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.)

Ford debuted the U.S.-spec 2024 Ford Ranger lineup on Wednesday, May 10, and it includes a much-anticipated Ranger Raptor model.
Turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 rated at 405 hp and 430 lb.-ft. of torque - 10 Speed Auto Trans - 5,510-pound tow rating - fully boxed high-strength steel frame - The 2024 Ranger’s track is widened by 2.4 inches and the rear shock mounts are now mounted outside of the frame rails, much like the Bronco Raptor - Instead of the Ranger’s standard rear leaf springs and struts, the Raptor uses a Watts-link rear suspension with coil springs. All four corners are cushioned by Fox 2.5-inch reservoir Live Valve shocks. Raptor models also increase suspension travel with added upper and lower front control arms, plus raised front shock towers - 10.7 inches of ground clearance with the stock 33's - high-strength steel skid plates that guard the engine, transfer case, and fuel tank

@hikeaz
Toyota is supposed to reveal the 2024 Tacoma next Friday, May 19. It will be interesting to see how it compares to the new Ranger

@DixieFlyer
I believe that the '24 Taco will FINALLY get rear DISC brakes, switch to rear COIL springs and will retain a manual transmission option.

hikeaz wrote:retain a manual transmission option

I read the other day that the '24 will not have a manual option. This is somewhat newsworthy as the vehicles still produced with MT are fewer each year and the Tacoma has long been one of the holdouts. It will be interesting to see if they keep it.

@chumley
https://pressroom.toyota.com/2024-toyot ... in-clutch/ aka GenZ anti-theft device...

@hikeaz
As for creature comforts, I think that the '24 Taco will have a much larger touch screen (like 14" vs. the current 8"). I keep hearing about a hybrid option, but I'm not so sure how well that would perform

@DixieFlyer
Hybrid - Hopefully they devise a watertight battery compartment.

https://www.roadandtrack.com/news/g4377 ... g-we-know/

hikeaz wrote: ↑May 12 2023 12:32 pm @DixieFlyer
Hybrid - Hopefully they devise a watertight battery compartment.

it will be under the rear seats

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.

chumley wrote:I read the other day that the '24 will not have a manual option.

https://www.motortrend.com/news/2024-to ... leditorial

SR (Double Cab only)
TRD Sport (Double Cab only)
TRD Off-Road (Double Cab only)

Volvo’s EX30 will also come in an off-roading cross country trim and hits the streets in 2024. The small ‘B segment‘ EX30 EV is a big deal for Volvo.

https://electrek.co/2023/06/07/volvos-ex30-35k/

Pivo wrote:Volvo’s tiny EX30 changes the game

What game are we playing, exactly? Getting to 60mph on a dirt road in 3 seconds only to be stranded in the middle of nowhere near anything that you can plug into?

@chumley
"Off-road" EV's will make creek crossings the new reality TV programming.

@hikeaz
What happens, when/if you stall an ICE vehicle in water that covers the tailpipe?

@chumley
If I could do 0-60 in any vehicle, it wouldn’t be on a dirt road. 250 miles of range for a hiking vehicle is very useful in my world. The fast charging listed on this vehicle claims 10-80% in 26.5 minutes. That would give Chums plenty of time to use the restroom, and pickup a 12pk of Tower Station.

Well our trusty 07 FJ with 240,000 miles on it got upgraded to a 23 Silverado. Now where did I put that spare HAZ decal?

@Alston_Neal

Alston_Neal wrote: ↑Jun 08 2023 11:37 am Well our trusty 07 FJ with 240,000 miles on it got upgraded to a 23 Silverado. Now where did I put that spare HAZ decal?

Wow! You could carry plenty of gear in that behemoth.

@big_load
Yep already carried a load of 4x4 x8 foot posts and concrete......so uh yeah... big camp .... er ....hiking vehicle/soon to be home away from home. We'll have you over for tea and crumpets.

I'm going to swallow my pride and get some actual training before I subject my vehicle to whatever it is I think I know. I learned a fair amount getting rental sedans pretty far off the grid, but among other things, I ought to get capable to safely participate in recovery.

I think I've learned more "don'ts" than "dos" from You Tube. Most of them were not the intended points of the videos. For example, if you're high-centered going up a steep hill, it doesn't seem like a good idea get under the back (downhill) end when it's swinging from an unstabilized high-lift jack planted on a steep slope.