DeerAddiction4
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What’s your dream hunting rig? Pics and Stories are welcome!
I was thinking vehicles or something of that manner but I guess that works. lol
That's a great rig but unfortunately it has some weaknesses(like you mentions the IFS/Axles etc.). If I could have found the right Diesel Gladiator then I would have done that instead of the JKU. But the JKU was way cheaper and a lot more options for purchase. You could always save up the $$$ and do a solid front axle swap on that rig. There are some really good shops around that specialize in such builds.This ones mine. It's a love hate relationship. I'm really tempted to get a diesel gladiator or wrangler for the solid axles but then I get nervous of the stupid Def. But I'm also sick of dumping money and working on this thing all the time.
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I've thought about doing that but I figured as soon as I dump 5 or 6k into that then I'd probably lose the tranny or motor again haha. How's the MPG with the big tires on your JKU? That's really the only reason I'd go diesel and deal with the Def is for the 35" tires.That's a great rig but unfortunately it has some weaknesses(like you mentions the IFS/Axles etc.). If I could have found the right Diesel Gladiator then I would have done that instead of the JKU. But the JKU was way cheaper and a lot more options for purchase. You could always save up the $$$ and do a solid front axle swap on that rig. There are some really good shops around that specialize in such builds.
Right now I am getting right at 16 mpg out of the JKU but I really need to re-gear the diffs. My buddy has the same set up and running 37s with lower gears he gets 18mpg. Not awesome but we also did not buy it to run the highway. Yes the 72 K5 is awesome but it is going under a massive redo here soon...I've thought about doing that but I figured as soon as I dump 5 or 6k into that then I'd probably lose the tranny or motor again haha. How's the MPG with the big tires on your JKU? That's really the only reason I'd go diesel and deal with the Def is for the 35" tires.
I'd choose that 72 over anything haha
Right now I am getting right at 16 mpg out of the JKU but I really need to re-gear the diffs. My buddy has the same set up and running 37s with lower gears he gets 18mpg. Not awesome but we also did not buy it to run the highway. Yes the 72 K5 is awesome but it is going under a massive redo here soon...
I know some guys with the gladiators that have deleted the def and ran a tune. They are getting close to 30mpg.
I liked the idea of the gladiators.
But when we were looking, they are soooooo damn long. Felt like driving a teeter totter.
We went Tacoma(to match my moustache and IPA )
I still wanted a bed, or so I thought.
I really wish I'd done a 4 runner.
Generally at least 3 of us. So I ended up with a tonneau so we had room for gear, so the bed obviously wasn't necessary.
I've had 2 Willy's, but at 6'5 that's a no Had 2 Nissan exterras and they are pretty tough, but aftermarkets are few and far between. Jeeps are jeeps, they are for part time mechanics.
I love the 80's broncos, Jimmy's, blazers, but, 2 doors, so someone is climbing seats.
I'm scheming a way to get a 4 runner while a few decent ones are still around, prior to the 25' which I'm sure will take years to get bugs out.
Ultimately though, my spots are not on Wasatch front, so true off-road hunting rigs, don't work, unless I want to trailer one, so I'm where a lot are, half assed rigs
I’m 6’5” myself. Bought a 4 seat razor 1000. Have zero regrets. Should have done it a long time agoI liked the idea of the gladiators.
But when we were looking, they are soooooo damn long. Felt like driving a teeter totter.
We went Tacoma(to match my moustache and IPA )
I still wanted a bed, or so I thought.
I really wish I'd done a 4 runner.
Generally at least 3 of us. So I ended up with a tonneau so we had room for gear, so the bed obviously wasn't necessary.
I've had 2 Willy's, but at 6'5 that's a no Had 2 Nissan exterras and they are pretty tough, but aftermarkets are few and far between. Jeeps are jeeps, they are for part time mechanics.
I love the 80's broncos, Jimmy's, blazers, but, 2 doors, so someone is climbing seats.
I'm scheming a way to get a 4 runner while a few decent ones are still around, prior to the 25' which I'm sure will take years to get bugs out.
Ultimately though, my spots are not on Wasatch front, so true off-road hunting rigs, don't work, unless I want to trailer one, so I'm where a lot are, half assed rigs
I have a Tacoma and my wife has a 4-runner. I really like both of them but it’s hard to beat the Tacoma in my opinion.I liked the idea of the gladiators.
But when we were looking, they are soooooo damn long. Felt like driving a teeter totter.
We went Tacoma(to match my moustache and IPA )
I still wanted a bed, or so I thought.
I really wish I'd done a 4 runner.
Generally at least 3 of us. So I ended up with a tonneau so we had room for gear, so the bed obviously wasn't necessary.
I've had 2 Willy's, but at 6'5 that's a no Had 2 Nissan exterras and they are pretty tough, but aftermarkets are few and far between. Jeeps are jeeps, they are for part time mechanics.
I love the 80's broncos, Jimmy's, blazers, but, 2 doors, so someone is climbing seats.
I'm scheming a way to get a 4 runner while a few decent ones are still around, prior to the 25' which I'm sure will take years to get bugs out.
Ultimately though, my spots are not on Wasatch front, so true off-road hunting rigs, don't work, unless I want to trailer one, so I'm where a lot are, half assed rigs
I’m 6’6” and when I tried a gladiator my head hit the ceiling. I tried the lean the seat back trick to gain more room, but then my head hit the roll bar.
Plenty of headroom in my new Land Cruiser (no sunroof)View attachment 163008
Hymm... I am not one to bash any shop, but rebuilt twice? What was wrong on the first rebuild? Did they deck the heads and check them for square? Do you know if the second rebuild they used new head gaskets? When you drive it does it always smoke white or is it only at start up? I would think that would be a head gasket and head gaskets and number 5 are not unheard of... I would see if they had the head decked and check it for flat, then double check the blocks decking. Then replace the head gasket with a new good set. Sucks but many those yote engines are pretty darn good. I would suspect workmanship more than I would mechanical failure...Update on my tacoma. After having the engine re built twice the place still can't get it right. Coolant in cylinder 5. We'll see if snake oil in a can will get it by and I'll start looking for a newer tacoma that has lockers.
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