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Need some ideas
Posted: Thu Jun 03, 2010 5:56 pm
by hntr4life
I have an '85 Toyota 4x4 p/u and I'm looking for ideas on setting up a good bear hunting rig. It's a long wheel base reg. cab that my wife wrecked a few years back. She fell asleep on the way home from work and smashed the cab up pretty bad, but I bought an '86 to swap cabs. Anybody need '86 parts? Any info will help as this will be my first dogbox/strictly hunting rig. Thanks
Re: Need some ideas
Posted: Thu Jun 03, 2010 9:39 pm
by Patrick
Here is what I would do with your 85 longbed.
Put a detroit soft locker in the rear axle, I have one in my 86 and it is good.
Put a detroit "tru trac" limited slip in the front axle, I have one in my 86 and it is good.
Put dual transfer cases in it. I am still dreaming about doing this to my 86. You have both the transfer cases you need to do this, an early on and an older one. Look at the marlincrawler website.
Run stock or 30 inch tires like BFG Mudterrains. I need a new set.
Good simple bumpers front and rear that will save the truck and that you can use the high lift jack on. I have these on both my trucks and they save me all the time.
Lights under the truck for looking for tracks, switches inside. Add a backup flood light and switch while you are at it.
Don't spend a whole lot of money on having the fanciest alum dog box like a lot are doing now, the dogs don't care, it is all for show, and it won't help you get back and forth to the woods or catch game. Spend your money on gas.
Carry and be able to lock up well in some kind of tool box, two sets of chains, handyman, comealong, rope, chain, adequate hand tools, axe, etc.
And most important of all, make sure the running gear is in the best shape you can and as dependable as you can keep it. The most important issue with a truck is that it is running at the end of the day so you can go again the next instead of having to fix it. Leave the engine stock and don't mess with success.
Lastly and something I still would like to do is mount a winch on the front. But with some common sense, tire chains, handyman, and a shovel, I have found I can pretty much keep myself from needing a winch.
Re: Need some ideas
Posted: Thu Jun 03, 2010 11:32 pm
by hntr4life
Thanks for the ideas Patrick, the side lights are a good idea. My work truck has lights on the side of the bed, but I never really thought about putting them on my hunting rig. Thanks again, Dan