thatsnowinnebago wrote: Color me surprised that ANY 4x4 w/ low range actually gets 22mpg combined.
As long as you don't use it.
thatsnowinnebago wrote: Color me surprised that ANY 4x4 w/ low range actually gets 22mpg combined.
As long as you don't use it.
MrChaos wrote: So the list is currently. 1. New wrangler with the 4cyl turbo. 2. Toyota Tacoma. 3. F150 with the 2.7. 4. Jeep Renegade.
Does Nissan still make a 4 cyl Frontier?
In reply to spitfirebill:
not available in 4x4 its 2wd only. only 4cyl trucks with 4x4 are the canyonado and the tacoma
How much money does 19mpg cost you over 22mpg?
yupididit wrote: How much money does 19mpg cost you over 22mpg?
its not the issue of 19 over 22 its the issue of 19 or 22 over the 40 my car currently averages
Maybe i missed it.. what's the justification for low-range here again? If you buy a (torque converter) automatic vehicle the control issue is basically gone and the low-rpm torque problem is certainly mitigated.
If low-range is more important than a useful amount of cabin space to the point that you're looking at single-cab F150s, id just take the 325hp option and run with it. Except running might be the wrong term since the only way you're averaging 22mpg with a 2.7 f150 is if you're VERY nice to it.
In reply to Vigo:
I want actual off road capability. aka more than dirt roads.
Vigo wrote: Maybe i missed it.. what's the justification for low-range here again? If you buy a (torque converter) automatic vehicle the control issue is basically gone and the low-rpm torque problem is certainly mitigated.
Eh, not really. The torque converter can let you keep moving, but there is a point where you should absolutely be in low range to reduce heat production in the converter. Plus, low range gives more engine braking for slow speed control.
IMO, there's no substitute for low enough gearing off-road. An auto changes the threshold of "low enough" a bit, but without low range, you won't get low enough without gearing it to never be able to get above 50 mph.
Hal wrote:MadScientistMatt wrote: My father was shopping with similar requirements and picked up a new Subaru Forester. IIRC, that one does have a low range, although I haven't looked at it too closely.yupididit wrote: Why doesnt a Forester seem like the answer to his needs here? They get the mpg, their AWD systems are great, and you can still buy them with a manual transmission.New Forester's are not available with manual transmissions. They all have the CVT with X-Mode the same as my 2015 Outback. Last year for manual transmissions was 2016 and that did not have a low-range. The X-Mode is a different program for the AWD/Traction control and I haven't found anywhere I wanted to go that I needed it yet. Did try it one time on a steep loose rock hill and could tell that it was faster with the drive switching but I probably could have made it anyhow without X-Mode.
You can still get a M/T with the Crosstek, though. From what I've seen they're every bit as good off-road as a Forester, if not better (though I could be mistaken there).
If you can stretch or find one a bit older, the Grand Cherokee might work.
You could also turn back time a bit and get a Liberty.
Another: https://winstonsalem.craigslist.org/ctd/6086869698.html
Closer to you: https://hickory.craigslist.org/cto/6106126591.html
honestly i am looking at a RCSB F150 with the 2.7 ecobost now.
something like this 
You can easily hit your MPG requirements with the ecodiesel GC. I've seen tanks approaching 30mpg. It also has the low range you wanted. You won't find them new for your price though. They are also under the EPA diesel cloud right now.
My 2014 GC ecodiesel has been much less than reliable and I would be hard pressed to recommend one based on my experiences.
that is why i have basically been relegated to looking at trucks with the 2.7 F150 leading the list
wawazat wrote: My 2014 GC ecodiesel has been much less than reliable and I would be hard pressed to recommend one based on my experiences.
Can you elaborate at all? They seem really appealing on paper
STM317 wrote:wawazat wrote: My 2014 GC ecodiesel has been much less than reliable and I would be hard pressed to recommend one based on my experiences.Can you elaborate at all? They seem really appealing on paper
As do most FCA products but usually build quality just isn't up to par.
MrChaos wrote:Tom_Spangler wrote: Compact/midsize pickup with the smallest engine? Do they still put 4-bangers in new Tacomas? Seems like that would get you there.Good luck finding one. That's the issues with the Tacoma's at least here it's take what we have on the lot or go somewhere else. And they are all loaded 4 doors.
I had a 2010 tacoma with a 5 spd manual and the 2.7 4 cylinder I got it that way because I wanted decent milage.....it got about 18mpg. I traded it in on a 2013 Tacoma with the 4 liter v-6 and the 6 speed transmission and it gets around 22mpg.... the truck is way more drivable and capable then the 4 cylinder. The new Tacomas supposedly get better milage now (about 2 more mpg). FWIW I believe that that newer Tacomas are too big for having a 4 cylinder in them anymore. what they should offer is the turbo diesel engine you get in the Hilux. That would be ideal.
Update: New option: Chevy Colorado ZR2. Has all the essential goodies, plus locking diffs on both axles, and the most serious of offroad-worthy shocks. Only downside is that it does come at the price you would expect for an optioned-up American pickup.
Our '14 Grand Cherokee with the 3.6 pentastar, 8 speed auto, and 4 low, does everything you ask, but the price. We bought ours in '14 but used with 20k on it already and it was $32k IIRC. We are at 75k miles already and it's been great and maintenance free. I put new tires on it in December and it needs brakes coming up pretty quick but I jumped out of my Miata and started driving this similarly!
I have basically settled on a 2017 F150 Regular Cab, 6.5 foot bed with the 2.7 and 3.55 locking differential. I am hoping to pick one up for cheap in November after the 2018's are out and I have a down payment I want.
Decent choice, but here's one more option on the horizon you might want to consider:
http://insideevs.com/havelaar-bison-electric-pickup-canada/
Dual-powertrain 4x4, should have ungodly amounts of torque and will blow the doors off your efficiency requirements, suspension is at least as good as the F150's, and it looks pretty compact. Downsides are no price info or release date available yet.
Dual powertrain means it has two electric motors.
Range can be a problem.
What kind of "real" offroading are you going to be doing in your $30k DD that needs to take you that many miles every week?
You realize there are videos/pics with guys taking Crown Vics around Moab.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYIJpzo2RVY
A Subaru Forester with knobby tires and it's 9" of ground clearance is going to do anything you want to do outside of a dedicated rock crawler.
Guys, i already tried reason. He REALLY wants low range and he's willing to spend new-car money on a truck that will probably not hit the mpg requirement in order to get it. 
But i mean, if you're going to miss your mpg target, might as well do it in style in a truck that'll probably run 13s or 12s with just a tune. 
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