Dedicated predator vehicle
- Thread starter Rhys
- Start date
I've thought about going that rout. I'm kind of looking toward the idea of a small Ford Ranger, one of Toyotas little trucks, or a Suzuki Samurai. In general cheap, abusable and good gas milage. I figure keeping an eye out in the classifieds to see if I can find something in the bargain buggies section. Maybe a little CJ.
Someone on here had some compact little 4wd that had been covered in what looked like a corn stalk patterrn vinil graphic. Something along those lines for a vehicle would be perfect.
Someone on here had some compact little 4wd that had been covered in what looked like a corn stalk patterrn vinil graphic. Something along those lines for a vehicle would be perfect.
Mine isn't quite a dedicated predator only vehicle - it's more of a dedicated all purpose hunting and off road vehicle (only gets used for hunting or wheeling). And it definitely ain't cheap. But, it works real, real well for what I want it to do:
Gets me in and back out of stuff my big Dodge CTD can't even dream of tackling.
Which has paid off many times in some good hunting. That first picture is from a couple of days ago. An otherwise perfectly good road had two spots washed out that a full size truck could not have gotten across. Once we winched across them in the Jeep, the road was good, but no vehicle tracks at all. We got into the coyotes pretty good.
It's lot of fun just to go out and wheel in it, too.
So I guess I'd say you ought to try and find that CJ /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif
- DAA
Gets me in and back out of stuff my big Dodge CTD can't even dream of tackling.
Which has paid off many times in some good hunting. That first picture is from a couple of days ago. An otherwise perfectly good road had two spots washed out that a full size truck could not have gotten across. Once we winched across them in the Jeep, the road was good, but no vehicle tracks at all. We got into the coyotes pretty good.
It's lot of fun just to go out and wheel in it, too.
So I guess I'd say you ought to try and find that CJ /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif
- DAA
The CJ would be my first preference. The wife might have a few objections to me taking her '02 Wrangler. Besides that I would need to put a new rear end in it because the previouse owner pulled the limited slip and put in an open. They towed it behind their motorhome. I know Jeep used o make one they called the Scrambler, basicaly a slightly longer jeep with a short box on it.
CJ-8's (Scrambler's) are GREAT rigs. Getting kind of pricey though, for clean ones -- a lot of guys really like them (like me...). If you can find a decent deal on one though, I think it would be dang near perfect for what you want to do. I'd like to find a good deal on one myself.
- DAA
- DAA
TonyTebbe
New member
I'm a Jeep Wrangler hunter, myself. I use it for all my hunting, as well as, daily driver to work. I'm interested in the rack you have your coyotes stacked on. Do you have a better picture of it? I use a hitch slide in "meat rack" for hauling coyotes, but it bottoms out all the time. I've been wanting to design a "high top meat rack" to fix that.
Tony
Tony
Quote:
I'm interested in the rack you have your coyotes stacked on. Do you have a better picture of it?
You bet. Some better pics of mine:
The company that made mine, Jeeperman, went out of business recently. But Rock Hard makes a very similar one:
Rock Hard rear bumper
Of course, if you can weld and have the time, you could fab one up yourself.
I get a lot of good use out of it. If not carrying dead coyotes, then carrying extra tents and coolers on extended expeditions. It's been a real useful addition.
- DAA
I'm interested in the rack you have your coyotes stacked on. Do you have a better picture of it?
You bet. Some better pics of mine:
The company that made mine, Jeeperman, went out of business recently. But Rock Hard makes a very similar one:
Rock Hard rear bumper
Of course, if you can weld and have the time, you could fab one up yourself.
I get a lot of good use out of it. If not carrying dead coyotes, then carrying extra tents and coolers on extended expeditions. It's been a real useful addition.
- DAA
Yup, that turning radius is awful nice to have sometimes! Last year, we went a couple miles on a tight twisty trail through the trees that would have caved in both sides of even a short bed pickup (pin striped the heck out of the Jeep, but that's what it is for). Called in a lion on that stand (no tag, no shoot, just cool to call one in).
- DAA
- DAA
JoeF
New member
If I were buying something today I'd try to find a Rubicon like Dave has. Factory lockers, etc.. if I recall correctly.
My hunting/ GP rig that I would not buy today:
Not your typical soccer mom's Land Rover. Traction control system that would have to be used to be appreciated. I have literally left ruts 10 inches deep and not even thrown mud up on the sides. Good turning radius, super super low geared low range, narrow track.
Downfalls:
Gas Milage - 13-14mpg combined city and highway.
Weight - nearly 3 tons in factory trim. This one has an all-in-one front bumper, skid plate, winch mount, compressor mount, and brush guard that weights something like 650 lbs. Add to that the weight of a compressor and 12k lbs winch and things start to get heavy.
The good news is that it will go anywhere sane humans should consider. I bought it for a song..... about 6 months prior to the bottom dropping out of gas prices.
As a practical matter, you already own a 4x4, find you a rig like DAA has on the back of his jeep or just use one of the following and drive kinda fast when exit angle is an issue.....
RAndyDB - how about some more details on that vehicle you have?
My hunting/ GP rig that I would not buy today:
Not your typical soccer mom's Land Rover. Traction control system that would have to be used to be appreciated. I have literally left ruts 10 inches deep and not even thrown mud up on the sides. Good turning radius, super super low geared low range, narrow track.
Downfalls:
Gas Milage - 13-14mpg combined city and highway.
Weight - nearly 3 tons in factory trim. This one has an all-in-one front bumper, skid plate, winch mount, compressor mount, and brush guard that weights something like 650 lbs. Add to that the weight of a compressor and 12k lbs winch and things start to get heavy.
The good news is that it will go anywhere sane humans should consider. I bought it for a song..... about 6 months prior to the bottom dropping out of gas prices.
As a practical matter, you already own a 4x4, find you a rig like DAA has on the back of his jeep or just use one of the following and drive kinda fast when exit angle is an issue.....
RAndyDB - how about some more details on that vehicle you have?
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daveInME
New member
that 3rd picture down, shows all you need to know about getting up and over rocks, etc. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif
I've been looking for a Jeep like that, I've got a full size extended cab chevy, and the turning radius, etc excludes it from being a good trail runner.
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- DAA
I've been looking for a Jeep like that, I've got a full size extended cab chevy, and the turning radius, etc excludes it from being a good trail runner.
Quote:
- DAA
nevjohn
New member
Quote:
Checkout "Craigslist.com" in the auto section. Just keep your eye out for what you want on that list. I recently bought a F150 4x4 on there. Just an idea.
Okay, I just checked Craigslist in Wyoming, and found this:
http://wyoming.craigslist.com/car/443124960.html
Looks good, if still available. Great little hunting vehicle.
Checkout "Craigslist.com" in the auto section. Just keep your eye out for what you want on that list. I recently bought a F150 4x4 on there. Just an idea.
Okay, I just checked Craigslist in Wyoming, and found this:
http://wyoming.craigslist.com/car/443124960.html
Looks good, if still available. Great little hunting vehicle.
1984 Ford F250 Super Cab 4x4 (223000 miles) with Yamaha Grizzly ATV in the back. Complete with fleas and winch on both pickup and ATV. Not the greatest on fuel untill I unload the ATV and take it back 10 or 15 miles into the hills. Need to find a better solution but I own the pickup and its kinda like a member of the family. Whatever I make on coyotes payes maybe half my fuel if Im lucky but its better than none of the fuel. I hunt for fun not for profit.
