Not to pick nits, but this is a -55, mine was/is a -45W.
But, yes, the wagons are pretty big for tight trails. Better suited to desert environments. Speaking of both deserts and FJ55s; one of my favorite pics:
Gotcha. While that would be cool, it's less feasible here in the NW. Some friends and I went camping this weekend, and after a week of nearly 100 degree temps, it was 38 degrees and almost snowing. I appreciated having a hard top then!
Yeah I could already possibly be in trouble in the area of the garage. The place we just bought has a 2 car gararge but it's a small one. I have tried to effectively use the space so that I can get a project in the near future. We have covenants and quite a few older people as neighbors. I'm not allowed to work on vehicles in the driveway and I'm technically not supposed to have the garage door open unless I'm coming in and out. So far it hasn't been an issue. I can just get the Jeep in and the door closed and still have room to work on it. I think I'm gonna start getting active on the homeowners assoc. and see if I can't make a few changes or at least see how serious these people are. There's no way a 45 or 55 would fit.
Anyone know anything about the Nissan Patrols? She saw one today and it's the only thing that would possibly be an alternative. I've seen one that was nicely done with a 350 conversion.
It looks like Nissan still does a vehicle called the Patrol but it's not the older late 60's style. This is what we saw (not this exact one but this style).
I think you should calm down a little...and then start searching. It is more than obvious (to us...) that if you don't get one, you will be miserable, but just take your time...you don't need much luck to find a good deal, just a clear mind and a lot of patience...
Boris
I think you should calm down a little...and then start searching. It is more than obvious (to us...) that if you don't get one, you will be miserable, but just take your time...you don't need much luck to find a good deal, just a clear mind and a lot of patience...
Boris
I think you should calm down a little...and then start searching. It is more than obvious (to us...) that if you don't get one, you will be miserable, but just take your time...you don't need much luck to find a good deal, just a clear mind and a lot of patience...
Boris
OK Boris. I'll try to calm down a little for ya. Is it wrong to talk about particular vehicles in an OT forum? You're telling me to search? Maybe you should have calmed down a bit and not been so impatient when your new shiny exhaust arrived. You couldn't even read the fawkin directions. How would it have been if the MEMBERS of this club told a USER to search and not provided you with some of the answers that you have found to be helpful?
Anyone know anything about the Nissan Patrols? She saw one today and it's the only thing that would possibly be an alternative. I've seen one that was nicely done with a 350 conversion.
There has been one or two written up in the various rags over the last two decades. IIRC all had 'Merkan drivetrains swapped in.
If you don't mind paying a premium for rare stuff it would be a cool vehicle to have. Depending on your "wiring" this would pretty much relegate the truck to forest roads only kind of use. Not necessarily a bad thing but that first dent when banging around will really hurt.
I'm not certain, but that vintage Patrol may have used the SD33 diesel inline six. It's a rare engine but they were used in IH Scout IIs and CJ10A aircraft tugs so there is a little bit of availability that way. I could be way off base on that one after a little reflection... That vintage Patrol is late 60s... SD33 would be late 70s to early 80s. Might be a good swap?
I have images of the later body style that kinda looks like a Diahatsu Rocky but I doubt you are interested in those. I like that body style on the 4 door wagons but it looks goofy on the 2 door.
While that would be cool, it's less feasible here in the NW. Some friends and I went camping this weekend, and after a week of nearly 100 degree temps, it was 38 degrees and almost snowing. I appreciated having a hard top then! 
