Alternative to a SXS for a hunting rig - '83 pickup?

[tominboise]

I need a new hunting rig. Something with a cab and a heater. I used to have a Yamaha Rhino, which could go about anywhere and haul two guys with all their gear and a moose, but no heater and not much wind protection. This year I bought a Polaris ATV, which could go about anywhere, but zero heat and little cargo capacity. I sold it a few days ago.

New SXS with cabs and heaters are $20-40k, which is way out of my ball park. The classic answer would be a Jeep TJ or similar, which I am looking for. But an alternative popped up semi locally which I am strongly considering.

This happens to be a 1983 ( one of which I bought new in 1983, btw). SXS are undoubtedly faster but I am not in a speed race. Rather I need something that can go about anywhere on a rough two track, reliably, and has some room for equipment, and a heater. I would put lockers in both ends. It also needs a winch and a few other doo dads.

I may look at this one over the holidays. This one is a few hours from me and has had some work done, like the head rebuilt, timing set replaced, etc and the owner painted it with bedliner (unfortunately, IMO). The 22R engine is pretty rock solid.

A TJ probably makes more sense, but maybe not. It is probably easier / cheaper to find parts for a Jeep than the 41 year old Toyota truck.

 

[aztoyman]

Man that looks like a clean 1st gen. Parts are definitely getting harder to find and more expensive when you do. If everything has been done and it's reliable as is, it looks like it would work for you. A regular bed might have been better. You could add a shell if needed.

A TJ doesn't give you much cargo capacity. And what you get is INSIDE with you. Good for guns and gear, bad for stinky dead animal. IDK what they cost to buy but you would definitely have more parts selection and availability. You have hard top or soft top options and door options with a Jeep.

I'm looking forward to see what you end up with.

 

[gnob]

id take the mini over any jeep every single day. the only downside imo is no efi.

 

[jakerudy]

In 1992 I bought a used '89 PU as a daily driver. After a number of reliable years it became my farm Gator, wood hauler, and hunting rig. It has been used hard and owes me nothing if it turns into a pile of dust. A new SxS would be nice but I just can't bring myself to spend that kind of cash and treat it the way I need to. Can't remember the last time it was street legal and I still get an occasional offer to buy it. I figure that says something.

 

[cruiserpilot]

Here in the soaking wet slippery mountains of BC way back in the bush in the most hardcore get to spots there is
only one truck that rules - only one truck is seen beating and getting beat over the craziest of trails,. And they all start
with that exact truck ^^^^^^ Long before SXS became the bane of the backcountry world, noisy obnoxious
things the Toyota Mini ruled. Get a good set of mud tires and enjoy hot coffee in a cab with a heater. Others
will envy you! I'm the only guy in my circle of friends across 2 provinces who actually hasn't owned one.

 

[tominboise]

Is the parts supply something to be concerned about? Looking about on line, it seems like there is a good assortment of mechanical parts available. Interior bits are less prevalent. I don't really know. If there is an enthusiast community like this one, it helps.
I'm going to call the guy today. He's asking $10k.
His description on FBMP:
"1983 toyota pickup, flat bed, with two sets of side racks, 4x4 5 speed manual, two sets of tires and rims, 1 set new, New paint, all good glass, 4cyl 22R, weber carb, new oil and temp gauges, new radiator, water pump, hoses and belts, head and valves done, new oil pump, timeing chain, and cover internal parts. Rear air shocks, all above parts and labor in the last year approx, 7k no rust, very solid truck."

 

[aztoyman]

Sounds like it's ready to go. Take it for a cruise and make sure everything works. It will be gone soon.

 

[cruiserpilot]

Is the parts supply something to be concerned about? Looking about on line, it seems like there is a good assortment of mechanical parts available. Interior bits are less prevalent. I don't really know. If there is an enthusiast community like this one, it helps.
I'm going to call the guy today. He's asking $10k.
His description on FBMP:
"1983 toyota pickup, flat bed, with two sets of side racks, 4x4 5 speed manual, two sets of tires and rims, 1 set new, New paint, all good glass, 4cyl 22R, weber carb, new oil and temp gauges, new radiator, water pump, hoses and belts, head and valves done, new oil pump, timeing chain, and cover internal parts. Rear air shocks, all above parts and labor in the last year approx, 7k no rust, very solid truck."

Parts?? You must be kidding. Ever heard of Marlin Crawler?? I'm being facetious now, get everything you could ever need.
This is one of those ' BE first ' or out of luck if it's what you want. We never see rust free any more. That's a nice little rig.
There are even rust free boxes out there still to be found.

 

[tominboise]

I talked with the owner today. He is the second owner and the rig has around 125k miles on it. He had the timing set and cover replaced and the head gone through as the chain had rubbed through a water passage. According to him, the truck interior is in good condition with the exception of the dash pad, which has some cracks. The truck is in good mechanical condition and the 4WD works with no issues (His words, I haven't seen it in person yet). I am pretty excited about it and am going to look at it after Thanksgiving. He is 81 years old and sounds like a good guy. He has been fending off guys who want to turn it into a rock crawler.

It seems like $10k is an OK price - any thoughts on that?

 

[msahr]

I talked with the owner today. He is the second owner and the rig has around 125k miles on it. He had the timing set and cover replaced and the head gone through as the chain had rubbed through a water passage. According to him, the truck interior is in good condition with the exception of the dash pad, which has some cracks. The truck is in good mechanical condition and the 4WD works with no issues (His words, I haven't seen it in person yet). I am pretty excited about it and am going to look at it after Thanksgiving. He is 81 years old and sounds like a good guy. He has been fending off guys who want to turn it into a rock crawler.

It seems like $10k is an OK price - any thoughts on that?

So, did you buy the truck? $10k may be a little high, but no rust and all that work done does make it a better deal.

 

[tominboise]

So, did you buy the truck? $10k may be a little high, but no rust and all that work done does make it a better deal.

Not yet, I have been busy with the holiday season and traveling. In the meantime a nice 1992 showed up, with 51k miles on it, for the same price. Basically stock from the looks of it, albeit with some aftermarket stereo in it. The EFI, pickup box and low miles make it attractive. I feel like I'd have to do a SAS to make the universe right. So now I am arguing inside my head about both of them.

 

[msahr]

51k miles? On a 92? Unless it's on fire and or really bad rusty that sounds pretty good.

 

[tominboise]

51k miles? On a 92? Unless it's on fire and or really bad rusty that sounds pretty good.

No rust. The Clear coat is failing like most toyota's. But yeah, 51k miles has me attracted.

 

[Manhattan]

51k miles? On a 92? Unless it's on fire and or really bad rusty that sounds pretty good.

Right?! That was me when I came across my '84 with 58,000 miles. No rust and crazy low miles. It had to be bought. I'd figure out what to do with it later.

Someone help me out. I don't own, have never owned, have never driven or ridden in an SXS. But, they're all over the trails (and campgrounds... at 3am) like jet skis on a busy lake. So, there has to be a reason they're popular. I just don't see it.

Didn't these things morph from the old 3-wheeled ATV, then 4-wheeled ATV, then side-by-side? Now they're the size and price of small 4x4 trucks (which already existed!)... except that they're not street legal, so there's a trailer, tow rig...

What am I missing?

 

[gnob]

Right?! That was me when I came across my '84 with 58,000 miles. No rust and crazy low miles. It had to be bought. I'd figure out what to do with it later.

Someone help me out. I don't own, have never owned, have never driven or ridden in an SXS. But, they're all over the trails (and campgrounds... at 3am) like jet skis on a busy lake. So, there has to be a reason they're popular. I just don't see it.

Didn't these things morph from the old 3-wheeled ATV, then 4-wheeled ATV, then side-by-side? Now they're the size and price of small 4x4 trucks (which already existed!)... except that they're not street legal, so there's a trailer, tow rig...

What am I missing?

trendy assholes. second worst use of money behind rvs.

 

[Devils Paw 80]

Not yet, I have been busy with the holiday season and traveling. In the meantime a nice 1992 showed up, with 51k miles on it, for the same price. Basically stock from the looks of it, albeit with some aftermarket stereo in it. The EFI, pickup box and low miles make it attractive. I feel like I'd have to do a SAS to make the universe right. So now I am arguing inside my head about both of them.

Dealz. What engine does it have? Either way I'd probably get that over the '83. Would not have make it SAS. The high trac IFS is stout.

 

[Mudder]

A lot of the SXSs around where I live are street legal and registered as such. I think for the average consumer who wants an off road ready rig they’re pretty good. Not everyone has the ability to build something or pay someone else to build it for them.

 

[tominboise]

Dealz. What engine does it have? Either way I'd probably get that over the '83. Would not have make it SAS. The high trac IFS is stout.

it is the 4 cylinder, 5 speed standard cab, short box. I have included the link to the ad.

Toyota pickup

 

[tominboise]

Right?! That was me when I came across my '84 with 58,000 miles. No rust and crazy low miles. It had to be bought. I'd figure out what to do with it later.

Someone help me out. I don't own, have never owned, have never driven or ridden in an SXS. But, they're all over the trails (and campgrounds... at 3am) like jet skis on a busy lake. So, there has to be a reason they're popular. I just don't see it.

Didn't these things morph from the old 3-wheeled ATV, then 4-wheeled ATV, then side-by-side? Now they're the size and price of small 4x4 trucks (which already existed!)... except that they're not street legal, so there's a trailer, tow rig...

What am I missing?

Beyond all the trail riders in them, SXS will go pretty much anywhere. They are used by ranchers out west as work vehicles. I think a well built small pickup would go 90% of the places a SXS can make it. Where the SXS & ATV shine IMO is going up/down impossibly steep trails when covered in snow/ice/mud. The lower CG makes them more stable in those condition.

 

[Devils Paw 80]

it is the 4 cylinder, 5 speed standard cab, short box. I have included the link to the ad.

Toyota pickup

Thanks. Yeah, I wonder if that mileage is accurate because the front bench seat upholstery isn't original. Also the fender flares are add ons that could be hiding fender rust. Maybe not, considering the location. Also I'd be concerned that the lift would make it less durable, more prone to axle and steering problems. But perhaps you'd find it a benefit for your applications and wouldn't mind dealing with any potential issues that could arise.