additional 4x4 question

[huntinhick]

alright, so it sounds like the jeep as a great following but the question I keep coming up with is how much do you wish you had a pickup bed?  I can not imagine trying to stuff and elk into the back of a Cherokee.  I love jeeps and all but where do you toss the wet duck decoys?  is having to tow a trailer every were a pain in the ass, when when the pickup you have it right there?  I am not sure that I would take a jeep to many places a truckwith good tires could not go.  I have to admit I am tired of trying to cramp just two people gear in the back of my sidekick let alone a animal!  So what says you all?  is the truck the way to go or is a trailer just as convenient.

thanks
carl

[chester]

truck ...if it doesnt fit in the cab, toss it in the back.

[bobcat]

I think you need both. I do. I've got a truck for when I need a truck, and a Bronco II for when I don't need the truck. They both have their advantages and disadvantages. It really depends on your main use of the vehicle. Only you can decide that. I can tell you it won't be hard getting an elk in the back of a Jeep Cherokee. You will just want to quarter it, which you probably will do anyway in order to pack it out of the woods. Just have a tarp in there to contain the blood.

[high country]

I have a truck, cj7 on roids and a toyota 4 runner......I seem to accidentily fill the yota up more then the others. it is cheap to own, gets good mileage and comfy to drive.....none of which I can say about ol' number 7.

[dscubame]

I bought a jeep last year.  One season and I got rid of that thing so fast.  The jeep is not practical from any standpoint.  Also the ride is awefully rough and sucks in snow.  Bad deal all around.  It has a following due to the stigma but that is where it stops.  No *censored*.

[ICEMAN]

SUV with a cargo rack, pull a trailer when you need...

[Bean Counter]

You may not need the truck ( I don't) but I'll say this: it sure as hell comes in handy.

My wife drives the kid around in a Subaru Outback. The AWD is great and the cargo area is spacious. I've hunted out of it many times. However, nothing compares to having a truck bed. My truck happens to have a canopy so I can sleep in it and feel at home. I've slept in the Outback, too, but its no tthe same. 

[FC]

I'm looking for a toyota pickup myself, a 2000ish double cab tacoma with the 2.7l and 5 speed manual should fit the bill perfectly but I may end up getting an extra cab instead, depends on what I can find for a price. Prices are all up right now so I've stopped even looking till after Christmas when everyone remembers they still have bills to pay and are willing to sell their truck for a realistic price.

I want the interior space of a double cab for ease of locking stuff up and carrying more than one passenger and a pickup bed for hauling bloody critters, wood and general junk for dump runs and such. Carrying dead critters in the back of a jeep sounds like a good way to end up with some lovely smells...

[CAMPMEAT]

I had a 1983 CJ 5. That Jeep would go anywhere. It had a 390 out of a 1970 AMX with 340hp stock. I bored it over .30 , it had headers and was running close to 400 hp with the ol' Holley 4 barrel. It had lockers front and rear, 8000 lb warn winch, full rollbar. Turbo 400 with a Ken E Bell variable pitch torque converter with a B/M shifter. Flat ass screamer. Of course those were the days.........

[dscubame]

I think Obama drives a Subaru.

[high country]

meat, my first cj was a 5 with a 401 @ 400plus hp. I have never been so scared of a rig in my life......but it was a hoot.

[FC]

All you peeps who have a Subaru phobia need to go get some counseling!

Obama has no where near enough balls to drive a Subaru....

[lamar_hunter]

I'm looking for a toyota pickup myself, a 2000ish double cab tacoma with the 2.7l and 5 speed manual should fit the bill perfectly but I may end up getting an extra cab instead, depends on what I can find for a price. Prices are all up right now so I've stopped even looking till after Christmas when everyone remembers they still have bills to pay and are willing to sell their truck for a realistic price.

I want the interior space of a double cab for ease of locking stuff up and carrying more than one passenger and a pickup bed for hauling bloody critters, wood and general junk for dump runs and such. Carrying dead critters in the back of a jeep sounds like a good way to end up with some lovely smells...

They dont make a 4 door tacoma in a 5 speed.

[FC]

I'm looking for a toyota pickup myself, a 2000ish double cab tacoma with the 2.7l and 5 speed manual should fit the bill perfectly but I may end up getting an extra cab instead, depends on what I can find for a price. Prices are all up right now so I've stopped even looking till after Christmas when everyone remembers they still have bills to pay and are willing to sell their truck for a realistic price.

I want the interior space of a double cab for ease of locking stuff up and carrying more than one passenger and a pickup bed for hauling bloody critters, wood and general junk for dump runs and such. Carrying dead critters in the back of a jeep sounds like a good way to end up with some lovely smells...

They dont make a 4 door tacoma in a 5 speed.

I know of several that are fairly local to me but all have either high miles, high price or both.

[CAMPMEAT]

meat, my first cj was a 5 with a 401 @ 400plus hp. I have never been so scared of a rig in my life......but it was a hoot.

I used to belong to the Timber Tamers jeep club out of Kirkland 30 years ago. I used to race it at playdays for fun. It was a hoot and a half. I forgot to mention that I had the front and rear housings trussed up so you couldn't bend them if you got air....

[jeepasaurusrex]

Don't listen to the Jeep naysayers. They are just jealous or cant drive. 

We built a strong 4x8 trailer to take offroad. It basically has a lift kit on it and 32" tires. The fenders need to be strong so they won't get ripped off and the lights need to be protected. Look at getting a pintle hitch for it. They work very well in the twisties. I also added shocks to the axle. It keeps any bounce out of the trailer on rough roads. The nice thing about a trailer is you can drop it at camp and do not have to haul all your stuff around with you if you need to run somewhere. I've built a few trailers for stuff like this.

Here are a few nice examples.




The military surplus HMMWV trailers work well too.




This one is real nice.

[bobcat]

I carry deer on the spare tire on my Bronco II, which is mounted on a swing away rack on the rear. Works out pretty good. You could do the same with a Jeep Cherokee. I don't see how they're not "practical." Four doors, so easy for passengers getting in and out. Small enough to go places you wouldn't want to take a full size pickup. One of those cargo racks like Iceman posted would work great for stuff that won't fit, or that you don't want to put inside.

I'm thinking about a Jeep Cherokee to replace my Bronco II, if I can find one at the right price.

[high country]

meat, my first cj was a 5 with a 401 @ 400plus hp. I have never been so scared of a rig in my life......but it was a hoot.

I used to belong to the Timber Tamers jeep club out of Kirkland 30 years ago. I used to race it at playdays for fun. It was a hoot and a half. I forgot to mention that I had the front and rear housings trussed up so you couldn't bend them if you got air....

I will find a pic of my d60 that blew pinion hunks through the cover......ouch. front u joints and stubs were good for about 10 seconds....god that thing was a money pit.....just like all my other jeeps.....lol

[jeepasaurusrex]

The best part about building your own, you can build it to accept the same size tires as your Cherokee, with wheels that match. That way you can have two spares in case something goes wrong. 

[DRobnsn]

I'm looking for a toyota pickup myself, a 2000ish double cab tacoma with the 2.7l and 5 speed manual should fit the bill perfectly but I may end up getting an extra cab instead, depends on what I can find for a price. Prices are all up right now so I've stopped even looking till after Christmas when everyone remembers they still have bills to pay and are willing to sell their truck for a realistic price.

I want the interior space of a double cab for ease of locking stuff up and carrying more than one passenger and a pickup bed for hauling bloody critters, wood and general junk for dump runs and such. Carrying dead critters in the back of a jeep sounds like a good way to end up with some lovely smells...

They dont make a 4 door tacoma in a 5 speed.

I know of several that are fairly local to me but all have either high miles, high price or both.

I was under the impression they didn't make them in 5 speed either, unless possibly special ordered. Is there any way you could post a link. I have been looking at them for the last few years and have yet to see one. 4 door that is, lots of ext cab's have them.

[chester]

I like how the guy pulling for jeep has a TRD banner behind it   

[FC]

I was under the impression they didn't make them in 5 speed either, unless possibly special ordered. Is there any way you could post a link. I have been looking at them for the last few years and have yet to see one. 4 door that is, lots of ext cab's have them.

Sorry I didn't see this earlier, here you go! I would also take an access cab quite happily.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/searchresults.jsp?lastBeginningStartYear=1981&num_records=25&search_lang=en&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&search_type=both&distance=100&address=98026&marketZipError=false&make=TOYOTA&model=TACOMA&make2=&start_year=1981&end_year=2010&min_price=&max_price=&seller_type=b&transmission=Manual&engine=&drive=4+wheel+drive&doors=Four+Door&fuel=&max_mileage=&color=&keywordsrep=&keywordsfyc=&keywords_display=&sort_type=priceDESC&body_code=0&certified=&advanced=y&highlightFirstMakeModel=&showZipError=n&default_sort=&awsp=false&systime=&scarid=289153666&rdm=1291017693571

[jeepasaurusrex]

I like how the guy pulling for jeep has a TRD banner behind it   

Just a pic of the trailer. You will also notice its not a Jeep towing it........

[huntinhick]

thanks for the input guys.  Jeepasaurusrex, I am thinking along the same line with the 4x8 trailer on steroids.  have it when you need it but can drop it when you want to.  I think the hitch hauler is a great option and as someone pointed out, I am going to be hauling an elk out in pieces anyway.  so it sounds like I will be doing a jeep and building a 4x8 trailer to haul stuff in and out.  thanks for the advice and help.  Jeepasaurusrex, any chance you have pics of your 4x8 trailer build? 

thanks
carl

[Alchase]

I put plenty of bucks up on a "aftermarket roof rack" or a hitch cargo hauler. And yes even inside. With the seats folded down you can fit more then enough stuff inside for a week of hunting and bring home the meat.

[chester]

I like how the guy pulling for jeep has a TRD banner behind it   

Just a pic of the trailer. You will also notice its not a Jeep towing it........

Didnt look that hard the first time. Noted

[jeepasaurusrex]

I don't have any pics of the trailer I built. My Dad still has it but it has since been modified and lowered a bit to haul two quads on it. The best way to build one is find a boat or RV axle. Pay attention to the bolt pattern on the hubs. You want 5x4.5 to match the Cherokee. If you can find a free boat trailer, grab it for the title and maybe the axle and a few other items. We ended up using some LED boat trailer lights you buy in a kit. It also included the side marker lights. If you wire it up with a 7 pin connector, you can also have 12v supplied to the trailer. Some LED back up lights both inside so you can see while loading at night, and a pair hooked to the back up lights on the tow vehicle make a world of difference trying to back up at night. Shoot me a PM if your interested in building one.

[DRobnsn]

I was under the impression they didn't make them in 5 speed either, unless possibly special ordered. Is there any way you could post a link. I have been looking at them for the last few years and have yet to see one. 4 door that is, lots of ext cab's have them.

Sorry I didn't see this earlier, here you go! I would also take an access cab quite happily.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/searchresults.jsp?lastBeginningStartYear=1981&num_records=25&search_lang=en&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&search_type=both&distance=100&address=98026&marketZipError=false&make=TOYOTA&model=TACOMA&make2=&start_year=1981&end_year=2010&min_price=&max_price=&seller_type=b&transmission=Manual&engine=&drive=4+wheel+drive&doors=Four+Door&fuel=&max_mileage=&color=&keywordsrep=&keywordsfyc=&keywords_display=&sort_type=priceDESC&body_code=0&certified=&advanced=y&highlightFirstMakeModel=&showZipError=n&default_sort=&awsp=false&systime=&scarid=289153666&rdm=1291017693571

Oh I see your talking about the new body style, I was referring to the 1995-2004 body style 4 door.

[cohoho]

I bought a jeep last year.  One season and I got rid of that thing so fast.  The jeep is not practical from any standpoint.  Also the ride is awefully rough and sucks in snow.  Bad deal all around.  It has a following due to the stigma but that is where it stops.  No *censored*.

My best vehicle ever was my 94 Cherokee that I bought new, had till it till 249K in 2002. Stupidest thing I did was sell it.... Ran it in AK, went anywhere I ever needed to go and places you couldn't/wouldn't dream of with a full sized.  Not sure what the heck you were running maybe a mail Jeep!  Will admit it sucked in 2 wheel drive, but when shifted in 4, that thing ate the snow.  

[addicted]

50$ at sportsmans guide. holds 550 pounds of whatever. keeps gas and blood off the leather    this one hs higher sides and tends to be bigger than most.

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/cb.aspx?a=608013

[huntinhick]

I never thought to check the guide for a hitch rack, but I am going to order that one soon.  Thanks for the heads up. 

[addicted]

I dunno why i signed up for a membership at the guide but i'm happy i did. thing has paid for itself again and agian. just ordered a bunch of sets of coveralls for all the guys on snow plow duty with me. i swear they have everything in there too.

[Alchase]

I never thought to check the guide for a hitch rack, but I am going to order that one soon.  Thanks for the heads up. 

Definately check out Addicted's hitch hauler rack. Do not buy the cheap JC Whitney type haulers. I have had both cheap ones and nicer heavy duty ones, the heavy duty ones pay for themselves over the years.

Check out Wet Okole neoprene seat covers also
http://www.wetokole.com/

They are fantastic for saving the stock seats. Just do not get a light color as the main color (shows dirt more) the the dark colors.

[addicted]

looks like hatche bottom covers with more options. i wish i could talk the wife into spending that on seat covers.

[jeepasaurusrex]

Being a metal fabricator, I could build some Hunting-Washington edition racks. I had even thought about wiring them with tail lights in case the main ones get blocked. I could do custom sizes etc. I'm looking for some winter projects. 

[Special T]

Jeepasaurusrex's idea for the trailer is the best, and that is coming from someone with a truck! You can buy and build up a decent cherokee for less than a 4 door toyota... I know a few guys with built cherokies that have study roof racks with thier offroad lights attached along with thier shovle hilift jack spare etc... A good roof rack will sufice 75% of the time you need to haul something, and ther trailer will do you right for excursions and camping... I've been wantig to build one for my 87 S10 bu what i really need is a second set of doors for the kid and such!

[Alchase]

Just do not try to tie anything of weight to the stock roof rack on a Cherokee!! They will pull out if any force is put on them! Use agutter mount rack......or else! LOL

[follow maggie]

I used to have a blzer and never minded throwing wet gear in the back with the wet dog.  Dead critters rode on top, strapped to the luggage rack.  It was a good set up, and provided a dry place to sleep on stormy nights.

[RockChuck]

I have a cherokee and love it have had more than a few deer in the back and and elk will fit fine quartered or in half (I will let you know if i ever find one) fits 2 dog kennels and 4 guys It will go anywhere I need to.

[k_rex]

Just a pic of the trailer. You will also notice its not a Jeep towing it........

FZJ80.  A dream rig!

[jeepasaurusrex]

Didn't those come with electric lockers front and rear?

[Alchase]

Yep, they are very problematic, in the Toyota forums (back in the mid 90s) they were comparing them in strength to the Gov lockers

[addicted]

Were they ECTED's or a toyota brew.

[Alchase]

Toyota's

[DIGGER69R]

http://www.sportsmobile.com/ultimate.html#top


the only way to fly...still needs a trailer..there is isnt a rig out there that does it all