What vehicle do you use for stalking or management?

Maybe a controversial opinion, but all Japanese pickups seem to have lost their way around about the late 2000's.

Newer models are heavier, have stupid features like 'bongs' when you leave the keys in, push to start, clutch needs to be depressed to start, lights always on, doors lock automatically, overhangs bigger etc. etc. All disadavantages for shooting.

Had to drive a new (2020) Hilux for work, hated it compared to mine from 2007.
Like all newer cars too.
 
Maybe a controversial opinion, but all Japanese pickups seem to have lost their way around about the late 2000's.

Newer models are heavier, have stupid features like 'bongs' when you leave the keys in, push to start, clutch needs to be depressed to start, lights always on, doors lock automatically, overhangs bigger etc. etc. All disadavantages for shooting.

Had to drive a new (2020) Hilux for work, hated it compared to mine from 2007.
It's not controversial mate, just bollocks!

We've got three facelift 2020 GUN26R going hard here, the second batch following hard on the heels of the three 2017 GUN26R that did just over 500,000km between them without a single warrantable problem. As in the problems they did encounter were the result of them getting crashed into things, like the rural postman's Mitsi which was a write-off, but as Hilux does it was shrugged off in favour of... carry on. (We obviously escaped the DPF problems they had over the ditch with the early 1GD engines, but then the Aussies are generally a bunch of whingers.)

I love driving the current gen Hilux. The power button is my new best friend. 500Nm of torques and a willingness to tow more than you should. These vehicles work so hard I'm amazed they last a month - if they were Land Rovers or Nissans I'd give them 21 days before a call to the dealer.
 
It's not controversial mate, just bollocks!

We've got three facelift 2020 GUN26R going hard here, the second batch following hard on the heels of the three 2017 GUN26R that did just over 500,000km between them without a single warrantable problem. As in the problems they did encounter were the result of them getting crashed into things, like the rural postman's Mitsi which was a write-off, but as Hilux does it was shrugged off in favour of... carry on. (We obviously escaped the DPF problems they had over the ditch with the early 1GD engines, but then the Aussies are generally a bunch of whingers.)

I love driving the current gen Hilux. The power button is my new best friend. 500Nm of torques and a willingness to tow more than you should. These vehicles work so hard I'm amazed they last a month - if they were Land Rovers or Nissans I'd give them 21 days before a call to the dealer.

Not sure if the UK spec is the same as Southern Hemisphere ones but if you offered me a new one I wouldn't take it.

Steering, clutch and gear ratios are all wrong IMHO.

Having a plastic dial instead of a proper gear stick to change from 2WD to 4WD/ Low range really does my head in.
 
One I've not seen mentioned yet is the Mitsubishi Delica. Pretty much the result of a fumble between a Shogun and a renault espace type but really quite a versatile all rounder, if a bit quirky.

I had one for a few years and it got used for everything work and home related. Comfy on long runs, reasonable off road capability, towed OK, absolutely cavernous inside (even with four adults and luggage), but quite heavy on diesel (2.8 with an old 3 speed auto box).

I'd have another in a heartbeat but can't justify another at the mo.
 
Maybe a controversial opinion, but all Japanese pickups seem to have lost their way around about the late 2000's.

Newer models are heavier, have stupid features like 'bongs' when you leave the keys in, push to start, clutch needs to be depressed to start, lights always on, doors lock automatically, overhangs bigger etc. etc. All disadavantages for shooting.

Had to drive a new (2020) Hilux for work, hated it compared to mine from 2007.
I'd agree that I'd rather not have the new electronic features - more to go wrong, more to have to have disabled (like the lights..) but it seems these things have crept into all brands, it's certainly same with the German cars I have had, with my Discovery etc. Someone said the Grenadiers are going to be 'simpler' so we'll see.
 
One of these for the roe, 51774502-29EE-4813-A9ED-0FFFBB5CD1BC.jpeg

and with the winch in the above box and half buoy sled in this for the reds:

7D53EF89-99F2-42D6-B43A-F6A4A23C0D95.jpeg
The GV is roomy enough for two (usually me and the teckel), turns on a sixpence, doesn’t bog if I’m half awake, and the trailer is light enough to shift as any barrow, yet capable enough for a few reds.

If just reconnoitring:
4CF8EBE2-9041-4632-9814-4B8C3AEF745C.jpeg
Does 50+mile on a charge, tyre is slimed against punctures, and simple enough to work on if needed. Padding hasn’t been removed since I was learning and looking after the paintwork!
 
Not sure if I could get one of these past head office but you never know till you try...

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Perhaps OP was angling after some left field options?
I’m currently in this dilemma.
I’ve run a couple of 3 door Land Cruisers for some 26 years. My latest was bought new in 2003, 233000 miles, no major issues aside from consumables and uprated suspension (not a lift, just less soggy dampers). The other car is an Audi Q5.
I’d love to get another LC, but as I spend more time in London a single modern dual purpose car seems the sensible option.

I’ve thought about a Discovery Sport with a towball mounted Bak Rak :
bags, tow-ball mounted luggage, boxes, luggage, clam-shell bag, carrier, holiday luggage,waterproof bag
And a big strong box from the same company mounted on it…
Max nose weight at towball is 100kg so would take a couple of fallow, keeping the blood and smells out of the car, the mrs having a nose of a bloodhound.

Only downside being the winter days on fallow does, I can often take 7 or 8, so means 2+ trips to the larder 4 miles down the road. This happens maybe 6 times in a year?
A small price to pay for having the expense and bearing the depreciation of just 1 car, but would have to drag carcasses a little further because I didn’t mind getting the ‘Cruiser scratched and covered in mud. (Actually I liked getting it covered in mud).

However the waiting time for a new DS is a year because of the chip shortages. Perhaps a demo or 2 yr old model would be OK, but with Land Rover reliability issues I’d be happier with a full warranty.
The search continues, unless anyone has a better idea?
I know plenty of hunters on the continent who use tow ball mounted carriers for carcasses. Mostly they use a rack and then a carcass bag or tarpaulin to keep them out of sight. Or they may not:)
 
'90 Chevy Suburban. One of the last years of the straight front axle. Air Force surplus, so very affordable. Can carry six adults comfortably, all their gear and as many deer.IMG_20210903_192533280.webp
Been through the mechanicals front to back and the body is rough enough that I will take it anywhere without concern for scratches and dents.
IMG_20210903_192509286.webp
Best of all it's a hybrid............it burns both gas and oil!


Scott
 
'90 Chevy Suburban. One of the last years of the straight front axle. Air Force surplus, so very affordable. Can carry six adults comfortably, all their gear and as many deer.View attachment 219992
Been through the mechanicals front to back and the body is rough enough that I will take it anywhere without concern for scratches and dents.
View attachment 219998
Best of all it's a hybrid............it burns both gas and oil!


Scott

But will it run on petrol? :coat:
 
'90 Chevy Suburban. One of the last years of the straight front axle. Air Force surplus, so very affordable. Can carry six adults comfortably, all their gear and as many deer.View attachment 219992
Been through the mechanicals front to back and the body is rough enough that I will take it anywhere without concern for scratches and dents.
View attachment 219998
Best of all it's a hybrid............it burns both gas and oil!


Scott

One day that's an itch that's getting scratched. Or maybe it's short wheelbased little brother. Preferably with the 6.2 diesel
 
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