Home Forums Gear Hunting Trucks and Four-Wheel Drives What makes the perfect hunting vehicle?

What makes the perfect hunting vehicle? I don't think it would be any factory-manufactured vehicle, or at least not one of today. Probably the closest thing to it would have been the old Jeep P/U, Older Toyota Land Cruisers, and the Land Rovers. What would I want in one if designing one my self?



1. Gross weight must be in the 3,000-3,500 range.

2. Ground clearance would be in the 9"-11" range but with a low center of gravity.

3. True 4x4 drive train w/shift on the fly and a wheel-base no greater than 125" and a wide track of no less than 60% of wheel-base.

4. Inline 6 engine w/high torque rating at low rpm.

5. Must be powered by Gasoline.

6. Must be fuel injected (not a throttle body) and electronic ignition.

7. 1,000+amp battery, and cold weather starting capability.

8. 5-speed manual transmission, (not an overdrive) but a 4-speed with a granny low gear.

9. Engine, transmission, axles, and all drive train components made of steel.

10. Body components would use the technology developed by GM's Saturn Div.

11. Would be a 4 passenger vehicle with a 4'-5' utility bed.

12. No-Frills option list. Only options would be a winch, engine mounted A/C power converter/generator, clutch/actuated air compressor, auxiliary lights, and a real roof mounted gear rack. No leather seats, no carpeting, no air-conditioning, and no CD/tapes/satellite radios.

13. Price would be under $20,000.



But whom I kidding, will never happen! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />



Phil

Greyghost,

I know you operate lot's of diesel equipment, and wonder why you chose a gas engine over diesel?

An aluminum hull with a roof and 4-stroke power.

It'll get you more goody in these parts,than a boring old pickup......................

Been thinking of using one of these, have not figured out the landing part though.............



MtnHtr

BW, basically size, weight, and expense! It wouldn't need to do 70 mph. up a 16% grade, or pull a 40' travel trailer. I'd be looking for a jeep type vehicle, lightweight and maneuverable without all the luxuries of today's vehicles. Something easy to work on and maintain, with a near 100% reliability and without all the problems associated with cold weather, diesel fuel and engines.

Phil

To me(when i find one)is the toyota land cruiser from the late 80's.

I've got a 2000 Jeep Wrangler that comes much closer than you'd think.
Simple, fuel injected 4 cyl. engine with lots of low end torque. Actually works better than the straight 6 off road. Opens up well, no doors if you wish, for access and visibility. Closed, the heater can run you out of there in the coldest weather.
Softer, long travel suspension. Does a great job of cutting down on fatigue when driving rough country all day. Guys with lots of experience with older jeeps say this does make a difference. I can definately tell the difference. Much more user friendly than any of the heavier, more stiffly spring vehicles I've used in the same area.
Limited only by break over point - that's pivoting on the transfer case skid plate - and limits of traction from the open differentials. I'm eyeing a Rubilcon model to offset this.
I tow it to my hunting areas. The tow vehicle can retrive it if I break it. The tow vehicle is a much less useful 3/4 ton Dodge. E

If jeep would only build a light weight 4x4, 4 passenger, short bed P/U. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Phil

How about the hummer h3 pick up?

Greyghost keep an eye out for the new Jeeps. One of the models is and extended Wrangler that has a larger bed and seats 4. It's not as big as a pick up but I'm thinking that a Jeep with a good trailer is the way to go.



Personally I am thinking of a used Durango 4x4. Reason is I get more space and power for the same MPG. It is as capable off road as I will need it to be for hunting and camping. the turning radius on these things are great and it's not overly large like and Expedition/Tahoe. I can put a samll lift on it for slightly larger tires and if need be I can sleep in the back. It too could pull a trailer if needed. I would like the pull the lever yourself 4 wheel system, but the select trac system is prety good.



My ideal would be an XJ with some suspension work and a trailer. I'd probably yank the rear seat and install racing type seats in the rear and leave a pass through for long items. Then I'd mount a good roof rack or roof box.



Here's the trailer I'd buy. I'd probably upgrade to the larger tent so the family would all fit comfortably.



Adventure Trailers

I had a '53 Willys, v6 etc, cool little truck! Rough, 48 mph, rough, poor mpg. I now have a 74 Bronco, v8, rough, poor mpg, no fuel injection. I also have a '02 Dakota, smooth, reasonable mpg, pulls any thing I have hooked to it...

Just for hoots, I would love to have an old Willys/Jeep cab-over PU, The neighbor had one when I was a kid, tough truck! Maybe the will re-introduce it one day... The retro thing ya' understand! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Pat

Greyghost, check out this 4x4. www.crosslander4x4.com . I saw it on another site, thought you might want to look one over. I don't know anything about them, but it said they were right at $20,000. Here is another link. www.chapmancrosslander.com/crosslander_specs.asp C.

BigC -Thanks for posting those links! I am now fully entralled withthe idea of this budget conscious vehicle. I wish Iit was stated who makes their engines or if they do. These are manufactured here in the states or are they coming from Romania under a US Lic.? that rig with the littel tent trailer I posted pictures of above would make a very competent hunting rig.

Dave, here is another link with a bit more information about the crosslander. It says the engine is made by International. Also shows that it is available in different body styles, (jeep style and pickup style). Pretty neat looking little rig and would match up perfectly with that trailer. I won't be getting one though, I'm about to begin the process of restoring a 1961 Scout that I've had sitting in a barn for about 12 years. Ought to be alot of fun. C web page

I read an article on those trucks. Romanian military trucks. They have been trying to import for about 3 years. Emissions problem. The new jeep coming out looks interesting. 12 inches longer than current wrangler. I always liked the Jeep Scambler. I wonder if this new one is longer than the Scambler?

[quote]What makes the perfect hunting vehicle?

I guess I've been through a few, but for what I do, I think my 3/4 ton 4x4 Suburban with manual tranny has done about the best. Other than gas, it's pretty cheap to run. Tires are plain old 16". If you need engine parts in Hooterville, they'll probably have parts for a 350 before anything else. If something goes to pot in the brush, I can usually fix it 'cause it isn't a bunch of wiring, sensors and computers. It can haul lots of people, lots of gear and more than one elk plus tow a load. This new stuff is pretty enticing but I think I'll stick with my old beater! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

Greyghost,

That sounds like a reasonable spec, but put me down for a 4 cylinder Turbo Diesel engine instead. They have better engine breaking, less suceptable to water problems and lots of low down power.

I had an old 2.8TD 3 door Isuzu Trooper which as a grand old tub and as reliable as a swiss watch. On paper a Defender was better off road, but in practice driver ability and the type and condition of the tyres were main limiting factors.

I currently have a 3L 5 door Trooper with a common rail deisel engine and again she really is sweet. Not as agile off road due to her increased size but more practical due to the better payload.

When I bought her I took her out 3 or 4 times "green laning" in the local mountains with a 4x4 club. I establish that she would go places and do stuff I would never dream of trying when I am hunting..why? We tend to have just one vehicle on the ground at once, and I (or we) want to hunt not worry about recovering my truck out of deep mud, snow drifts or where it has been cross axled..

Regards,

Pete

pete, you guys get all the cool little diesels over there. we dont have the selection you do. i hope isuzu brings that new one over here................
woofer

My perfect hunting vehicle gets towed by a
'92 Jeep Cherokee LTD.,which is a fine vehicle for running around on the dirt roads and pulling " Double Time" out of a dirt launch ramp ! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Woofer,

Alas Isuzu have discontined the Trooper and are only going to offer Pick-Ups in that particular segment of the market :-(

I would not say the Trooper was "the best" in any catagory but it did not have too many short commings either.

Not sure what I will get 5 or 6 years down the line...perhaps a Toyota or maybe a LandRover Discovery as they are fairly cheap over here. I did fancy a Mitsabusi (sp?) L200 but having in been in a couple now, would not touch them with a barge pole! The 3l Nissan Patrol is also another contender. Have to see what our fuel prices are first though; currently they must be around $5 a gallon so god knows what hey will be like in 2010!

Regards,

Pete