Hunting Washington Forum
Equipment & Gear => Power Equipment & RV => Topic started by: Mongo Hunter on January 31, 2011, 11:59:04 AM
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Hey there fellow hunters, I’m new to the forum but I have been hunting for about 10 years now. I am mainly curious what hunting vehicles you guys prefer. I used to have a jeep but 2 years ago traded it in for a 2nd gen Tundra and it has become apparent that it’s just too big to fit into some of the smaller trails I’d like to get into.
I like the idea of an ATV cause of its size, but from experience with sport quads I know they can throw you a beating as much as you give one with a hard day of riding and I’m limited with space for cargo (tree stands, packs, guns, bows, people, ect.) or animals.
These new UTV’s look slick and have lots of cargo space plus, if I bring a buddy I have an open seat, but these things are NOT CHEAP!
So that brings me around to a purpose built hunting rig like a jeep, which although cheap and has room, I can’t get in has many places as a ATV or a UTV for that matter, which kinda defeats the purpose. I just thought I would get what you guys, like, don’t like, use, or have had experience with. Sorry for the long post but I have been thinking about this for a while, lol.
And tailoring is really no big deal but to trailer a Jeep to go hunting is a pain, so it would have to be in tip top mechanical shape so I don’t get left in the woods stranded. :)
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I bought a 1988 Bronco II about four years ago just for that purpose. I only paid $1000 and since then I haven't really put any money into it, other than a new alternator and some All Terrain tires (which I got used for $150.) The Bronco gets me into a lot of tight spots where I wouldn't necessarily want to drive my full size truck.
I'm not sure exactly what it is you're asking? Do you want a street legal vehicle, or not? What I've found is that ATV's/UTV's are not even legal to use in most places in this state, so you're better off having a full size street legal vehicle that you drive down the freeway if you want.
You might look into Suzuki Samurais. Just Google it and you'll find all kinds of information on modifying them for off road use.
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I have a suzuki samurai that i usually use , it fits everywhere and turns around very easily in tight spaces. I have a f350 crewcab longbed and after driving that on forest service roads and running into a lot of rigs and having to turn around in some hairy places it was time for a change. I put a hardtop with roof rack on the sammy and some aggressive tires and it will go anywhere i need to go and is great in the snow. Really good on fuel also.
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Sounds like im not the only one. never thought about the samurai's or trackers, but at the same time i would have to tailer it or run the risk of getting stranded if it breaks down. thats the one down side to going the cheaper rout is bying a lemon.
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I have a 4runner that's been a few places that you couldn't get a truck because of the shorter/narrower wheelbase. Has room for me and my gear. I've even overnighted in it before. Have hauled a few dead animals in it too.
I put a new centerforce clutch and heavier flywheel in it. New heavyduty springs in the rear (gets rid of the 4runner sag), new poly bushings, high output alternator. It's a daily driver so I've kept it mostly stock. However, you can do quite a bit to a 4runner to make it off road capable.
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When the roads allow, the F-350 land yachts are hard to beat. For the spurs and washouts the little vehicles have impressed me quite a bit. Samurai, Jeeps, and Geo Trackers. I have gone to the off road park in Tahuya near Belfair and got to ride around in a few of my buddies vehicles and have been impressed. The jeep was weaving in and out of and around trees like nothing. Stuff I can't dream of in my pick up. The little vehicles are hard to get stuck and easy to get out if they are. The thing I didn't like was they tipped over easily...but were easy enough to right.
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I used to drive my jeep daily and used it for hunting, downside to that was abuse can transfer over one way or the other. either more miles or more dents lol. i do have a possible access to a 4runner that would make an awsome hunting rig but its has been really let go. its my mother inlaws, but it has sat for about 6 years now, tires are destroyed, the motor at one point was new but now has sat and they went and started it about a year ago to get it out of the garage and no one bothered to check the oil to see if it was any good. the radiator has got just water in it and i guess the transmition is sticking into 2nd or something. and she wants $1000 for it. I told her no way but maybe i can talk her down a bit and get it running.
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I used to have a 93 toyo 4x4 that would fit into some crazy places. with the right tires it could go crazy. 6' foot bed with a topper was big enough to sleep in if necessary. I loved that truck....but had to get something bigger to fit the wife and kids. I should have kept it just for hunting. oh well. You might look into it.
dave
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I'll throw a vote out for a Unimog. Going to be pricey to get one in good condition though.
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Unimogs ROCK! I would be out there making dirt bikes jealous with my approach angle! But yeah, aint cheap.
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I know guys that use Unimogs in canada to "get away from people" they drive 4hrs on the road then about 100miles up river beds for hunting... leagal certian times of the year in BC... Had a buddy with a 404 radio cab... pretty bad ass small motor home.. with all the trees on the west side, and closed roads on the E side its harder to put it to the test except in the snow on roads...
If i were to have a dedicated hunting rig for close to home it would be a 80-85 subaru GL hatchback or wagon, Tracker-sami, or bronco 2... those rigs are cheep to buy and fix.. the first 2 you can run all day long for half the ammount of a F250 or other full size... if you got to travel far, tow stuff, and or bing the family your stuck... got to have the big crew cab. :twocents:
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When I was stationed in Germany I used to drool all over the Unimogs. If I get rich and famous it's on my must have list.
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There are a couple of builders of these things near here one in BC and 1-2 in Oregon. They are not as expensive as you might think the pic is of a 4 door in Or for sale at $11500.
http://www.unimog.net/exchange/index.php?page=1 (http://www.unimog.net/exchange/index.php?page=1)
This is the Most visted site for the general public buying and selling all things MOG hope it makes you :drool:! I do!
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Flat Tow :dunno:
I flat tow the Barbie Jeep every where. Pull up, un hook and I have transportation and a base camp ready in 5 minutes. No tieing it down to a trailer, no trailer to maintain, just hook up the tow bar and go.
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi249.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fgg225%2Fgasman400%2FJuly4th08111.jpg&hash=7c8448db9595646d81aaa61ac6a36e05b3acbd1f)
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I use my f150 crew alot but the 01 toyota tacoma is pretty hard to beat. Very off road capable and still can turn around in some hairy spots.
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I like all the ideas of the purpose built hunting vehicle. ill have to keep my eye open on Craig's list and nickle adds and see if something comes up. I still think the UTV's are a cool idea too but I would have to deal with a trailer and some fish cop giving me a hard time cause it may not be a "off road only vehicle" road or something like that. those guys can write a ticket for anything, I should know my buddy is one lol.
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UTV's are cool, but in Washington, the only place you legally use them in on private property and designated 4x4 trails.
They can not be taken off road on public land. There is areas of public land thay can be used off road but if you cause resource damage, you can be fined. State Land, absolutly not, but you can drive them on the road on some state land areas, but not many.
If this state was more OHV friendly, I would get a UTV :bash:
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I had a 95 2 door GMC Jimmy the S10 size. Small enough to get a lot of places and easy to turn around. Great for backing a boat down the ramp to. Only problem was when the twin daughters came along. Two carseats and two doors just doesn't work. It was big enough for me to sleep in also. Wish I still had it.
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For solo or two hunters, I take my bronco II, for the whole family...Expedition. Heated leather seats are niiiiiiiiccccceeee. :chuckle:
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Mother inlaw is gunna take the 4runner in and see whats wrong with it. I pretty much know what is wrong but i think she want a dollar amount to fix it. she aint gunna like it neither! if she dosent get it fixed i think i may give her $500 for it but ill wait and see what the list of "things to fix" looks like. now i guess it wont start and she thinks its the fuel pump, its probly the 6 year old GAS!
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I have an F-150 and a good pair of boots. :chuckle: That pair of boots will climb anything and have yet to get stuck in them. :chuckle: I am looking for a little toyota though. Had one....sold it....wish I still had it.
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I bought a 1988 Bronco II about four years ago just for that purpose. I only paid $1000 and since then I haven't really put any money into it, other than a new alternator and some All Terrain tires (which I got used for $150.) The Bronco gets me into a lot of tight spots where I wouldn't necessarily want to drive my full size truck.
Thats definitely what Im leaning towards. My current car setup won't allow me to venture into many parts of the treefarms, and for the price, an old Bronco would probably be perfect, maybe an oooold 4runner too
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I once had a subaru station wagon that took some serious mountain abuse.
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If you want to go tight places, I would lean toward the short wheel base.
Domestic: Bronco, Jeep
Import: Samurai, Montero 2 doors
ATV/UTV are not legal on almost all unpaved (main) roads.
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If you want to go tight places, I would lean toward the short wheel base.
Domestic: Bronco, Jeep
Import: Samurai, Montero 2 doors
ATV/UTV are not legal on almost all unpaved (main) roads.
That may change very soon
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Thanks for the link SpecialT. I checked it out and fell in love with this little guy. Unfortunately 24k is a little out of my price range right now.
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.unimog.net%2Fexchange%2Fphotos%2F110110-10.jpg&hash=e4b871266acf2d211a60dae17149f533aac795ee)
Just think guys. If you bought one of these you could call home and tell the wife that you finally broke down and bought her that Mercedes Benz she always wanted. The look on her face would be priceless when you rolled in with one of these. :chuckle:
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Mogs are the Utility vehicles you never thought of... I have talked to guys with PTO and 3point hitches, backhoe attachments, dump beds, snow blowers... In Europe they are construction utility vehicles.. I want one so when i get rich, or 15k richer i'll get one...
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this is what i use, i have a ton of moey and parts in it, but a guy that doesnt wheel the way i do doesnt have to go to the extreme.
A good older 4 runner or toyota pu with 32s or 33s will go anywhere in the PNW, some of the others are pretty good rigs but the toyotas are so dependable. i also drive this almost everyday, i only trailer it if i go wheel more than 100 miles away.
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I broke down and bought a Sami this past year. Like many people mentioned I saw it as a road legal UTV (which it basically is)
Following is not my words but this guy sums up my experience perfectly:
"Pros:
--Cheap initial expense
--Cheap to modify
--Lots of available OEM parts
--Great gas mileage (much less loaded with two passengers, headwind, steep inclines)
--Great offroad, very "billy goat" like.
--Modular--doors or top come on and off with ease.
--Simple construction. Field fixes have never been easier.
--Handles like a cross between a Jeep and a VW Bug. Short gears, stiff suspension, and funny steering will ensure you have the full "Third World" driving experience. You'll never fall asleep while driving a Samurai.
Cons:
--Slow. Reeeeal slow.
--Other cars will not respect you. A lifted Silverado on 47"s will sit five feet off your rear bumper in the slow lane and shine his lights in your eyes as revenge for such inappropriate slowness. People will literally drive by and flip you off, cut you off, throw things at you, or try to run you off the road, even if you're in the slow lane. They do not care that your vehicle has a top speed of 65 mph (45-50 on 33's for me). They have somewhere to go, and you have delayed them nearly five seconds. For this, they must risk your life and the lives of those around you by making a very dangerous point about your grievous offense towards them.
--There is plenty of room...as long as you're not bringing much along. If you're one of those brave souls who can be comfortable with a bedroll, a socket set, an extra set of undies, and a modest beer cooler, you'll be happy. If you've ever backpacked or camped off a motorbike or a kayak, you'll be elated. If you're used to an 80 series Land Cruiser, you're in for a lesson in paring down and doing without.
--No airbags, crumple zones, or other fancy-schmancy safety features. You want safe? Get a helmet.
--Handles like a cross between a Jeep and a VW Bug. The gears are so short, the suspension so stiff, and the steering so drifty, that you are assured to never have a dull moment. The full "Third World" driving experience. You'll never relax while driving a Samurai.
If this sounds like something you're crazy enough to enjoy, get a Samurai. And then get some psychiatric help."
I basically trailer my Samurai if I have to take it on pavement. I was hoping it would be a little more roadworthy and I now wish I would have gotten a Jeep Cherokee XJ so I could comfortably fit my kids in the vehicle and drive to where I need to go..yet still have a narrow and fairly short wheelbase vehicle to get down the tight trails.
All of this being said..the Sami is a lot of fun and it really grows on you. You realize it isn't practical for most applications but man it is a cool little vehicle and it hard to get rid of because you know you will miss it.
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1989 Toyota pick-up extended cab. 2 inch lift and 31" tires
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Nice Sami.
I got rid of my FJ40 and bought this for under $300. No lift yet. The "Cons" you describe fits me well, but give me 1 minute and I can easily go pass 70 mph. :chuckle:
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Yajsab, that is a nice rig. I haven't come across one of those on the trail yet.
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:yeah: That would be a good replacement for my Bronco II.
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Yeah, I haven't seen these on the trail as well. There are couple guys out there that I talked to on other forum but haven't met them yet.
The Montero, IMO, is a lot better on the street/hwy than the FJ40 that I got. That is the only reason I sold my FJ40.
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Yeah, I haven't seen these on the trail as well. There are couple guys out there that I talked to on other forum but haven't met them yet.
The Montero, IMO, is a lot better on the street/hwy than the FJ40 that I got. That is the only reason I sold my FJ40.
The street/hwy issue is the only reason I have considered selling my Sami. It's has grown on me so it is hard to let it go.
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I use my feet mostly when I am hunting. To get to where I park (Only 10 minutes away from home) I use my 03 Yukon. If anyone is in the market for a nice stock sammy, check the classifieds in about a week. Sammies are great little rigs, but yes they are small. I've never had an issue with speed in them as the speed limit in this state is only 65mph most places. They will go anywhere a jeep will go and probably get there easier. ;) I've been building and wheeling them for about 15 years now I think. It seems like every time I try a yeep out, I end up with another Sammy.
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:yeah: That would be a good replacement for my Bronco II.
ARE YOU NUTS!!??? Get rid of a Bronco II?? I had a '91 Ranger 4x4 pickup for 16 years and loved it! Manual everything, and everything worked. It had 183,000 miles on it when it got totalled in an accident, and if not for that, I'd still be driving it. I now have an '07 GMC Canyon 4x4 pickup, AND I HATE IT!! Sure, it's comfortable and economical, but all that new electronic crap makes me nervous. I've already spent more money on repairs in 3 years, than I spent on the Ranger in 16 years. I'm looking for a Bronco II in good shape, with the 2.9 V-6. One of the best engines Ford ever made. If your Bronco II needs something, fix it! Love it. Cherish it! But don't get rid of it!!
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No, I'm not getting rid of it. What I like about it is that most anything that goes wrong with it is easy to fix. But really the only thing I've had to do to it in the four years that I've had it is replace the alternator. And that's only about a fifteen minute job. The other nice thing is parts are cheap compared to foreign vehicles, and they're easy to find at the junk yard. I bought it four years ago for $1000 and like I said all I've got in it is the new alternator and last summer just before hunting season I finally sprung for some new (used) tires- Big O's, 235-17-15's with about 95% tread for $150. It's got 250,000 miles on it and the motor is still going strong. Course I don't know if it's been rebuilt in the past or not. I would assume not since I've heard many stories of the Ford 2.9's going 300,000 miles without a problem.
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I use my feet mostly when I am hunting. To get to where I park (Only 10 minutes away from home) I use my 03 Yukon. If anyone is in the market for a nice stock sammy, check the classifieds in about a week. Sammies are great little rigs, but yes they are small. I've never had an issue with speed in them as the speed limit in this state is only 65mph most places. They will go anywhere a jeep will go and probably get there easier. ;) I've been building and wheeling them for about 15 years now I think. It seems like every time I try a yeep out, I end up with another Sammy.
I love the Sami for getting down some of those tight Forest Service Roads. It is nice because it is so small that it is easy to get it off to the side of those tight roads so others can pass when I am out in the woods.
I can only get 50 out of mine; downhill (a big hill) and with a tailwind. Something is up with my steering (probably due to the lift..I am guessing??) because it is a whitenuckle driving experience. I am thinking about dropping a 1.6 in this summer and figure out what is going on with the steering.
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I've always used my f150 4x4 xcab.....but
Gonna try using a 95 Honda Passport aka "rodeo" 4x4 this year.
It's just sitting out there so may as well give it a try..... :dunno: it's the spare family vehicle..
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I had a sammy, but upgraded to the Kick when I smoked a cow. much more room and they go 80 when you need them to :-) This one is auto-locked in the rear, 32's with the Calmini 6" lift. Just for good measure I replaced the t-case gears for those situations requiring just a little lower ratio. (Naches Pass westside) When I get home I have a roof rack, headers, 2in body lift, siderails, gastank jackable armor, and some armor for the front. I will post it once I get it completed I am sure :-)
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Looks sweet my brutha! be safe and get back here and trick it out!
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That kick is very nice. I like them a lot too. I prefer the Sami's looks but I would definitily love that engine dropped into my Sami.
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Yup, I am selling my Sammy and upgrading to a 4 door kick. My wifes idea, she wants more room. I've never built a kick so it should be fun.
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I gotta 2 door montero with the factory locker in the rear and power windows...it was my first vehicle and the radiator some how got a whole in it with out me noticing and blew the head gasket from over heating, now it just sits in my barn and i bought a YJ lol love both rigs
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My hunting rig... 1994 yota 189,000 miles!!!
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sweet camo!!! makes me jealous ....maybe I should get the camo job done on my Toyota....only problem is its a corolla :P
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For a buget concious hunter---keep your Jeep, get a towing hitch and buy an ATV with a trailor. The ATV will get you where you want to go, and the extra room on the trailor is great for hauling out large animals wrapped in tarps. My buddy had a Grand Cherokee, bought a used ATV and trailor with the ramps. All the tents, coolers, treestands, gas cans and other BS goes on the trailor and us guys ride in the truck with the guns. Wise choice I'd say.
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Love the Camo Yota! I had no idea when i started this it was gunna take off this much! Thanks guys for all your posts and great hunting rigs guys!
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Maybe in a couple years, my future Back to Alaska rig....
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Love the camo yota. As for my hunting rig 7 year old paint gelding. :chuckle:
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Hey, cohoho.....I seen one of those last week on my way back from PA. Had to take a "double take" to at it, it was cool.
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those are sooo sweet!!! talk about going anywhere
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My hunting rig... 1994 yota 189,000 miles!!!
I must say, I have always thought camo on a truck was just ugly as can be, but you did it right, that looks great!