Easter Jeep Safari: Off Beat Off-Roaders at Moab

Thanks to incredible climate and terrain, Moab Utah has served as a hot spot for all things outdoor. A frequent host to festivals, events and rallies, its most notable gathering is the Easter Jeep Safari (EJS).

Plug “off-road at Moab” into Google and you’ll be met with an unending number of YouTube videos displaying a truly impressive variety of rides. Highly functional yet sometimes over-the-top, these vehicles range from small pickups and SUVs to extreme customizations that look like props from Mad Max.

While the aftermarket allows for endless possibilities, we’ve singled out a few rigs that shine even in stock condition. These unique off-roaders not only stand out among a sea of capable Jeeps, but also stand up to the high standards set by the indomitable four wheelers.

The value of older models in off-road adventures in general, and Moab in particular, lies in their simplicity. The more bells and whistles a vehicle offers, the more compromises need to be made.

“The best off-roaders for the job were built back when capability mattered more than connectivity, when proper maintenance was a matter of wrenching more than decoding computer readouts.” – Car and Driver

In addition to offering simple engineering, vintage SUVs have the added benefit of offering comfortable room for friends and cargo. With that reasoning in mind, here’s our short list of durable rock crawlers.

2000-2004 Land Rover Discovery II

The Discovery II hit U.S. markets in 1999 and sported many improvements over its early ’90s predecessor.

While both SUVs looked nearly identical from the outside, the company boasted that the new model sported over 700 changes. It’s many of these changes that we feel make the Disco II an excellent off-road option.

With an extended rear body, the new model offered better cargo load space. And since the folding rear seats turned in a more practical forward-facing direction, friends could tag along more comfortably. New steel-pressed panels upgraded the body and chassis, while the exterior saw improvements to visibility and aerodynamics – not to mention standardization of the five-door style. The interior was completely reworked, as well, to tone down what Autoblog likes to call “British eccentricity.”

Under the hood, the Discovery saw improvements in power and efficiency by adding a new engine management system and intake manifold. New technology like Active Cornering Enhancement and Hill Descent Control, along with suspension upgrades, gave the vehicle better on-road drivability.

That’s not to imply that the Disco lost any of its off-road prowess. Land Rover outfitted the updated model with full time four-wheel drive, a four-speed ZF automatic transmission, all-terrain anti-lock brakes, a sophisticated traction-control system and an optional self-leveling suspension.

The Discovery II was a finely curated blend of smooth on-road handling with powerful off-road capability.

Stayin’ Alive

Clever, functional, and affordable, the Disco has enough polish and name-prestige to allow it to keep one foot in the luxury sector while the other jumps in off-road puddles.

Besides, Land Rovers have long been revered utility vehicles, earning their respect in the rugged landscapes of Africa and the Australian Outback. They’ve been on the market a long time and have developed a solid following among outdoor enthusiasts.

While new models have all but priced themselves out of the current off-road niche, older gens offer a kind of functional purity that welcomes mud on the tires.

Used Discos can be had for relatively cheap these days. Better yet, their popular run ensures that replacement parts are pretty easy to find – as well as aftermarket upgrades. Everything from roof racks, tents, brush/bull bars, steps and snorkels to more serious performance parts like intakes, intercoolers, wheels and tires can all be added with relative ease.

Even in old age, the Disco remains a beast – and it won’t fail to shine on muddy trails or rocky terrain. With the first-gen models lacking in horsepower, comfort, and on-road handling, and the Discovery III (and subsequent designs) floating too far upmarket, the second series stands out as the Goldilocks in our eyes.

1995-1997 Toyota Land Cruiser

Originally introduced in 1951 as a military and police vehicle, the Land Cruiser was Toyota’s version of the Jeep. It enjoyed several iterations over the decades, evolving from a station wagon to a true SUV, all the while maintaining a respectable blend of luxury and rugged off-road reliability.

When the 80 series arrived in 1989/1990, it was a smash hit. A vehicle that offered top-quality comfort and exciting new technology but stayed true to its tough ready-for-any-road legacy? Response was overwhelmingly positive and the factory had to stay open 24/7 for six months just to fill orders.

The FJ80 Cruiser was a full time 4WD vehicle with a four-speed automatic transmission and full time transfer case. It sported an updated coil-spring suspension as opposed to the former leaf-spring of the 60 series. It also offered a longer wheelbase and stronger axles than its predecessor.

In 1992, Toyota upgraded the model with a stronger engine, adding nearly 60 horsepower, and released it as the FZJ80. It also offered an optional selectable front and rear locking differential. In ‘95, airbags and anti-lock brakes were added.

Each year also continued to see slight increases in size until its eventual replacement by the bloated 100 series in 1998. Despite the new model’s power, most off-roaders feel it is simply too big, too heavy and too complicated to tackle any serious trails.

Still Got It

In our opinion, the 80 series offers the best compromise. It has simple engineering and interior comfort without complex electronics and extra weight. Plus, it’s an aftermarket darling. From suspension and recovery to cargo management and engine upgrades, if you want to make a mod – you can find a qualified supplier catering to your needs.

While used Land Cruisers can still be found for cheap, the hunt is getting harder. Vintage 4x4s are having a moment, causing market valuations to soar.

Plus, the FJ80 models are at least twenty years old now. That means finding one in good shape with low mileage will be difficult. However, we’re convinced they’re worth looking for.

1985-1995 Suzuki Samurai

Suzuki’s first self-branded 4WD vehicle was introduced in 1970 as the Light Jeep 10. While popular domestically, it quickly became apparent that to be a global contender, engine size needed to increase. When Suzuki exported the LJ50 to Australia, the brand found success in a 550cc 3-cylinder unit. This move helped cement the vehicle’s position as a charming little off roader.

The LJ entered its second generation in 1981, and was rebranded as the “Jimney” in Japan. The vehicle actually took on a variety of names abroad, including the “Samurai” here in the U.S. The new models were made slightly larger and sported a better engine output during the coming years. Suzuki also improved upon its 4×4 designs by upgrading the interior and adding power brakes.

The Samurai became available on the American market in 1985. It was a cheap and light alternative to Jeep that still remains popular in the 4WD community today. As an early entrant into the mini-SUV market, it saw universal success for its functional (and fun) performance, as well as its low price tag.

The little Samurai wedged itself in four wheeler territory for a number of reasons. First, its design made it compact and light. Second, it offered a transfer case with high and low range. And third, it had significant ground clearance and good fuel economy.

Sure, the vehicle only sported a 1.3L 4-cylinder engine releasing a mere 63 horsepower. However, what the “Zuk” lacked in power, it made up in nimbleness.

V6 and V8 engine upgrades continue to be a popular and easy aftermarket modification due to the vehicle’s simple engineering. They also offer some serious fire under the hood, since the whole rig only weighs about 2,000 lbs.

Bad Reputation

In 1988, Consumers Union published a story warning that the Samurai easily rolls over and was therefore unsafe. However, the U.S. government’s own studies showed that the vehicle’s “real world rollover accident performance was within a range with other utility vehicles.”

Additionally, NHTSA ruled that the Consumer Union’s results were not applicable to actual on-road driving conditions. Unfortunately, the damage was done and Suzuki saw a decrease in sales and an increase in lawsuits.

A revised model was released partway through ’88 that offered an upgraded suspension and anti-sway bar, as well as a restyled interior. Then in 1996, a lawsuit was filed against Consumer’s Union that eventually settled in 2004. It resulted in Consumer’s Union publishing a “sorry, we’re not sorry,” but neither action was enough to revive the now-struggling brand.

Continually poor sales and a damaged reputation led to Suzuki pulling the Samurai from U.S. and Canadian markets in 1995.

Fans of the Samurai don’t seem to care much about the roll-over accusations, though. (Honestly, it probably just strengthens the rugged little 4×4’s legendary reputation.) The model still remains popular in foreign markets, particularly among farmers.

In the U.S. and Canada, unmodified versions will be hard to find and, like the Land Cruiser, are starting to show their age. But they are worth the search, nonetheless.

First-Hand Knowledge

Obviously these three models are just a very small sampling of the many unique and capable rigs getting dirty on the trails at Moab.

Factor 55 has witnessed the Moab scene grow tremendously in recent years. “There’s been a big increase in side-by-sides like Polaris RZR and Can Am Commander models,” said Justin Andrews, Sales and Marketing at the company. “You can catch some pretty extreme buggies, too,”

Corby Phillips, National Sales Manager at WARN, agrees. “We are seeing more and more side-by-side vehicles at each EJS,” he said. “Utah allows these vehicles on the road, so they are a popular substitute for a full-size Jeep. Also, beware of the ‘full-size invasion’ which is a group of 4×4 trucks that show up, from square body Chevys to newer Fords and Dodges. And although the full-size trucks have some challenges with a few of the tight turns and trails, they’re there.”

“The Toyota mini-truck is always a solid performer,” added Keystone sales associate, Dan Guyer. “The drivetrains are bulletproof, but most of them ended up with a jungle gym of external tubes to protect the occupants. Rust really got them in areas like the Northeast.”

Name of the Game

It doesn’t matter if you’re driving a brand new tricked out Jeep or your dad’s old Bronco. Moab is about the adventure.

It’s a sacred place where risk-takers can gather and rub elbows with other enthusiasts and manufacturers. It’s Man vs. Nature. A way of life, and an excitement built from demanding preparation, technical skill and a shared camaraderie to explore and conquer the very terrain that convinced those early settlers to establish a town smack dab in the middle of a desert.