Best Hunting rigs

MrRogers

Member
Messages
84
So I posted on the “biggest bull thread” and showed a picture of my little hunting rig. It makes mediocre bulls look huge. Got a few questions and felt I was terrorizing the thread. So I figured many of us have odd or modified hunting rigs so why not. Here is my rig. Laugh all you want. I love it. 4wd lockers low range. Ac/heater. Imported from Japan. “ very concerned about wiring $ over seas” and a few months later…drove to Galveston and picked it up. Then the mods.

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Cool rig, I thought about purchasing one until I was the first on scene when a guy wrecked one going 30 mph. 😬
 
Those look cool and have thought about one.
How is the ride sitting on top of the front axle?
Something similar would be a Suzuki Samurai.
I had one years ago and just couldnt stop modifying.
It would go anywhere. I wish i wouldnt have modified so much.
One of the reasons I like Samurai is they are street legal.
 
The ride is a little choppy but not terrible. They’re heavy in the front and real light in the back so in 2wd they’ll get stuck on an ant hill. My brother had one and hated it because he is 6-1, I didn’t mind but I’m only 5’-7”.
They’re a trip to drive, with the gear shifter on the left and the blinker on the right, everything was bass ackwards!
 
Memory serves, the one I'm in has a 650cc Suzuki motor. Pretty decent power on the lower end and would hit 45 mph. Maybe 50.
 
The ride is not bad with the low pressure, (I only run 8-10 psi) oversized tires and aftermarket coil springs. Also helped a bunch with traction. Hard getting used to sitting over the front tires with no front end. A little scary going down super steep ravines as you feel as if your going to face plant but basically a mid engine vehicle so it’s surprisingly stable. Will go anywhere my friends ranger will and then some IMO. We played tag along on some of the roughest trails here in southern NM to see if he could get me stuck with no success. Gets great traction with meat in the bed. I love how quiet it is. My other hunting truck is quiet too and more comfortable. Gen 3
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So I posted on the “biggest bull thread” and showed a picture of my little hunting rig. It makes mediocre bulls look huge. Got a few questions and felt I was terrorizing the thread. So I figured many of us have odd or modified hunting rigs so why not. Here is my rig. Laugh all you want. I love it. 4wd lockers low range. Ac/heater. Imported from Japan. “ very concerned about wiring $ over seas” and a few months later…drove to Galveston and picked it up. Then the mods.

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Nice! Glad to see someone else doing this. I’ve got both a Jimny and a Hijet on the way, not sure how practical they will be but should be fun to play with. Is that a Suzuki carry? Thumbs up on paint, wheels and tires.
 
Yes that is a carry. All I did was a lift, New coil springs and 1” diff drop, then the 14” wheels (were 13”) and 25” maxis tires. Ordered hummer paint. A slight fender trim. Thanks! I want to do the carry van next but they don’t seem to have low range just 4H and I have concerns about being top heavy. Can’t wait to see the jimny and hijet. My wife dislikes SxS’s so this was a good compromise. I think she froze her but off on a “ladies” cow hunt. I was warm in camp with the “boys” and kids. Being camp cook and the pack mule can be good!
 
So I posted on the “biggest bull thread” and showed a picture of my little hunting rig. It makes mediocre bulls look huge. Got a few questions and felt I was terrorizing the thread. So I figured many of us have odd or modified hunting rigs so why not. Here is my rig. Laugh all you want. I love it. 4wd lockers low range. Ac/heater. Imported from Japan. “ very concerned about wiring $ over seas” and a few months later…drove to Galveston and picked it up. Then the mods.

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Pretty sweet little rig. Probably wouldn’t work for me as I’m 6’4” but out of curiosity what do they cost ?
 
Pretty sweet little rig. Probably wouldn’t work for me as I’m 6’4” but out of curiosity what do they cost ?
They were cheaper when I got mine but you can still land one at a port in the states for less than 5k. I think I got mine here for just under 3k. No. at 6’4” you would be very uncomfortable! I’m 5’11” and prefer my wife drives. More room to try to stretch out. But I fit. Wouldn’t enjoy a 4 hour road trip. 😛 Any type of road hunting would be out as well. To get deep into some nasty country and for retrieval it is perfect. The Jimny would offer more cab space but no bed.
 
Since I've already joined too I'll share my rig. That's my son helping dig us out which was futile. We needed a tug.

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I hate when that happens for sure!
Well you were in a Jeep Cherokee though right? Don’t get me wrong I had a Red 1990 Jeep Grand Cherokee which was the hottest selling SUV in our neck of the woods and it was a super nice ride to go golfing having drinks at my favorite Gentleman’s Club with the Boys when I was younger looking for the future Mrs Sikora but I would have never taken it when the roads were bad from snow, ice or mud and we don’t get any kind of weather you all get. When I say snow I’m talking about maybe 3” sometimes 3 1/2” of snow. They were not built for that.
 
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I'm 6'5 as well.

That's the snowdrift at the bottom of Elizabeth pass st intersection by Lyman lake. Sunday.

And yup, the yota was the furthest😉

I've owned a sxs, trucks, 2 Willy's, a Xterra. The Tacoma is far superior.

To be fair, I really struggled with Tacoma vs 4runner, and I'm not sure the 4 runner wouldn't be better.

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I’ve owned 3 Tacoma’s and currently have the gen 3 4runner and a Tundra. The Tacoma’s and 4 runner will amaze you where they will go. Great off-road equipment.
That’s why I run a Tacoma, it’s a great hunting rig and you can do as much or little to them as you would like and they are super reliable.
 
I hate when that happens for sure!
Well you were in a Jeep Cherokee though right? Don’t get me wrong I had a Red 1990 Jeep Grand Cherokee which was the hottest selling SUV in our neck of the woods and it was a super nice ride to go golfing having drinks at my favorite Gentleman’s Club with the Boys when I was younger looking for the future Mrs Sikora but I would have never taken it when the roads were bad from snow, ice or mud and we don’t get any kind of weather you all get. When I say snow I’m talking about maybe 3” sometimes 3 1/2” of snow. They were not built for that.
Well I'll tell ya Joe, that little '87 jeep is a reliable heap that is a pig in the mountains and the snow. 5 speed, tough 4.0L Renix motor, dana front and rear axels, and posi rear end when needed. Been pulled out twice by another truck and the other time was with a 3 ton come-a-long strapped to a PJ. She takes a lickn and keeps on tickn. It is a cold bugger in the winter though.
 
All Fine & F'N Dandy Until It Falls Through!

Yup!

Talkin From SPERIENCE!

And When It Happens Who's Coming That's Dumb Enough In A Heavier Rig To Try & Get You Out?

I'm 6'5 as well.

That's the snowdrift at the bottom of Elizabeth pass st intersection by Lyman lake. Sunday.

And yup, the yota was the furthest😉

I've owned a sxs, trucks, 2 Willy's, a Xterra. The Tacoma is far superior.

To be fair, I really struggled with Tacoma vs 4runner, and I'm not sure the 4 runner wouldn't be better.

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I'm 6'5 as well.

That's the snowdrift at the bottom of Elizabeth pass st intersection by Lyman lake. Sunday.

And yup, the yota was the furthest😉
See Them RED Shackles On The Front?

The Boys That Built It Knew You'd Need Them Sooner Or Later!


I've owned a sxs, trucks, 2 Willy's, a Xterra. The Tacoma is far superior.

To be fair, I really struggled with Tacoma vs 4runner, and I'm not sure the 4 runner wouldn't be better.

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I’ve had a bit of everything myself. From a fairly built crawler to atvs. But to this point my favorite is a 97 Cherokee. It’s best to **** and stock but works pretty dang good. Lots of storage and easy ish to work on. I have been eying my wife’s four runner but that would be a cold day in hell.
 
Picked up my Jimny a couple weeks ago down in Freeport. Don’t have too many pictures yet but the kids have had good fun learning to drive it.
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It’s surprisingly quick but gotta keep it revved. Redline 8500.
 
I have a Tacoma and a 4-runner and they are both great.

However, I guess I have to disagree with those that say a Tacoma is "better" than a side by side for getting around in the hills. I would much rather have my Teryx and it will get me in more places than the tacoma or 4-runner.

With that said, I do like how quiet they are and heater works better!

And PS: Do not tell Bess that I own a Teryx. It does not need any "Tuning"....
 
At 6'3", I favored my two suburbans. Throw my low cot in the back with mattress and bag, and I would bivvy camp close to where I wanted to convert to the ankle express. Had room to close it up if it was cold and/or weathered out. room for cooler and small stove. Works good.
 
Does this count as a hunting rig? Been to multiple states and it gives me flexibility for base camp, back country, and even road hunting if desired. Works as long as I don’t have to back up. On occasion, I’ve thrown the goats in the bed of the truck if i need to drive a lot deeper up a bad road to get to a trailhead.

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I Don't Know woodruff?

Hard To Beat A 4 Door F-350 That Seems To Run Real Nice With Lots Of CHILLED DEW In The Back!:D

That's What I Call COMFY!

I have a Tacoma and a 4-runner and they are both great.

However, I guess I have to disagree with those that say a Tacoma is "better" than a side by side for getting around in the hills. I would much rather have my Teryx and it will get me in more places than the tacoma or 4-runner.

With that said, I do like how quiet they are and heater works better!

And PS: Do not tell Bess that I own a Teryx. It does not need any "Tuning"....
 
Taco or any small truck for the mountains.
I just dont like side by side for Hunting mostly because they are noisy.
and cold
 
I built my truck solely for my hunting & outdoor adventures. It is fully equipped with recovery gear, but knock on wood… I haven’t had to use any of it. I have taken this thing in areas where it really did not belong & have had a few times where I could have easily flipped it. I love it when I get smiles & thumbs up from the dirt bike riders that look totally confused how I managed to get my truck through certain trails.
It has been on hunting trips in WY, NM, AZ, OK, UT & NV.

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I built my truck solely for my hunting & outdoor adventures. It is fully equipped with recovery gear, but knock on wood… I haven’t had to use any of it. I have taken this thing in areas where it really did not belong & have had a few times where I could have easily flipped it. I love it when I get smiles & thumbs up from the dirt bike riders that look totally confused how I managed to get my truck through certain trails.
It has been on hunting trips in WY, NM, AZ, OK, UT & NV.

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Nice rig Jorma!
 
Those look cool and have thought about one.
How is the ride sitting on top of the front axle?
Something similar would be a Suzuki Samurai.
I had one years ago and just couldnt stop modifying.
It would go anywhere. I wish i wouldnt have modified so much.
One of the reasons I like Samurai is they are street legal.
I have a buddy who couldnt afford a razor or ranger or UTV, so he found a nice samurai and put good tires on it and a few minor adjustments and it is freaking awesome. Id do that over a UTV now anyday, especially for what they want and a motor that, IF YOU ARE LUCKY, gets 10,000 miles.
 
Probably would have to say my old truck, a 91 Toyota that used to belong to grandpa. It was low geared so it would almost climb a tree
 
Toyota Camry, bar none. I’ve brought so many deer, elk, and antelope home in my 2004 Camry. Great gas mileage, I’ve never been stuck, and critters don’t run away when I pull up. Maybe this year, I’ll bring home a mountain goat in the old girl.
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We hulled my 1st deer out of the field in a 1978 Ford Granada December 6, 1986. This was the Sunday car and still can't believe my dad drove across the plowed cornfield and draws to pick the deer and me up in that car.
 
I love both my Ranger and a heated SxS, depending on which is best for that location. There's always a compromise though in comfort or capability.

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I built my truck solely for my hunting & outdoor adventures. It is fully equipped with recovery gear, but knock on wood… I haven’t had to use any of it. I have taken this thing in areas where it really did not belong & have had a few times where I could have easily flipped it. I love it when I get smiles & thumbs up from the dirt bike riders that look totally confused how I managed to get my truck through certain trails.
It has been on hunting trips in WY, NM, AZ, OK, UT & NV.

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I previously had a 2nd gen taco 09 with 230k on it and drove it all over the place for hunting, I recently sold it and bought a 2019 third gen taco dclb trd OR with 75k miles on it. I would be interested to hear what all you did on yours to build it for hunting as well as what all you have for recovery equipment?
 
I previously had a 2nd gen taco 09 with 230k on it and drove it all over the place for hunting, I recently sold it and bought a 2019 third gen taco dclb trd OR with 75k miles on it. I would be interested to hear what all you did on yours to build it for hunting as well as what all you have for recovery equipment?

I don’t even know where to begin… 😂

I started out with a mild Icon coil over suspension lift, I believe it was just 2.5”.
I then added 700 lb Old man emu rear leaf springs & heavy shackles.
Stiffer coils from Icon for the front.
Installed a Firestone air bag system with remote.
I had new gears installed to help with the larger tires.
Frame chop for tire clearance.
Swing out carrier bumper for the oversized tires.
Front bumper with 10K lb hidden winch.
Added the Leitner bed rack
The roof rack followed just before purchasing the kayak.
LED lighting in the grill & front bumper

Recovery gear includes:
Hi Lift jack
The winch
Deadman anchor
Crazy beaver shovel
Recovery straps & shackles
2 pulley blocks

I think that about covers it. I easily spent probably 20K fixing it up & I performed probably 85% of the work myself. The only upgrades that I paid to have done was the frame chop & the new gearing.
 
And you Didn't Notice Anything Before She Picked A Fine Time To Leave You?:D

I Stopped A Guy In A Dodge Here A Couple Weeks Ago!

I Could See his Left Rear Wobbling!

Finally Got Up To The Side Of Him & He Thought I Wanted To Race!:D

It had a pretty aggressive shake just before it decided to fall off 😂. If anyone was wondering, if you're going down the hill just south of fontinelle and your going 25 mph when the tire falls off it can jump a fence and go 1300 yards +- before stopping 😂.
 

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