I think we are talking about two different things here - plain road trips and some serious mud dipping and wheeling. I'm working on my current D2 right now and am considering adding a bit of spice to it. If I build it up a bit - raise it a couple of inches, get a winch bumper, roof rack and add a few more usefull gadgets which does not necesarily mean that I'm gonna go wheeling with it. I'd love to take it on a road trip where I can get off the pavement and track through the woods, take back country roads, camp out and enjoy nature... which in my neck of the woods, and most places in this country is not quite possible. Buidling it just for the shear enjoyment while I look at it doesn't really do it for me... and being a Chicago native driving to the Badlands is not really my idea of family fun, family time. not that I haven't done that - been to the Badlands on many occasions.

My question is: is there a place like this in the northern american hemispehere that I can enjoy the capabilities of my rig without taking it to a private off-road park? or do I go south? north? Guys north of the border I see do go places.

or am I asking too much?

 

There are plenty of areas where you can go wheeling or trail riding in the USA. Heck, in Michigan alone...we have several two-tracks, seasonal roads and ORV trails on state and federal land that offer plenty of off roading and primitive camping.

Went to Ohio wheeling with their LR group and had a great time. Some was serious stuff, but for the most part...they have other outings with less severe conditions. The hills in southern Ohio are beautiful, with several abandoned road systems through the hills.

Chicago has a LR Facebook club that does quite a few outings.

Brian.

 

There are state parks in the south with Trail systems. Uwharrie in NC is good

 

 

and that's what I'm talking about as well... will look into the Chicago Land Rover Club thing for sure

thanks,

 

Check out the overlanding forums that is really their, thing get out and see the backwoods.

I spend most of late spring through summer drifting down Forest service roads, I can cover 2 300 Km and not see another soul. But I am in BC, so lots of empty up here.

 

Seems that joining the club is the thing to do, spring is just around the corner. It would of been nice to go to Canada and explore - we are always looking for ways to get away.

 

I'm in the same boat man! Rusted out frame and an abrupt engine failure. Repair would been too costly. Felt like throwing in the towel and walking away. But eventually I found a donor rust free D2, in the color and year I longed for. Best of all it has a working engine! At 200k it runs well but many small things needing sorting out. Using my old grey D2 as a parts truck has made all the difference during my transition to the white truck. The ability to pull anything I need has saved me $$$ already. So it's totally the way to go if your not ready to throw in the towel. Probably be cheaper in the long run to. Try finding something under $2k and rent a small space for the old truck and pull parts as needed for the donor.

I've noticed d2's increasing in value on Craigslist and eBay so keep that in mind. Take your time and wait for the right truck. Best of luck to you.

 

Aww Brian, I'm here babe!

Not much to report at the moment I'm afraid. Installed a new rear door hinge today. Working on a spare tire swing-away... once that's done Im back on the road! It's been a little embarrassing driving around town with a souped up land rover, winch, hilift, the works... and no spare tire

To collie: End of the day, owning and maintaining a rover is a hobby and it should keep you happy. If spending a bunch of time transplanting rovers is your thing, do that. If you'd prefer to mountain bike, then: I think good condition D2's will be available for years to come... just keep monitoring craigslist with patience, and if the right one comes along... pull the trigger. Maybe at that time you'll be in a better position to store another vehicle. In the meantime you can continue building up your current rig and you can always swap those parts, like a bumper, to a new donor truck down the road.

I feel ya though, sometimes we come at a crossroads and feel we have to go down one way or the other... when I bought my rover, I basically rebuilt the whole thing for no particular good reason, and it took about a year. Hindsight, yes I'm very happy with how it turned out, enjoyed the process, and learned a lot. On the other hand, I could have just drove the darn thing. I suppose I'm in it for the long game, I'll have this rover (hopefully) for decades, and the thrill of adventuring in a custom rig that I put thousands of hours into it, feels good. Heck, driving to the grocery store even feels amazing. Just don't burnout before you finish it

It's a ton of fun to overland, offroad, camp, and adventure in a rig you are proud of and put a lot of time into preparing for. But on the other hand, the best times I've ever had doing those things I had nothing but a pair of jeans and a shirt, and good friends.

 

Patience is key