20 replies to this topic

[sxshooter]

Anyone use a AWD or 4WD van for their hunt vehicle?

[ShooterJohn]

Aren't most 4WD vans aftermarket conversions?

[dirtgimp]

the 2 top conversion companies are Quigley & Sportsmobile . . . .

both quality compaines . . . . .

[DirtyDave]

If I could afford one, I would have one. They are friggen badazz. Would be good with the dogs too.
I do like my Excrusion though.

[Jason]

I thought this thread was going to be about shoes. I'm so dissapointed.

[sxshooter]

Sorry Jason. We can start another thread on shoes.

I've seen the Sportsmobiles and their site. $17K for the conversion on top of a mid $30k's van. GMC makes a 1500 AWD van that the AWD is a $3500 option. So, a fully loaded AWD GMC is high $30k's but discounts give about $5k. I don't think I'm ready to spring for a Quigley or Sportsmobile.

I'm just not sure I want one yet. I'm still wondering if AWD will do what I need. It's like putting my truck in "AUTO" with no 4Hi or 4 Lo or 2Hi for that matter. It seems to be the same driveline as the Denali trucks/suv but with only a 5.3L engine.

I think I'm going to find a dealer with a 2 wd van and drive it and kick tires to see if I like the idea of a van. Might be too much estrogen for me.

[DirtyDave]

I had a 2wd Chevy van in High School. Worked well for camping and going dirtbike riding. Always wished it was 4wd though.
The Van may have had something to do with my nickname....

[Bisley]

n
The Van may have had something to do with my nickname....

You probably should have washed it then

[sxshooter]

I think he was implying it got above average service.

[dirtgimp]

there is a place in UT called UJOINT offroad , they sell a did it yourself kit .
the best mail order kit on the market .

also i wouldn't go with a new van , mid 90's ford with a 7.3L 3/4 ton .

just my

[86mcss]

A local hunter has a 4x4 ford diesel van that is lifted. pretty cool hunting rig if you ask me. he has it all decked out and was told it gets 18mpg.

[BearWhoHunts]

My buddies and I have hunted in one of the toyota 4wd vans and they are great. It handles better than all of our trucks and there is space for everything. The only problem is all the other hunters flag us down to have a look. There is also a removable sun/moon roof on his so you can stick your whole body out of the top which is handy for all kinds of things (hanging food, climbing trees, elevated viewing, etc). We all beg him to bring it everytime we go hunting. Three guys on a bench seat in a little toyota or 4 dudes in a jeep is a lot less comfy than the van.

If I find myself an affordable toyota 4wd van I am going to scoop it up. Rumor has it you can switch out the engines for a propane forklift motor - how cool is that?

Also, the van gets comparable gas mileage to the toyota 4x4 with a 22re. The major downfall is the fact that the engine is hard to access.

[rude robert]

I didn't know they still made the 22re. That was a good engine

[UNLICENSE_HUNTER]

My Dad has a 96 Astro van with the AWD option. too bad I never got to try it out. he was told that he would save more gas if it switch it to 2wd and he did ....

I have allways wonder about a van. when I was growing up he(my dad) owned a 80 dodge van that he took everywhere can't remember if it was AWD or not.

[Deltadude]

Vanagon Syncro 4x4!  that sucker rocks!  You can shoot from the pop top too!

[ShooterJohn]

You can shoot from the pop top too!

 Not in California you can't.

[sxshooter]

 Not in California you can't.

 

 

That's a fact.  An ol friend and his old brother were up in the Sierras above Visalia about 20 yrs ago, hunting deer with lever guns...mainly stumbling around the forest.  They had parked their jeep off the side of the forest road.  When they returned to the jeep, my friend set the butt of his rifle on the ground with the muzzle against the tire. A F&G truck pulled up with two officers.  One checked the rifle and it was loaded.  He wrote up my friend for a loaded weapon in a vehicle.  My friend went to court and lost (I couldn't believe it).

[KNOCKED UP]

That's a fact. An ol friend and his old brother were up in the Sierras above Visalia about 20 yrs ago, hunting deer with lever guns...mainly stumbling around the forest. They had parked their jeep off the side of the forest road. When they returned to the jeep, my friend set the butt of his rifle on the ground with the muzzle against the tire. A F&G truck pulled up with two officers. One checked the rifle and it was loaded. He wrote up my friend for a loaded weapon in a vehicle. My friend went to court and lost (I couldn't believe it).

 

If your gun is touching the vehicle anywhere,

and it is loaded, they will site you.

They are more interested in busting anyone for anything,

rather than being helpful.

Tom

[bzzrd feedr]

I use to use a Suburban 4X4, had a 1978 with a big block in it that would pass or tow anything on the road except a gas station. Then I got a 95 Suburban that was a little better on fuel but had the panel doors instead of the tailgate. My old Lab couldn't resist skunks and those panel doors don't let airflow like the power rear window. Went down the next day and bought a 97 4 door powerstroke 4X4 pickup  to eliminate future skunk encounters causing me great discomfort inside the vehicle. Never will I have a hunting rig that doesn't have a separate spot for the dogs. 

[OrneryOlMofo357]

Bzzrd... I loved My "Burban" 4X4 limited slip, 454, It was great! But as you said that 8MPG and at todays prices would be $160 per fill up! But I sure loved driving it!

[sxshooter]

  reminds me of a friend that flew his Piper Camanche 260 to S. Dakota for a pheasant hunt with us.  He had a new GSP that got into a skunk.  Even though they washed the dog in all kinds of stuff, the dog stunk.  He said when he flew home, the dog would fart a terrible skunk smell. 

... Went down the next day and bought a 97 4 door powerstroke 4X4 pickup  to eliminate future skunk encounters causing me great discomfort inside the vehicle. ...