First-gen Monteros have a legit off-road reputation. These were not soft crossovers; they were ladder-frame, low-range 4WD SUVs from the era when Mitsubishi was still deep into rally and Dakar madness. Monteros can be expensive, but this car is offered for next to nothing because the headgasket is blown, and with 295K miles, you might […]
The Subaru Sambar is Subaru’s answer to Japan’s kei truck/van regulation. This sixth-generation microvan uses a tiny four-cylinder engine and is known for its surprising 4WD capability and clever packaging. This particular Sambar features a lift kit, off-road tires and one of the goofiest front ends you’ll ever see on a kei van thanks to […]
Before every truck came with a 17-inch infotainment screen, 18 microprocessors, and a digital key fob that needs an over-the-air firmware update to roll down your windows, there was this 9th-generation Ford F-250 XL 4×4. A real truck. No touchscreens, no auto lane hold, no app integration—just a grumbling 5.4L Triton V8, floor mats you […]
The Nissan Rasheen was a compact 4WD crossover built by Nissan for the Japanese market long before the compact crossover became the most common vehicle in your local new car dealer’s lot. Everything new is some kind of crossover that has the ability to off-road at your local golf course…but that wasn’t the case when […]
File this next car in the folder full of cars with giant hood decals to compensate for lack of stuff under the hood. The Chevy LUV was a badge-engineered version of the Isuzu Faster pickup and GM’s first entry into the compact pickup space that was later filled with the S-10. Today’s LUV has the […]
The 2nd generation Toyota Tacoma was built from 2005 through 2014 at various assembly plants in North America…yes, the Taco was developed in Japan, but production was in California, Texas, and Mexico. The Tacoma is known for its reliability, durability, ruggedness and rusting frames…what? Yeah, Toyota even had a class action lawsuit over 2005-2010 frame […]
The original 7.3 liter Power Stroke V8 diesel built by Navistar International is known for its basic durability compared to modern turbodiesel engines that are fraught with EGR/DPF/SCR and other 3-letter-acronym related failures. The International 7.3 liter engine wasn’t particularly powerful compared to modern diesels, but cast iron heads, cast iron block, and conventional turbocharger […]
“Real” truck guys always swear that the eight-generation (GMT400) version of the Suburban/Tahoe built from 1992 through 1999 was the best. Or was it the GMT800 (2000-2006)?.. yeah, I forgot. Anyway, the big 454cu Vortec V8-powered behemoth based on the C/K truck platform was available in 4X4 and 2500 three-quarter tons for the ultimate in […]
I was talking to a friend the other day about cars and he mentioned something about buying some overpriced Bronco or a $170K Landcruiser, but I told him that I he wants to go offroading, he needs to buy a Jeep. It’s really simple. No G-Wagons or Land Rovers…none of that fancy stuff is essential, […]
Hey, whatchu got under the hood of that Tracker? It’s a Suzuki G16B. Sweet, is that the 16-valve version of the G16A that puts out 95 horsepower and 100 ft-lbs of torque? Yeah, that’s with 9.5:1 compression and distributor-less twin coil pack wasted spark setup. Dude. Yeah. Mated to a 5-speed manual and 4WD system […]