HikeArizona.COM

What kind of vehicles do you guys all drive when your going hiking? Im thinking about investing in a 4wd high clearance Jeep or something of the sort so I could get to some places where I definitely couldnt get to with what Im driving now (73 mustang):) I saw a Jeep Grand Cherokee today for $2600 and I was thinking about checking it out. What "hiking vehicle" is easiest to drive and which gets the best gas mileage (even though I know most wouldnt be too fuel efficient.)

big_load wrote: ↑May 13 2023 8:15 pm

big_load wrote: ↑May 10 2023 8:36 pm

Alston_Neal wrote: ↑May 10 2023 8:30 pm @big_load
Let the modifying begin.

I'm starting small. This weekend I'll try to install a pair of front recovery points. That may cure me of wanting to do much else for a while. At least I'll be doing it before the bottom is covered with crud to drop in my face while I'm trying to work.

The recovery points are installed. Now I have to remember where I hid the HAZ decal that I set aside for my retirement vehicle.

I found my HAZ decal! I guess there's a benefit to housecleaning after all. Now to figure out where it belongs.

My project this weekend is spray painting my rooftop basket. I also have the materials ready for my sleeping platform, including the carpet glue. I met with the tire guy last week and I'll probably get them ordered this month.

Finally! (I have an appointment with the tire guy tomorrow).

Forgot to note that before my neighbors fled north I got to drive their Rivian pickup. Very space age y for a troglodyte like me. Even got to drive down a dirt road near the house but nothing real off road. As I thought the vehicle itself is super nice but the drive down ( from montana) they estimated took a full day longer due to charging station availability. While it's all mapped out when you arrive, for example, only 2 of the 6 listed stations are working. Or there is a line. Or it's not near where you need to go ( in fact they did not go to a place they also own in Payson due to time line and charging station availability.) You suffer from "range anxiety" apparently a thing for some EV owners.
If I live long enough to enter the arena I still think I would like a hybrid if that is even going to be an option. And I don't want to pay that much money for the local "grocery getter".

Check out how "This Subaru Conquers Hells Revenge" near Moab.

@RedRoxx44
There was a guy I keep in touch with that did video for a Rivian group that did a 4x4 run. He drove it and liked the handling and pick up on road, but most of them look like they struggled on fairly easy off road obstacles. Also, they come with super light wimpy tires which most that actually drive off highway replace significantly reducing their range. I did see one of the SUV’s at the expo last year and it seemed pretty well designed. Like you said a little spendy for a grocery getter, but most of the third row seat vehicles are in that ball park.

I saw some news blip where Toyota is supposedly coming out with a solid state battery that will get over 700 miles range and charge in 10 minutes. That could be a game changer if it's reliable and not going to make those vehicles that have it super expensive.

First flying electric car headed to US dealerships.

https://electrek.co/2023/07/25/worlds-f ... %2Fscience

With the 2007 4Runner rapidly approaching 250,000 miles I had half-heartedly been researching a possible replacement only to spot a you gotta check this one out, and I mean NOW! vehicle:

2018 4Runner TRD Off Road @57,000 miles with a shiny new set of 285/70 R17 Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac tires.

At the modest rate of miles I drive a year it may be 20 years before it approaches the quarter-million miles of the '07.
That said... the chicken/egg question may be:

Will the 4Runner 'live' until I'm 93?
Will I even live to see 93?

I'm hoping for a yes on both accounts.
Now I gotta dig up a few more HAZ decals... I should still have 2 or 3 around here somewhere, just gotta find them.

That looks like a great find.

Massive rumor alert. Toyota bringing the Land Cruiser back; there is a small SUV nicknamed the Compact Cruiser, an EV and AWD that may make it into production. Supposedly may look a lot like the FJ cruiser. We will see.

@RedRoxx44
Not a rumor... https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a4469 ... -revealed/

@The_Eagle
The Land Cruiser yes, the other vehicle is the one I am interested in. Toyota says it's keeping the 4 runner but it's SUV line might be getting crowded.


Funny description of the New Land Cruiser---" An FJ and a 4Runner had a baby while fantasizing about an old land cruiser, then put a corolla motor in it. The END."

RedRoxx44 wrote: ↑Aug 13 2023 12:52 pm @The_Eagle
The Land Cruiser yes, the other vehicle is the one I am interested in. Toyota says it's keeping the 4 runner but it's SUV line might be getting crowded.

Yeah, the speculation is all over the place, but nobody seems happy with the engine/motor possibilities. Their SUV line seems crowded to me already.

I would have liked a 70s era Land Cruiser as a second vehicle. The modern one is too big. By the way, I'm in Scotland right now, drooling over the vintage Land Rover Defenders. Like the old Land Cruisers , they're probably not very comfortable.

@big_load
Always liked them, but they have rust/and dependability issues. Saw the Ineos Grenadier
https://ineosgrenadier.com/en/us/
At the overland expo last year. Basically, somebody wanted to continue to produce old land rovers after land rover started producing the new ones. For the price they charge to restore the old ones (110’s) a new ineos grenadier is probably cheaper.
Got the Pinz going again. The frontier is pretty capable, but I turned around on a trailhead approach last week because it is still new enough I don’t want to damage it and as my commuter I like the gas mileage and comfort. I already broke one of the dumb steps before I got a chance to remove them.

@sneakySASQUATCH
We've seen a few of those on this trip. I didn't know what they were.

@sneakySASQUATCH
I watch the Tour de France. I thought Ineos was a bicycle!

My vehicle is a 2018 Toyota Tacoma 2wd. Gets around 20 miles per gallon. Can get me to most trailheads.

Matilda 2 2022 frontier has been tested. Successfully made it Huron, La Plata, and Massive yesterday. One bump on bar that used to hold the steps and one tow hitch touch. I would not have steps if I hadn’t already removed them. Probably first upgrade will be rock sliders. Tires seem fine clearance adequate although it’s not Yertle. Had to use 4lo and locker on massive. Huron is pretty beat up as well. On two wheels upper massive obstacle.

sneakySASQUATCH wrote:Probably first upgrade will be rock sliders

That's what I plan to do next.

@big_load
Got bases to mount on Pinz roof so RTT and 270 quick deploy awning can be moved as one from one vehicle to the other with pulley straps off of garage ceiling storage. Should take less than 20 min. For switch and instant room for growing kids.