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Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,085 Likes: 1
Campfire Regular
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OP
Campfire Regular
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,085 Likes: 1 |
Was wondering if anyone is running a 4Runner as a hunting rig or off-road type vehicle? I've been looking for a 1st gen tundra or a early 4 door Tacoma to use as a full time hunting rig and haven't been able to find the right one at a decent price. I have to have 4 doors to accommodate 2 or three hunters. I've found a 02 gen 3? 4Runner at a good price. I'm thinking suspension lift and a couple of racks, roof and hitch, and I think it might be usable. Anyone have any builds or thoughts wether it would be a viable option?
"I used to be a tired hunting guide, now I'm just a re-tired hunting guide"
"No eternal reward will forgive us now, for wasting the dawn" JM
Jared
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,870 Likes: 4
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Campfire Regular
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I own a 1998 (3rd Gen) 4runner and it will do everything a hunting rig needs to do except have room for lot of gear. You did not say what game you will be hunting but with the seats up there is little room for gear no less a animal.
You say you are going to install a hitch so I assume you will have a trailer available and that solves the issue of transporting a animal.
As far as capable off road it is as good as any and better than most.
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 69,487 Likes: 18
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 69,487 Likes: 18 |
I've been the SUV route with an old Blazer, 2 Wagoneers, and a Surburban. No more. I want a truck. I'm tired of cleaning the mess out of back of the car, blood on the carpet, etc.
βIn a time of deceit telling the truth is a revolutionary act.β β George Orwell
It's not over when you lose. It's over when you quit.
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Joined: Jun 2004
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This would be a vehicle that I guide out of. I hunt everything up to elk. I have a '13 Tundra, which I would probly still use for elk due to the headache rack winch. I'm just tired of tearing up expensive pickups every 5 years. No trailer, was just thinking of a hitch rack and maybe some kind of rack up front. I keep going back to the plan of a little pickup too, but this is a pretty good deal.
"I used to be a tired hunting guide, now I'm just a re-tired hunting guide"
"No eternal reward will forgive us now, for wasting the dawn" JM
Jared
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,870 Likes: 4
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,870 Likes: 4 |
NM,
It is going to be fairly full inside a 3rd Gen 4runner with 3 people and all of the gear, that is the only reason I would hesitate on it. I love my 4runner but I use my truck for the same reason Rock Chuck noted above. I use my Crew Cab Ford truck for all of my hunting needs, especially when taking others with me.
Now if you spend a few hundred bucks on a small utility trailer you can haul deer and quartered elk out without loading it into the SUV with all of your other gear and could most likely make that work.
I think my 4runner is the very best vehicle I have ever owned, much better than my ford, but like Rock Chuck I like a truck to hunt out of.
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 17,250 Likes: 1
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 17,250 Likes: 1 |
My 99 V6 5-spd with home-built hitch basket and 32" mud tires is a great hunting machine. That's what it was bought for and we love it. Nearly 200k on it now. Runs great. Could use some stiffer springs out back when loaded, but that's easy.
Now with even more aplomb
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,523
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,523 |
I like the 3rd gens the best but my 2nd gen with the 3.slow motor gets the job done. The rocket box adds space for summer/fall and I can stick the skis/snowboard in it in the winter. I've been without a truck since kids and I've gotten by just fine with a hitch basket for hauling dead stuff. For getting around the tight back roads the little toyotas have got me there and back.
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 48,235 Likes: 27
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 48,235 Likes: 27 |
This would be a vehicle that I guide out of. I hunt everything up to elk. I have a '13 Tundra, which I would probly still use for elk due to the headache rack winch. I'm just tired of tearing up expensive pickups every 5 years. No trailer, was just thinking of a hitch rack and maybe some kind of rack up front. I keep going back to the plan of a little pickup too, but this is a pretty good deal. My vote is to keep searching for a 4 door taco or older tundra... I've had first gen (85) and a 99 4-runner and much prefer the pickups for hunting and room.... Good luck in your search..
I try to stick with the basics, they do so well. Nothing fancy mind you, just plain jane will get it done with style. You want to see an animal drop right now? Shoot him in the ear hole. BSA MAGA
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 30,933 Likes: 21
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 30,933 Likes: 21 |
I too would suggest looking for a 4 dr 'Taco truck...
resale prices are high for a reason...they are good units...
I have a '98 Taco V6 ext cab...use the hell outta it..
wife has an '05 Tacoma 4 dr....auto....but she won't let me have it
T R U M P W O N !
U L T R A M A G A !
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 7,177
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 7,177 |
I went from a 2013 4Runner Trail Edition to an 06 DC Tundra. Keep looking for a tundra. The bed space is just invaluable and the drivetrain for the 05 and 06 Tundra is bulletproof
Don't get me wrong, the 4Runners are great, I just prefer the truck
Go to the online forum at Expedition Portal as they have all sorts of truck builds over there
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 12,895
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 12,895 |
What game do you usually hunt and how long do you hunt for? Is going to be mostly day trips, or multi day trips?
The 4Runners are good vehicles and can make a fine hunting vehicle but as with any such vehicle it will be a compromise and it's important to get that compromise right for your particular circumstances/situation...
Last edited by Pete E; 07/15/15.
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Joined: Feb 2007
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 7,954 Likes: 5 |
It'll work, but I've concluded a 4 door truck with a cap on it is the best combo. I've tried to make hunting rigs out of various SUV's but the truck keeps winning. I had an 02 Ford Supercrew for a while and am currently driving an 07 4 door Tacoma. It is the best rig I've ever owned.
Most people don't really want the truth.
They just want constant reassurance that what they believe is the truth.
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 12,895
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 12,895 |
It'll work, but I've concluded a 4 door truck with a cap on it is the best combo. I've tried to make hunting rigs out of various SUV's but the truck keeps winning. I had an 02 Ford Supercrew for a while and am currently driving an 07 4 door Tacoma. It is the best rig I've ever owned. If you don't need more than "good" off road ability, I think a 4 door Pick-up (with or without a cap) is just about the ideal all rounder.. This is especially the case since SUV's went more "yuppified" and less practical/ "workman-like" Sadly, Pick-ups are going the same way over here simply as many are bought as "life style" vehicles and never really see any work.. They are also "bloating" and getting bigger with most now being at least Tundra size while offering no real/practical increase in passenger or cargo space.. The older Hilux were about perfect for hunting in the UK, but they too are approaching Tundra size/weight which means they are getting les off-road capable..
Last edited by Pete E; 07/15/15.
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 4,217 Likes: 5
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 4,217 Likes: 5 |
I have always favored a truck with cap over an SUV, and I have had several of both. I don't guide or anything like that, buy my experience has been the trucks are:
1. Cheaper that the equivalent SUV, even after adding cap 2. More durable, and sprung better for loads and towing 3. More adaptable to multiple uses 4. Retain a higher resale value
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Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 860
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 860 |
I had a Grand Cherokee for a while that I used as my hunting/camping vehicle which is similar in size. I am primarily a small game/waterfowl hunter; big game hunting is secondary for me so hauling out game was not the primary issue. With 2 guys and our waterfowl equipment (couple dozen decoys, guns, waders, etc) it was pretty loaded. With 3 guys we could barely fit all of our equipment. I now drive a Nissan Frontier CC SB with a topper. Even with the small box, getting 4 guys and all of our equipment has never been an issue.
On more than 1 occasion I've thought of going back because an SUV is a little more family oriented and comfortable to drive daily, but the overall capability of a truck just can't be beat.
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Joined: Jun 2004
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jun 2004
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I hear you guys. Hell, half the time I run out of room with a full size pickup. I'll keep the hunt going for tundra or a 4 dr Tacoma! Thanks for that link Drum, there are a lot of ideas for good builds on there!!
"I used to be a tired hunting guide, now I'm just a re-tired hunting guide"
"No eternal reward will forgive us now, for wasting the dawn" JM
Jared
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 7,177
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 7,177 |
I hear you guys. Hell, half the time I run out of room with a full size pickup. I'll keep the hunt going for tundra or a 4 dr Tacoma! Thanks for that link Drum, there are a lot of ideas for good builds on there!! I could spend hours on that site looking at what some of those guys do to their trucks It is pretty awesome I put an Old Man Emu kit on my 06 Tundra and it rides like a dream Drummond
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Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,085 Likes: 1
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,085 Likes: 1 |
Good to know about the OME, that's what I'm planning on running.
Just watching the Huntin Fool Bighorn show, Lo and behold, two first gen tundras!! I think I may have found one. Trying to figure out how to check it out, 8 hrs away!
"I used to be a tired hunting guide, now I'm just a re-tired hunting guide"
"No eternal reward will forgive us now, for wasting the dawn" JM
Jared
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 46,745
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 46,745 |
Good to know about the OME, that's what I'm planning on running.
Just watching the Huntin Fool Bighorn show, Lo and behold, two first gen tundras!! I think I may have found one. Trying to figure out how to check it out, 8 hrs away! I had an 06 and it was a great truck. It was not the most powerful, but it was adequate. the only thing I replaced in the 100k miles I had it were tires, breaks, and air filters.
Camp is where you make it.
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 46,745
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 46,745 |
I'm not sure how far you're willing to travel to get one but this seems like a reasonable price for a great truck. First Gen Tundra
Camp is where you make it.
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