ok...hypothetical question just like the "Dream Car" thread in the off topic section.


I'm gonna cap this at $100k. You can spend $75k on a new truck pretty easily so give it another $25k allowance for mods if you want.

This is a built for purpose rig, not a daily driver, built for the hunting that you do.



I've thought long and hard about it. I really like the Chevy Suburban 1500 Z71. you can put all the seats down, have a good, flat space for guns, gear, bow cases, etc. AND have a covered place to sleep. Will pull a decent sized trailer, and they off road surprisingly well. Mild lift, offroad tires and you are there. This is gonna set you back new though about $75-$80k depending on trim level.

The other option I like is a Ford E-150 or E-250 Van converted to 4X4. We had a E-150 when I was a kid, it had 4 captains chairs, a T.V and a rear seat that would convert into a bed. Again, all secure, lockable space. you can get them with windows or a panel van, creeper style. Saw a few in Utah when I was up there, apparently they like them in the mountains. Don't know if I would go diesel in the E-250 but the 5.4 liter triton is a bit of a dog....but in a half-ton platform in a nicer trim it may be the way to go. Would be tempted to stay with the half ton because I drive a 4x4 3/4 ton diesel now and its not the greatest off-road, don't see how a 3/4 ton or 1 ton van would be any different, but could pull a trailer for a ATV/UTV

Too many questions, answers, and variables in between. Only US or world-wide?

Private land - You can do anything you want, drive where you want, retrieve animals whole, etc. Gas is readily available and reasonably inexpensive. Build the biggest, baddest 3/4 ton 4x4 you can and be happy. Nitto tires, lift kit and a 12,000# winch.

Public land - Travel plans restrict where you can go with a full size truck, so you need to down-size. My Nissan Titan will go anywhere and do anything I need. It will pull the guts out of heavy trailers up to 11,000# with that 400HP gas engine. Even the 60" UTV is limited on certain roads and trails, tho. Look to two wheel dirt bike or Rokon, or smaller under 40" ATV like a 570 or 700 cc Razr for trails that are still open.

World-wide - It would be a 3/4 ton 4x4 Ford E-series van with a diesel. Set up with bunks for camping and all the latest eco toilets and stoves. Fuel would be available anywhere, even if poor quality.. I'd love to go Alaska to the Cape in a year, sometime!!!

For double your money, I would build the Ultimate Uni-Mog camper van.

Unless you plan on shipping your rig overseas, it would be for the type of hunting that you do currently or plan on doing in the near future

Pictures of a 1985 Chevy Suburbalanche I built for a inexpensive go-anywhere 4x4. 400 Cu.in., auto, w/ bench seats. Fold down rear for sleeping, gives you seven feet corner-to-corner, 2' of storage behind the seat for up to 6 guncases. Shelf across the back for ammo, shotgun shells, etc. Custom bed gates, 4' pickup bed for hauling out game, LINE-X Bedliner and rails. 35" Mickey Thompson Baja-Claws for amazing clearance and traction.

I’ve thought about a 4wd Van.

I also think a 4wd regular cab longbed with a simple camper shell would be easier.

That Suburban is pretty sweet!!! What year model is it?

Post up more pics please

Sorry Blank. That should have stated.... didn’t know the 400 small block was available in 1985.

it would be more inexpensive but no where near the same performance. you can't access the bed from the cab, access isn't' nearly as easy, the bed isn't insulated, no extra seats for hunting buddies, etc.

a lot of times those camper shells aren't sealed really well and your stuff gets dusty as all get out as well. I've learned this from experience.

Never really hunted much out of vehicles. Always enjoyed the walking. Recently acquired a golf cart and after having it down at the place a little for what im looking for in a hunting vehicle on our place a lifted 4 seat golf cart with a bed would be pretty cool.

Probably a decked out Suburban.

+1 ....with no doubt!

My son built this one for Nissan Trucks last year. Can you say "Padre Island"???

Toyota tacoma

I enjoy walking while hunting to, but I'm not walking to Colorado, or even to my hill country lease for that matter.


this wasn't about a vehicle to hunt out of. It is about a purpose built rig to accommodate the travel, storage and if needed, lodging, for hunting trips.

Lol then ill go with my pickup truck with a set of new tires

Early 2000's 4x4 Excursion with power stroke diesel. Pre def fluid motor. Lifted with good aftermarket suspension for good ground clearance and a smooth ride. Aggressive 12 ply AT tires. Ranch hand bumpers front and back with receiver hitches, both wired for a winch. 12,000 lb winch that could be moved front or rear via receiver hitch or stowed inside. Receiver hitch style storage rack. Would fit front or rear bumper. Heavy duty skid plates built for it. 100 gallon fuel capacity. Slide out truck vault for locking up guns and hunting gear out of sight. Heavy duty alternator to keep additional deep cycle marine battery with power inverter charged. Small RV style ice box.
Big enough to sleep in if desired. Will pull a heavy trailer with ease. Maximum undercarriage protection from rocks and brush. Plenty of room inside for dogs and gear on long road trips.

I am cheap, I decked out a grand Cherokee jeep 4x4, custom front bumper with winch, had plenty of room in the cargo area, If I need more I had a 5x8 trailer.

Wouldn't trade my '85 M1009 for any other rig. Ok maybe Blank's Suburbalanche! That rig is awesome!

My 1009 is bone stock with the 6.2 NA diesel. Have a spare body for it as mine is pretty rotten. When I get to it, ARB lockers and a soft top are the only real upgrades I plan on for it.

If I had $100K to spend on hunting...which I don't, but if I did, I would buy an old 3/4 ton suburban 4x4 for a few thousand and spend the rest on guns and/or hunting property. If I already had hunting property, I would buy more of it.

A horse. Change my mind.

This. Based on current price trends, I'm not sure it'll fit under your monetary cap. They must be made of gold.

Here's mine.

I set the cap at $100k for a hunting truck. I did not set it for guns, property, etc.....


you can spend as much or as little as you like, under the $100k

horses will sometimes not cross creeks, they catch a whiff of something they don't like and they haul arse, they are tempremental, they eat a lot, they are slow, I can keep going.....

this is a pretty dang good set up.


would take the place of the van. Only reason I didn't look for at this, is in some of the forests that I travel, a 3/4 ton platform can get pretty tight on some of the logging roads, but I think what you mentioned is about as close to a do-all that you can get

I'll play...….Himalaya Land Rover Conversion Defender 110 Spectre. LS3 560 hp motor, jeep steering box, 4 inch lift, 37's, upgraded everything (frame, body panels, interior, etc), Fox suspension. I'll spend your $100k and finance the balance $100K