pick-up truck for hunting...... which?

eltorro

eltorro

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Living in the city means there's no real use for a 4x4 - the snow gets plowed away before we even enjoy it, and most of the 4x4 guys can only triumph when they get the odd ocassion to pull somebody out of the ditch... - so I never had one.

for hunting purposes, however, the vehicle I was using is inadequate. It gets me there but there are a lot of places I have to pass ... because. Plus, if snow gets on the ground.... well, you get the idea.

I'm looking for a pick-up truck (or SUV) that has to be a good blend between the regular use and the hunting trips.
It has to seat at least four (I hate two-seaters), not take too much gas and not overly expensive. (I'm going to trade in my curent one for it)

Knowing that most of you have a rather extensive experience with them, I'd like to ask for advice?

Which one would fit the bill? Did I mention it shouldn't be expensive?
 
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Not sure really what your after. are you looking to do anything to it? Ie a lift kit, larger tires etc?

How much are you looking to spend (ballpark)
do you have any stipulations on age?

How important is fuel economy?

what else will it be used for besides hunting? any hauling, trailers etc? or just getting around town?

diesel or gas?

How many People do you want to fit in it?
 
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I could install a lift kit myself, if not already on it.
No age stipulations, but an ancient one will not be reliable on longer trips (plus it will take waaay more gas.)

fuel economy is what the pump guy says : crucial.
no trailers, no hauling. just daily drive and the hunting trips.
Never thought about diesel, but not excuded.

I drive a van now, so go figure.....
 
I always reccomend a jeep. nothing beats the fun factor and it's great for getting into tight parking spaces, unlike a pick up. However, it would be good for 2 people max and you aren't going to bring a moose back in it. If you need 2 or more people, lots of gear and big game, then stay away.
 
I'm in the market, too. My old truck finally became too expensive to keep going. Myself, the best choice is an extended cab pick-up, full size. The room behind the seat works great to put a couple guns and some coats, plus gives you 2 extra (small) seats for other passengers. Also, the full size will fit an ATV in back if you find yourself needing one.

Now, as of gas milage, I hear ya. I need to pick something that's not hard on gas, because my daily use of the truck puts many miles on her fast, and I have to watch my cash flow.

I'm thinking about a Chev, GMC, or a Ford in a half ton 4x4. I was looking at the Ford dealer ship today, and I left a little confused about gas milage per motor. I mean, the small size Ford Ranger 4x4 with a 6 cyl, auto, gets 100 hi-way kms per 11.2 liters of gas. Then the sale guy says the full size Ford F150 with the 351 V8, half ton 4x4 gets 100 hi-way kms on 12.2 liters of gas. What the Hell?? Am I missing something here??? Why is there only 1 liter difference between a 1/4 tonn 6 cly and a 1/2 tonn 8 cly?? Any of you guys out there own one of these trucks, and care to let us know what the true milage is.
 
Living in the city means there's no real use for a 4x4 - the snow gets plowed away before we even enjoy it, and most of the 4x4 guys can only triumph when the get the odd ocassion to pull somebody out of the ditch... -
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Hell you don't live in Sask eh?
I recently leased a chevy colorado extended cab Z71 and it seems to do okay.
Not the biggest truck but pleny powerfull for hunting
My lease cost me $330 p/m and I get 24 hundred clicks a month.
So far I am happy I even got to yank some v8's out of the ditch with it :)
And happned to end up in the ditch with it too but with some digging we got out no problem.
 
Ok well given your stipulations Id say a Toyota 4runner, or one of the smaller trucks such as a Dakota, S10 etc. early 90's version should run around $5000 for one in good shape. These will be good on gas, give you plenty of offroad ability maybe even more then the larger trucks because they are smaller so will fit in more places, weigh less etc. Only problem with the smaller trucks is they arnt big so fitting 4 people in probably wont be the most comfortable ride. The dakota ext cabs are the largest of the small trucks and thats what Im recommending to you if you decide to go the small truck route. Ive personally rode in the back with 2 other people in a dakota on a hunting trip and we fit fine but it wasnt comfortable. With only one or 2 people in the back it should be fine.

If the dakotas are to small for your tastes then Id say the 4 runner definatly. Lots of space in there and decent offroad vehciles without any mods at all.

Jeeps are good offroad vehicles however they lack the cargo space to pack say a bear and all your equipment. plus they will cost you more in insurance and will use sltighly more gas and will cost more to initially buy one in good shape.


get your self a lift kit and some tires and you got yourself a decent offroad machine that is also a decent street machine.
 
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well i use a 93 cherokee 4x4 with red green/timtaylor style 3" lift and the gas milage is good having the extra seats in the back is great for the kids and its nimble enought o get where i need to go now if your gonna be doing any moose or large game hunting i would recomend something a little larger with more cargo room and diesel is always the best bet as far as fuel except on those cold winter nights when you forget to plug in if your looking for a newer family/hunting vehicle look at something in the lines of a full size explorer or jeep cherokee easy to lift easy on fuel just remender Skid plates are your friend with jeeps i learned the hard way about fuel tank skid plates
 
i have had many I really liked the 4 runner also if you are looking to go the SUV route but I currently own a GMC sierra denali edition pick up with all wheel drive and quadrasteer. It is a rednek porshe with tons of power and not too pricey if you can find one used.
 
This is the truck that I picked up for hunting. It was sitting in a field for 2 yrs. Started it up and drove it home, with no problems. Just gotta do a little bit of body work with a new muffler to pass a safety. Then it will be bush roads for this baby. I can't wait till hunting season.

4x4005.jpg
 
4WD or AWD anything in what you are looking for will not be cheap. As far as I am concerned, at a $1.00 a litre, no trucks or SUV's are good on gas. Nothing like a 4WD to give you the courage to really get stuck. :eek:

How much space do you really need? How about an AWD Subaru wagon?

Will the less than 5% usage trump the 95% usage? Will form foul function? I wanted a new truck, bought a Toyota Matrix instead. Function won the argument.
 
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I've used a number of Jeep Grande Cherokees for years and never had any problems - other than scratching up the simonize! As to my elk, even the larest one fit in the back with the seats down, and all my gear fit in.

The trick to getting him in the back: open the tailgate and one front door; thread a come-along out the door and attach to front axel - then winch away!
 
I love my F150 FX4, lots of power, more space than the previous model, great ride on the highway, great in the sloppy stuff.
I'm a big fan, fullsize is the only way to go.
 
I think the cheapest solution for you, is to get yourself a newer Jeep TJ, and if big game hunting, camping and whatnot are on the list, get a small trailer made to tow behind - it should match the wheel stance of the Jeep, and could have a bed 6'X4'. Make sure you get a class III hitch, but the dealer might refuse to put one on. If you have the coin, there is a 4-door version now. A winch is a must, and with a block can be used for hoisting game as well as self recovery. I've got synthetic rope on mine which is much more user freindly than cable. A tire upgrade is needed, even if you do not add a lift.
 
mdbuckle said:
I have a toyota tacoma 4x4 3.4L. Put a 3 inch lift and 32" tires. It will go anywhere I need to go and then some!
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What kind of milage are you getting? No worries if you haven't kept track, just curious as I was looking at one recently.
 
I just bought an older Nissan Pathfinder. With the gas prices where they're at my heavy duty Chevy 4x4 that I built from the ground up into a hard core hunting rig will be sitting more these days..:mad:
 
Boer seun said:
Hell you don't live in Sask eh?
I recently leased a chevy colorado extended cab Z71 and it seems to do okay.
Not the biggest truck but pleny powerfull for hunting
My lease cost me $330 p/m and I get 24 hundred clicks a month.
So far I am happy I even got to yank some v8's out of the ditch with it :)
And happned to end up in the ditch with it too but with some digging we got out no problem.
Click to expand...

I have been interested in one of these, Can you comment on the gas mileage and how the truck is for repairs and all that stuff? Anything you hate about? I really really like the truck and want to get one but not sure and everytime I got to the dealership, it is closed.

I was thinking of a new Jeep Liberty diesel aslo. They seems to get great mileage and appeal to me. Anybody have any comments on that?

Thanks
 
Pick Up Truck

I really did my homework on this one boys. I test drove the Chevy Canyon and Colorado, Too small for me and gutless going in the mountains. Good gas milage though, but poor workmanship... Things vibrate??? Ok... Test drove the Taco'ma and Frontier... Too much for my wallet, but really like the Frontier. Ok... Honda Ridgeline... I felt cramped and too executive of a truck. Test drove the Dodge Dakota Quad cab... WOW... very roomy for my tall frame and long legs. Price was unbeatable with plain jane... 3.7 Magnum V6 (Wish they would put a diesel in it)- No P/W - P/D, but got Auto tranny (Wifey) and 4x4 for me. All the rest you can think was standard. GM was giving away gas for a year... Dodge gave me ... get this... FREE tires as long as I own my truck... For real... and then three days later, that deal ended. I picked it up for $29K. We've been to vancouver and back and been hunting last November up North... I even had to pull my friend with a dually out of the mud!... Got the conopy with matching paint... What a beauty... I really like it so far... I can even wear my boer hat without it touching the roof.

http://image2.frappr.com/pix2/i/20060412/c/2/9/c2944881538321e5eb1d313d84e3dbeb0

DONT MENTION "FORD" TO ME PLEASE!!!
 
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