I'm looking to spend a couple grand on a used vehicle to make for hunting it needs to bee 4 wheel drive that's really my only criteria any suggestions would be appreciated and or pics of your rig.

Get a older Toyota . Parts are cheap ,there quiet, great gas mileage, and there a absolutely a beast off road..I have 3 of them and I have never put them in 4 low ...I usually run everywhere in 2wd ....the only draw back is storing all your gear in a small truck ...I am in the process of camo wrapping it and putting a headache rack with ATV winch mounted on it to winch up big game...

As in A 4 runner or like a tacoma truck ?

How do you plan on using. Will you have a chair in the back or do you plan just to use it to get you there and back. If its just to get you there i like a suv more room for your stuff. If your going to have a chair in the back you need a pickup something with extended cab. I like a ranger or a toyota both are good trucks ranger most likely going to be cheaper. I use a expedition mainly for the room were not allowed to hunt from vehicles here in va.

I have 95' Z71 pickup tha I bought new. Horrible gas mileage, but it goes allmost any where.

I need to camo it to make it stand out less, than the Red does.

What I really would like, is an old Army Jeep. Most of my coyote hunting is within 3 miles of the house, so no long trips any way.

Shayne

The Toyota PU would be easier to find in your price range.I have one myself (1991) and it still runs great.

No doubt Toyotas make for a great trail rig; look for an X-tra cab. I recently traded off my 93 chevy reg cab for a `02 Avalanche Z71, very roomy and versatile truck but fuel thirsty and more than $2k
The older Toyotas had a bad issue with the box rusting away, but a flat bed x-tra cab might be a option.

Love my 4runner, its a '97 and does pretty good in just about any terrain. I pull about 19 down the interstate this time of year and summer I can sometimes get 21. Just turned over 144k miles and the most expensive fix we have done was the rack and pinion on the front end, the factory ones are cheaply made but other than that its been a great car.

My only complaints are
#1, on the rear end there are these little rubber boots, I'm not sure exactly what they do but me and my dad have to replace them ever 6 or so years.

#2, the rear end rides a little low, sometimes my hitch will drag or hit ground when crossing a wash out in the road. I want to get a leveling kit and a 2-4 inch lift to help solve this.

I've got three of them also. The 22re motor can't be beat. Around 85-86 they went to Independent front suspension, some of the 85-86 had both solid front axle and the fuel injected motor. In around 88 they changed body styles and introduced the 3.0 v-6, good motor but not Toyota's best. Around 95 came the Tacoma and the 2.7 and 3.4 motors. I have a 86 4runner and the motor went and I am now putting the 2.7 in it, better milage and 50 more horse. [img:center]http://[/img] [img:right]http://[/img] I also have an 84 extended cab built up for 4 wheelin, I had put a fuel injected motor in it. This truck has front and rear lockers, I rolled it a time or two and put another cab on it, just haven't had time to give it a new camo job!
[img:left]http://[/img] [img:center]http://[/img] I also have a 98 4runner with the 3.4 v6, this truck is so nice, 4doors, factory rear locker in the rear.
[img:left]http://[/img] Get a Toyota and don't look back, easy to find parts, easy to work on.

Noobie, I put Tundra coils in the rear and Ole Man Emu coils in the front, I am a little higher in the rear, but with trailer or a hitch hauler full of deer it rides good!

Used to roll around in a 90s pathfinder with 280,000 miles on it. Modified f150 suspension and some buckshot mudders.

Thanks for all responses I have concluded Im going to get a 4runner any suggestions on year model ect? Also Manual or Automatic?

Check Consumer Reports for info on model year/reliability ratings.Given the choice I'd always opt for the manual tranny.I just like them better but Toyota' auto hasn't had any issues I'm aware of.

I'd go with the manual. They're better for slowly crawling around, and a new clutch is WAY cheaper than anything that might break on an auto trans(not that the auto has any issues). I've had 5 different Yotas, I keep em till I get to about 300k then sell em. An 85 (solid front axel)Xcab with a Calmini flatbed will go anywhere and do anything! Get the 22re motor, the 6cyl is nice but the extra power isn't worth the milage difference. Downy racing has a ton of aftermarket yota upgrades if you don't like the power of the stock 4banger. Exaust header and intake bumps em up to about 130hp (ish) which is enough to turn 33inch rubber.

My vote goes to a good ole jeep cherokee. They vary rarely break but if they do its a cheap fix you can do with tools you already have. Im not a fan of foriegn vehicles due to the need for special tools most of the time. But the cherokee gets ok fuel mileage stock and the 4.0 has all the power you could possibly need. They have plenty of room for gear and you can pick em up well under a couple grand. And like the yotas the 4.0 runs for forever. I had two of these with over 230000 on them and beat the crap out of em and was never let down...

I had an '88 4runner that was helpless on wet grass, snow, mud or anything slippery. Try to find something with limited slip in the rear if you can. Don't overlook an older Mitsubishi Montero either. I had the old two door one before I got the 4runner and that thing would go anywhere or climb anything! It went places in 2wd I couldn't go in 4wd in the Yota. "Course it had limited slip and the Yota didn't. I used to go rockhounding out in the Mojave Desert in Ca and was always finding vehicles stuck in the sand. I would hook up to them and tell the driver "honk when you want me to stop"! Sure embarrassed the owners of shiny new rigs to get pulled out by a beat up old Montero

I'll cast my vote for a Toyota. I currently have '99 4runner with 213k miles and very little repair cost. My next rig will likely be a Tacoma. I want to be able to haul a ATV or something dead without worrying about the carpet. Years ago, Dad and I did all of our hunting and fishing out of 2wd Toyota pickups. People were always amazed as to where those little pickups could go with just 2wd.

Here's a little sleeper that some people might laugh about, but most won't have a clue that they even exist

An Infinity QX4 off road package option that was made for just a couple of years, I have a 1999 and they stopped making it either that year or in 2000/2001.

It has a 2 wheel drive mode, an all wheel electronic regular mode that's the same as the normal QX4's, and a full lock that fully locks side to side on both axles and front to back, and a low range mode that can be used either all wheel or full locked mode. This thing will pull out of the slickest mud or snow as long as one wheel has any traction.

According to the dealer when I got this new in 1999 there were only 4% of the QX4's made with this option. Sticker was over $40k for it. There was an off road magazine that did a shoot out with these against all the best like Range Rover, Land Cruiser, Pathfinder, etc. and these were the off road top of the pack.

It's got heated leather seats, nice stereo, 5000lb towing rating with the optional towing package. I used it to launch a fairly heavy 16ft Lowe fishing boat into the side of a lake where there is no launch ramp, just the steep side of the lake, a 4x4 truck would not get enough traction to do this.

These can be had with lower miles for $5000+/-, they make a heck of a nice hunting vehicle that will not let you down in nasty conditions, I pulled a lot of supposedly top ranked 4x4's out of bad mud and snow through the years. It embarrasses the heck out of guys with $50k SUV's to get pulled out by an Infinity.

here is the infinity on ebay for 2000.00... but it's in NY

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Infiniti-QX4-Base-Sport-Utility-4-Door-/150969194855

Oh No Guru! Not more Car stories! Please say it aint so! He had another family sedan that did 200 MPH if you believe his earlier stories. lol

Love the tacos and runners. Throw a locker in the rear 3" body lift and some 33's and it will go places. This truck started out with that set up weeled it for a few yrs. Then went SAS. If you ever have to change a clutch go Kevlar and dont look back.

Thanks, ill have to try something like that. My struts are about shot so they will be getting replaced this summer before fly fishing season, while I'm at it I will have to replace the coils as well. I've also heard that the coils from a 99 4 runner will give me a bit of a lift aswell as give me a bit more rigid coil that won't settle quite so bad.

The process is started been calling all over talking to people selling their 4runners cant wait to get it narrowed down. Decided to go with manual trans as for the repair costs will be cheaper plus I miss the good old days driving my stang in Cali. To keep this thread going what mods if any would you do for a hunting rig, Ive noticed a few have stated some things to take into consideration.

If you get a yota with a 3500 # winch you can go anywhere. If you get a yota LC engineering has good aftermarket parts ... but in reality fuel mileage and 4x4 getting in and out of nasty spots is all that matters ...throw some lockers in it and a winch and be done ...

If you are gonna go with a locker just put one in the rear. Dont mess with the front if you get a new one with IFS. The front CV shafts are stout, but its more of a pia to put in. But with just one in the rear you will be amazed were you will go. Iv been running a aussie locker for 10yrs and i can crawl thru some chiz in 2wd. One thing you might want to upgrade on a new one would be the hubs, im not a fan of auto locking hubs. The old school stock aisin hubs are pretty tough, throw some warns in and your good.

Heres my stock 84 hi lux 1/2ton long bed


Half way done now just needs paint.

Another well worth a look is Toyota's Rav 4.Earlier runs were available with either tranny.A few years ago they dropped the manual.

I have a 95 yota that has been beat to the hills, I put a couple addaleafs in the rear and put lower gears in it, it has about 260k on it

Ford Rangers make for a nice hunting rig. Get one with a 4.0 and a manual trans then swap out the hubs for some manual locking ones. I love both of mine.

So I would add a new one to the mix. Look at a chevy blazer. The good old K% from 73 on. they are a great all around vehicle with only 1 exception fuel mileage, but on a hunting rig that is not usually a deal breaker.

Why a K5.

1. V8 350 engine pretty standard. The easiest and one of the most common engines in the world (also means easy to find and cheap parts).

2. 87 and 88 came fuels injected

3. they area dime a dozen right now on CL and can be had for 1500-3000 for one in really good shape.

4. They can tow a 20' camper, boat etc.

5. they are cheap, and do really well off road

While there is nothing wrong with the yotas, I really like my old Chevys to beat the piss out off.

Of course they look really cool when properly decorated(this is a 71, I would not recommend unless you have some restoration skills or deep pockets to get one already restored)...



After the blazer I would also look at a Jeep Cherokee, they are nearly the same, great little engines (4.0 or 4.2) and can be had on the cheap due to mass quantities sold.

Sounds like your set on a toyota im sure it will be great for you i would recomend a older model jeep. I have hunted out of one for years. A lift and good tires they will go anywhere and they tread lightly. I have had a cj7 on the family farm a long time when its to muddy for my z71 my jeep will go and hardly leave a track

Mine was a '97 Nissan pickup. I say "was" because it threw a rod after several years of good use in the field.
I sold it to a guy this past summer who plans to fix it up. That little truck was hard to stick, and got me into
and out of some nasty and tough places. I miss it.

I recently just got me a 96' Jeep Cherokee for $2,000 it's the cat's meow for all my hunting needs.

This is my critter gettin' rig.

I rather dig my 90 Cherokee for the purpose... Going to build bumpers a roof rack and a upright rifle rack for the inside. Mercedes Diesel conversion eventually as well...

Second the Jeep Cherokee. Little two door trucks leave little room to store anything inside. Im 6' 5" tall ....no leg room. I want a place to put a coat, a pack, a rifle, a pair of boots, some food ....inside.

Got a 4runner finally about a week ago when I went to San Diego. Ended up with a 98 with 160k. Already Super Lined it to get it all sealed up tight, what do you guys think Ill post some before and after shots. The problem is I have the moding bug bad now cant wait to get it lifted, lockers and such all in due time I guess.

Sedlak, that one looks darn good.

That's one sweet looking Four runner. I've always wanted one of those for a daily driver.

Nice. I just sold a 94 with 211000 miles on it. It ran good and everything still worked on it. It got a pretty bad oil leak I didn't feel like dealing with. I imagine you have a lot of trouble free miles left in that 3.4.

Jeep Wrangler.

Soon, I will own 2......

Here is mine 08 cruiser

If you don't have to drive far on the road to get there it's hard to beat a Suzuki Samurai for tight areas. Cheap to pick up if you don't mind patching a little rust, very few escaped the salt completely in the northeast. Pretty easy to fix if on the interior, mostly you will find it on the floor. Cut the bad out, add sealer around the whole and rivet in some sheet metal. It is just a hunting / wheeling rig after all, and makes no difference to the appearance.

How it started, picked up for $1,000

thought id update everyone just got her painted with cammo. It only too 3.5 days to do. Glad its over with but I think it looks really good.

Before


After

Wow... nice work on the Zuki

Great paint job Sedlak

+1 on both.

2009 Honda civic two door! and I am serious!!!!

All nice vehicles, myself, I'm waiting for a front drive shaft for my '98 Isuzu Trooper, then I'll have it ready.

The solid axle toyotas are great for really extreme off
Road use but the IFS toyotas do ride a little smoother. I've owned an 84 an 85 and a 95 and I liked my 85 the best it was both fuel injected and solid axle and for a few hundred bucks you can get a set of trail gear leafs for the front and some blocks for the rear to give you a little more clearance for bigger tires. The only issue I had with mine was the plastic guides for the timing chain other than that no problems. I rode her hard and put her away wet (and muddy) and she just wouldn't quit.

Nice work gents. Very impressive.

Sweet paint on the runner!!! The sammi's make sweet rigs too.

for some reason I like overkill.

nothing wrong with overkill....give me a call and i can get you set up

sweet looking rigs! it would be great if you did a tutorial on how you did paint jobs!!!!!

That Suzuki is awesome.

Here are my hunting rigs.

I'm looking for a new hunting vehicle right now myself. I can't decide between a new or used one. I also can't decide between a Tacoma or Silverado.

Looks good - All you need now is to drop a diesel VW motor in it. Can you say 38-43 MPG !!!!!!!!

I am looking at a Geo Tracker right now and trying to find a VW 1.6 TDI from 1996 or earlier. Crazy easy conversions and great gas mileage = lots more hunting

YMMV but this is the best I can figure out for hunting coyotes

Dag will fit in the back seat easy

Here's a few of the rigs I've used. About a million k's on them all together.

88 4Runner 22re





88 4Runner SR5


2004 Duramax CC & Indy lite 340 GT longtrack.

Don't overlook the Geo- chevy tracker, they will go through some junk and climb hills better then anything I've seen.For the past several years I've been driving a 92 model Ford Bronco Eddie Bauer edition. Luxury and mean 4x4 in one.Just wish gas was cheaper cause the 351 is ALWAYS thirsty!

I have a '91 Geo Tracker 4x4, the model with the full-length metal roof, instead of the Bikini-top model. For me, it is about as good as it gets. It has enough room for me and my gear, plus a passenger, occasionally. Plus, my Tracker gets 28 MPG, allowing me to put on more miles than I could with a different vehicle. It has a 5 speed manual tranny, locking hubs, and a "Stud-Horse-Stout" 4 banger!

A friend has a Tracker that he has modified into a "Coon-Huntin' " rig. It started out as the half-roof model. He removed the soft-top and the rear seat. A wall of plywood was built, from the floor-pan to the end of the half-roof. This resulted in a 2-passenger rig with the rear-seat footwell for gear storage. In the "bed" area, he removed the tailgate, and installed a homemade dog box, custom fit to the dimensions of the bed area. This allows him to haul 2 dogs in seperate compartments. On the top of the box, he built a 6 inch tall fence, and covered the top of the box with indoor/outdoor carpeting. When they get to the backroads, the dog or dogs ride on top of the box, as the rig creeps down the road at 6-8 MPH. The dogs strike scent from on top, and when they bawl, the driver stops, the dogs bail off and the race is on. They can cover a lot of ground this way, and the gas mileage allows him to hunt a lot more than he could otherwise.

I am hoping to find another Tracker that I could modify somewhat like this.

Geo Tracker and Suzuki sidekick are the same. Both built by Suzuki until the later years. I really liked my sidekick.. an honest 30 mpg on a trip. But the ride leaves something to be desired. "I'm Old" Its a great little machine and I would reccomend it to someone that didnt need to carry much stuff. And for Samurai owners the motors will bolt right in with about a 30 HP boost. I am now back to a Suburban. It can carry everything.

I've owned several of the older Jeep Cherokees. They've all had the 4 liter straight six engine. Not to big, not to small, decent on fuel, 4 wheel drive if and when needed. All of em have treated me well.

I took a picture of this guy's truck at the Worlds two years ago. I don't know who owned it, but it looked like a good idea to me.

I love my Jeep, parts are cheap and abundant. I like the narrow wheel base. I used to drive a '91 Ford bronco but it was so wide I couldn't make it to a lot of the places I want to go. What ever vehicle you get you should honestly think about putting some lockers in it. They are a life saver. There are times that I wish I had a truck bed though.

Jeeps & toyota's have always been good to me.

Seriously my favorite hunting rig was my 'first car 85 Subaru Loyale 4x4. I took that car all over [beeep] and back. It was a wagon. I put the seats down and camped in that car. The only way to get stuck was by being high centered. I loved that car so much I have owned 3 of them, now I just popped on a new Subaru Crosstrek

When I was looking for a hunting vehicle, I only looked at Toyota's. They are known for their reliability and offroad capability. I know several people who have 250,000+ miles on their vehicle with only routine maintenance needed. Any Toyota with a 22r or 3.4L will last a long time. Many Toyota enthusiests will agree that these are two of the best motors ever put in a vehicle. I couldn't be happier with my 4runner.