Im in the market for a hunting vehicle. Weve thought about quite a few options, and each one poses their own pros and cons. Our lease is in rocky rough terrain. There is no real climbing, but it is very rocky and hilly terrain. Id like a vehicle that has a good turning radius, is tough to handle driving over constant rocks, small enough to drive most places on the lease, but big enough that two guys 6'3 and taller can fit in.

Weve always leaned towards Jeeps originally, but I just thought I would go out and get some other opinions on vehicles that yall use for your leases that work great. I worry about buying a Ranger for the durability and maintenance. We would likely get most of our vehicle issues fixed prof instead of doing it ourselves.

The jeep and the truck will go down in soft sand and make ruts if not get stuck. The Ranger will stay on top.

I hunt on 70,000 acres in western Pecos County. It has pockets of rough but mainly rolling semi rocky terrain. I hunted out of a pickup the first 4 yrs off of the rough roads. I bought a 85 CJ7 and used it for one year. I what ok but a PITA to get in and out of and not that comfortable. Like the heater, doors and rag top on cold days. I had to do two repairs on while I was out there. I had to do more when I got home. Old Jeep need care every year. I traded it for 2007 Ranger 700. Best trade I made ever. I can go more places in the Ranger than that jeep would. It is comfortable, smooth and faster than the Jeep over that terrain. It does get cold on really bad days. It does have some maintenance but nothing out of the normal that you would get with one that is that old and been used. I am 6'1" tall and it is much more comfortable than the Jeep. I prefer hunting out of a Ranger over a truck or jeep now.

We guide on a ranch in the panhandle with lots of rocky terrain. The land owner has a CJ5 that we can use whenever we want PITA to get in and out of (I'm 6'3")at every gate. We have for the last several years hunted out of our lifted Suburbans which is great when the weather is bad and a MUCH better ride in the ruff stuff. Last year we traded into a 2009 Ranger Crew 700 and that thing is AWESOME on the ruff terrain and will definitely go places I wont take my suburbans. The only draw back is towing it on a trailer to get to the lease, and when it gets cold and snowy then I prefer the Suburbans

I have a CJ5, a crew cab mule, 2 seater Yamaha SxS and a 400cc ATV at our place in Junction. Any will handle the rocky terrain but I prefer the jeep. It is the quietest of the bunch and keeps warm in the winter. It can be a PITA to get in and out of though.

The newer jeeps (newer than CJs) are better but if it's going to be a ranch only vehicle I'd probably do a sxs like a ranger.

Great info guys! Thanks for the responses.

Does anyone have input on how rough the rangers handle in rocky terrain when their not power steering? We've got an old model (around '98 maybe) and it'll jerk your arm all over when going through rocky terrain. It's a battle to get it turned around too. How much better are the newer models that are still not power steering?

I have a F150, 93 Wrangler, Honda SxS, and two Honda Foremans. I will take the Jeep or Foremans any day over the SxS, I hate that thing. It's loud, cramped(I'm 6'2") underpowered, power steering sucks, gas hog, and rides terrible... I'd rather drive the John Deere! On my place, if the SxS will fit, so will the Jeep, and more then likely I can get my truck in there too.

Mine is a 2007 700 XP and no power steering. I like it better with no power steering in the rougher terrain. Just my preference. It will take my places my jeep would never go. Some of it is pretty dang rocky also bad enough you have to pick your routes to keep from high centering. We have 2 off us with Rangers and 2 with a Kubota and Mule. Rangers are a much better ride and vehicle in our situation. Guys that have road in all of say the Ranger is much better hands down.

We put a suicide knob on ours and it works a lot better

If you can't keep a jeep on top in sand, your doing something wrong. I grew up on peanut farms, still live on what used to be one, 120 acres of sand. Trucks will have problems but there's not a spot on this place the jeep has to have 4x4 engaged, it floats right on top.

As for the other, I don't like the rangers that much, as being comfortable. I hate the seats in my uncles, it seems like the back goes straight up with out any reclining. The heat off the engine is felt all over the back of my legs. I would personally lean toward a jeep or 4 wheeler

Ranger all the way,no tags,inspection,ins.etc.Get efi one,easy start.Had a jeep before but wouldn't trade my ranger for anything.
dlineman1

A Ranger might be a smoother ride, but you can't get out on the highway and go to town like you can in the Jeep.

05 Jeep unlimited LJ . Great ride ,heat,AC,goes anywhere backwoods or the store and carries 4 guys plus gear . no trailer needed but does have a tow bar for long hauls , my truck is more comfortable . Cost about the same or less as a 4 pass Ranger with,no heat,AC,off road only and a trailer is a must . A good TJ Wrangler ( which can be found for half the cost of a used Ranger), is another good option and what I used for years before I found my LJ Wrangler. Just my opinion . Good Luck.

I debated the same thing a few months ago and went with a 1992 F150 for several reasons:
-I put a topper on it and am converting it to a mini camper with side boxes for storage
-i can still tow or haul when needed
-A Jeep is great, and is hands down a better off road vehicle, but a truck has a lot more utility
-The truck does real well off road and is well balanced for all around needs

If you want something simply for off roading and tight back country spaces, then a Jeep is the way to go, but I definitely do not regret the F150 choice.

Ranger all the way. No comparison as far as smooth riding on rough terrain and will climb anything. I prefer power steering if your going on tight turn filled roads and trails.

If you need to get on the road and want AC get a truck/jeep if you don't need that then a ranger is still going to give you more work, maneuverability, and I don't care how bad your jeep is a ranger is still going to go places a jeep wont

We run an old Toyota 4 runner with the top removed and two seats added
love it!
those old Toyatas are awesome

I think it all depends on where you will use it.

Your place is ruff and rocky. A side by side/atv would probably work better for you. On places like where I have and do hunt a side by side would be a novelty. Not anywhere I would drive a side by side that I couldn't or wouldn't drive a truck.

Early model broncos rule!

I have been considering a little toyota truck. I need something I can drive back and forth to a lease and to use at home when needed. I had two toyota trucks in the past and they were pretty good offroad.

But a jeep can go places a ranger can't as well

At least the law says so