Toyota vs SxS

[WeiserBucks]

SXS provides flexibility for me, especially when base camping and day hunting a big area. Use the SXS when appropriate and use the truck when appropriate.

What does the SxS have that would allow it to keep going but the Jeeps and trucks not going?

Way lighter weight, way better power to weight ratio and almost all of them come with front and rear lockers.



I bought my SXS in 2015 for $12k out the door. The same one is $16k today. You don't need a $30k+ SXS by any stretch of the imagination.

 

[Steve300xcw]

With all your gear an what not in it, whats a SxS actually weigh?

 

[WeiserBucks]

With all your gear an what not in it, whats a SxS actually weigh?

All what gear a 25 lb pack and a rifle? Mine is 1200 lbs empty.

 

[180ls1]

The cheaper bilsteins are going to ride stiff regardless of spring rate.

Grab a pair that lets you adjust rebound and dampening.

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

SXS provides flexibility for me, especially when base camping and day hunting a big area. Use the SXS when appropriate and use the truck when appropriate.

Way lighter weight, way better power to weight ratio and almost all of them come with front and rear lockers.



I bought my SXS in 2015 for $12k out the door. The same one is $16k today. You don't need a $30k+ SXS by any stretch of the imagination.

I bought my Jeep for $15K and the only “terrain” I’ve been in so far that side by sides can get through that the Jeep can’t are true deep and wet bogs or sand washes where the side by sides get speed up and float on top while the Jeep sinks in.

A true bog or sand wash (think up the doors of a lifted Jeep depth) like that is quite rare.

 

[WeiserBucks]

I bought my Jeep for $15K and the only “terrain” I’ve been in so far that side by sides can get through that the Jeep can’t are true deep and wet bogs or sand washes where the side by sides get speed up and float on top while the Jeep sinks in.

A true bog or sand wash (think up the doors of a lifted Jeep depth) like that is quite rare.

You're not wrong. Like I said the SXS just adds flexibility for me and covers the same ground at much faster rate than a pickup. Some of my day hunts are 20 minutes from camp in a SXS, same starting point would be an hour+ in a pickup if it didn't slide off the road into a canyon in wet weather. Nothing is perfect but there's a use case for everything.

 

[hunthikecamp]

I've got a 2011 Tacoma that I've been very happy with and haven't really felt the need for a SxS. Maybe an ATV at some point but only if i could find a way to truck bed haul it (if such a vehicle even exists...) The amount of times I've beat the absolute s*** out of it for hours and then hopped back on the highway and cruised 80 mph home with no issues has left me convinced it's the way to go.

I'd recommend a long bed though, i'm 5'11" and the topper on the back makes a great truck camp, roll out my backpacking mattress and sleeping bag and i can crawl in the back, this has also been super nice for hunts.

I'd think you could get away with <10k in suspension? But i haven't looked too hard, also looking to upgrade my suspension because the one thing that has me wishing for a SxS every now and then is the 5 PMH softball to cantaloupe sized rock roads where you just shake the living hell out of yourself, it gets unpleasant after a while BUT it will do it and won't complain. Definitely agree that SxS will get you down those roads faster but i think the tradeoffs are worth it.

Invest in good tires too, that has gotten me a long way with stock suspension geometry, I went with Duratracs.

 

[Poser]

I bought an old 2012 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon. The Rubicons come from factory with electronic front and rear lockers, electronic sway bar disconnect, dana 44 front and rear axles, and major components are protected by thick skid plates underneath. I don't really think folks realize how off road capable these things are in stock form since 90+% of them these days are "mall crawlers".

I lifted it and put 35's on it. It goes pretty much anywhere a SXS will go on the trails and canyons here in AZ. One thing I really like is I can remove the top and doors if I want to, or leave them on for a heated/air conditioned cab.

And the best part, I can drive it 10+ hours for hunts on the highway and not have to bring a truck and trailer, unload side by side, swap gear over to it, etc.

Super capable vehicles and, until recently, were the most offroad capable stock vehicle you could buy. The sway bar disconnect is a really cool feature.
They don't seem to do well as daily drivers or with high mileage, though, as they become money pits. Of course, I do roll my eyes at people who make "Jeeping" their lifestyle brand, and, if you have a bunch of dinosaurs on your dash, we can't be friends.

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

Super capable vehicles and, until recently, were the most offroad capable stock vehicle you could buy. The sway bar disconnect is a really cool feature.
They don't seem to do well as daily drivers or with high mileage, though, as they become money pits. Of course, I do roll my eyes at people who make "Jeeping" their lifestyle brand, and, if you have a bunch of dinosaurs on your dash, we can't be friends.

Dude! LOL. "Jeep Culture" is the creepiest thing in the world. Some young chick tried to give me a rubber duck the other day when I was in town getting gas and water/ice for the cooler. Ew, no thanks.

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

You're not wrong. Like I said the SXS just adds flexibility for me and covers the same ground at much faster rate than a pickup. Some of my day hunts are 20 minutes from camp in a SXS, same starting point would be an hour+ in a pickup if it didn't slide off the road into a canyon in wet weather. Nothing is perfect but there's a use case for everything.

I agree 100%. After my moose hunt in AK last year I tooled around with a buddy of mine looking for some land to buy for a cabin. We went off road in his newer Polaris and that thing was damn impressive at the ground it could cover at speed!

 

[WeiserBucks]

I agree 100%. After my moose hunt in AK last year I tooled around with a buddy of mine looking for some land to buy for a cabin. We went off road in his newer Polaris and that thing was damn impressive at the ground it could cover at speed!

Nice side effect of the reduced drive time is more sleep. If I can eliminate 2 hours of driving in the dark, in a perfect world that would equate to 2 hours of additional sleep.

 

[Weldor]

The funny part here in AZ. I can take my JKU anywhere I like off-road.Same with my truck. My SxS and Quad are licensed for the road but I still need a ORV sticker??? Makes no sense. Even non res have to buy one. Sometimes it just makes more sense to take your Taco or JK it's just slower pace. One thing also it is usually cheaper to repair a ORV than a truck. No many guys are going through stuff that is going to rip the guts out of their vehicle. Blow an axle or tranny 10 miles back and try to find a tow. At least with a ORV it can be towed by another. Just food for thought.

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

The funny part here in AZ. I can take my JKU anywhere I like off-road.Same with my truck. My SxS and Quad are licensed for the road but I still need a ORV sticker??? Makes no sense. Even non res have to buy one. Sometimes it just makes more sense to take your Taco or JK it's just slower pace. One thing also it is usually cheaper to repair a ORV than a truck. No many guys are going through stuff that is going to rip the guts out of their vehicle. Blow an axle or tranny 10 miles back and try to find a tow. At least with a ORV it can be towed by another. Just food for thought.

Generally that's true, but we've towed several Jeeps, Tacomas, and lately (ew) Subarus off the trails without too much fuss.

 

[Weldor]

Super capable vehicles and, until recently, were the most offroad capable stock vehicle you could buy. The sway bar disconnect is a really cool feature.
They don't seem to do well as daily drivers or with high mileage, though, as they become money pits. Of course, I do roll my eyes at people who make "Jeeping" their lifestyle brand, and, if you have a bunch of dinosaurs on your dash, we can't be friends.

Jeep-just exchange every part. My jk always needs attention whether small or large. But I would not do without one. Have had a jeep in the driveway for 48 years .

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

Jeep-just exchange every part. My jk always needs attention whether small or large. But I would not do without one. Have had a jeep in the driveway for 48 years .

JEEP, Just Empty Every Pocket haha.

 

[Steve300xcw]

All what gear a 25 lb pack and a rifle? Mine is 1200 lbs empty.

Most every sxs around here that I see, has got crap tied down all over it. I have no idea what they weigh, hence why I asked.

 

[Customweld]

Most every sxs around here that I see, has got crap tied down all over it. I have no idea what they weigh, hence why I asked.

A stock Honda Pioneer 1k5 Deluxe is 1700 and some change.

 

[WeiserBucks]

Most every sxs around here that I see, has got crap tied down all over it. I have no idea what they weigh, hence why I asked.

I've seen the same and I don't get it. People in vehicles of every kind throw in everything they own and the straight up road hunters seem to always have a 9 day supply of beer and ice along for the "hunt."

 

[Weldor]

I'm sure you guys know someone who went the other way after eating mud, dust ,rain, snow, etc. in a ORV and got a truck or jeep. Seems to be a trend down here, hence why Toyo's and Jeeps are so expensive. Don't want those Swaro's dusty, LOL.

 

[WeiserBucks]

Day hunt gear and hopefully a critter on the return drive is all that's needed.