the Cherokee looks interesting.

As far as I know that Italian engine only came in the Liberty and not the Wrangler, which is what I found interesting about Michael's images.

SteveH · Jun 11, 2006

For off-the-beaten-path types of things, I have a Suzuki Samurai (No laughing...). However, it has 33" tires, and a volvo turbodiesel . I get about 35-38mpg, have no problems keeping up with highway speeds, and can float across a lake if need be (seriously...it floats!).
I removed the rear seat in it (honestly, why did they bother ?), and my F2 on a tripod fits nicely. It works very nicely in the rain, etc. Here's a few pics after boating around in some flooding. Now that the mechanics are buttoned up...Its time to start the body work.

Changeling1 · Jun 11, 2006

Fred Picker's little red car?

All this talk about vehicles for photographers reminds me of something I've been wondering about:

What make and model of car is Fred Picker driving in his "Photographing with Fred Picker" video? My guess would be that it's a '87 or '88 Datsun 200 Z. It's probably really an American car of some kind. Does anyone know for sure?

Ansel Adam's station wagon with the wooden deck on the roof was a pretty good idea. I believe he used it for his "California" series.

Petzi · Jun 11, 2006

Eric Rose said:
My favorite ride is my 71 VW hippy van. Has the pop top and a big happy face on the front.

Last time I saw one in full operation was in California. It was all white. No rain or humidity, so it stays in good shape forever I guess. They have become pretty rare around here, only a beetle can be seen on our roads from time to time.

roteague · Jun 11, 2006

One of my neighbors has a rare VW Sychro 4x4 Van .... I drool everytime I walk by his house.

wilsonneal · Jun 11, 2006

1985 Mercedes 300TD Wagon

My Mercedes Wagon gets 27 mpg on the highway and is big enough so that I transported a 6 foot stainless steel sink in it a few weeks ago.
Neal

Kimberly Anderson · Jun 11, 2006

roteague said:
One of my neighbors has a rare VW Sychro 4x4 Van .... I drool everytime I walk by his house.

It's 'Syncro'...hehe. I know them well. I've been looking for one and considering either a diesel swap or a Subaru Boxter engine swap.

The CRD that is being put into the GC is also being put into some other vehicles...I'm not able to tell you exactly which ones due to an...um...'agreement' with DC.

Watch for exciting diesel news from DC in the upcoming months. More sedans will also be getting diesels.

Personally I'm holding out for the CRD Commander...if it comes. :wink wink:

roteague · Jun 11, 2006

Thanks Michael. Actually, DC announced two or three days ago that they would stop selling the Italian (2.8-liter VM Motori) CRD diesel in the 2007 models, because they won't meet new emission standards. It has been announced that the Grand Cherokee will get the Bluetec engine, so I would be surprised if the Commander didn't as well.

There are lots of rumors on the boards about which cars are going to get diesel engines. That is the next hot automotive item coming to our shores. GM has a few diesel cars in the works as well - they already sell a Cadillac with one (in the EU).

P.S. sorry about the misspelling - got in too much of a hurry.

The Perfect Vehicle for LFers is ?????

jovo

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