I'm a good enough type person. Anything more is a luxury. However we all have different expectations so what is good enough for me may not be good enough for somebody else.
I guess the answer for me is good enough although my story is bit different than yours. After taking a couple of backpacking trips to Australia in the early 1980’s I went on a photographic camping safari in Kenya and then made my way by bus to Tanzania where I waited to find some fellow backpackers so we could rent a Land Rover and driver to take us out to the Serengeti. In 1988 I thought that driving the world would be great but fell back on what I knew, backpacking, so I quit my job, sold my Toyota truck and headed to England to join an overland group driving to Kenya. From there I flew to India and joined an overland truck through India and up into Nepal. From Nepal I flew to Thailand and backpacked my way through SE Asia, to Australia, New Zealand and home. I would have loved to trade my 1986 Toyota 2 wheel drive for the 1985 Toyota 4x4 (the 1982-1985 model years were designed by the Toyota Landcruiser engineering team and with a solid front axle and leaf springs front and rear were essentially lightweight Landcruisers), outfitted it and headed out to drive the world but adding up all the costs and unknowns, I went with the ‘good enough for me’ solution for. The most important thing, as you emphasize, is doing what gets you out there and on the road. After that 1 year world trip I managed to do almost annual 2, 3 and 4 month trips for all the 1990’s, mostly backpacking but also joining some small group overland trips and also renting a vehicle to drive the dirt tracks of Kruger National Park and others in South Africa. Waiting to be able to afford the ‘best’ wasn’t the way to go, getting on the road each time was far more important to me.
Good enough. I bought a 2010 for $10k, put about $8-9k (durable upper cntrl arms, rtt, bumper/winch, fridge, solar, wheels and tires, gearing and locker, lights, radio and subwoofer) in it. Stuck a 250cc dual sport motorcycle on the hitch and left mid April. Over the past 4 months I explored the southwest US, and made it to Alaska (thanks for the inspiration from reading your first book). I already want to go back to explore the Arizona strip and more of Utah. By the time I get home I'll have done around 20,000 miles.
My truck shop guy cringes when he sees beautiful 200k+ vans come in for more upgrades, but year after year, he sees the odometer barely creeping up, most way under 10,000 miles. On the other hand, I'm sure if you can afford a vehicle like that odds are you're a business owner, executive, doctor, lawyer, manager etc and you don't have time to go on months long adventures. I worked in pharma for 30 years, and having gaps in your CV/resume were looked down on, and those gaps would keep you stuck at entry level jobs. So I think for some, they buy the "dream" vehicle for simply that reason, so they can dream. They occasionally get to escape for a long weekend, (while checking the cellphone for emails/messages). On a positive note, it creates some barely used overlanding rigs that regular income folks can snatch up. Maybe the real question here is why do we have a work culture where you're considered an unreliable slacker if you take off for a month during the Summer. But that's a whole other video.
I'm also a firm believer in "good enough", though I haven't driven around the world. My suspicion is that watching videos distorts our view of the world. You see the big UA-camrs with epic rigs, and forget that you can do 90% of what they do in a standard 4x4 with decent tires, and some camping kit. I'd say you've proven that the Wrangler is at least as good as a Landcruiser, since it does the same things, but for less money.
Thoughtful discussion. I don't begrudge anyone who has worked hard enough to earn luxury items in whatever that means. I lean toward older average priced vehicles, which I don't mind maintaining, and it allows me to spend $ on fuel and adventures. For me the whole point is to go out & have experiences, however you see fit. And I will have my 18yo son read "Work Less To Live Your Dreams". Now that we just finished replacing coolant components on his 2001 Jeep!
Great video Dan! If we wait around for perfection we will never do anything. That goes for adventure, romance, careers, and probably many other things.
I travel with my wife and she wanted a home so we planned together and compromising to be less macho means we travel together. 85,000 miles in three years and four countries with more to come. Being retired with monthly checks is lovely.
This is a valid point. We spent $100k on our car and van to go around Australia with the family. We could have spent double that for the perfect set up, but we would have taken years to save that extra $$
You nailed it Dan. If you are ever obsessed by buying the best, building the best, you are more than likely missing opportunities to actually travel. Some of my favorite adventures were in bone stock Trooper II’s back in the early ‘90’s or a pickup with a cap, or flying somewhere internationally, renting a caravelle or a Chevy Luv and traveling around in that with essentially backpacking gear…. If the goal is travel, especially internationally, it’s actually better to fly under the radar a bit with something super plain or ordinary versus a rolling billboard that screams, look how much money I have! 😆I followed your Pan American trip in the 4 banger TJ on ExPo at the time and was like, hell yes. Ray Highland’s trip in a salvaged series Rover with a family of 5 across Europe and Asia is another great example of what you really need. Anyway, keep preaching the gospel.
We went with a used low km y61 CRD Patrol for a third the price of a land cruiser not quite as big as a troopy but will go anywhere and does not need the rear axel widened. New and used land cruisers are ridiculously overpriced so we can now spend so much more on travel we agree with you.
I'm a fan of good enough. Near home (in my home country) there is a freedom to driving a vehicle that is not new, not "the best," and is okay to get scratched and dinged a bit and may need some road repairs. Easier to relax and have fun. However, my standard of good enough goes up when reliability and parts availability is crucial, such as when travelling internationally. The trick is discerning when the best of something (vehicle, accessories, or whatever) is worth the expense. Too many folks see UA-cam videos and think they have to have the full wish list. Ability to wrench on your vehicle helps a lot here as well. Also, as others have noted, travelling with a flashy, high-cost kitted-out vehicle can draw unwanted attention. Better to fly under the radar for less and have fun.
The best vehicle is the one you can afford and still have the means to adventure. You have steadily upgraded from your first Jeep to where you are. And that's good. Each to their own. For me it's my converted LC105 1HD FTE. for others is a Toyota or delica wizbang. For you is your Jeep. So long as you enjoy the journey in getting the vehicle and the adventure.
Let’s be honest. Many people buy these trucks and spend tons of money on offroad stuff. But never ever do serious overlanding trips. I am an offroad instructor and teach tons of people how to drive offroad. But hardly anybody who owns 4x4 does serious off-roading. Apparently, being able to do overlanding, as you own a serious off-roading with all the goodies, is what they love, but this does not mean the capability is ever used really. Holiday trips, weekend trips is what most people use these trucks for. Any Landrover dealer knows what I mean. That’s why everybody liked The Landrover Experience as this really sells Landrovers and keeps the Landrover virus alive. I mean: how many people own “the best” trucks and how many people do/did serious overlanding trip like you do? I think, this is how it works and let the numbers speak for themselves. Just my 2 cents.
That is the main reason I went with the Gladiator for Australia - we already knew exactly what would happen if I drove the LC, it was time for something different.
Well said Dan! I too have a Jeep TJ and while of course I’d love to have a brand new vehicle, my old TJ gets the job done. It’s not comfortable for long road trips, it’s loud and has hardly any cargo space, but I don’t have any vehicle debt and I can spend more money on trips!
I rode across Africa on a klr650 differently not the best bike infact it was the cheapest that would be tough enough to do it 6 months and 30000 ks a once in a life time trip but I was asked.many times why not a Yamaha or a ktm or a... Well btje money saved payed for the trip simple as that
Good enough is a pretty relative term. I've been thinking about this a lot lately because I'm planning to spend a year in Australia: touring, overlanding, and 4 wheel driving. I'm now in New Mexico (US) and have some experience overlanding in a 22 year old Ford Ranger. I'm in my 70's so things I did in my 30's just aren't of interest. When I was about 30 I spent about 3 months mostly highway touring the US on a motorcycle with a P.O.S. tent, air mattress, and sleeping bag. I'm not about to spend a year sleeping on the ground in Australia. Also, I need a certain amount of reliability. Maybe I could fix some things along the way but I'd hate to have a serious breakdown halfway along the Madison Track. So, good enough for me is a real question. There's a certain amount of "insurance" as well. What about the best available recovery (or safety) gear? But you are right: Don't forget the adventure. And the other thing I often consider is that unintentional events are the stuff of memories.
Dan, I feel like a good number of points you made in this video were things we chatted about at the BC overland rally. Our philosophy for overlanding is similar on so many levels. I’d take the jeep!
It’s so easy to get caught up in an image. I’d love to repaint my truck, but it’s good enough. I’d love to put a better turbo on the engine, but what’s on there is good enough. Things that aren’t good enough, Clutch, harmonic balancer, rear suspension, bench seat….. it will cost me less money then a paint job to fix that stuff.
Also it depends how much you get emotionally attached to your car. If you’re ok to sell or abandon your car at the end of the trip then it’s fine but if you want to keep the car to take it elsewhere or as a reminder of the great trip you did, then you might want to get a « better » car and keep it longer, even if that means postponing your trips. I liked driving the world with my 911. But it costed too much so it was either selling it and buying a more appropriate car for driving the world or keeping it and driving it way way way less.. I chose to sell it but I was sad. But I can keep on driving. Cheers mate !
That's a hard question to answer; I get where you're coming from. I think it comes down to - building/owning an "overland" vehicle and actually taking extended adventure trips are kind of two different hobbies. Personally, what keeps me from taking epic year-long road trips isn't the cost of the vehicle or the cost of the traveling, but the lost income from not working for that period of time. It's a different way of looking at things but I think it's valid, and it's the reason I'm pursuing a fully-remote job.
That is a very good point, but it's worth remembering that life on the road is not expensive, and if you save up, you won't need an income to stay on the road for a year or two.
In Conclusion: If you can afford the best + the extra cash to travel - go for it. If not, then draw the line somewhere else - for one it could be a Wrangler, for someone else it would be a Suzuki, or it could just be a bicycle! Some people overland with a bike too. 😎
Absolutely, and I think the honest truth is that the very vast majority of us can't just drop unlimited money, so we're constrained in our choices by money.
That might be the best "Jeep over Toyota" argument I have heard heard.......and really gives me pause. Admittedly I am (obviously) a devout Toyota guy but this does make a ton of sense if you are working with a limited amount of disposable income. So then.....would I take a cherry 80 Series decked out to tool around a few states? or a Jeep to take on a life changing adventure?? 🤐
Right. For years people have said "But Jeeps aren't the best". And I always said "The only relevant question is can you spend a lot less money (on something like a Jeep) and still get the job done? So all I care about is if it's good enough".
I'm related to a lot things you mentioned over the years, I recently purchased my dream 80 series, (70 series or troop carrier are out of my league) and after put the numbers in front of me I chose to travel by motorcycle. LC 14-16 mpg vs a little 650 single 60 mpg. The difference in the fuel expenses will allow me to travel much much further and stay in comfortable hostels or small hotels, I prefer traveling for 2 years vs 6 months. I know it's a trade off. I prefer travel more than have an expensive vehicle to show off.
I think the balance is “ what can you afford to walk away from”, if it’s destroyed, stolen, or you need, for some reason to leave the investment and go in a different direction, either temporarily or permanently. As this topic also revolves around the sense of freedom you gain by doing an adventure like you undertake, if you have everything invested in only the equipment and not the purpose for the vehicle itself, then what’s the point.
Dan , I love these thought provoking, philosophical videos! What one person thinks is the best , may not be for the next guy. To continue on your thought, “ comparison is the enemy of contentment “. You build what is best for you! I wonder how a Landcruiser would have faired flipped on it’s side in remote Africa, compared to your Jeep. Seems to me the Jeep did pretty well! My Son just bought a 4x4 Tacoma Trail Ed. (Landcruisers are not available here in California.) It’s a great vehicle but I like my 2018 Wrangler JKU better because it works better for me. Well done Dan!
Well, as long as I don't have the time to be happy with 'good enough and travel', I aim to continue working, dreaming and working on 'the best'. Once the time is right: forget 'the best', be happy with 'good enough' and start rolling. As the last shirt has no pockets, memories might be more important than assets in the garage.
I really love how intelligently you approach things Dan. I love cars and of course a top spec land cruiser would be amazing. But it would tie up so much capital and what is the point of it if you don't use it? I dont think its wrong to simply want a nice toy if you can afford it. But it's sad that it almost seems to be the norm to spend stupid amounts of money and barely enjoy or use your investment and go exploring. Life is about so much more than stuff, and travel is so incredibly rewarding. This also applies to loads of other consumer products. Do people really need watches that can dive to 3000m and macbooks designed for 4k video editing just to surf the web? I personally have my eye on a 90 series Prado. Keep doing what you do Dan!
I bought my 2019 Toyota Tacoma TRD- Off road for $34000 already outfitted with roof rack, bed rack, grill guard, lift, wheels and tires. Spent roughly $5000 on upgrades. Now I only travel the US so my situation is different but you can get a very capable vehicle for much less. Now I wish I had a 70 series Land Cruiser but I absolutely love my Tacoma and it is by far “Good Enough” for my needs
I think you're doing it right; put the funds into the adventure! A relatively cheap vehicle also removes some of the concern of cosmetic damage as well. I'm comfortable squeezing my nearly 20 year old 4runner down overgrown trails because the pinstripes from branches just blend in😅
Fully agree, I've recently been idly looking at the trophy scratches from some tree branches in the roller applied paint on my present build within its first 500 miles of use. If I had a pristine paint job I'd be suicidal !
i want my 2016 4Runner trail for 40k + ~20k upgrades and take off from there. You are correct.OK is just enough. Taken it to the Arctic and done Baja. Going to Argentina in '25 and rather than ship home I'm shipping to Australia....
I would definitely always go for "good enough", but my last two regular cars were just that and they cost me so much more in maintenance...so, good enough plus epic adventures would always be the go-to option for me; but only when "good enough" means, like it did in your case, it is sturdy and won't make you cough up a fortune to keep it running...actually looking into long term overlanding for next year, so we are looking at so many vehicles right now. Not Jeeps, but vans/campers, even so; your videos are super interesting and really help us along as well!
You make some great points. For some people, having the perfect truck actually *is* what they care about - even at the expense of travel. "Overlanding" has brought several hobbies together: Travel, camping, off-roading, and vehicle building. Some people are suuuper into vehicle building, while others could care less and have adventures in whatever vehicles they have. I think it's important for those who are more travel focused to realize they don't need to compare themselves to the hardcore vehicle builders.
You make a very good point that "overlanding" in the US has brought many different hobbies together, and people have different priorities. 99.9% of the time I speak to people who are passionate about the travel experiences, but it's good for me to remember there are plenty of people out there that don't consider that a priority.
I really do appreciate all the information you give all of us on how to have a vacation on a budget because you bring up a valid point you don't really need a super expensive vehicle you just need one that fits the specifications for your tour I really do like the fact that you are showing us how to have a Grand Vacation on a budget
You make a really interesting point. It's so easy to get caught up in the marketing. And I don't care who you are, you're just susceptible to it. I'm susceptible to it even though I try to be very cognizant of it I have an older motorcycle. It's about 12 years old. I have always wished I had a newer bike or a better bike or a smaller bike or a bigger bike or whatever. And yet 20,000 miles later, it's good enough It's not perfect. It's not ideal. But it's never let me down. It's never had a mechanical problem. It's been dropped and dumped and knocked over and beat up It's been up and down mountains, through mud bogs, through empty desert. Freezing cold, snow, rain. And yet my Triumph keeps doing its thing. I look at those beautiful BMWs, the beautiful Yamaha, the Aprilla, the KTM's. Such capable vehicles. Such capable and powerful motorcycles. Yeah they would make things a lot easier sometimes. Yeah I think about my little tent, my little stove. Wish I had this wish I had that. But they at the end of the day, I've never wanted for anything when I'm traveling. I have everything I want. Every time I come back I always find something else to get rid of. Every trip I take something less than the last. It's not things that make the trip. It's the experience.
AND you can afford it. Remember, if you spend every single cent on the vehicle and have nothing left for gas in the tank, then it's not a very good vehicle going nowhere.
So… I just got home from a 14,500 mile Pennsylvania to Tuktoyaktuk to Denali to Flagstaff and home again. I drove my 2019 diesel Chevy Colorado Z71. The others two drivers drove 70 series Landcrusiers. One of the member of the group, on his way home bought a ZR2 Bison diesel because of the performance of my truck (he’s keeping his Landcruiser) for long trips in the future. I’ll be keeping my Colorado. It’s plenty good enough! By the way… If your Jeep were a diesel, I’d take it, hands down!
I've driven about 50k km in the past 12 months in my good enough 4Runner (about 8000 km since we met at BCOR). I do wish it got better fuel economy though!
I'm gonna go even further and say that "good enough" is the maximum. To me, every euro not spent before the trip is one i can spend during. I currently drive a small city car, with a ground tent, that I took to nearly 30 countries. It's perfect because it means that I can actually travel instead of buying an expensive vehicle which means many more years of waiting. That being said, as soon as I graduate and get a better income I'll probably buy a hilux, as they're not too expensive and cheap to make trip ready.
Hey Dan. Of the two options - of course "good enough"! But it would be a third option for me (although I understand others could not choose a third - build an older "bullet proof" vehicle option and maintain it IF necessary.). You have had AMAZING success with your Jeeps - which I believe shows the quality of the owner's awareness and carefulness. I just keep waiting for the exception which I am afraid will happen this next trip planned due to 1 - the technology of the diesel engine, 2 - the technology with the automatic transmission couple with 3 - the remoteness (lack of technology repair facility options) you will have on your upcoming trip. I HOPE THAT I AM WRONG! If nothing else you will keep me on the edge of my seat! :)
I swapped a 2017 Caravelle for a 2017 79 fully kitted both were valued about $46,000 in South Africa. I think we are just lucky in Africa. I do about 10000 to 15000kms a year exploring.
Mate you have hit the nail right on the head 👍👍. I’ve only just found your channel and it’s great, down to earth, well done, I’ve had Jeeps for 30 plus years both on my farms and my adventures and they have never let me down plus they’ve had very hard lives, Australian’s are fixated on over priced show piece toys😢, too answer your question to me it’s all about what will do the job, comfort and economics, Jeep have all in the bag, also Jeep is as Australian as a Japanese Toyota etc etc. Keep it up happy trails.
Each to their own on all of this in terms of budget, DIY versus commissioned fitout approach, core vehicle brand selection impacting support where you will drive it, modern electronics risks versus fixability with a hammer, vehicle scale and inherent offroad capability needs vs aspirations, introduction and acceptance of risks from "upgrades" degrading inherent reliability, shiny vs scabby outlook affecting whether you'll worry about scraping trees or experiencing dust storms, achieving the degree of luxury you want (probably linked to your stage in life) plus deciding how and where you actually take it and use it. A walk around the German Bad Kissingen Alrad show campsite illustrates that best. If you want a Suzuki Jimny, Land Cruiser, Transit van, Sprinter, Iveco, Defender, Jeep, Pinzgauer, ex Mercedes fire truck, KAT1, Unimog, fine. Just try something before you're too decrepit or dead !
Dan, if this is true why does Toyota persist in making a vehicle with the alternator a mere 11” inches off the road? My Jeep has the alternator at least 36” above the road surface, my Dodge Cummings was made the same, as were the three GM Suburbans that i owned since the 1980s. I also owned 4 Saab cars that had the alternator high in the engine cavity. I recall you saying that all Aussie Toyota owners carry an extra alternator in their kit to replace their drowned alternators! Toyota started life with an engine that was copied piece by piece from the Chevy 216 6 cylinder engine. In fact it sounded exactly like my grand mother’s 1950 Chevy pickup truck which as a 2wd made multiple river crossings in its long life. Before that our 1936 Chevy 4 door 2wd car with the same 216 engine pulled wagons out to sheep camps in along the Rockies with just a set of tire chains (-;… was Toyota in existence in 1936?
Have a 94 troopy brought for $12000 spent $20000 been round Australia twice now never missed a beat next door neighbour has the 79 series with everything never leaves the driveway
I think maybe, or maybe not. People confuse being "good enough" with a bare minimum or barely viable. When what you're really talking about it being completely viable. I feel like it's also the mindset where people talk crap about Subaru's. But the Subaru is still at the end of the same trail as the in the 100k custom off roader. They just didn't drive over the big rocks, probably... Now obviously there's more limitations on a Subaru but that's not the point. The Subaru might be good enough for what you're doing.
Mate, I am amaized at times why people can question your decisions after what you have done and also already explained your reasoning on why you have chosen what you have. I love touring, would I like the best of the best to do it in, ehhh sometimes yes but in the end, I have a 2004 GU Patrol that I tour in and actually have fun designing things for it to make it comfortable and practical to work with, and in the end, as I'm sure you know, who seriously wants to scratch and dent a 100k car when you can do the same trips and more in a 16k car and with the money you don't spend, vas you've mentioned can use for the trips and fuel. Enjoy your vids thanks, a shame we missed each other during your trips in OZ.
Unless there is a specific circumstance where "the best" is the only thing that's good enough, there's really no reason to splurge if you're not in the position of writing blank checks. Do you need the absolute best, purpose-built image sensor on the James Webb Space Telescope? Yeah, anything less and the question "is the mission even worth it with this?" arises. Do you need the same if you want to photograph the Milky Way on your backpacking trips? Hell no.
You are so right, Spending most of one’s money on the vehicle always ends the possibility of true adventures going further. Having driven for different companies Overland adventure vehicles. I discovered that the most dodgy companies to work for paid the best and the best vehicle companies paid the least, and the adventures were bit too pure, missing the adventure of one’s life. Also having had a number of major breakdowns, turned out to being some of the best adventures on the trips afterwards. Meeting some of the most interesting people you would’ve never met if you’re just driven past in your high-end perfect vehicle, missing out on some most incredible foods you never had heard of. In the end, the vehicle is just to get from one point to another, and it’s not necessary to overcapitalising. Specially in some countries. This is just a target to being stopped and asked for more money. One of my best adventures in an old Combi van that I completely mechanically rebuilt, but looks like a head been down the backstreets of the worst part of London and tagged and banged about. But I was easily able to leave this and go out for a good day or two exploring, without worrying about my vehicle being damaged because no one took notice of it, in the end of an adventure is all down to head. Spinning the most money on the most perfect vehicle, limits your ability to seek out the ventures that are out there, still in this world . Remember live life to the max when you can , I’m glad to have done so much when I was younger before a severe Brain Injury which limits my travel to down under only from now on because I cannot deal with crowds, noises and people any longer.
Living in the Kimberley and seeing all the Toyota's come in,I'm glad I have a Jeep! They are all broken and destroyed,harder to work on than the jeep and yes they are broken and still running but why would you want a vehicle you don't care about and be happy that it's in pieces.. lol My Jeeps are better than Toyota in my opinion and after owning Toyota's in the past I never will again due to so many quility issues and mechanical problems
The best is reserved for people that can afford both the vehicle and the adventure (aka, not me). I definitely could not justify buying the vehicle without also being able to afford the adventure. Don't need or want a driveway trophy truck. The real question for me comes down to how many years will I want to continue working before pulling that early retirement plug. The goal is 50 years old, so we'll see what we want to spend our money on when that time comes. Still 12 years away. I suspect we'll land on good enough. You've proven to me that Jeeps are perfectly capable and I could set off on an adventure with confidence.
It's a fun conversation with as many different choices as there are people. Some folks can just afford what they like, a Kia will get you to work but people still buy Porsches. For some folks the build is the point. Either for content or as a hobby, no different than building a street racer or restoring a classic. Some have family or other commitments that don't allow an extended get away so the energy goes into the build. Still others will hit the road with any old thing, fixing it as they go or hoping for the best. And then there are those who don't have the money for a perfect build nor the time to get away for more than a night. We just watch videos and comment on them.
Gidday Dan, 100% I would do it your way and put the money into the journey than be a poser with your rig parked in the drive. I think its a mind set anymore where everyone wants to be like the Jones's and have the latest and greatest, when really you don't need all that stuff, you need functionality and reliability and you're good to go.
You’ll never achieve perfect. There’s always that new thing that comes out that trumps what you’ve already bought. I’ve been working on my Jeep for five years now, tweeting it for my adventures and it is no longer the cool car to own, but it suits my needs. I’ve had a lot of adventures in it though and it’s paid for which allows me more freedom to travel.
I would have to argue that the vehicle best suited to do the job at the lowest price, actually is the best. We may be arguring semantics, but if you spend money buying a more capable vehicle that you need, you have overspent.
Yes land cruiser is very good but it needs some modifications ( rear axle width ) , it has leaf springs at the rear and the V8 diesel ( Australia and South Africa ) which is very thirsty - no vehicle is perfect - i think there are other vehicles out there that come close - i agree that the experience is the most important part
The "best" is not always the best. Everything has it faults and limitations. Sometimes prices do not guarantee perfection. Personally I would not want an overly expensive vehicle because I would hate to leave it behind if something chaotic were to happened during my travels. It would be much easier to abandon a $20K truck than one which costs 100K.
Ronny Dahl had a vid about the true cost of camping. I forget the details but the idea is this: you soend 100k on a car with upgrades. Camp say 25 nights a year, use it for 8 years. That's 500 bucks per camp before you've even paid for fuel or camp site fees. Then Dirt Sunrise had an amazing 80 series camper. But they didn't like how much of their capital was invested in it and how much money they could lose if anything happened to it. On the flip side my (non-overlanding) car is a cheap 15 year old hatchback. I really don't care if it gets scratched and I never worry about it being stolen.
I spent my career working in structural steel fabrication, the second half as a welding inspector. My pet peeve was people continuing to work beyond "good enough". Once you hit good enough, stop working and move on! But the false dichotomy of "would you rather have this, sitting in your driveway..." is a strawman. I'm lucky enough that I can have what I want, but good enough is still good enough.
I understand what you're saying, but I think for the majority of people (me included), it's not a strawman, because we simply can't afford to have both.
I'm still not going to piss money away because of some people's percived "best". If it gets the job done effectively, it IS the right tool for the job.@@TheRoadChoseMe
Another question would be "what is the best?". Everyone's situation is different. Whether that be situation, intended purpose, and most important (especially now), financially. Something to consider too, is (again)- what is the best? Are you just paying for a name (which is, sadly, the case most times), or are you actually paying for a better product? There again, is the "better" worth the price?
We just did a 7 months trip, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Broome, Darwin, Alice Springs, Melbourne more or less... 25000ks. In a nissan Navara and camper trailer.... to your question.... I would take the good enough vehicle and the trip!!! Every time.
It depends on your income or means. If you have a $350,000 a year income then get the Land Cruiser. If you have a $65,000 a year income like us average schmucks then build up a Tacoma. Or as a last resort, a Jeep. Hahaha. (Kidding).
Absolutely, but I do think the secret truth is that virtually all of us are limited by money, and can't just spend endless amounts. Nobody really talks about it, but the number 1 reason people are not out there living their dreams is because they don't have enough money.
The Land Cruiser is a utilitarian vehicle built to withstand years and years of abuse with little to no maintenance. Unless you plan on doing off-road in the RDC for 10 years straight, it's too much. It's built for NGOs, armies, safari guides etc. For people who actually have important things to do. They need something that can do everything effortlessly and that will do so every time you turn the ignition key. And what's the fun in going on an adventure in something that offers zero challenge? In something that everyone knows will be up to the task? Something that so very few can actually get... I dream about things that I can reach right now... if only I can grow some balls and quit my job, not only if/when I can grow my bank account... No one remembers about people crossing Africa in a Land Cruiser precisely because they chose a Land Cruiser. I however do remember about the people who've done it in unusual vehicles, the guy in the electric Nissan Leaf, the couple in the 4x4 Sportsmobile, the guy in a 2WD Renault Kangoo, the guy that rode his bicycle for 50 years non-stop... The Jeep guy :D
Both my 2 and 4 door Jeep Wranglers are more than good enough my 2 door has been through hell and back exploring the remote Canadian wilderness . I am currently exploring in my built for long distance overland touring Jeep Rubicon 4 door , Yukon , NWT , Alaska , and now Northern BC . Let me tell you jeeps are more than up to the task , and so off road capable . Nope , I’ll take my Jeeps any day , they have (all three , I also have a 2001 Jeep Cherokee XJ as my winter driver) .. the overland rigs both 2 and 4 door have proven their reliability and robustness out in the field wherever I take them from remote bush trails to on highway , and they get great gas mileage, the 8 speed in the wrangler @ 80KPH gets 10.9 litres/100 I’ve seen 710 Kim’s to empty . Pretty good fuel eco. I recon , and that is loaded down with roof rack and cargo boxes extra fuel water , fridge solar batteries.,. the whole deal. Wild Bill currently out Jeep exploring the great Canadian North . Cheers .
Hello Dan! My wife and I always lived with "good enough" and saved well.. We did it our whole lives and retired early... Now the rest of our life are adventures! Alaska overlanding 2024! I love the channel and bought your books with copies for me and my 81 year old dad (he loved them!). Sincere question and respectfully. You say you never had a problem with the jeep in Africa but didn't you lose the drive shaft? - Or was that tied to the rollover?
Thanks for the kind words and support! I tore the rubber boot on the front driveshaft, which caused it to spit out all the grease and the joint on the end started clunking really loud. I put on a new rubber boot and joint, and it's been good ever since (still on there now) I think it's a wear item a bit like a clutch... not something you expect to change in less than 200,000kms or 300,000kms, but something you will eventually have to change.
Love your channel Dan, we were stuck in Melbourne during lockdowns and decided to look at travelling Aus, we have kitted out a 2012 Pathfinder with a very small off-road camper trailer. All up we have only spent just under 100k on setup (the price of some people’s stock troopy’s) we have been everywhere, Oodnadatta, the cape, gibb etc. we see big expensive setups everywhere and we go everywhere they go
The 79series has a4.5lt v8 diesel you showed a 6 cylinder been v8 since 2008 a far better vehicle why not just show your build so much talking going over and over you decided on a jeep the jeep chose you from Australia
That depends on where you buy the LC, not all countries have the 4.8 V8, and in the US you can only get one that is 25+ years old, so no V8 for another 10 years I'm afriad.
I agree with what you are saying but here in the middle east I can get a brand new troopy for 35 to 40k dollars. I have bought a 95 troopy for 10k usd. I own a 2013 jeep jk as well. I love jeep but for my adventure vehicle I chose a troopy. Oh and if your ever interested let me know and I can ship 70s cruisers anywhere. Just trying to help out fellow overlanders. Oddly enough the rubicon cost more than the troopy here in kuwait
That’s great advice. I have a F250 that is good enough. Putting a camper topper on a four wheel drive pickup is more than good enough for most adventures and it’s super affordable and durable.
I just chose this route for my vehicle. We had a $25k budget and ended up deciding to spend only about $5k and saved the other $20k for next year's adventures.
No You dont Need the best 4x4 you can get. Sure to do Moab in a Fiat500 is maybe not the best idea. But if the category fits the need, the brand is second. We have hier some serious offroad trails I drove some of them since 2015. Now I bought a 150 Prado and I will try the same tracks with it, after the build the prado. It’s my little own private challenge to see how big the gab between those cars are when it come to serious offroad.
Hey Dan - love your videos The way you couch your question leaves only one answer, and that is the route you took. For you, you optimized perfectly, or as perfectly as anyone would given your budget constraints. Obviously given a $100K budget constraint it would make no sense whatsoever to buy a 70s series just to sit in your driveway. The fact of the matter is, though, that different people have different budget constraints. Suppose you had a job so that you saved 500,000 USD for your budget. You might have optimized differently right? Maybe you would still have a $40K rig, but used $460,000 on travel. Maybe you would drop $100K on that land cruiser. Personally I would optimize the balance so that I could get a $100K vehicle. Sort of analogous to your point: My other hobby is taking my OLD $15K Porsche Boxster to the race track. Sports cars are a passionate topic of conversation for many of my peers. Which is the "Perfect track car"? There's is a general feeling that the McLaren F1 was perfect. It's cost a few million dollars. How many McLaren F1s go to the track? NONE I'm willing to wager, (maybe Jay Leno drives his IDK) they are too rare and valuable. So in my view, every car I see out at the track is a better tack car then the perfect track car.... the McLaren F1. Anyway, I think your choice is awsome. Love the wrangler!
Of course people with tons of money can make different choices, but I do think the very, VERY vast majority of people out there don't have tons of money, and they're very limited by not having enough to just stop going to work.
Beleive me, I don't have a 500K budget either and realize that most people don't. I guess my point is that your hypotheticals don't address the main point. Is there a perfect vehicle? Or is good enough good enough? Whether the budget constraint is $100K or $50K or $500K you have to optimize the vehicle budget vs the travel budget. As you point out, it would never make sense to put 100% to the vehicle budget for obvious reasons, but this doesn't really address the fact that there is no perfect vehicle, even that $100K 70 series isn't perfect (might be best in class) The Jeep is better in some terrains than the 70 right: You said it here: ua-cam.com/video/jKokznz9v3s/v-deo.html In this video you made a hell of a case that the Rubicon is actually a better vehicle because of it's value.
I agree there's no such thing as perfect, what I wanted to do in this video was just illustrate the option of spending a ton of money on the vehicle and not having adventures vs be modest on the vehicle and then have money left for the adventure. The brands and badges and models are not important.
best thing you can do to your 4x4 is put fuel in it and go for a drive. you dont need the latest fancy gear as long as you have food, shelter and a sensible head on your shoulders... a day's drive or 3 year African adventure is the same thing, just get out and experience the outdoors.
I very much agree. For those reasons, I really like your Africa & your Alaska to Argentina trip. But I'm curious, can you make that comparison with your Gladiator in Australia, price paid, mod cost, and then the value it sold for?
No, the Gladiator didn't follow that same pattern. And it wasn't supposed to. I didn't go with the Gladiator because it was budget friendly, I went with the Gladiator because I wanted to learn, and I wanted to know if it really was tough enough for Aussie conditions. So I'm happy I did.
The timing on this video is perfect I’m sitting in Europe waiting to go back next month to my 4x4 and drive across China. In my boredom I started looking at $100k 70 series
I am a huge fan of good enough, perfection is just so tiresome really, and when you strife for perfection you wear yourself down and enjoy things less in the end.
Perfect is the enemy of productivity. In this case, it's better to make do with what you have or can afford, then it is to wait for something better. That isn't a compromise, it's being grateful
70s are definitely robustly-built vehicles. Here in Africa I can think of at least two roles that are served almost exclusively by 70s - some modified to support borehole operations and the safari business. Occasionally you'll see a patrol or land rover in those roles, but most of the time it's a 70. So they are strong, robust vehicles without a doubt. However, I think for most people don't need that kind of robustness. For example, there's a role served almost exclusively by hiluxes - khat logistics. Those things fly at dangerous speeds on the highway grossly overloaded and hitting bumps at speed, and they never break down. Why don't they use the 70 instead? Because it's expensive and underpowered, and they have a business to run. A hilux does the job just fine, even though arguably the 70 is more robustly built. You've travelled all over the world, so you've seen the punishment ordinary vehicles are made to take. Plus even the 70 will need a "GVM upgrade" if you plan to overload it. I contend with the 70 being "simply the best". There's more to vehicles than just robustness and longevity. 70s are really basic vehicles for the money you pay, they have low-hanging leaf springs in the rear that would catch on rocks where a bone-stock 4runner would drive over just fine, make it more likely to get stuck in sand and mud, and more difficult to recover. Hiluxes have always had a leaf-over-axles design, as opposed to the 70's leaf-under-axles design. In addition, the newer ones come with a wider front axle than the rear, prompting some people to go for expensive "axle width correction". They also come grossly underpowered, esp. with the 1hz. It's essentially a vehicle whose only selling point is being simple and robust, and in the case of the 78 an offroad-capable 4wd van. It provides less value for money in literally every other aspect. So no, not even the 70 is perfect.
I think you're absolutely right that there is a lot more nuance to the whole thing than what I said... though I think the important part isn't the 70/Jeep bit... it's not worrying about brands and badges and focusing on good enough and making the trip happen.
I love this one. I think it all depends on your tastes.. what you like. And the big one! Are you doing it for you, or other people. The guy you spoke of who sparked this conversation is all about Landcruisers, and that's cool. I'm all about Jeeps, cuz that's what I first bought to adventure... It's a Cherokee, and it did amazing things, so that made me a Jeep guy. I paid 4500 bucks for it... 26 years ago... and I still have it. Now my wife has a JLU. And as with most folks, the topic of winning the Lotto comes up, and I'd still have my Cherokee. Though perfectly rebuilt. I don't think I could get rid of it cuz I love it. It's done for me, not to impress others. It's for us to get on adventures with... Not for others to oogle at. Let's face it, it is cool when folks say they dig it. But do what you want, run what you like. A Jeep may catch your eye, a Toyota might. Doesn't matter, do it for you... And if doesn't let you down... Bonus! My Jeep has ALWAYS got me home ... Then broke
Do you want the "Best", or is good enough good enough? Let me know below!
I'm a good enough type person. Anything more is a luxury. However we all have different expectations so what is good enough for me may not be good enough for somebody else.
better spend the money on impressions in a good enough vehicle than having the perfect vehicle but no money to enjoy the world!!!
I’m good enough too. Old VW bus that has already done trans American with previous owners and now I’m making it my own to do want i want. Cheers
I guess the answer for me is good enough although my story is bit different than yours. After taking a couple of backpacking trips to Australia in the early 1980’s I went on a photographic camping safari in Kenya and then made my way by bus to Tanzania where I waited to find some fellow backpackers so we could rent a Land Rover and driver to take us out to the Serengeti. In 1988 I thought that driving the world would be great but fell back on what I knew, backpacking, so I quit my job, sold my Toyota truck and headed to England to join an overland group driving to Kenya. From there I flew to India and joined an overland truck through India and up into Nepal. From Nepal I flew to Thailand and backpacked my way through SE Asia, to Australia, New Zealand and home. I would have loved to trade my 1986 Toyota 2 wheel drive for the 1985 Toyota 4x4 (the 1982-1985 model years were designed by the Toyota Landcruiser engineering team and with a solid front axle and leaf springs front and rear were essentially lightweight Landcruisers), outfitted it and headed out to drive the world but adding up all the costs and unknowns, I went with the ‘good enough for me’ solution for. The most important thing, as you emphasize, is doing what gets you out there and on the road. After that 1 year world trip I managed to do almost annual 2, 3 and 4 month trips for all the 1990’s, mostly backpacking but also joining some small group overland trips and also renting a vehicle to drive the dirt tracks of Kruger National Park and others in South Africa. Waiting to be able to afford the ‘best’ wasn’t the way to go, getting on the road each time was far more important to me.
Good enough. I bought a 2010 for $10k, put about $8-9k (durable upper cntrl arms, rtt, bumper/winch, fridge, solar, wheels and tires, gearing and locker, lights, radio and subwoofer) in it.
Stuck a 250cc dual sport motorcycle on the hitch and left mid April. Over the past 4 months I explored the southwest US, and made it to Alaska (thanks for the inspiration from reading your first book).
I already want to go back to explore the Arizona strip and more of Utah. By the time I get home I'll have done around 20,000 miles.
My truck shop guy cringes when he sees beautiful 200k+ vans come in for more upgrades, but year after year, he sees the odometer barely creeping up, most way under 10,000 miles. On the other hand, I'm sure if you can afford a vehicle like that odds are you're a business owner, executive, doctor, lawyer, manager etc and you don't have time to go on months long adventures. I worked in pharma for 30 years, and having gaps in your CV/resume were looked down on, and those gaps would keep you stuck at entry level jobs. So I think for some, they buy the "dream" vehicle for simply that reason, so they can dream. They occasionally get to escape for a long weekend, (while checking the cellphone for emails/messages). On a positive note, it creates some barely used overlanding rigs that regular income folks can snatch up. Maybe the real question here is why do we have a work culture where you're considered an unreliable slacker if you take off for a month during the Summer. But that's a whole other video.
You are absolutely right!
💯💯💯
I'm also a firm believer in "good enough", though I haven't driven around the world.
My suspicion is that watching videos distorts our view of the world. You see the big UA-camrs with epic rigs, and forget that you can do 90% of what they do in a standard 4x4 with decent tires, and some camping kit.
I'd say you've proven that the Wrangler is at least as good as a Landcruiser, since it does the same things, but for less money.
I actually get a kick out of achieving a massive adventure in something that costs less and not everyone has
Some travelers s set out on a bicycle and have amazing adventures. It is not about the vehicle, it is about getting out there and doing it!
Thoughtful discussion. I don't begrudge anyone who has worked hard enough to earn luxury items in whatever that means. I lean toward older average priced vehicles, which I don't mind maintaining, and it allows me to spend $ on fuel and adventures. For me the whole point is to go out & have experiences, however you see fit. And I will have my 18yo son read "Work Less To Live Your Dreams". Now that we just finished replacing coolant components on his 2001 Jeep!
If it makes you feel good, you can afford it, and it works - you be you.
Great video Dan! If we wait around for perfection we will never do anything. That goes for adventure, romance, careers, and probably many other things.
Well said!
Not probably many things but every thing.
I travel with my wife and she wanted a home so we planned together and compromising to be less macho means we travel together. 85,000 miles in three years and four countries with more to come. Being retired with monthly checks is lovely.
Sounds incredible!
This is a valid point. We spent $100k on our car and van to go around Australia with the family. We could have spent double that for the perfect set up, but we would have taken years to save that extra $$
Taking the trip now is always better than some vague time in the future!
You nailed it Dan. If you are ever obsessed by buying the best, building the best, you are more than likely missing opportunities to actually travel. Some of my favorite adventures were in bone stock Trooper II’s back in the early ‘90’s or a pickup with a cap, or flying somewhere internationally, renting a caravelle or a Chevy Luv and traveling around in that with essentially backpacking gear…. If the goal is travel, especially internationally, it’s actually better to fly under the radar a bit with something super plain or ordinary versus a rolling billboard that screams, look how much money I have! 😆I followed your Pan American trip in the 4 banger TJ on ExPo at the time and was like, hell yes. Ray Highland’s trip in a salvaged series Rover with a family of 5 across Europe and Asia is another great example of what you really need. Anyway, keep preaching the gospel.
We went with a used low km y61 CRD Patrol for a third the price of a land cruiser not quite as big as a troopy but will go anywhere and does not need the rear axel widened. New and used land cruisers are ridiculously overpriced so we can now spend so much more on travel we agree with you.
Sounds like the perfect choice!
Best, like Quality should mean, "meets the customer's requirements"
Well said
I'm a fan of good enough. Near home (in my home country) there is a freedom to driving a vehicle that is not new, not "the best," and is okay to get scratched and dinged a bit and may need some road repairs. Easier to relax and have fun. However, my standard of good enough goes up when reliability and parts availability is crucial, such as when travelling internationally. The trick is discerning when the best of something (vehicle, accessories, or whatever) is worth the expense. Too many folks see UA-cam videos and think they have to have the full wish list. Ability to wrench on your vehicle helps a lot here as well.
Also, as others have noted, travelling with a flashy, high-cost kitted-out vehicle can draw unwanted attention. Better to fly under the radar for less and have fun.
The best vehicle is the one you can afford and still have the means to adventure. You have steadily upgraded from your first Jeep to where you are. And that's good.
Each to their own. For me it's my converted LC105 1HD FTE. for others is a Toyota or delica wizbang. For you is your Jeep. So long as you enjoy the journey in getting the vehicle and the adventure.
I agree 100% - you have to make sure there's money left for the adventure, and not sink it all into the vehicle!
Let’s be honest. Many people buy these trucks and spend tons of money on offroad stuff. But never ever do serious overlanding trips. I am an offroad instructor and teach tons of people how to drive offroad. But hardly anybody who owns 4x4 does serious off-roading. Apparently, being able to do overlanding, as you own a serious off-roading with all the goodies, is what they love, but this does not mean the capability is ever used really. Holiday trips, weekend trips is what most people use these trucks for. Any Landrover dealer knows what I mean. That’s why everybody liked The Landrover Experience as this really sells Landrovers and keeps the Landrover virus alive. I mean: how many people own “the best” trucks and how many people do/did serious overlanding trip like you do? I think, this is how it works and let the numbers speak for themselves. Just my 2 cents.
As an Australian I can say with certainty we don’t need another Aussie driving a $100+ LC; it’s great seeing some variety.
That is the main reason I went with the Gladiator for Australia - we already knew exactly what would happen if I drove the LC, it was time for something different.
Well said Dan! I too have a Jeep TJ and while of course I’d love to have a brand new vehicle, my old TJ gets the job done. It’s not comfortable for long road trips, it’s loud and has hardly any cargo space, but I don’t have any vehicle debt and I can spend more money on trips!
I rode across Africa on a klr650 differently not the best bike infact it was the cheapest that would be tough enough to do it 6 months and 30000 ks a once in a life time trip but I was asked.many times why not a Yamaha or a ktm or a... Well btje money saved payed for the trip simple as that
I want 'the best' in my dreams but in reality 'the good enough' does it for me.
Good enough is a pretty relative term. I've been thinking about this a lot lately because I'm planning to spend a year in Australia: touring, overlanding, and 4 wheel driving. I'm now in New Mexico (US) and have some experience overlanding in a 22 year old Ford Ranger. I'm in my 70's so things I did in my 30's just aren't of interest. When I was about 30 I spent about 3 months mostly highway touring the US on a motorcycle with a P.O.S. tent, air mattress, and sleeping bag. I'm not about to spend a year sleeping on the ground in Australia. Also, I need a certain amount of reliability. Maybe I could fix some things along the way but I'd hate to have a serious breakdown halfway along the Madison Track. So, good enough for me is a real question. There's a certain amount of "insurance" as well. What about the best available recovery (or safety) gear? But you are right: Don't forget the adventure. And the other thing I often consider is that unintentional events are the stuff of memories.
Dan, I feel like a good number of points you made in this video were things we chatted about at the BC overland rally. Our philosophy for overlanding is similar on so many levels. I’d take the jeep!
Absolutely, this has been bouncing around in my head since Overland Expo PNW, and I often think for a long time before I make a video on a topic
It’s so easy to get caught up in an image. I’d love to repaint my truck, but it’s good enough. I’d love to put a better turbo on the engine, but what’s on there is good enough. Things that aren’t good enough, Clutch, harmonic balancer, rear suspension, bench seat….. it will cost me less money then a paint job to fix that stuff.
Also it depends how much you get emotionally attached to your car. If you’re ok to sell or abandon your car at the end of the trip then it’s fine but if you want to keep the car to take it elsewhere or as a reminder of the great trip you did, then you might want to get a « better » car and keep it longer, even if that means postponing your trips. I liked driving the world with my 911. But it costed too much so it was either selling it and buying a more appropriate car for driving the world or keeping it and driving it way way way less.. I chose to sell it but I was sad. But I can keep on driving.
Cheers mate !
That's a hard question to answer; I get where you're coming from. I think it comes down to - building/owning an "overland" vehicle and actually taking extended adventure trips are kind of two different hobbies.
Personally, what keeps me from taking epic year-long road trips isn't the cost of the vehicle or the cost of the traveling, but the lost income from not working for that period of time. It's a different way of looking at things but I think it's valid, and it's the reason I'm pursuing a fully-remote job.
That is a very good point, but it's worth remembering that life on the road is not expensive, and if you save up, you won't need an income to stay on the road for a year or two.
In Conclusion:
If you can afford the best + the extra cash to travel - go for it.
If not, then draw the line somewhere else - for one it could be a Wrangler, for someone else it would be a Suzuki, or it could just be a bicycle! Some people overland with a bike too. 😎
Absolutely, and I think the honest truth is that the very vast majority of us can't just drop unlimited money, so we're constrained in our choices by money.
That might be the best "Jeep over Toyota" argument I have heard heard.......and really gives me pause.
Admittedly I am (obviously) a devout Toyota guy but this does make a ton of sense if you are working with a limited amount of disposable income.
So then.....would I take a cherry 80 Series decked out to tool around a few states? or a Jeep to take on a life changing adventure??
🤐
Right. For years people have said "But Jeeps aren't the best".
And I always said "The only relevant question is can you spend a lot less money (on something like a Jeep) and still get the job done? So all I care about is if it's good enough".
I'm related to a lot things you mentioned over the years, I recently purchased my dream 80 series, (70 series or troop carrier are out of my league) and after put the numbers in front of me I chose to travel by motorcycle. LC 14-16 mpg vs a little 650 single 60 mpg. The difference in the fuel expenses will allow me to travel much much further and stay in comfortable hostels or small hotels, I prefer traveling for 2 years vs 6 months. I know it's a trade off. I prefer travel more than have an expensive vehicle to show off.
You and me both!
I think the balance is “ what can you afford to walk away from”, if it’s destroyed, stolen, or you need, for some reason to leave the investment and go in a different direction, either temporarily or permanently. As this topic also revolves around the sense of freedom you gain by doing an adventure like you undertake, if you have everything invested in only the equipment and not the purpose for the vehicle itself, then what’s the point.
Dan , I love these thought provoking, philosophical videos!
What one person thinks is the best , may not be for the next guy.
To continue on your thought, “ comparison is the enemy of contentment “. You build what is best for you!
I wonder how a Landcruiser would have faired flipped on it’s side in remote Africa, compared to your Jeep. Seems to me the Jeep did pretty well!
My Son just bought a 4x4 Tacoma Trail Ed. (Landcruisers are not available here in California.)
It’s a great vehicle but I like my 2018 Wrangler JKU better because it works better for me.
Well done Dan!
Well, as long as I don't have the time to be happy with 'good enough and travel', I aim to continue working, dreaming and working on 'the best'. Once the time is right: forget 'the best', be happy with 'good enough' and start rolling. As the last shirt has no pockets, memories might be more important than assets in the garage.
ha, 'The last shirt has no pockets" - I haven't heard that before and I really like it!
I really love how intelligently you approach things Dan. I love cars and of course a top spec land cruiser would be amazing. But it would tie up so much capital and what is the point of it if you don't use it? I dont think its wrong to simply want a nice toy if you can afford it. But it's sad that it almost seems to be the norm to spend stupid amounts of money and barely enjoy or use your investment and go exploring. Life is about so much more than stuff, and travel is so incredibly rewarding.
This also applies to loads of other consumer products. Do people really need watches that can dive to 3000m and macbooks designed for 4k video editing just to surf the web?
I personally have my eye on a 90 series Prado.
Keep doing what you do Dan!
Thanks very much!
I bought my 2019 Toyota Tacoma TRD- Off road for $34000 already outfitted with roof rack, bed rack, grill guard, lift, wheels and tires. Spent roughly $5000 on upgrades. Now I only travel the US so my situation is different but you can get a very capable vehicle for much less. Now I wish I had a 70 series Land Cruiser but I absolutely love my Tacoma and it is by far “Good Enough” for my needs
Very nice!
My Jeep has already taken me to the Arctic Ocean and around the Western U.S. I'll just stay with the Jeep and my Overlander trailer I built.
Sounds perfect!
Thanks for mentioning the G wagon! 😂❤
I think you're doing it right; put the funds into the adventure! A relatively cheap vehicle also removes some of the concern of cosmetic damage as well. I'm comfortable squeezing my nearly 20 year old 4runner down overgrown trails because the pinstripes from branches just blend in😅
Fully agree, I've recently been idly looking at the trophy scratches from some tree branches in the roller applied paint on my present build within its first 500 miles of use. If I had a pristine paint job I'd be suicidal !
i want my 2016 4Runner trail for 40k + ~20k upgrades and take off from there. You are correct.OK is just enough. Taken it to the Arctic and done Baja. Going to Argentina in '25 and rather than ship home I'm shipping to Australia....
Sounds like a hell of an adventure!
I would definitely always go for "good enough", but my last two regular cars were just that and they cost me so much more in maintenance...so, good enough plus epic adventures would always be the go-to option for me; but only when "good enough" means, like it did in your case, it is sturdy and won't make you cough up a fortune to keep it running...actually looking into long term overlanding for next year, so we are looking at so many vehicles right now. Not Jeeps, but vans/campers, even so; your videos are super interesting and really help us along as well!
Happy to hear they're helpful!
Good enough is the way to go. Even the best of the best vehicle is still a compromise. The rest is personal preferences and less money to travel.
You make some great points. For some people, having the perfect truck actually *is* what they care about - even at the expense of travel.
"Overlanding" has brought several hobbies together: Travel, camping, off-roading, and vehicle building. Some people are suuuper into vehicle building, while others could care less and have adventures in whatever vehicles they have. I think it's important for those who are more travel focused to realize they don't need to compare themselves to the hardcore vehicle builders.
You make a very good point that "overlanding" in the US has brought many different hobbies together, and people have different priorities.
99.9% of the time I speak to people who are passionate about the travel experiences, but it's good for me to remember there are plenty of people out there that don't consider that a priority.
I really do appreciate all the information you give all of us on how to have a vacation on a budget because you bring up a valid point you don't really need a super expensive vehicle you just need one that fits the specifications for your tour I really do like the fact that you are showing us how to have a Grand Vacation on a budget
You make a really interesting point. It's so easy to get caught up in the marketing. And I don't care who you are, you're just susceptible to it. I'm susceptible to it even though I try to be very cognizant of it
I have an older motorcycle. It's about 12 years old. I have always wished I had a newer bike or a better bike or a smaller bike or a bigger bike or whatever.
And yet 20,000 miles later, it's good enough
It's not perfect. It's not ideal. But it's never let me down. It's never had a mechanical problem. It's been dropped and dumped and knocked over and beat up
It's been up and down mountains, through mud bogs, through empty desert. Freezing cold, snow, rain.
And yet my Triumph keeps doing its thing. I look at those beautiful BMWs, the beautiful Yamaha, the Aprilla, the KTM's. Such capable vehicles. Such capable and powerful motorcycles. Yeah they would make things a lot easier sometimes.
Yeah I think about my little tent, my little stove. Wish I had this wish I had that. But they at the end of the day, I've never wanted for anything when I'm traveling. I have everything I want.
Every time I come back I always find something else to get rid of. Every trip I take something less than the last. It's not things that make the trip. It's the experience.
It's all Opinions. If it works like you jeep and is dependable, it's the best for you.
AND you can afford it.
Remember, if you spend every single cent on the vehicle and have nothing left for gas in the tank, then it's not a very good vehicle going nowhere.
So… I just got home from a 14,500 mile Pennsylvania to Tuktoyaktuk to Denali to Flagstaff and home again. I drove my 2019 diesel Chevy Colorado Z71. The others two drivers drove 70 series Landcrusiers. One of the member of the group, on his way home bought a ZR2 Bison diesel because of the performance of my truck (he’s keeping his Landcruiser) for long trips in the future. I’ll be keeping my Colorado. It’s plenty good enough!
By the way… If your Jeep were a diesel, I’d take it, hands down!
My Jeep is a diesel :)
Your new is, how about the Africa Jeep?
The Africa Jeep is a 3.8 V6 gas engine. Never a problem, never a problem finding gas
I've driven about 50k km in the past 12 months in my good enough 4Runner (about 8000 km since we met at BCOR). I do wish it got better fuel economy though!
Going for it!
I vote good enough
I'm gonna go even further and say that "good enough" is the maximum. To me, every euro not spent before the trip is one i can spend during. I currently drive a small city car, with a ground tent, that I took to nearly 30 countries. It's perfect because it means that I can actually travel instead of buying an expensive vehicle which means many more years of waiting. That being said, as soon as I graduate and get a better income I'll probably buy a hilux, as they're not too expensive and cheap to make trip ready.
It sounds like you and I think alike!
Hey Dan. Of the two options - of course "good enough"! But it would be a third option for me (although I understand others could not choose a third - build an older "bullet proof" vehicle option and maintain it IF necessary.). You have had AMAZING success with your Jeeps - which I believe shows the quality of the owner's awareness and carefulness. I just keep waiting for the exception which I am afraid will happen this next trip planned due to 1 - the technology of the diesel engine, 2 - the technology with the automatic transmission couple with 3 - the remoteness (lack of technology repair facility options) you will have on your upcoming trip. I HOPE THAT I AM WRONG! If nothing else you will keep me on the edge of my seat! :)
I swapped a 2017 Caravelle for a 2017 79 fully kitted both were valued about $46,000 in South Africa. I think we are just lucky in Africa. I do about 10000 to 15000kms a year exploring.
So glad you don’t drive a Landcruiser otherwise we’d have just another Landcruiser channel…
Mate you have hit the nail right on the head 👍👍. I’ve only just found your channel and it’s great, down to earth, well done, I’ve had Jeeps for 30 plus years both on my farms and my adventures and they have never let me down plus they’ve had very hard lives, Australian’s are fixated on over priced show piece toys😢, too answer your question to me it’s all about what will do the job, comfort and economics, Jeep have all in the bag, also Jeep is as Australian as a Japanese Toyota etc etc.
Keep it up happy trails.
Each to their own on all of this in terms of budget, DIY versus commissioned fitout approach, core vehicle brand selection impacting support where you will drive it, modern electronics risks versus fixability with a hammer, vehicle scale and inherent offroad capability needs vs aspirations, introduction and acceptance of risks from "upgrades" degrading inherent reliability, shiny vs scabby outlook affecting whether you'll worry about scraping trees or experiencing dust storms, achieving the degree of luxury you want (probably linked to your stage in life) plus deciding how and where you actually take it and use it. A walk around the German Bad Kissingen Alrad show campsite illustrates that best. If you want a Suzuki Jimny, Land Cruiser, Transit van, Sprinter, Iveco, Defender, Jeep, Pinzgauer, ex Mercedes fire truck, KAT1, Unimog, fine. Just try something before you're too decrepit or dead !
Dan, if this is true why does Toyota persist in making a vehicle with the alternator a mere 11” inches off the road? My Jeep has the alternator at least 36” above the road surface, my Dodge Cummings was made the same, as were the three GM Suburbans that i owned since the 1980s. I also owned 4 Saab cars that had the alternator high in the engine cavity. I recall you saying that all Aussie Toyota owners carry an extra alternator in their kit to replace their drowned alternators!
Toyota started life with an engine that was copied piece by piece from the Chevy 216 6 cylinder engine. In fact it sounded exactly like my grand mother’s 1950 Chevy pickup truck which as a 2wd made multiple river crossings in its long life. Before that our 1936 Chevy 4 door 2wd car with the same 216 engine pulled wagons out to sheep camps in along the Rockies with just a set of tire chains (-;… was Toyota in existence in 1936?
Have a 94 troopy brought for $12000 spent $20000 been round Australia twice now never missed a beat next door neighbour has the 79 series with everything never leaves the driveway
I think maybe, or maybe not. People confuse being "good enough" with a bare minimum or barely viable. When what you're really talking about it being completely viable.
I feel like it's also the mindset where people talk crap about Subaru's. But the Subaru is still at the end of the same trail as the in the 100k custom off roader. They just didn't drive over the big rocks, probably... Now obviously there's more limitations on a Subaru but that's not the point. The Subaru might be good enough for what you're doing.
I just looked up a new G-wagon... MSRP of about $470k currently. Nuts.
Mate, I am amaized at times why people can question your decisions after what you have done and also already explained your reasoning on why you have chosen what you have. I love touring, would I like the best of the best to do it in, ehhh sometimes yes but in the end, I have a 2004 GU Patrol that I tour in and actually have fun designing things for it to make it comfortable and practical to work with, and in the end, as I'm sure you know, who seriously wants to scratch and dent a 100k car when you can do the same trips and more in a 16k car and with the money you don't spend, vas you've mentioned can use for the trips and fuel. Enjoy your vids thanks, a shame we missed each other during your trips in OZ.
Unless there is a specific circumstance where "the best" is the only thing that's good enough, there's really no reason to splurge if you're not in the position of writing blank checks. Do you need the absolute best, purpose-built image sensor on the James Webb Space Telescope? Yeah, anything less and the question "is the mission even worth it with this?" arises. Do you need the same if you want to photograph the Milky Way on your backpacking trips? Hell no.
You are so right,
Spending most of one’s money on the vehicle always ends the possibility of true adventures going further.
Having driven for different companies Overland adventure vehicles. I discovered that the most dodgy companies to work for paid the best and the best vehicle companies paid the least, and the adventures were bit too pure, missing the adventure of one’s life.
Also having had a number of major breakdowns, turned out to being some of the best adventures on the trips afterwards.
Meeting some of the most interesting people you would’ve never met if you’re just driven past in your high-end perfect vehicle, missing out on some most incredible foods you never had heard of.
In the end, the vehicle is just to get from one point to another, and it’s not necessary to overcapitalising. Specially in some countries. This is just a target to being stopped and asked for more money.
One of my best adventures in an old Combi van that I completely mechanically rebuilt, but looks like a head been down the backstreets of the worst part of London and tagged and banged about.
But I was easily able to leave this and go out for a good day or two exploring, without worrying about my vehicle being damaged because no one took notice of it, in the end of an adventure is all down to head.
Spinning the most money on the most perfect vehicle, limits your ability to seek out the ventures that are out there, still in this world .
Remember live life to the max when you can , I’m glad to have done so much when I was younger before a severe Brain Injury which limits my travel to down under only from now on because I cannot deal with crowds, noises and people any longer.
Living in the Kimberley and seeing all the Toyota's come in,I'm glad I have a Jeep!
They are all broken and destroyed,harder to work on than the jeep and yes they are broken and still running but why would you want a vehicle you don't care about and be happy that it's in pieces.. lol
My Jeeps are better than Toyota in my opinion and after owning Toyota's in the past I never will again due to so many quility issues and mechanical problems
The best is reserved for people that can afford both the vehicle and the adventure (aka, not me). I definitely could not justify buying the vehicle without also being able to afford the adventure. Don't need or want a driveway trophy truck. The real question for me comes down to how many years will I want to continue working before pulling that early retirement plug. The goal is 50 years old, so we'll see what we want to spend our money on when that time comes. Still 12 years away. I suspect we'll land on good enough. You've proven to me that Jeeps are perfectly capable and I could set off on an adventure with confidence.
Funny considering that the LC started as a copy of the Jeep with a copy of a chevy 6 in it
It's a fun conversation with as many different choices as there are people. Some folks can just afford what they like, a Kia will get you to work but people still buy Porsches. For some folks the build is the point. Either for content or as a hobby, no different than building a street racer or restoring a classic. Some have family or other commitments that don't allow an extended get away so the energy goes into the build. Still others will hit the road with any old thing, fixing it as they go or hoping for the best. And then there are those who don't have the money for a perfect build nor the time to get away for more than a night. We just watch videos and comment on them.
Gidday Dan, 100% I would do it your way and put the money into the journey than be a poser with your rig parked in the drive. I think its a mind set anymore where everyone wants to be like the Jones's and have the latest and greatest, when really you don't need all that stuff, you need functionality and reliability and you're good to go.
You’ll never achieve perfect. There’s always that new thing that comes out that trumps what you’ve already bought. I’ve been working on my Jeep for five years now, tweeting it for my adventures and it is no longer the cool car to own, but it suits my needs. I’ve had a lot of adventures in it though and it’s paid for which allows me more freedom to travel.
I would have to argue that the vehicle best suited to do the job at the lowest price, actually is the best. We may be arguring semantics, but if you spend money buying a more capable vehicle that you need, you have overspent.
That is EXACTLY how I feel
Well, my Hilux is good enough to get the job done so that's the reason I didn't get anything better...
I wish I had the confidence to set out on an Alaska to Argentina trip in a $5,000 Jeep.
Why not? Rockauto ship anywhere in the world, and there are plenty of people along the way that will help.
Yes land cruiser is very good but it needs some modifications ( rear axle width ) , it has leaf springs at the rear and the V8 diesel ( Australia and South Africa ) which is very thirsty - no vehicle is perfect - i think there are other vehicles out there that come close - i agree that the experience is the most important part
The "best" is not always the best. Everything has it faults and limitations. Sometimes prices do not guarantee perfection.
Personally I would not want an overly expensive vehicle because I would hate to leave it behind if something chaotic were to happened during my travels. It would be much easier to abandon a $20K truck than one which costs 100K.
Ronny Dahl had a vid about the true cost of camping. I forget the details but the idea is this: you soend 100k on a car with upgrades. Camp say 25 nights a year, use it for 8 years. That's 500 bucks per camp before you've even paid for fuel or camp site fees.
Then Dirt Sunrise had an amazing 80 series camper. But they didn't like how much of their capital was invested in it and how much money they could lose if anything happened to it.
On the flip side my (non-overlanding) car is a cheap 15 year old hatchback. I really don't care if it gets scratched and I never worry about it being stolen.
Pretty sure jeeps do as well and in my opinion much better than landcruisers or any other offloaded for that matter
I enjoy cruising the outback in debt free 100 series no worries at all
I spent my career working in structural steel fabrication, the second half as a welding inspector. My pet peeve was people continuing to work beyond "good enough". Once you hit good enough, stop working and move on!
But the false dichotomy of "would you rather have this, sitting in your driveway..." is a strawman. I'm lucky enough that I can have what I want, but good enough is still good enough.
I understand what you're saying, but I think for the majority of people (me included), it's not a strawman, because we simply can't afford to have both.
I'm still not going to piss money away because of some people's percived "best". If it gets the job done effectively, it IS the right tool for the job.@@TheRoadChoseMe
Jeep, might just be the new best, keep it up. I am surprised so far.
Thanks! Will do!
I agree and that is why I have a JK and just returned home from a trip 2 days ago.
Another question would be "what is the best?". Everyone's situation is different. Whether that be situation, intended purpose, and most important (especially now), financially. Something to consider too, is (again)- what is the best? Are you just paying for a name (which is, sadly, the case most times), or are you actually paying for a better product? There again, is the "better" worth the price?
We just did a 7 months trip, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Broome, Darwin, Alice Springs, Melbourne more or less... 25000ks. In a nissan Navara and camper trailer.... to your question.... I would take the good enough vehicle and the trip!!! Every time.
Sounds great!
FOR SURE, GET GOOD ENOUGH AND HIT THE WORLD AND EXPERIENCE THE PLANET.
It depends on your income or means.
If you have a $350,000 a year income then get the Land Cruiser. If you have a $65,000 a year income like us average schmucks then build up a Tacoma. Or as a last resort, a Jeep. Hahaha. (Kidding).
Absolutely, but I do think the secret truth is that virtually all of us are limited by money, and can't just spend endless amounts. Nobody really talks about it, but the number 1 reason people are not out there living their dreams is because they don't have enough money.
The Land Cruiser is a utilitarian vehicle built to withstand years and years of abuse with little to no maintenance. Unless you plan on doing off-road in the RDC for 10 years straight, it's too much. It's built for NGOs, armies, safari guides etc.
For people who actually have important things to do. They need something that can do everything effortlessly and that will do so every time you turn the ignition key.
And what's the fun in going on an adventure in something that offers zero challenge? In something that everyone knows will be up to the task? Something that so very few can actually get... I dream about things that I can reach right now... if only I can grow some balls and quit my job, not only if/when I can grow my bank account...
No one remembers about people crossing Africa in a Land Cruiser precisely because they chose a Land Cruiser. I however do remember about the people who've done it in unusual vehicles, the guy in the electric Nissan Leaf, the couple in the 4x4 Sportsmobile, the guy in a 2WD Renault Kangoo, the guy that rode his bicycle for 50 years non-stop... The Jeep guy :D
Haha, well said!
Both my 2 and 4 door Jeep Wranglers are more than good enough my 2 door has been through hell and back exploring the remote Canadian wilderness . I am currently exploring in my built for long distance overland touring Jeep Rubicon 4 door , Yukon , NWT , Alaska , and now Northern BC . Let me tell you jeeps are more than up to the task , and so off road capable . Nope , I’ll take my Jeeps any day , they have (all three , I also have a 2001 Jeep Cherokee XJ as my winter driver) .. the overland rigs both 2 and 4 door have proven their reliability and robustness out in the field wherever I take them from remote bush trails to on highway , and they get great gas mileage, the 8 speed in the wrangler @ 80KPH gets 10.9 litres/100 I’ve seen 710 Kim’s to empty . Pretty good fuel eco. I recon , and that is loaded down with roof rack and cargo boxes extra fuel water , fridge solar batteries.,. the whole deal.
Wild Bill currently out Jeep exploring the great Canadian North . Cheers .
I'm impressed by your fuel consumption Bill!
Hello Dan! My wife and I always lived with "good enough" and saved well.. We did it our whole lives and retired early... Now the rest of our life are adventures! Alaska overlanding 2024!
I love the channel and bought your books with copies for me and my 81 year old dad (he loved them!).
Sincere question and respectfully. You say you never had a problem with the jeep in Africa but didn't you lose the drive shaft? - Or was that tied to the rollover?
Thanks for the kind words and support!
I tore the rubber boot on the front driveshaft, which caused it to spit out all the grease and the joint on the end started clunking really loud.
I put on a new rubber boot and joint, and it's been good ever since (still on there now)
I think it's a wear item a bit like a clutch... not something you expect to change in less than 200,000kms or 300,000kms, but something you will eventually have to change.
Love your channel Dan, we were stuck in Melbourne during lockdowns and decided to look at travelling Aus, we have kitted out a 2012 Pathfinder with a very small off-road camper trailer. All up we have only spent just under 100k on setup (the price of some people’s stock troopy’s) we have been everywhere, Oodnadatta, the cape, gibb etc. we see big expensive setups everywhere and we go everywhere they go
Sounds great!
The 79series has a4.5lt v8 diesel you showed a 6 cylinder been v8 since 2008 a far better vehicle why not just show your build so much talking going over and over you decided on a jeep the jeep chose you from Australia
That depends on where you buy the LC, not all countries have the 4.8 V8, and in the US you can only get one that is 25+ years old, so no V8 for another 10 years I'm afriad.
I agree with what you are saying but here in the middle east I can get a brand new troopy for 35 to 40k dollars. I have bought a 95 troopy for 10k usd. I own a 2013 jeep jk as well. I love jeep but for my adventure vehicle I chose a troopy. Oh and if your ever interested let me know and I can ship 70s cruisers anywhere. Just trying to help out fellow overlanders. Oddly enough the rubicon cost more than the troopy here in kuwait
Wow, that's incredible you have access to that! Absolutely you should do that !
That’s great advice. I have a F250 that is good enough. Putting a camper topper on a four wheel drive pickup is more than good enough for most adventures and it’s super affordable and durable.
I just chose this route for my vehicle. We had a $25k budget and ended up deciding to spend only about $5k and saved the other $20k for next year's adventures.
Right on - that is an IDEAL vehicle to take up to Alaska to down the Pan-American
This is great life advice in general. I sent it to my adult kids. Thank you!
No You dont Need the best 4x4 you can get. Sure to do Moab in a Fiat500 is maybe not the best idea. But if the category fits the need, the brand is second. We have hier some serious offroad trails I drove some of them since 2015. Now I bought a 150 Prado and I will try the same tracks with it, after the build the prado. It’s my little own private challenge to see how big the gab between those cars are when it come to serious offroad.
Hey Dan - love your videos
The way you couch your question leaves only one answer, and that is the route you took. For you, you optimized perfectly, or as perfectly as anyone would given your budget constraints. Obviously given a $100K budget constraint it would make no sense whatsoever to buy a 70s series just to sit in your driveway.
The fact of the matter is, though, that different people have different budget constraints. Suppose you had a job so that you saved 500,000 USD for your budget. You might have optimized differently right? Maybe you would still have a $40K rig, but used $460,000 on travel. Maybe you would drop $100K on that land cruiser. Personally I would optimize the balance so that I could get a $100K vehicle.
Sort of analogous to your point: My other hobby is taking my OLD $15K Porsche Boxster to the race track. Sports cars are a passionate topic of conversation for many of my peers. Which is the "Perfect track car"? There's is a general feeling that the McLaren F1 was perfect. It's cost a few million dollars. How many McLaren F1s go to the track? NONE I'm willing to wager, (maybe Jay Leno drives his IDK) they are too rare and valuable. So in my view, every car I see out at the track is a better tack car then the perfect track car.... the McLaren F1.
Anyway, I think your choice is awsome. Love the wrangler!
Of course people with tons of money can make different choices, but I do think the very, VERY vast majority of people out there don't have tons of money, and they're very limited by not having enough to just stop going to work.
Beleive me, I don't have a 500K budget either and realize that most people don't.
I guess my point is that your hypotheticals don't address the main point. Is there a perfect vehicle? Or is good enough good enough? Whether the budget constraint is $100K or $50K or $500K you have to optimize the vehicle budget vs the travel budget. As you point out, it would never make sense to put 100% to the vehicle budget for obvious reasons, but this doesn't really address the fact that there is no perfect vehicle, even that $100K 70 series isn't perfect (might be best in class) The Jeep is better in some terrains than the 70 right: You said it here:
ua-cam.com/video/jKokznz9v3s/v-deo.html
In this video you made a hell of a case that the Rubicon is actually a better vehicle because of it's value.
I agree there's no such thing as perfect, what I wanted to do in this video was just illustrate the option of spending a ton of money on the vehicle and not having adventures vs be modest on the vehicle and then have money left for the adventure.
The brands and badges and models are not important.
I'm not rich so I have to do Good Enough! My 06 Tacoma has 428000 miles on it with a rebuilt motor.
Impressive!
Jeeps are awesome for what they are made for, and you proved that they are reliable enough to get you around the world and back
best thing you can do to your 4x4 is put fuel in it and go for a drive. you dont need the latest fancy gear as long as you have food, shelter and a sensible head on your shoulders... a day's drive or 3 year African adventure is the same thing, just get out and experience the outdoors.
Well said!
I very much agree. For those reasons, I really like your Africa & your Alaska to Argentina trip. But I'm curious, can you make that comparison with your Gladiator in Australia, price paid, mod cost, and then the value it sold for?
No, the Gladiator didn't follow that same pattern.
And it wasn't supposed to. I didn't go with the Gladiator because it was budget friendly, I went with the Gladiator because I wanted to learn, and I wanted to know if it really was tough enough for Aussie conditions. So I'm happy I did.
The timing on this video is perfect I’m sitting in Europe waiting to go back next month to my 4x4 and drive across China. In my boredom I started looking at $100k 70 series
Wow, that sounds like an incredible adventure across China
I would Take the africa+ 3 years! More experince for money and adventure!
If you are packing light enough a jeep is perfectly adequate, and I think the simplicity of minimalist overlanding is a good thing.
I am a huge fan of good enough, perfection is just so tiresome really, and when you strife for perfection you wear yourself down and enjoy things less in the end.
Well said.
Perfect is the enemy of productivity. In this case, it's better to make do with what you have or can afford, then it is to wait for something better. That isn't a compromise, it's being grateful
Good enough works for me
70s are definitely robustly-built vehicles. Here in Africa I can think of at least two roles that are served almost exclusively by 70s - some modified to support borehole operations and the safari business. Occasionally you'll see a patrol or land rover in those roles, but most of the time it's a 70. So they are strong, robust vehicles without a doubt. However, I think for most people don't need that kind of robustness. For example, there's a role served almost exclusively by hiluxes - khat logistics. Those things fly at dangerous speeds on the highway grossly overloaded and hitting bumps at speed, and they never break down. Why don't they use the 70 instead? Because it's expensive and underpowered, and they have a business to run. A hilux does the job just fine, even though arguably the 70 is more robustly built. You've travelled all over the world, so you've seen the punishment ordinary vehicles are made to take. Plus even the 70 will need a "GVM upgrade" if you plan to overload it.
I contend with the 70 being "simply the best". There's more to vehicles than just robustness and longevity. 70s are really basic vehicles for the money you pay, they have low-hanging leaf springs in the rear that would catch on rocks where a bone-stock 4runner would drive over just fine, make it more likely to get stuck in sand and mud, and more difficult to recover. Hiluxes have always had a leaf-over-axles design, as opposed to the 70's leaf-under-axles design. In addition, the newer ones come with a wider front axle than the rear, prompting some people to go for expensive "axle width correction".
They also come grossly underpowered, esp. with the 1hz. It's essentially a vehicle whose only selling point is being simple and robust, and in the case of the 78 an offroad-capable 4wd van. It provides less value for money in literally every other aspect.
So no, not even the 70 is perfect.
I think you're absolutely right that there is a lot more nuance to the whole thing than what I said... though I think the important part isn't the 70/Jeep bit... it's not worrying about brands and badges and focusing on good enough and making the trip happen.
I love this one. I think it all depends on your tastes.. what you like. And the big one! Are you doing it for you, or other people. The guy you spoke of who sparked this conversation is all about Landcruisers, and that's cool. I'm all about Jeeps, cuz that's what I first bought to adventure... It's a Cherokee, and it did amazing things, so that made me a Jeep guy. I paid 4500 bucks for it... 26 years ago... and I still have it. Now my wife has a JLU. And as with most folks, the topic of winning the Lotto comes up, and I'd still have my Cherokee. Though perfectly rebuilt. I don't think I could get rid of it cuz I love it. It's done for me, not to impress others. It's for us to get on adventures with... Not for others to oogle at. Let's face it, it is cool when folks say they dig it. But do what you want, run what you like. A Jeep may catch your eye, a Toyota might. Doesn't matter, do it for you... And if doesn't let you down... Bonus! My Jeep has ALWAYS got me home ... Then broke