Oldies but Goodies your recommendation & supporting rationale for 1960s1970s 4wd SUV or pickup

Hello all,

I'm looking to get a 2nd vehicle for use in both on and off-road applications. No major rock hopping-Rubicon requirements, but very capable on trails and snow...think ditches, streams, inclines, but no major requirements for climbing over boulders. I'm not looking to blaze new trails, just have the capability to travel on established trails that may possibly get washed out by rain-snow runoff or the occasional tree falling and blocking the trail.

Here are my decision criteria in descending order of priority: - First, is reliability. Must be able to count on it to start when I turn the ignition key, not constantly leak or drop parts. Designed simple, rugged, and idiot-proof in both the engine-transmission and body-frame areas primarily. Also, an engine design that is fairly easy to access when working on it and has wide availability of aftermarket parts for future maintenance. - Second, is 4WD system. The system's design, simplicity, durability, and ease of maintenance. - Third, is capability for modification. Enough to modify or beef up the suspension, power train, and availability of the most important accessories for 4wd (I'm new to this so I'm guessing winch, roll bar install if not already there, carrying spare tires-tools-etc). Think "on the beaten up path, not off of it." - Fourth, is cargo capacity. Want to carry cargo internally, preferrably with a 2nd row of pbuttengers, so I am ruling out the Jeep Wrangler or its predecessors. No flames on this decision; please reference my above requirements. Again, not a dedicated 4x4 "King of the Hill," just a vehicle to get me around in the country roads and possibly hunting or fishing trips. I'm not putting a tight turn radius into my criteria, so if an extended cab truck maybe with a cap over the bed is something you can justify, please feel free to mention it. - Fifth, is towing capability. I may be using this to tow a trailer or camper. Not definitely, just a "may." - Sixth, fuel economy. Especially any info on any diesel models you know of. I'm asking partly due to recent fuel cost increases, but also because I've heard diesel performs well at albreastude without much engine adjustment. Now, if you have a vehicle that stands out in criterias 1-5, but sucks in fuel economy, mention it and just be upfront about the guzzler tendencies. - Seventh, comfort.

If you can be generous with tech specifics or personal experience, that would go a long way. Also any websites that you feel worthwhile to help in my research would also be greatly appreciated.

If you have strong feelings about your personal rig, by all means. But be able to support your position with specifics (strong engineering design, better quality parts, etc) instead of slinging generalities. Again, this is not which 4x4 won the most Rubicon compebreastions, but a more general purpose rig, so...do your best.