The Short Wheel Base SUV Thread

[nfpgasmask]

Well, excuuuuuse me....

The Wagoneer came in Two door. As did the Kia Sportage.

As for the wheelbase the Grand that Cari drives is not that much bigger but yes its a four door but they did/do? make the square body style in 2 door.

Right, as did the Trooper, but the RS qualifies with only 2 doors. So shortened versions definitely quality. I need to look up the Wagoneer, I can't think of that it looks like...

Bart

[nfpgasmask]

I just looked up the Wagoneer and the 2-door Jeep Cherokee. I think both of those are a little too long. Vehicles with only 2 doors that are big enough to have 4 doors really aren't SWB vehicles, imo. That would mean the original 2 Trooper should be in there, but technically it's certainly not short enough.

Only 2 doors, but certainly not short...


What I was really going for with this thread are those little trucks that are seldom made anymore for some reason (at least in the USA), that end up being legendary little wheeling machines. If you look at the majority of the entries, we have a lot to choose from, but very few of these vehicles are available any more. And the "new school" of SWB SUVs tend to be a little wimpy, imo.

Everything today is either:

A) A pick-up truck
B) A wimpy grocery getter hardly qualified enough to be a stout SWB 4x4 (i.e. RAV4 and CRV)
C) A full sized 4-door SUV

It really seems the only vehicle made in any significant number today (in the US) that fits this criteria is the Jeep Wrangler.

I think the whole point of this thread for me was to get a nice list of those vehicles that fit into that "legendary little wheeling machine" category.

I just don't know why we don't have stuff like this anymore...except for Jeeps.

Bart

[Gussie2000]

I think it has to do with the perception about "the bigger the better"
For example,one of my friends when he saw the VX he replay : Gus,that buggy is terrific,but too small (he drives a 2007 laredo)"why didn't you bought a bigger truck ? I think is "better"
He didn't ask me about how the VX perform or if is dependable more than "it's too small"
The manufacturers actually rushed that perception into the comsumers & dropped any future 2 door project probably to safe money on the long road leaving the customer with no options more then : You take it or leave it
If we all look at the current market you can find almost all manufactures producing two doors sport cars (i.e) Ford,BMW,lexus,infiniti,chevrolet,honda,nissan,dog de,etc because sport cars is perceived to be build for the singled/very independent/whatever you think/who cares/free kids/i'm not a baby mama individual although a coupe SUV can do the same job & falls into the same category

Beside all that the SUV has being showcased as the "family oriented" vehicule,you can prove your self that by looking at the TV adds the way how they shows you a whole family on board of a SUV & the single guys friving around. On his V8 coupe.
This perception has condemmed any 2 doors SUV as the nemesis of a SUV's main purpose.

Can anyone recall which is last two door SUV (brand,model & year) on the dealer's show floor ?

[nfpgasmask]

I think it has to do with the perception about "the bigger the better"
For example,one of my friends when he saw the VX he replay : Gus,that buggy is terrific,but too small (he drives a 2007 laredo)"why didn't you bought a bigger truck ? I think is "better"
He didn't ask me about how the VX perform or if is dependable more than "it's too small"
The manufacturers actually rushed that perception into the comsumers & dropped any future 2 door project probably to safe money on the long road leaving the customer with no options more then : You take it or leave it
If we all look at the current market you can find almost all manufactures producing two doors sport cars (i.e) Ford,BMW,lexus,infiniti,chevrolet,honda,nissan,dog de,etc because sport cars is perceived to be build for the singled/very independent/whatever you think/who cares/free kids/i'm not a baby mama individual although a coupe SUV can do the same job & falls into the same category

Beside all that the SUV has being showcased as the "family oriented" vehicule,you can prove your self that by looking at the TV adds the way how they shows you a whole family on board of a SUV & the single guys friving around. On his V8 coupe.
This perception has condemmed any 2 doors SUV as the nemesis of a SUV's main purpose.

Can anyone recall which is last two door SUV (brand,model & year) on the dealer's show floor ?

Good points, and I think you are probably right on the money when it comes to the answer.

Bart

[nfpgasmask]

Yep, 2009 Jeep Wrangler.

There you have it. One freakin' option.

My understanding as to why we have lost the great short and tall 4x4 machines is liability. Companies took to much heat for producing such machines that were linked to roll-overs as well as bad results in accidents.

Well, the same things happened with regular sized Troopers and Xterras and such. I mean, you are probably right, this very well may be a contributing factor along with what Gussie said, but it nonetheless sucks. I think automobile technology has evolved enough to figure that problem out.

Bart

PS - There is a complete (I assume running) Daihatsu Rocky sitting at Pick & Pull for sale. I wish I could buy it. Pretty cool looking little truck. First time I ever saw one in person.

[kodiak]

Bang for buck, The XJ is probably the best 2dr SUV for a buildup.

[Gussie2000]

Yep, 2009 Jeep Wrangler.

Great shot zeus!
Is the only survivor of the breed.
And yet still they didn't sell well
The rubicoon beat him by a long shot in sales

[CrnCnn]

My input on why small suv are not doing well, or marketed well or wimpy (however you would like to put it)






Soccer mom's

[Gussie2000]

They sell great as far as Jeeps go! The Rubicon is just an option package for the Wrangler and for a good part of 2007 (the 1st year of the current model, JK) you couldn't find a Rubicon on any lot so Mopar saw huge sales numbers for the Rubicon axles and t-cases so that lesser-equipped JK's could be upgraded to Rubicon status. It is still pretty common for folks to do that.

Yeah.
I always found jeep's wrangler good option for wheeling,especially the short wheel type.

[nfpgasmask]

One would think so, but I think the unreliable Range Rover with it's expensive air suspension gives testament to the lack of practicality that much technology adds to a would-be great wheeling machine. Aggressive terrain is punishing on technology...

Yeah, and the same goes for the wanna-be H2. That things is joke, imo.

And that is exactly why I love my new Trooper. It's a metal box with an engine, a trans and a set of wheels. I mean, this thing is S I M P L E.

Bart

[pbkid]

ya, wish they would have continued the idea of the RSC...

bart- i know its not 2dr...but i think it should qualify..

the new FJ... its like 2 1/2drs lol...

[nfpgasmask]

ya, wish they would have continued the idea of the RSC...

bart- i know its not 2dr...but i think it should qualify..

the new FJ... its like 2 1/2drs lol...

Sorry man, I just can't. I just really don't like the new FJ. I mean, I give Toyota points for the effort, but imo, it looks like a Hummer drawn by a cartoonist. Its just way too big and way too bubblely looking. I've tried, but I can't get into it.

The RSc on the other hand, now that I would be allover...

Bart

[Gussie2000]

I just really don't like the new FJ. I mean, I give Toyota points for the effort, but imo, it looks like a Hummer drawn by a cartoonist. Its just way too big and way too bubblely looking. I've tried, but I can't get into it.


Hey better vehiGAZ don't read this lines

[LittleBeast]

I just really don't like the new FJ. I mean, I give Toyota points for the effort, but imo, it looks like a Hummer drawn by a cartoonist. Its just way too big and way too bubblely looking. I've tried, but I can't get into it.


Hey better vehiGAZ don't read this lines

Yeah but have you seen Jay Dunford's blacked out FJ? He took it to Moab with all of us, it one of the only FJ's I like, it is a pretty sweet ride and he is not done with it yet.

[taylorRichie]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6ojC25A1p8

Video of the silly H2.