Small SUV with low range

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marcfj60

marcfj60

15 Year
Joined
Oct 1, 2006
Threads
210
Messages
4,508
Location
Sandia Park, NM
Do any small SUV, cute-utes exist with a 2-speed transfer case that can be bought in the US? The only models I know of are the Liberty and Wrangler. It's a shame that Toyota won't import any of its more fuel efficient 4X4s into the US. Some day, I won't need the space/power that my LC gives me. Some day, I wont be able to afford gas for my 12 mpg land yacht. But I'll still want to get off the pavement and play (if the government doesn't ban me from MY land) Even the Tacoma and 4-Runner don't have very respectable fuel economy numbers because they are big and use gas hungry engines.

It sure would be great if there was some kind of small pickup or wagon out there that had decent ground clearance and selectable low/high range gearing that got in the 20s for fuel economy. Even if it was only 20 off-road in 4WD but 25+ on pavement in 2WD or high-range AWD mode.

Does anyone know of anything current or past that meets these requirements?
 
That sounds worse than a Jeep Liberty. But since I've never been inside or driven either one.....
 
Suzuki?

I remember a couple of years ago looking at Consumer Reports and the reliability numbers, and it turned out that the Freelander was 14 times more likely to break down than a Toyota...
 
Given that most small SUVs can go on most forest & BLM dirt roads, I question the need for a two speed Tcase. Marc, when was the last time you put her in 4Low? How often are you doing this annually?
 
Transplant a VW TDI in a Samurai, it is a common swap
 
Man you guys are harsh. I can feel the love.

I can still afford the gas so I'm keeping it for now. But next year when it's $8 a gallon and in 2014 when it's $12 per gallon, I might not be able to.

I am embarrassed to say that I can't recall the last time I had it in LOW range though. If I had to figure it out based on my photo folder, it looks like Feb 2011.

I did use it to pull a trailer several times in the past year though.
 
alia176 said:
Given that most small SUVs can go on most forest & BLM dirt roads, I question the need for a two speed Tcase.
Click to expand...

I've been on enough BLM & FS roads that were rough or steep enough that the standard gearing was too high for a 2WD with a manual transmission. I used to smoke the clutch in my old Datsun to get up hills because the engine would die otherwise. Had the same problems with my Accord on some steep gravel roads I probably should not have taken it on.

Maybe automatic transmissions or CVTs could help with this situation.
 
You'd probably have to show up with more like 130 of them. The truck only has 105k miles on it and just got waxed.
 
Suzuki Samurai
Suzuki Sidekick (2dr and 4dr and Chevy rebadage Geo Tracker)
Suzuki Grand Vitara
Isuzu Trooper
Mitsubishi Montero
Daihatsu Rocky
 
If you'd consider a Trooper or Montero you might as well get a 4Runner...
 
I think low range is necessary. We have an Escape hybrid at work and I thought, surely with the electric motor, it will be okay without low range. As long as you are on decent roads, it is fine. Add incline and rocks larger than cobble, and low range would be nice. It does, however, get 30 mpg almost everywhere, including off road. And resale is crap, so you can get them cheap.
 
A family of four would need a more "modern" SUV I'm thinking and I don't know if they offer any with a 2 speed T case though. One year in Moab, I saw bunch of Kia Sportage on steroids running around but that'd be a tad tight with a large family.
 
I love the Hundy. It has enough space to fit all 4 of us and all our camping gear. And it's a great off-road machine that goes anywhere I want it to. So I suspect we'll keep it for another ~10 years, until we don't have kids going camping/wheeling with us anymore. But there will be a point where I won't need the space/size at the expense of fuel economy. Maybe gas won't be $8/gallon next year. But looking at what's happened over the last few years, I'm not very optimistic.
 
Marc, has anyone ever told you that you think too much?

Prices will go up. Prices will go down. You'll have very little control over what happens 10 years or 10 months or even 10 days from now. Relax and enjoy life today.

-Mike-
 
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