What are the last "small" body-on-frame SUVs?

"Logansteno: Bought a VW?" (logansteno) 07/16/2014 at 01:57 • Filed to: None

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Small being relative, in today's "super-size everything" world.

I could only think of two. I'm not including their luxury counterparts.

Toyota 4-Runner

Nissan Xterra

Can you guys think of any more, cause I sure can't.

AM3R > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 07/16/2014 at 01:58

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I really like the xterra. Especially because of the manual transmission.

Zibodiz > AM3R 07/16/2014 at 02:03

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I didn't realize until just 2 weeks ago when I rode in one that it had a proper chassis. I was quite impressed. I've never been a fan of Nissan (no reason to dislike them, just no reason to take interest in them either), but the Xterra really changes that.

And yes, I notice that sort of thing when I'm riding in someone else's car. I'm just weird like that.

ly2v8-Brian > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 07/16/2014 at 02:17

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S10 Blazer is the last I care about.

CRider > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 07/16/2014 at 02:22

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True BOF SUVs are rare, let alone small ones. Next year, only one of these two will still be here.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 07/16/2014 at 02:22

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Lexus GX460, built on the LC Prada chassis that was shared with the FJ. But I lust after a new 4Runner TRD Pro. Edit: didn't see luxury counterparts. It's still very different though.

Saracen > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 07/16/2014 at 02:23

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FJ Cruiser

Wranger

TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 07/16/2014 at 02:26

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I find it amusing how one can consider a GX460 small, because in a city like Hong Kong, I think it's absolutely colossal.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut 07/16/2014 at 02:29

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Compared to Full size trucks, SUV's, and it's big brother the LX, it is small.

DangerRanger > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 07/16/2014 at 02:33

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None come to my mind, and as much as I love the X-Terra, calling it or newer 4runners "small", even relatively, feels like a stretch. Which makes me even more grateful for having just found a '96 Geo Tracker 4wd manual soft top, at a price just slightly steeper than theft. THAT is a small, body on frame, SUV, and is, hands down, the most fun I've ever had on four wheels. On pavement it's twitchy, wants to wander, and is tippy as all hell, but on dirt roads, you can chuck it into tight corners with reckless abandon, get the tail out, and come out of it laughing your ass off. And when things get rougher, it has such a short wheelbase and tight turning circle that its modest (for offroading) ground clearance can get you surprisingly far. The "Redneck Miata", a friend of mine called it after an hour of tossing it around the backwoods.

I applaud Toyota and Nissan for continuing to offer trucks below "full-size", and SUV variants of them, but whatever they once were, the frontier/x-terra and tacoma/4-runner are no longer small. They aren't the last small BOF SUVs you can buy, they are just the smallest you can buy.

TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 07/16/2014 at 02:36

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//Googles Lexus LX

BLOODY HELL

CRider > Saracen 07/16/2014 at 02:39

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I beat you by one minute. I WIN!

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut 07/16/2014 at 02:43

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Which is smaller than the GM full size triplets.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > ly2v8-Brian 07/16/2014 at 02:47

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And nowadays, 4Runner's aren't even small. Mine is within inches of the length of my Mom's Ponyota.

Parking space for scale.

AM3R > Zibodiz 07/16/2014 at 03:00

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I completely understand what you're saying. Besides the 370z, gtr, and xterra I wouldn't even think of a nissan.

The xterra is a really rugged car. You just feel like you can off-road sitting in one.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > ly2v8-Brian 07/16/2014 at 03:12

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I care a little bit about the 4-Runner, but this is probably the last one I would buy.

The Trailblazer was BOF, right?

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > CRider 07/16/2014 at 03:13

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People people want a "car like" ride, and BOF just doesn't offer that. It's kinda sad.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 07/16/2014 at 03:13

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God that thing is ugly.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Saracen 07/16/2014 at 03:15

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Wrangler is Unibody, no?

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut 07/16/2014 at 03:15

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I've had to clean a SUV from the same base, like that one a few weeks ago, my god it was HUGE.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 07/16/2014 at 03:18

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Yes it is, but for the reasons I would buy it, the front would be ripped off anyways. And the rear bumper and steps.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 07/16/2014 at 03:19

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Oooor just buy a 4-runner.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > DangerRanger 07/16/2014 at 03:22

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I guess I saw thinking comparably small compared to, say, a Chevy Tahoe.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 07/16/2014 at 03:24

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Oh I would, and someday will.

This would look great next to my '95. If only I had the money.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 07/16/2014 at 03:26

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I just wish there was a manual option.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 07/16/2014 at 03:28

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Don't even care. I've put up with my shitmatic long enough, that a good automatic wouldn't bother me. The '95 would then be swapped along with a new heart.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 07/16/2014 at 03:29

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I think automatics are better for off-roading anyway, aren't they? Make things a little easier.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 07/16/2014 at 03:31

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I think so, but it's debatable. If I were to get a new 4Runner or a cheap dd sometime in the future, my '95 will be manual swapped, V8 swapped, and a Total Chaos long travel set up will be installed. Someday...

Vracktal > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 07/16/2014 at 06:40

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If the Euros count, the Land Rover Defender is still BOF and can be bought new... for now.

The guillotine hovers over it however, and it's proposed replacements aren't looking too optimistic.

You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 07/16/2014 at 10:08

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Nope, its the only current Jeep that is BOF. As far as I can tell the last BOF Jeep that isn't a Wrangler was the Wagoneer that ended production in 1991.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > ly2v8-Brian 07/16/2014 at 10:29

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I don't think people give the ZR2 package Blazers enough credit. Short wheel base short front and rear overhangs, body on frame with aftermarket support and you can easily swap in a 350 V8.

why aren't these the cheap off road solution for more people!?

ly2v8-Brian > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 07/16/2014 at 10:39

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not sure man. And they are roughly the same size as a wrangler, longer of course, but similar size

ly2v8-Brian > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 07/16/2014 at 10:39

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yes

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > ly2v8-Brian 07/16/2014 at 10:45

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Yeah I can't imagine the approach/departure angles are much different, gotta be better than a 4 door wrangler!

No wonder companies don't make things like this anymore, no one thinks of them despite being a great option

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > ly2v8-Brian 07/16/2014 at 10:49

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I also not-so-secretly love the pickup versions, definitely overpriced with that rust, buuuuut it's cool:

http://detroit.craigslist.org/okl/cto/450138…

ly2v8-Brian > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 07/16/2014 at 10:58

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Off-roaders seem to prefer solid axles in the front, and the S10 blazer uses an independent suspension. But I had an S10 pickup I loved it's size, and it rides on a modified GM full size car chassis. It was an easy to drive vehicle. Its size is perfect. But it isn't bro enough for today's truck buyers.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > ly2v8-Brian 07/16/2014 at 11:28

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Yeah I guess not.

I had 2 different S10 Blazers. Loved both. wish I had the first one back desperately

ly2v8-Brian > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 07/16/2014 at 11:40

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and I wish I still had my S10

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > ly2v8-Brian 07/16/2014 at 11:49

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First one, built the motor by hand at my dad's shop (red in background was it's replacement):

4.3L bored 60 over, ported heads, roller rockers, exhaust, man this thing was a blast

ly2v8-Brian > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 07/16/2014 at 12:00

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sounds awesome.

Saracen > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 07/16/2014 at 12:17

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If it was Unibody, I would not have mentioned it. It has been body on frame since the Willys.

Vimto > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 07/17/2014 at 10:02

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You probably can't buy them new anymore but wasn't the Suzuki Grand Vitara body on frame up until its demise?