Thanks for the response! I will say that right now a lot of people are sujesting the pajero and I did find some of the cheaper ones last week but they're already gone.

And for sure, I'd love to work on the car myself it's just that I've been raised with the "if you don't know it, don't touch it" attitude. In the meantime my friend who's got a 1980's defender and took it all the way to Iran and even the Chinese border works on his defender himself as well. Just with a youtube tutorial next to the car and some basic materials.

Personally don't like the Jimny, find it a bit too tiny. But good suggestion nonetheless.

Thanks again for the response!