Well it all depends on the landscape. If it is back woods trailing it would be an mid 70's CJ-7 or a mid 80's thru early 90's Wrangler. Why? - because of the shorter wheelbase and the ground clearance (after a lift kit and no less then 35's of course) to make the tighter ravine turns, clear taller steps and lighter weight for winching if needed. Both rigs would have a Cummins 4BT diesel because that engine may not have the HP but it has the low end torque to get over (or through lol) obstacles including earlier mentioned tall steps and a manual transmission.

Now for basic roads with no pavement, mudding, or just to get you out where you can see the sunset then the stars with no light pollution I would go with a pick-up either short or long wheelbase (most all is straight line so it don't matter) diesel engine and a manual trans (or auto is ok but manual is better).

Very good choices, won't argue that My dad had an 84 Cj-7 with the I6, thing was a beast

For open country- an '86 F350 single cab/long bed /Desert Tan with black bumpers, trim, and accesories

Drivetrain: Chipped 7.3 Powerstroke Turbo Diesel swapped in, Twin Snorkels with 3" piping, Straight piped twin 5" stacks, Ingersol-rand Air starter, NV5600 Transmission, Atlas II Transfer Case, ARB Lockers, and a Klune-V Underdrive Crawler [Goliath] on 2.73 finals. 35" M/T Kevlar tires. 4-6" lift with front evened out.

Toys: 1000CCA Battery, Two 12,000lb electric winches[one front & one back], 4 forward facing floods, 2 forward facing long range spots, 2 back facing floods, (2) 1990 Cherokee bucket seats, (3) 2 1/2 Gallon Air tanks under the cab protected by skid-plates, Power Inverter w/ jacks front and back, 50ft of wind up airhose[on board air], 500W stereo, Cobra CB Radio, Home-Fabricated MACK style visor, Between the seats gun-rack, and a console above the windshield replacing my visors that will house all electronic, starter, and air controls.

I like the NV5600 Trans because It's tough as nails and has some good forward gear ratio's.
1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | Reverse |
5.63| 3.38 | 2.04 | 1.39 | 1.0 | 0.73 | 5.63 |

Improved version introduced in 2001; upgraded synchros, clutch, & input shaft. Cast iron case & aluminum bell housing.

Input Torque Rating: 650 lb-ft

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For Crawling or backwoods- an '84 Cj7 /Jungle-Tiger Stripe Camo Paint scheme

Drivetrain: 4.2L I6, Atlas II T-Case, NV4500 Trans, Warn Lockers, Single Snorkel w/ 3" piping, 3" exhaust piping into a Magnaflow muffler, 30-35" Kevlar tires [M/T], Klune-V Underdrive Crawler [David], Dana 44's with 3.75 or 4.10/11 finals.

Toys: 1000CCA Cat Gel Battery, 5 forward facing floods, 2 forward facing spots, 2 police style aimable spots, 1 Forward 12,000lb winch, Rhino-lined interior, 2 [gas] Jerry Cans on the back, Cobra CB Radio, Bikini Top, (2) 1990 Cherokee Buckets, Generous Skid Plating, Driver's Side Rifle Scabbard[mounts on door hinges], and a rattle/jar-proof stereo.

For the truck- I prefer long bed because I can hold more gear.

you went into a bit more detail then I did lol. The Jeeps would be near stripped for weight reduction and easier to repair a panel in case you make friends with a tree. Of course a snorkel for them river crossings and 3 1/2" piping on the exhaust. Cobra 19 DX III CB with single whip antenna, 3 sparco (or equivalent) racing seats with 4pt racing harness, full under body skid plates, 2 6" HID KC's on a home made skid approach front bumper and 4 55W halogens above the cab (for when I'm wheeling in a group). Thats really all I would have for the Jeeps.

Now for the truck, fully loaded. Indeed a long bed just depends on the cab config and how many ppl you have going with you in your truck to be a reg/ex/crew cab. I concur with you on the equipment on the truck cept I would have my SKS and “thirty-aught-six" hanging in my rear window and a sawed-off double bbl pistol grip on my center console along with my stub-nose 38. 6" stacks exhausting a 7.3 or 5.9.

Nice

I was thinking, you could saw off your shift & have a double bar come up from that and slide you sawed off onto that for a shifter

I love how my computer can't keep up with my typing and misses letters lol

that would be an interesting shifter.

Indeed

A Suzuki Samurai. Strong, tight turning, reliable. FUN!!!!

Actually the samurai's aren't really good at tight turns compared to a jeep, the jeeps have a Rack and Pinion that allows that, the only issue with this is that when making super tight turns in a jeep in 4wd, it will tend to 'buck and jerk' as the u joints don't like to go that tight and still spin. The Sammy's are also pretty underpowered for their weight at only 60hp & 55lb-ft torque.

What suzuki did is revamp a Willy's MB and make it slightly lighter, and not turn as tight.

They are reliable and tough though- I'll give em that :P My buddy Mike has one.

The jeep 4 cylinder of the same year also put off Double the power at 121 hp (90 kW) and 145 lb-ft

There are some kits though that boost that HP to torque ratio in the Samurai. I mean my ranger stock puts out 150 horsepower at 4750 rpm and 190 foot-pounds of torque at 3650 rpm. Mines been modified slightly. So a little more HP in it. I also adore the Subaru Brat and want one real bad.

BRATS ARE AWESOME What do you have done to your ranger? and what powerplant?

My Ranger has performance plugs, fancy plug wires, a stock air box that I converted to cold air intake, K&N filter, straight exhaust, glass pack muffler, and I'm going to put on an Airaid throttle body spacer eventually.

Powerplant is a 3.0L V6

Right on :) Cold air filters don't really do much, you /might/ get 4 horsepower and slightly better gas mileage [maybe 1 or 2 mpg]. They really only effect high displacement engines. The plugs and wires make a bigger difference difference though.

That 3.0 is a strong little bastard I like those engines

I once (and still do) want to get like a mid 80's Subaru outback wagon. completely gut it, replace the all glass with lexan, turbocharge the motor and install an oil injection system (for when it rolls), 6 racing seats with 4pt harnesses and go hit the mesa. Make it look like shit on the outside all beat up, dints, dings, scratches, faded and mismatched paint but all business under the hood.

Heck yeah. Sounds like a wonderful idea.

Oil injection? never heard of that, and sound like a pain in the ass really, the only one of my friends who didn't total their truck rolling it pushed it back on the wheels with a little help and drove home.

Never rolled my vehicles. Thankfully. Rolled my Suzuki Power Wheel toy once. OUCH!!!!

Hahaha x3 I high-centered mine :P never rolled

I had help. My friend was on the back and it was a slopped drive way.

oh haha xP

It's just a pressurized remote oil system.

I really don't see the purpose, you're engine is okay without oil for a little while.

that is true but its a lil gadget that serves a purpose. it also has an oil cooler too that's helpful.

I don't know about you, but I don't plan on driving on my roof much =P

Not a bad idea. Put some skis on the roof with some studded tires in case you roll over on ice LOL. No time lost flipping back over, just keep going

Hahaha xD Only way to go!

74 dodge power wagon 4 door 4x4 long bed with a 440 and a manual trans and some 44in super swampers. Ill get about 4mpg

With the corporate gas card right? x3 Naw that sounds pretty damn awesome

Really? 4mpg? I'd have thought at least 8 or 9...

The powerwagon my dad had got 8 no matter what

That's what I'd think, I'd never think a 440 would be /THAT/ bad on gas. the 460's get at most 10

My jeep only got 5 to 6

Shit damn dude. did you have 2 plugs a cylinder? I know some old Mopars did that

Nope just a race motor

Stroked with Headers? or what

nope 40 over heads intake crank exhaust carb lifters ect

40 over heads? what's that?

40 over, after market heads

Brand? or is that your gain?

40 over is bigger pistons and edelbrock heads intake and carb

Oh ok, right on

your up early

you mean late right? x3

o god

yup- my sleep schedule is fucked again :/

yes very much so