Which off-road vehicle really is the most capable?

I'll start by offering my respect and gratitude to those who have shared their helpful knowledge and enthusiasm with me here at TW. I ask that you remember that I am completely new to true Overland Adventure or Wheeling as you guys call it.

I offer this because I realize how basic many of my questions may seem among seasoned enthusiasts and I am grateful to those who offer information that they must have shared so many times before. Brothers, it's people like you that make the world worth living in, and you are much appreciated.

First I should establish that the vehicles I have in mind would be, carry all full gear/shelter etc. ready for anything rigs.

Used on medium to semi challenging long travel overland adventures. That could reliably handle semi-maintained, established roads, and trials with normal trail use ruts, etc., and then be run through the car wash and driven to and from work the following week.

I know that the individual driver can determine a lot of a vehicle's capabilities. But let leave this out of the equation and stick to rigs that could reliably tackle the challenges described with driver assumed.

I also know this is controversial, but here are the criteria. For the sake of keeping the information pure as possible please respond in i.e. #1 answers & #2 Answers both followed by a brief explanation of what you base your opinion on.

(1)What three current OEM offerings are the most off-road capable from the factory? Not dealer modified etc. List in order of capability.


(2) What three current OEM offerings with OEM or aftermarket add-ons are the most off-road capable? Also, List in order of capability.

This is going to be interesting.

 

Jeep Wrangler x3

The better question is? Is the driver as capable as the vehicle?

Just about every time I’ve been “stuck”. I got my self into the situation. Not the vehicle.

 

First you need to define your idea of offroading.

1) Extremely tight technical trails
2) Light more overland type adventures
3) Big rocks ledges and wide open
4) Muddy wet, steep hills, loose rocks and tree lined

But off the bat Jeep rubicon 2 door, Rubicon 4 door, Rubicon Gladiator for both of your questions. Why because the sheer aftermarket support and what you can relatively "bolt" on. I mean when you can "bolt" on anything from custom width axles to chassis to hellcat engine and trans swaps it's pretty hard to beat.

 

Good point I will edit the original post, Thanks

 

Dirt bike for most capable off road vehicle.

 

OP needs to better define the question.

A Bell 505 can cover any trail I've ever been on.

 

I took a totally stock WRX on a few roads that I really shouldn't have. That said, I've taken my Taco down roads my WRX wouldn't have even had a chance at making it down, just for lack of ground clearance.

I decided to take it slow with the Taco, and not just go rushing into some unknown place headlong. So far, I haven't damaged it, nor gotten stuck, and had a ton of fun, so I must be doing it right.

 

Geo tracker

 

Who what now? It’s halloween. XJ’s rule

 

Late 40's Dodge Power Wagon.

 

Well if you wana stay in toyota land and can go to a dealer and buy one id say the 4runner or the gx460. Now if you wana go any vehicle with staying to the Toyota brand id say the 80 series as my 1st option though gas sucks on that thing, my 2nd option would be a v8 4runner or a fj cruiser or a regular cab taco, these vehicles are short wheel base, you get into double cab or ext cab territory you can still wheel it but work better overlanding. Bow the best vehicle to offroad that you can buy new today is the jeep wrangler, unless you can do a sas on a brand new 4runner/gx460 then all bets are off.

 

1974 VW Baja Bug

Has better ground clearance than any stock 4x4 truck.

Lighter and narrower than any stock 4x4 truck. Will fit through just about anything a Side by Side will fit through.

IFS and IRS. Nuff said about that.

 

You're not wrong

 

Truck I’d go ram power wagon but they’re huge or a zr2 Colorado.

Overall a jeep rubicon.

 

No overhang front or rear, short wheelbase, great turning radius, excellent ground clearance. A stock Jeep will trounce a modified Tacoma off road everyday.

 

Nephew has a Geo Tracker 4x4 front and rear lockers, swears it will go anywhere.

Lock it up, set low range, 2nd gear and go. He's in Alabama so not much rock climbing there.

 

M1A1 Abrams.......

Honda XR125
Mountain goat with a saddle.

 

Choccolocco, Stoney Lonesome, Hawks Pride, Morris Mtn, just to name a few parks with some pretty good rock climbing.

 

A properly prepared, fit and experienced human can venture on foot anywhere on earth. So I vote for the human vehicle.

 

A properly set up trail capable Jeep can go anywhere you want to go and allow for cool pics of its trail capabilities