I don't get this mentality. Not everyone with a jeep, or even a 4x4, is into rock crawling.
Funny, I don't ever recall ever saying that everyone was or should be. :thinking:
Some people are into moderate off-roading, and others are into camping and living out of their vehicles while exploring remote areas (some would call that overlanding).
Surprise! You just described most of what my wife and I do only, we don't call it "overlanding". :crazyeyes:
We can all argue over the semantics of these activities until we are blue in the face, but there is difference in priorities for someone who is simply trying to rock crawl and someone who is focused on long-range, expedition style travel.
:cheesy: I'd ask for you to enlighten me but I already know you're going to regardless if I asked or not.
The rock crawlers need the beefier/bigger tires, greater amounts of skid plate/armor protection, and generally rely on front/rear solid axles setup's in order to overcome extremely technical terrain.
Funny, I don't run ANY aftermarket skid plates on my BIG white Jeep running 40" tires but being that it is a Jeep, ummm, yeah, it came with solid axles front and rear. That being said, I would trade them in for a top shelf IFS/IRS setup if one were available. :idontknow:
Expedition 4x4's (overlanders, SUV campers, whatever you want to call them) prioritize fuel economy, storage space and on-road comfort just as much as they do off-road worthiness (they generally look to be able to conduct remote travel for days at a time without refuel or resupply). Hence their vehicles will usually run slightly smaller tires, less armor, bigger fuel tanks, racks for extra storage, ect.
And, I'd be willing to bet that I have spent more time in more remote locations for days at a time without refuel or resupply then you could ever hope to in your lifetime. AND YET - I drive a really BIG Jeep running 40" tires, BIG HEAVY axles and a 6.2L V8 motor. How on earth that could be possible? :shock: :crazyeyes:
To this poster's point, that a "rock crawler" jeep could pretty much do everything an "overland" rig could do, but not vice versa...I think you are missing the point. Yes that rock crawler could accomplish an overland/expedition style trip from a technical standpoint. But why would someone chose that kind of rig for that kind of activity?
Ummm, maybe because I enjoy it? Maybe because unlike you, I've actually been in situations where an otherwise easy trail was unexpectedly made very technical due to a storm and or erosion. Of course, if you got out and actually did half the things you want your "overlanding" rig to do, you'd know what I'm talking about. :yup:
Going back to my original point, I still stand by the fact that your self-proclaimed "overlanding" rig CANNOT do what I can do in my Jeep that you have labeled a "rock crawler".
A rock crawler jeep, with its big tires, limited storage space, mediocre fuel range is not the optimal vehicle for that kind of travel. In fact jeeps in general, as good as they are off-road, aren't really the most ideal for that kind of travel.
No, that's just what you've convinced yourself of and far from a fact. The fact of the matter is, HERE IN AMERICA, it is extremely difficult to run out of gas unless you're just a moron when it comes to planning. As far as space goes, if you pack accordingly and leave shit like your birchwood Snowpeak kitchen and Overland Journal magazines at home, you'd be surprised at how much you can actually pack and bring with you. :yup:
Generally speaking, people who do overlanding/expedition travel/remote vehicle camping pick 4x4's like 4Runners, Landrovers, Landcruisers, Tacomas, Xterras for that kind of use since they offer better qualities in terms of storage, and ride comfort (normally have independent front suspension) and fuel range (especially with aftermarket tanks).
LOL!! Sorry pal but that's just what you and all your pretentious self-proclaimed overlanding buddies have convinced yourself of. And, I guarantee you that my crazy big Jeep on coil overs is WAY MORE COMFORTABLE than ANY of the vehicles you just listed even when driving over knee high whoops at 60 MPH. :yup:
Certainly I have seen some jeeps serve as overland vehicles. There are a lot of options to chose from. And there most certainly are nuanced differences in the builds/equipment between a "rock crawling" rig and an "overlanding" one. I don't see why we have to criticize people simply for having different goals in mind.
Funny, nobody I know is criticizing any vehicle - just self-important pretentious people like you. :yup:
