Well I have decided to part ways with my 2006 F150 because it has been causing me some headaches. The truck itself is awesome but between the payment, gas and insurance I have found myself having to pass on some opportunities to hunt and other things because there just wasn't enough money to go round after paying for everything else and sticking some in savings. Been looking at Late 90s Jeep Cherokees. From what I have read they are cheap and easy to work on and parts are super easy to find. Any of you guys use these as your primary hunting vehicle. What kind of obstacles do you run into with it? The only thing I can really think of is not having the open back may be kind of pain when loading a deer but I have seen it done before. That being said what do you like and not like about your current hunting vehicle? For me even though my truck is stock I still don't like how tall the tailgate is. I'm a tall, skinny, not really strong guy. Loading a deer by myself is tough job especially after a long drag. I can't imagine having a raised vehicle. Also, the worry of scratching and denting it up when I take it off road is another thing I'm not really happy about it but thats born out of it being a really nice vehicle. Would like to go to something that I maybe don't care so much about the looks of.
After driving pickups for 12 years I decided to buy a Chevy Trailblazor a few years ago. I really don't miss driving a pickup much if at all. When I go deer hunting I bring a hitch hauler and it is very easy to load a deer into.
I have a 99 Cherokee sport for hunting I love it. Has a 3 inch lift with 31's I just bring a tarp and load the deer in the back. Since it's just a hunting toy it doesn't bother me to get it messy. If you want to keep the inside clean def get a carrier that goes into your hitch. Mine has 140,xxx miles and still running strong.
That era Cherokee are cheap to get, and fix. But you will most likely have to fix it quite a bit. They are easy to work on, for sure, but you'll spend maintenance $$ on them, so factor that in. Watch out for high mileage from that era. try and find one either with low miles or that has had the motor swapped or rebuilt. As for hauling deer, get a hitch mounted rack. Many are rated to up to 500#. You can store it in the back of the SUV and bust it out if you get a deer. Another option would be to try and find a RAV4 from the same era. It'll cost a little more upfront, but will require less maintenance. Parts will be more expensive though. If you are capable & enjoy working on cars (or want to learn how) go with the Jeep, otherwise the Toyota is a good choice too (less capability off road, but better at the pumps). You officially have my to cents
Fitz- you are talking about a straight 6 right? I'm curious how much you have had to work on them? I've had several over the years and that is one of the best motors ever made IMO.
Agreed. The 4.2 and the 4.0 inlines are fantastic motors. Long runners & great low end torque. I have the 4.2 in my '78 CJ7. My sister had the 4.0 in her 98 Cherokee Sport. You have to be carefull with any 15-20 yo vehicle. Part of it IMO is that EFI & emmisions electronics can be fussy (had to replace a bunch on my sister's). Another thing is, many people that buy Jeeps are rough on them. In additioin, because they are easy to work on, people often do. And there are a lot of people that have no business modifying cars (my favorite was one of my old emloyees that made his own 3" shackle lifts for his buddy's YJ). Jeeps are great, you just have to know what you're getting into. ... this makes me want to go out in the garage and work on my baby. She's in rough shape...
My dad and I used to work on vehicles all the time so I am not really opposed to doing it and actually enjoy it. I have most of the tools and a shop at my disposal. Plus I have a friend that used to build rock climbing jeeps and still goes to local events so I am sure I could pick his brain if I needed to. My parents have a Trailblazer and thats actually what made me want a SUV type vehicle for hunting. Super nice to put all your stuff in out of the weather and locked up. May end up going that route as well. If I get an SUV I'll probably rip all the carpet and everything out and rhino line the entire inside that way I can just spray it out if it gets nasty. I just like the ruggedness and ease to work on the Cherokee. I have thought about the Rav 4 as well but haven't found one to really look at and see how I like it.
You'll be happy with a Jeep then. You could always get a Wrangler They're more upfront, but oh the possibilities Plus, topless on a warm summer day is hard to beat!
Frantic, I have a 99 Cherokee Sport, of course I only have 115000 miles on this thing. I've had my share of repairs on it, fuel pump, $750.....entire air diversion box in the dash, $750... then of course the standard water pumps, stabilizer shocks, those were nothing major...BUT...I've never hade to have any work done on the 4.0L engine thats in there, my mechanic calls it bulletproof, one of the better engines that Jeep (Chrysler) ever built. AS far as brakes, I do those myself, thats an easy DIY. Gas mileage isn't the best, about 20 on the highway on a good day, I estimate about 14-15 in the city, now if you put it into 4 wheel, I can see the gas gauge move down, LOL. Mine has treated me well thru the 11 years that I have owned it, I bought it used in 2001. As far as hauling deer, I used to throw them oin top of the roof, I've had three up there no problem, now I have a cargo carrier made from Stainless steel that some of my buddies made for me..
