The never-ending hunting rig project

[kentucky yeti]

This 1988 Jeep has sat for most of its life. I'm the 3rd owner. The original buyer took a new Jeep and started modifying it, and after dumping $$$ and time in it, he left it sitting in his shop. Year later, my neighbor bought it. He did very little to it- just some small things. He also has his old 1977 F-250 Highboy 400/4-speed time capsule with period correct Cyclone wheels, chrome rollbar and KC HiLites, and 66xxx actual miles sitting in his barn when he just quit driving it in the mid/late 80's (I have tried to buy it for the past 20+ years with no luck). It looks great inside and outside. Anyway, I picked this up a while back, and hope to keep doing a few small things to it. And yes, that is the original, working odometer. Boy, I had forgotten how rough the ride is on those short wheelbase vehicles LOL

 

[thinckley]

Just before my son turned 16 (2 years ago) I was on the search for a decent vehicle for him to have so he could get to school, work, and soccer. Came across this:

1996 Ram 1500, only 100k miles on it. The second owner bought the truck 22 years ago, drove it for a few months, then went into government service overseas, he drained the fuel and parked it in a climate controlled storage unit.... for 20 years. He finally sold it to his best friend who went through everything, made sure it was running right, put a 5" lift on it, then decided he didn't have the money to "finish" it.

Haven't done anything with it, but drive it, since we got it, but I feel this would be a great hunting truck. Things I would like to do to it:

• Roll bar with lights and a winch (rear facing to help drag big elk into the bed)
• Replace the bumpers with beefier ones (and a second winch in the front)
• Rhino liner for the bed, bumpers, and rocker panels

We used it last year for the elk hunt, and even though we did not get anything, the short bed and standard cab made that truck a lot more manageable and maneuverable.

 

[XUSNORDIE]

Yeti if you are a taller type guy look into Big Boy brackets from MISCH Off-Road....best mod I put on my Jeep.

 

[Jeepnik]

My Jeep has been up and down, over (only once) and out.

Currently it has a modest 2+" lift and sits on KO2's. What I have found in the last 43 years is this. You can have too much of a good thing (too high is too top heavy).

The secret to modifying a vehicle is sit down and decide what you want. Don't just start buying stuff and putting it on.

The only other thing is but the best parts you can. I have tube bumpers and nerf bars that have been on since 1982. On the other hand I have had components that either failed or were just plain junk that lasted only an outing or two.

But here is the biggest secret of all. Ignore every word you read in Jeep rags.

 

[Joe Chartreuse]

Just before my son turned 16 (2 years ago) I was on the search for a decent vehicle for him to have so he could get to school, work, and soccer. Came across this:
View attachment 96766
1996 Ram 1500, only 100k miles on it. The second owner bought the truck 22 years ago, drove it for a few months, then went into government service overseas, he drained the fuel and parked it in a climate controlled storage unit.... for 20 years. He finally sold it to his best friend who went through everything, made sure it was running right, put a 5" lift on it, then decided he didn't have the money to "finish" it.

Haven't done anything with it, but drive it, since we got it, but I feel this would be a great hunting truck. Things I would like to do to it:

• Roll bar with lights and a winch (rear facing to help drag big elk into the bed)
• Replace the bumpers with beefier ones (and a second winch in the front)
• Rhino liner for the bed, bumpers, and rocker panels

We used it last year for the elk hunt, and even though we did not get anything, the short bed and standard cab made that truck a lot more manageable and maneuverable.

If it had the long bed it would be a twin to my '92 GMC 2500, except the paint on yours is beautiful.

 

[kentucky yeti]

Yeti if you are a taller type guy look into Big Boy brackets from MISCH Off-Road....best mod I put on my Jeep.

Thanks! Unfortunately, this already has Corbeau front and rear seats- high dollar stuff ( I know because I put them in my wife's '69 Firebird 400). And that's when I found out that they have propietary seat frames and you have to order the seat lower frame/tracks from them for whatever you are putting them in. Since all that is already installed, and the seats are really comfortable, I can't afford right now to start over. Who knows- this may not be around long. I'll have to drive it a while and see if it and me get along.

My Jeep has been up and down, over (only once) and out.

Currently it has a modest 2+" lift and sits on KO2's. What I have found in the last 43 years is this. You can have too much of a good thing (too high is too top heavy).

The secret to modifying a vehicle is sit down and decide what you want. Don't just start buying stuff and putting it on.

The only other thing is but the best parts you can. I have tube bumpers and nerf bars that have been on since 1982. On the other hand I have had components that either failed or were just plain junk that lasted only an outing or two.

But here is the biggest secret of all. Ignore every word you read in Jeep rags.

Great advice for a novice like me! I think the 4" lift on it is way too much for this guy and his wife (and I am 6 feet). Still a long stretch for my legs to get in it. As for BFG KO2's, that is all I run on my trucks. Best tire ever. This has 33/12.50-15 Mickey Thompson mud-cleated tires that are loud and rough. If I keep this, I will trade them in on a set of KO's for sure.

 

[peachhead]

I have always wanted a Jeep!
I see you have an ejector seat
Or is that red button just there to make people ask questions?

 

[kentucky yeti]

I have always wanted a Jeep!
I see you have an ejector seat
Or is that red button just there to make people ask questions?

Front differential lock. The factory vacuum split axle locks are prone to fail. This is a popular upgrade for the front end.

 

[Jeepnik]

Front differential lock. The factory vacuum split axle locks are prone to fail. This is a popular upgrade for the front end.

ARB for the win on this one. Plus if you get the right compressor (a dual) you have a good source of onboard air. Combined with an inflation set up you can air both up and down evenly quickly.

 

[Mobuck]

I don't have a 'hunting rig'. I just remove some of the farming junk from the cab of the K3500 to make room for hunting stuff. During deer season, the big 300# tool box is unloaded to make space for the deer loading winch and that's it. Cab space is a bit limited but I have room for at least 5-6 deer carcasses in the bed. Durability and 'off-road' capability are no problem.

 

[XUSNORDIE]

Agree on ARB. Just all of my recovery gear is ARB. I order a lot from TrailRecon. They have super fast shipping. The owner Brad is a retired Navy Master Chief. He has a pretty cool YouTube channel.

 

[kentucky yeti]

ARB for the win on tis one. Plus if you get the right compressor (a dual) you have a good source of onboard air. Combined with an inflation set up you can air both up and down evenly quickly.

After I go through things and do several small items that just was never finished : like ordering a set of door locks that all use the same key- $60 for the set), hooking up the new (now old LOL) stereo he installed, putting in a larger electric fan, or more likely, a stock mechanical fan- as this one will run up to 215° he said, when idling for a long time. Change the fluids, inspect brakes, etc... just things that will give me peace of mind knowing they are good to go. Then I will see if we need a 6th vehicle just sitting around or if it is one that we would enjoy now and then. If I do keep it, the 4WD improvements would be upgraded front axle, and ARB air lockers front and rear, with the dual onboard compressor. Time will tell if we enjoy this, to go along with my 2015 F150 SuperCrew 4x4, her 2025 Explorer Platinum 4x4, my 1978 F-250 4x4, the 1977 Special Edition Trans Am, and the 2002 WS6 Trans Am.

I don't have a 'hunting rig'. I just remove some of the farming junk from the cab of the K3500 to make room for hunting stuff. During deer season, the big 300# tool box is unloaded to make space for the deer loading winch and that's it. Cab space is a bit limited but I have room for at least 5-6 deer carcasses in the bed. Durability and 'off-road' capability are no problem.

This was bought in 1988 to be made into an offroader/hunting rig. It just never was finished. Like in many cases, the dream of accomplishment is more fun than the reality of labor, time and money. My hunting rig is my 2015 F150. It goes (very slowly in low-lock) through the Rockies down an old trail from when mule trains were going through. The last 9 miles of trail takes 2 hours and 15 minutes, averaging 4 mph, and sometimes for a few seconds able to hit 10 mph! It has always been dependable with no issues- knock on wood- in the last 216,xxx miles I've put on it. And averages 18.8 mpg around here. >12 mpg on the mountain trail. I just have a 2.5" lift and 33" tires on it so I do have to be careful and crawl over a few big rocks on the trail. Hopefully, I can bring out an elk and a muley. I just applied for my tags yesterday. I have a few points but probably won't get any tag, let alone both tags, this year. But I'll still be there camping for two weeks and hunting small game if I don't get a tag.

 

[thinckley]

I just applied for my tags yesterday. I have a few points but probably won't get any tag, let alone both tags, this year. But I'll still be there camping for two weeks and hunting small game if I don't get a tag.

Where did you put in?

 

[Jeepnik]

Heck, I have "finished" my Jeep at least a dozen times. I must admit that after 40+ years I am satisfied. Well, I do have a couple of things I might tinker with.

 

[kentucky yeti]

Where did you put in?

551. Sargents area this year. It’s a little easier for one of my friends to get to and out of (in case of emergency. He has serious health issues but wants to camp with us one more time). Back to Gunnison next year. My favorite spot.

Heck, I have "finished" my Jeep at least a dozen times. I must admit that after 40+ years I am satisfied. Well, I do have a couple of things I might tinker with.

Id like some pics sometime if you don’t mind. Also, any tips you have. I don’t want a rock crawler- just enough to do some mountain trails without breaking stuff lol

 

[Randyzzz]

Rescue Green- one of my favorite colors. Commando Green and F8 Green are my other favorites.


Looks like you got a great one there. Enjoy it!

 

[XUSNORDIE]

I don’t want a rock crawler- just enough to do some mountain trails without breaking stuff lol

That's exactly what I do these days. Easy mountain fire/logging roads mostly. If we go to a dedicated off road area I stick to the green trails. I only have a 1.5 lift and 33's and that is fine with me. Even when some green trails have a blue obstacle I take the bypass. My Jeep will need to be my daily driver when I retire in a couple months. Don't need to be busting things up....both on the Jeep and me.

I had my time off roading in the West/Deserts and East/Forests in hopped up Jeeps/Pick ups/VWs/Sand Rails/Dirt Bikes/ATVs.....now my speed is to just cruise fire roads to a fishing hole. The Jeep folks I go with now are the same mindset....easy going trail rides. Easy on the Jeep and us.

Talk of a club having night Poker Runs....I'm adding some old school KCs for ditch lights.

 

[Tuluk]

Here’s my hunting rig. ‘99 Tacoma 4x4 manual. I think they’re some of the best little off road trucks ever made.
I build the flatbed to hold my dog boxes during hunt season and usually pull it off over the summer and just drive it around town to keep it I running condition. We’ve had some adventures

 

[Killer Bee]

hunting, fishing, camping, overlanding, offroading, etc. all seem to be better the more difficult they are to access.

the more challenging spots usually have less people, except for commercially sponsored events like the rubicon, score, etc. and even those places thin out drastically when the celebrities are gone.

I bought this '98 Amigo from Bob Land in '02 right after it claimed the class 7 championship. never competed in anything other than poker runs. just an offroad toy, and it got me up into some great outdoor spots. not a lot of cargo and only 1 pax but it sure would take you just about anywhere. it was imported untitled for factory r&d but with a couple of letters I was able to get a ca offroad title and green sticker.

sold it after about 12 years for something(s) bigger. racing harnesses hurt Mrs. Bee's ( . ) ( . ) and with a couple of kids the two-seater just didn't make sense anymore.

72 GMC K1500 and 71 Chevy K20 three-door suburbans support a whole lot more offroad activities with the exception of racing which I really don't have any interest in, at least not self-sponsered.

great for hunting and fishing gear, dogs, partners, harvest, etc. all under cover. modest lift and decent tires will get these things as far into the wild as I need to go these days.

Fritz in the middle row, helping me scout deer signs last year.