Best all-purpose family/hunting vehicle?
- Thread starter Rugdoc
- Start date
I have a trailer for my jeep, well 2 actually. one is a buddy's and is a military trailer we turned into a bear proof trailer for food storage on long trips. 12 foot boat or canoe straps on top. my other trailer has 2 fold down bunks, propane tank and I have heater from a camper, camp chef oven and a cooler. everything stows away and roll the grizzly 550 right on in. 12 foot cartopper on the rails on top. it's a awesome rig but i'll admit, not a lot of place to fit moose quarters but we manage 
Wrong Way
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
FJ Cruiser. Tacoma drivetrain/susp, a tank off road and very drivable in the city. Ive been driving one for 4-5 years now and it's the best vehicle I've owned. Sadly it's for sale now as I have a new truck and need a minivan
Toyota Tacoma does what you ask and is a little easier to handle and park than a full size.
IMO there is no better utility vehicke than a full size four door pickup, pick your brand, modern trucks do it all, have plenty of interior room, drive like cadillacs, dress up nice, and arent totally obscene on fuel.
IMO there is no better utility vehicke than a full size four door pickup, pick your brand, modern trucks do it all, have plenty of interior room, drive like cadillacs, dress up nice, and arent totally obscene on fuel.
Wrong Way
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Yup. If you drive it hard it's like flushing a toilet fuel wise (it has the 4.0 four cam)...but it will pull your house across the street with torque
The fuel tank is about 80l I think. Not huge, but not bad.
I have a 2001 Xterra. I love it but I would buy a newer one if you end up wanting an Xterra. It is a pig on gas and it's underpowered (especially with the lift and bigger tires) but it is really cheap to get 33" tires on it with a 2" body lift. The tow rating is 5000 lbs for the automatic. When we go camping with the tent trailer and gear we tow in the 2500 lbs range it is slow and thirsty. All that being said it is quite capable and comfortable. You can get supercharged versions 2002-2004 but then you have to run premium fuel.
The 2nd generation 2005-present has a completely different drivetrain with way more power. the 2005-2007 had a problem with the tranny cooler that would crack and let coolant into the tranny so if you are looking at those years make sure it has had the recall done. Other than that they are pretty awesome vehicles. I heard that the Xterra is the last SUV built on a real truck platform as it is a body on frame design where as everything else has moved to a unibody design. The '05 and up had a Pro4X model that comes with a rear factory locker as well.
If you are wanting a pickup, the Frontier and Xterra are basically the same truck but with a different body.
The toyotas are great but you pay a premium for the name. With the Nissans you I don't think you give up much in reliability but you save a bunch of money because people don't have huge nerd boners because it doesn't say toyota on the front.
Besides, you've already had a few Nissans, why not keep a good thing going?
The 2nd generation 2005-present has a completely different drivetrain with way more power. the 2005-2007 had a problem with the tranny cooler that would crack and let coolant into the tranny so if you are looking at those years make sure it has had the recall done. Other than that they are pretty awesome vehicles. I heard that the Xterra is the last SUV built on a real truck platform as it is a body on frame design where as everything else has moved to a unibody design. The '05 and up had a Pro4X model that comes with a rear factory locker as well.
If you are wanting a pickup, the Frontier and Xterra are basically the same truck but with a different body.
The toyotas are great but you pay a premium for the name. With the Nissans you I don't think you give up much in reliability but you save a bunch of money because people don't have huge nerd boners because it doesn't say toyota on the front.
Besides, you've already had a few Nissans, why not keep a good thing going?
if you want a big suv look at a Sequoia ... I have seen them manage ok off road and they swallow a lot of stuff. And still pretty nice to drive around town. None of these machines are good on gas with the exception of Tacoma's and Rangers with the 4cyl (BUT only when driven reasonably) When you push these small power plants hard a) you can NOT hurt them, but b) they know how to suck back gas ...
Geologist just listed a very nice Tacoma with the 2.7 and 4wd standard. This is just an outstanding combination for any one who wants the ultimate in efficiency, dependability and ALL around capability. That would be my first choice....and I've still got a "last year of production" Series 80 Landcruiser (actually the LX450) generally considered the best landcruiser built.
Nissan .... I dont know. I have friends who swear by them and others who swear at them... my brother loves Nissan (and previously owned Toyota) ... personally I read too many "sad" stories to be comfortable with that choice although the newest big Nissan SUV is apparently a copy of the Patrol which has always had great reviews! I have had good experience with Toyota. As for Ford .. I worked for them at a truck plant at one point and we thought we built the best light trucks in the world then....they are still what I would recommend for a pickup and no-one I know with an F 150 is anti Ford. Unfortunately I owned an "Exploder" briefly and after getting royally screwed by them on a warranty denial for a transmission failure .. I decided not to buy another Ford. Their notion of integrity doesnt align with mine. Course taking my family business elsewhere hasnt hurt their bottom line.
Toyota on the other hand has been pretty good BUT read the fine print on any dealer repairs and get it in writing - fortunately with Toyota you dont have to test the warranty very often!
Geologist just listed a very nice Tacoma with the 2.7 and 4wd standard. This is just an outstanding combination for any one who wants the ultimate in efficiency, dependability and ALL around capability. That would be my first choice....and I've still got a "last year of production" Series 80 Landcruiser (actually the LX450) generally considered the best landcruiser built.
Nissan .... I dont know. I have friends who swear by them and others who swear at them... my brother loves Nissan (and previously owned Toyota) ... personally I read too many "sad" stories to be comfortable with that choice although the newest big Nissan SUV is apparently a copy of the Patrol which has always had great reviews! I have had good experience with Toyota. As for Ford .. I worked for them at a truck plant at one point and we thought we built the best light trucks in the world then....they are still what I would recommend for a pickup and no-one I know with an F 150 is anti Ford. Unfortunately I owned an "Exploder" briefly and after getting royally screwed by them on a warranty denial for a transmission failure .. I decided not to buy another Ford. Their notion of integrity doesnt align with mine. Course taking my family business elsewhere hasnt hurt their bottom line.
Toyota on the other hand has been pretty good BUT read the fine print on any dealer repairs and get it in writing - fortunately with Toyota you dont have to test the warranty very often!
Doc Rainbow
CGN Regular
- Location
- Beautiful B.C.
For around $10000 I think your best bet is the Jeep Wrangler. Tacomas and 4-Runners tend to be a bit more pricey even used.
FJ Cruiser. Tacoma drivetrain/susp, a tank off road and very drivable in the city. Ive been driving one for 4-5 years now and it's the best vehicle I've owned. Sadly it's for sale now as I have a new truck and need a minivan
I like the FJ too. If I had the time/budget for a 4WD toy, I think I'd go FJ over Jeep.
I DON'T have a family, so when someone says family, I assume they need something about the size of a CN Rail car LOL. Then again, my work/play/DD vehicle is a crew-cab F350 long box. LOL
Can't deny the 4Runner is a nice SUV though.
Crew cab trucks are a good choice. It gives you plenty of space in the cabin and you can throw a bloody deer/bear/elk in the bed and not worry about stuff getting all over the place. I like GMC/Chev because they have a good ride on-road.
I had a 78 landcruiser BJ40 diesel, simply killer in the bush but repairs and maintenance just killed my fun. I would say the same for any newer toyota , FJ especially. Break something and get ready to shell out some coin.
With the 86 to 93 jeep wrangler YJ's parts and upgrades are so ridiculously cheap it's laughable.
92 YJ owned her 7 years now, paid 1750.00
All in over 7 years , added lift kit, replaced diffs to 4:10's, tires, I rebuillt her with a 500.00 rust free tub and have done some other stuff. Total cost including purchase.... 5300.00 over 7 years
She's been over nearly every inch of BC from the island to haida gwaii, from dease lake to vancouver. Best damn vehicle I've ever owned or hunted out of with the top and doors off
With the 86 to 93 jeep wrangler YJ's parts and upgrades are so ridiculously cheap it's laughable.
92 YJ owned her 7 years now, paid 1750.00
All in over 7 years , added lift kit, replaced diffs to 4:10's, tires, I rebuillt her with a 500.00 rust free tub and have done some other stuff. Total cost including purchase.... 5300.00 over 7 years
She's been over nearly every inch of BC from the island to haida gwaii, from dease lake to vancouver. Best damn vehicle I've ever owned or hunted out of with the top and doors off
Last edited:
Every time I see an FJ I think about this one time at the local gun Club in the middle of winter with about a foot of snow down. The guy in the FJ was ahead of me on the club road. When he got to the little hill near the clubhouse he took three attempts to get up the hill through the snow. I was in a loaded down Impreza (three people plus tons of shooting gear) and easily made it on the first attempt.
I'm also looking at a new general purpose family/offroad/hunting rig for next year. I plan to keep it for a decade, so I need something that will last. I drive a lot on the highway too. I'm considering
Tacoma TRD Pro - looks like it has a decent off road ability
Jeep Wrangler 4 door - I'm a bit concerned about the weight and feul economy, but I think someone said they might be adding a disel engine
New GM Mid Size - apparently GM is coming out with a new one, might have a disel option too
F150 - the 2015 will have an aluminum body. This is a great thing considering I plan to keep it 10 years in Newfoundland
I'm also looking at a new general purpose family/offroad/hunting rig for next year. I plan to keep it for a decade, so I need something that will last. I drive a lot on the highway too. I'm considering
Tacoma TRD Pro - looks like it has a decent off road ability
Jeep Wrangler 4 door - I'm a bit concerned about the weight and feul economy, but I think someone said they might be adding a disel engine
New GM Mid Size - apparently GM is coming out with a new one, might have a disel option too
F150 - the 2015 will have an aluminum body. This is a great thing considering I plan to keep it 10 years in Newfoundland
Last edited:
nowarningshot
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Someone has probably already said this...but here goes.
There is no free lunch when it comes to both a cheap city vehicle or a serious outdoors Suv/truck. Pick your compromise. Either you will have a great economy 4x4 for around the city that has a handicap in the bush/outdoors; or you have a great outdoors hunting rig that is a liability in city traffic, parking, and at the fuel pump.
My brother is a tinkerer, if he has a 4cyl p/u he is constantly searching and fiddling trying for more power; if he has a 8 cyl then he fiddles for economy.
Only you can look at your life and decide if a 4cyl suv or a 8cyl off road beast suits you more.
There is no free lunch when it comes to both a cheap city vehicle or a serious outdoors Suv/truck. Pick your compromise. Either you will have a great economy 4x4 for around the city that has a handicap in the bush/outdoors; or you have a great outdoors hunting rig that is a liability in city traffic, parking, and at the fuel pump.
My brother is a tinkerer, if he has a 4cyl p/u he is constantly searching and fiddling trying for more power; if he has a 8 cyl then he fiddles for economy.
Only you can look at your life and decide if a 4cyl suv or a 8cyl off road beast suits you more.
