Safari Vehicles in America

[D.M.V]

Mmm...not sure bout that..prado is the version down from the lexus 470 which was the upmarket version of the "ordinary" land cruiser.....could be confused due to different modelling in countries....but no prado I know ever came with a v8

With all due respect that's not correct. In the United States 'US" as I stated. The Lexus GX 470 is a V8 version of the land cruiser prado sold only under the Lexus brand. The land cruiser prado was never sold here commercially.

 

[WyoBull]

With all due respect that's not correct. In the United States 'US" as I stated. The Lexus GX 470 is a V8 version of the land cruiser prado sold only under the Lexus brand. The land cruiser prado was never sold here commercially.

My wife drove a 2017 Lexus GX460 for several years and it had a V8 and the mileage sucked. About 16mpg combined. It was a beautiful vehicle and very capable off road but too damned nice to treat it as an off road vehicle.

 

[Ku-winda]

I hunted "Mad Max" in West Texas exclusively for many, many years. He is a '75 Blazer Frankenstein (built by my buddy) and will go anywhere, but is hot when it's hot, cold when it's cold and always dusty (unless it's wet out).

As I got a little older, the creature comforts became a little more important to me and I finally shifted over to this 2018 Willys to help moderate the elements.

The 62 Willys only comes out on sunny days, lol!

 

[franzfmdavis]

There was a beautiful vehicle at SCI that I was admiring…

 

[Wishfulthinker580]

View attachment 661033There was a beautiful vehicle at SCI that I was admiring…

Those are beautiful

Classic and Custom Build Land Rover Defenders | Helderburg

We design and restore original Classic Land Rover Defenders. Choose available now for immediate delivery or custom commission a Defender.

www.helderburg.com

 

[Wishfulthinker580]

These are sweet too

Inventory | Osprey Custom 4x4 | Bespoke Vehicle Manufacturer | Castle Hayne, NC

Browse Osprey Custom 4x4’s exclusive collection of luxury SUVs and custom Land Rover Defenders. Experience tailor-made off-road excellence. From rugged off-road capabilities to refined luxury features, Osprey Custom 4x4 offers a wide range of handcrafted vehicles, with a vast selection to meet...

www.ospreycustomcars.com

 

[Rare Breed]

View attachment 661033There was a beautiful vehicle at SCI that I was admiring…

You and me both!!!!! I was salivating until I talked with them about the price tag but in my opinion would be worth every penny!!!!

 

[franzfmdavis]

You and me both!!!!! I was salivating until I talked with them about the price tag but in my opinion would be worth every penny!!!!

If I remember right, that one would be ~$280K if ordered!

 

[TaylorM456]

Totally different vehicle than you guys, but my Z71 suburban has done pretty well. 2011 with 112k on it.

 

[Altitude sickness]

You could go this route if fuel mileage isn’t a concern. 10-15 MPH depending how much armor and other trinkets are removed.

 

[spike.t]

No Sir, a high quality conversion company in Wixom Michigan.

American Expedition Vehicles - AEV Off Road Parts Store

Visit American Expedition Vehicles (AEV), the leading store for high-quality off-road vehicle parts. Discover the essential products for your next adventure.

www.aev-conversions.com

You did have me worried....

 

[steve white]

Totally different vehicle than you guys, but my Z71 suburban has done pretty well. 2011 with 112k on it.

Way, WAY better to have the deer carried in front than on a hitch in the back, where the road dust boils up, coating the deer in a heavy layer of dust and dirt. Especially so if you go down an unpaved road at 30+ mph.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

My '99 Jimmy finally bought the farm this past fall when it bagged a big whitetail doe in Eastern Montana. Since 2010 I have hit four deer with that rig on the same one hour stretch of highway, two of them in the same spot ... ten years apart. Anyway, I have been able to drive away every time. But with 340K miles, a ruined tire, muffler just gave out, and transmission slipping into first gear, it was time to say goodbye. It's been a great hunting outfit for me and my dogs. These days it had a carrier hitch on the back as well as Tule carrier on top. But I remember a few years back when it had two mule deer bucks on top (one inside the carrier). Hated to see it go but no sense it putting any more money in it.

So I bought a 2003 Envoy as replacement. A lot of miles but in excellent condition. I think it will work out fine. I loved the tailgate on the Jimmy for the dogs. On the road I can pop up the window to feed or water them as needed. The Envoy is hatchback but it does have rear window that pops up separately which is good enough. Actually it's probably better. To get the dogs out of the Jimmy required popping up the window first to drop the tailgate. My Lab gets too wound up when we are hunting and will bale out over the tailgate when window is opened. I believe it's how she tore her ACL in 2023.

This Envoy has same size engine as the Jimmy but it is in-line six (Jimmy was V6). Like the 4-Runner, these Envoys are supposed to be a bit hard on mpg (not as bad as 4-Runner though). However, returning with it to Ontario last month I was actually impressed with the mpg, especially considering I was driving against a helluva east wind across the prairies. Did much better than the Jimmy which is a smaller vehicle. This Envoy does have a lot more power and should handle my 19' camper trailer if needed (it stays in Montana). VERY comfortable to drive.

My daughter has a three year-old 4-Runner and she was convinced that's what I needed. Curiously, they're not nearly as popular in Montana (GM reigns supreme it seems) and I was shopping for used vehicle there. Her outfit I find very uncomfortable. Seats are horrible and the ride is stiffer. This Envoy is slightly higher than the Jimmy (which I found ideal for ease of access and clearance) but the 4-Runner is too high for my tastes. I hate having to shoehorn myself into low riding cars or climbing up into high riding pickups. 4-Runner does have a good reputation for reliability but some new monster pickups get better mpg. Buying American is not such a big deal for me, especially after the events of last few days. However, buying a used vehicle in Montana made a LOT of sense (it had been planned before hitting the deer). No road salt (on east side anyway) and no sales tax. I can pick up a twenty year-old vehicle and it's worth fixing up. Ten year-old vehicle from Ontario is a disintegrated rust heap. My Jimmy lasted as long as it did because I didn't drive it in the winter. Exchange rate is horrible so that almost offset the tax savings. But for integrity retained in used vehicles there's just no comparison. I'll never buy used in Ontario.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

Sold for $363,000 about nine months ago at the Barrett-Jackson auction. 1946 Dodge Power Wagon. I can't imagine anyone taking this offroad. Probably just drive this in 4th of July parades.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Sold for $363,000 about nine months ago at the Barrett-Jackson auction. 1946 Dodge Power Wagon. I can't imagine anyone taking this offroad. Probably just drive this in 4th of July parades.

View attachment 661217

Strap on your kidney belt first and don't forget football helmet. Bet they had to do some body work to the top of the cab. Man, those old Power Wagons rode rougher than a three-legged draft horse.

 

[TMac]

I’m currently looking for a 2021 Tundra - last year with the 5.7ltr V8.

They are bomb proof. I drive a 19.

In case you are not aware, 19-21 do not have a dedicated transmission cooler. I put a OBD reader on mine and it could get to 230-240 degrees f on a level freeway in the summer. Using 4 hi off-road would spike it bad too. Any towing had to be done in tow haul mode and the tranny in S4, no using 5th or 6th unless very cold out. So the mileage was extra bad due to cruising at 3k+ rpm’s.

I added a tranny cooler, problem solved. Can tow in tow haul mode and tranny in D, mileage is 1.5 - 2.0 mpg better if under 70 mph on level ground. I’d also make sure to get the 38 gallon tank. They are big, so if you plan to do any off-road stuff, I’d upgrade all skid plates if they are not metal and add rock sliders. With the skids, worthwhile to add CAT protectors, they have 4 and are theft targets in some areas. Tundras.com is a good forum with lots of info.

 

[Field28]

The 4Runners are most definitely a hot commodity right now given the impending doom from the changes. Actually all the Toyotas are I guess.

I get several emails and letters from my local Toyota dealership every week wanting to buy my Tacoma back.

 

[WyoBull]

Tacoma’s, Runners and Tundra’s are a dime a dozen around here and easy to get.
I had a Tundra with the [emoji6].[emoji[emoji6]] and liked it but the mileage was horrible. I also have a truck camper and needed more payload and towing capacity so I sold it and bought an F[emoji6][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]] with the [emoji6]. gas engine. It gets as good of mileage as my Tundra but has a lot more payload and towing capacity. I love it, it is a [emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji6]] and has been trouble free. This is my US Safari vehicle.

 

[rookhawk]

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

 

[RR 314]

I hunted "Mad Max" in West Texas exclusively for many, many years. He is a '75 Blazer Frankenstein (built by my buddy) and will go anywhere, but is hot when it's hot, cold when it's cold and always dusty (unless it's wet out).
View attachment 660973

View attachment 660974

View attachment 660975

View attachment 660976

As I got a little older, the creature comforts became a little more important to me and I finally shifted over to this 2018 Willys to help moderate the elements.
View attachment 660978

View attachment 660979

View attachment 660980
The 62 Willys only comes out on sunny days, lol!
View attachment 660988

Those are awesome!