Jeep as a hunting rig?

[Downhill]

My wife manages an auto repair shop, if the jeep is a model after the CJ's she will recomend not purchasing one. The newer models have various wiring issues. Her mechanics hate to see them come in the shop.

 

[jds holler]

I no longer have a "huntin truck" like I used to have. We, my wife and I, got kind of hung up on Jeep Cherokees for the last 25 years, and during that time have had ummm 4 of em. Three XJ's and one Grand Cherokee.
I've never modified one of them more than just putting the biggest and bestest tires that would fit, and have worked them pretty hard. We've crawled across the scab rock and stuffed elks in the back of them. I'd still love to build one with mo-betta off-road features, but they aint bad just the way they came. The 4.0 six, is the best. I think they may be a thing of the past, but I've still got a '98' that I might keep for my old man project. jd

 

[JFrank]

I no longer have a "huntin truck" like I used to have. We, my wife and I, got kind of hung up on Jeep Cherokees for the last 25 years, and during that time have had ummm 4 of em. Three XJ's and one Grand Cherokee.
I've never modified one of them more than just putting the biggest and bestest tires that would fit, and have worked them pretty hard. We've crawled across the scab rock and stuffed elks in the back of them. I'd still love to build one with mo-betta off-road features, but they aint bad just the way they came. The 4.0 six, is the best. I think they may be a thing of the past, but I've still got a '98' that I might keep for my old man project. jd

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Those are terrific hunting rigs !!!

 

[nakneker]

I’ve had several Tacomas, great little trucks. I’ve had three jeeps. If you do buy a Jeep I’d definitely recommend a Rubicon if your in areas with steep grades and where you need the clearance. Our current 2017 Rubicon has the bigger engine they went to that year, I think it was a gain of 80 HP, night and day difference from our 2014 sport. When the Rubicon is in four low it can crawl up places many other vehicles simply can’t. I added a four inch lift, 35” tires, low gears (4:82), auxiliary lightning, winch and upgraded shocks all of which I will duplicate on my next one. The ride is great. The prior sport we left stock, clearance was lacking and you knew it when you need it, I wished for posi too many times and made sure I had it when bought the 2017.

Imo Jeeps suck for EDC use, especially if you’re traveling at speeds over 70 MPH, it’s basically a block on wheels, they are badly affected by crosswinds too. Gas mileage is good, power is sufficient. I was gonna go the V8 route in the next Jeep but I’m hearing about too many problems with them. All three of our jeeps have been reliable, never had an issue with any of them. Only Jeep I ever had problems with was CJ7 renegade 40 years ago but I wish I still had it.

As far as space they don’t have much. We use every bit of it when we go on weekend trips, especially if the dog is with us. I have other vehicles for daily drivers, this Jeep only has 41k and 30-40% of that is in dirt. I love my jeeps. When it’s too rough for that rubicon we use the razor, if it’s too rough for a razor your probably in a place you shouldn’t be in anyways. IMO jeeps a better choice for off-road than a Tacoma if they are set up right, Tacomas are far better for a daily driver.

 

[centerlineseal]

Old, ... but a Goody!

Two Goodies with a pair of military 1/4 tons behind.

 

[Tommie]

I'm a mechanic and wouldn't recommend a jeep to anyone. What I've seen They are very problematic. People love them even with their problems though.

Worked at two Jeep dealership service departments. I’d recommend just about anything else. Not trying to step on any toes of the true believers.

 

[nakneker]

Old, ... but a Goody!

Two Goodies with a pair of military 1/4 tons behind.

One of the greatest off road vehicles ever made! Nice!

 

[centerlineseal]

One of the greatest off road vehicles ever made! Nice!

Bought the green one 50 years ago this month, ... on its 3rd SBC.

Yellow one is my replacement as "Ol' Green" now belongs to my son.

 

[GetReal]

I’ve had several Tacomas... <snip>

REALLY helpful.

 

[Lefty2506]

I'm very used to the reliability of the toyota tacoma , but it's kind of big these days for a hunting truck , so i'm thinking of getting a jeep.... 2020+ for off road hunting vehicle or shooting at more remote thousand yard ranges.

The hard top seems to have enough room for rifles and gear for at least me if not one more person.

Any advice, as far as reliability or suitability for an off-road hunting/shooting vehicle ?

If you have one , how have you equipped it for those purposes ?


Edit to add:

I am deeply conflicted. My wife has a nice CR-V for trips and around town. This would be more a trails, shooting range, 1 mile drive to work vehicle.

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If your budget allows for the purchase of a 2020 jeep for a hunting rig, I don't think I'm qualified to give practical advice that you would find useful. I will say that everyone I know who has a Jeep product, wrenches on them regularly whether they need it or not. They are always either repairing or modifying something. Those who actually USE the jeeps offroad capability are constantly modding the drive train. Those who don't are constantly adding colorful accessories to make their vehicle look like its more capable than it is. Don't get me started on the stupid ducks. Somebody gave my buddy one so he put Xs on its eyes, tied a small noose, and hung it off the trailer hitch... For the described purpose, I'd probably be more prone to pick up a much older vehicle that can be repaired on the side of the road with a set of wrenches and a hammer. Take the savings and buy a 10 year old toyota or honda for a daily driver.

 

[ELR LVR]

I'm very used to the reliability of the toyota tacoma , but it's kind of big these days for a hunting truck , so i'm thinking of getting a jeep.... 2020+ for off road hunting vehicle or shooting at more remote thousand yard ranges.

The hard top seems to have enough room for rifles and gear for at least me if not one more person.

Any advice, as far as reliability or suitability for an off-road hunting/shooting vehicle ?

If you have one , how have you equipped it for those purposes ?


Edit to add:

I am deeply conflicted. My wife has a nice CR-V for trips and around town. This would be more a trails, shooting range, 1 mile drive to work vehicle.

View attachment 1733613

A buddy of mine seems to get a different vehicle every few years
so he has had Dodges, Ford, BMW's etc
one day he pulls up in a new little jeep
He is grinning from ear to ear, I dont know why, because he has had Jeeps, Samarai's etc
---
He says, drive it
So I hop in and go out to the highway
that little 4 banger shot up to 70mph in about 5 seconds
---
Gas 4 cyl / Turbo
THAT, I would get, because it has powder but also gets great Mileage

 

[ELR LVR]

I Bought a 2025 Tacoma I hated it and traded it for a 2026 Duramax. Here is why-

Too small, felt claustrophobic. No interior storage.
Poor MPG, only 18 vs 22-30 in the Duramax.
"Premium JBL stereo is garbage.
Double the towing.

Can't understand why anyone would buy a Tacoma. AND Toyota quality isn't what it used to be......

yes,
and their body is thinner than saran wrap(rusts out quickly, dents easily)
Honestly, another buddie has a Tesla Truck , Stainless Steel Body, Biohazard air filtration
drives itself, 650 HP, can run your house on its buiult in Battery and inverter
THAT, I would get, they may look ugly, but only on the outside, you spend most of your time inside

 

[ELR LVR]

Just wait a couple more weeks and get yourself a Toyota Hilux Champ 4WD, 2.4 Turbo Diesel manual trans for $12,000. Same price as a stripped down SXS!, I have my order form filled out waiting for them to land in the USA, I'm just afraid I may be waiting until never.

you got a link?

 

[DogBuster]

I'm a mechanic and wouldn't recommend a jeep to anyone. What I've seen They are very problematic. People love them even with their problems though.

Never owned a jeep and never will

Just

Empty

Every

Pocket….jeep

Second Gen Tacomas (‘05-14) are the boss

‘15 plus not so much

I’m the Toyoda reliability owner

As in this ‘01 LC with 364K miles..my oldest Yota

 

[pmg]

Where did you get that decal for your Tacoma? I’m at 330K on a 2011 2.7L stick. Frame is in great shape, a healthy dose of wool wax keeps it that way. It’s got a few buck scars on the tailgate from trying to load a few biggins by my self. Never tried a Jeep.

 

[riverside jeep]

you got a link?

Check out youtube, Search KIE trucks. My new love is the Suzuki, 1500cc, 5 speed , hi/low transfer case! And its a cab over design so you get more bed without the overall length.

 

[riverside jeep]

In a word NO. I have a pickup and a '21 JLUR and while the jeep is great at what it's good for, it won't replace my pickup for hunting season. Just not enough room if you're hauling camp and I like that I can put a whole elk in the back of the pickup if I want.

In a word NO. I have a pickup and a '21 JLUR and while the jeep is great at what it's good for, it won't replace my pickup for hunting season. Just not enough room if you're hauling camp and I like that I can put a whole elk in the back of the pickup if I want.

You say that like elk dont fit in a Jeep ? I will say it's a little tight fit.

 

[jxb]

ROFL, I didn't say it wouldn't fit but your pic pretty much says it all.

 

[jds holler]

That elk would fit in a Cherokee! And dang it, I wish I had the pictures. jd

 

[Lefty2506]

yes,
and their body is thinner than saran wrap(rusts out quickly, dents easily)
Honestly, another buddie has a Tesla Truck , Stainless Steel Body, Biohazard air filtration
drives itself, 650 HP, can run your house on its buiult in Battery and inverter
THAT, I would get, they may look ugly, but only on the outside, you spend most of your time inside

Honestly, I live in Indiana, and I can't remember the last time I saw a Toyota with any rust on it regardless of which vehicle platform you're talking about. Same for Honda's. I know when I was in high school (early 90s) the old Toyota trucks had a terrible rust problem, but anything built after 1990 seems to be impervious to rust, at least around here. I'm in central Indiana, and if you find a ford, Chevy, or Chrysler that's over 15 years old without any rust on it, its either from out of state or its spent most of its life in a garage. Its hard to find a truck over 15 years old that isn't completely rusted out. I'm pretty sure that Ford sprays their trucks down with saltwater and vinegar before they paint them just out of tradition.....

As far as not having cargo space, they do make these things called trailers. They are pretty cheap compared to the cost of vehicles and fuel, and they don't take much maintenance. They can admittedly be a pain in the rear in many true offroad scenarios, but they can haul an ATV or UTV and also be pulled by an ATV/UTV. Medium size ones can easily haul a jeep You can even rent them as needed if you only need one a couple times a year.

I get it. It would be great to have enough money to not drive what ever you wanted as a daily driver, but also have a +3/4 ton truck to tow with, an off road rock crawler to navigate "rough terrain with", a UTV to go cruzing in the mountains with, an ATV for when you want to feel the wind in what's left of your hair, a couple enough property to house all of it, a couple different size tractors to maintain said property, and a barn/building big enough to house all of it and still have enough room for a decent work shop to work on all this equipment. I'm not sure that any of us are in that position. I know that I'm not. It seems the "country life" has now become the in thing to the point that the only rich folks can afford to live that way.

I've heard the rumors that Toyota is going to be allowed to sell a Hi-Lux model in the US. That will be interesting. I doubt they will do it for $12k, but anything remotely close to that would be impressive. An capable offroad vehicle with a bed and decent fuel milage for less than the cost of a used UTV would be a game changer for sure. The UAW is going to hate it, or at least they should...