Dream Hunting Rig

1730772872886.png
1730772872886.png
 
A Ford Ranger Tremor with a 6' bed, a 2.7L Ecoboost, and a shell so I have somewhere dry to sleep.

They don't make that variation though, but that's what I want.
 
Well I have my dream vehicles. Sometimes the dream is just having them all in good shape and ready. But each one is awesome... I could not chose so I have to include all 3...

So this is my CJ I bought as a Junoir in High School. Been all over the place hunting. I can honestly say that over the years I have turned every bolt on this jeep. It is nothing fancy but straight, and goes where ever I point it...
CJ.jpg

You can fit an elk and 2 guys and gear pretty well. 2 elk requires some creativity. 4 hunters and a couple mule deer also gets interesting... But it is fun, reliable and erally easy to dig out if needed.
CJ Loaded with 6x6 bull.jpg


Our newest addition this past year. We will be building a better rear bumper/tire carrier system, a roof top rack for gear and a roof top tent... The first jeep my wife has owned and she loves it. We put on a ton of miles this fall in the JKU. It is like an atv with room. It will also be getting new gears front and rear and larger tires this next year...
JK.jpg

My other beast is a 72 K5. This one is a beast. Horse power, lockers, swampers, room, upgraded everything, it is a great ride as well. It is a ton of fun to drive etc.
k5 camp.jpg

K5.jpg

And of course, if I can fit an elk in the jeep. It can also fit in the K5...
k5 laoded.jpg


Lastly my son has bought his vehicle. We are getting ready to build. It is a 67 Wagon on a k5 frame. We are going to Lift it. The engine in the Blazer is going to his wagon, then we are putting a new engine I built into the blazer. Either way in about 2 years this wagon will absolutely be a prime hunting/off road rig...

Willy.jpg


So my dream hunting rigs are all here, but they are all never ending work. I have considered several times selling them and buying one ultimate rig. But I am not sure what that one ultimate rig would be... So I keep building and modifying each one a little at a time. It is also really nice going into the fall and winter with several rigs, that way when one breaks, I swap it out and still hunt.
 
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.

20230710_194352.jpg
 
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.

View attachment 162871
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.
 
Wish I had my mule still. He was a packin machine. He packed out all 4 elk quarters and a head and then some more at once. I would rather have this mule then some pricey vechicle .

Meet Fred. Bears didnt bother him one bit. But the smell of blood was his weakness. Had a few blow outs in the day. Usaully just stuffed some blood in his nose and let him have a small rodeo and all was good
Screenshot_20241105_095831_Facebook.jpg
 
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.
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
 
An Earth Roamer would be pretty cool if you had a million bucks burning a hole in your pocket.
Screen Shot 2024-11-05 at 10.35.40 AM.png

 
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.
 
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🤣
 

Click-a-Pic ... Details & Bigger Photos
Back
Top Bottom