And that video didn't even show the first desert lap. The big 3' whoops, hidden rocks, and wide open speeds cause a lot of competitors to break before they even get to the first rock trail.

Very true

True, but it will add width, maybe 3-5" per side. And add a lot of weight, even if the box was made of aluminum. Also portal axles are great for offroading, but not so great for daily driving. Ever see an H1 come to a stop and rock back and forth slightly due to the 'backlash' between the portal gears? Portals also…

Bad shocks also cause death wobble, nothing to dampen the motion of the tire and springs.

Most aftermarket IFS lifts drop the diff down to keep the CV axles at the same/similar angle as the OEM configuration. They aren't great for hardcore offroading, but look at 99% of the lifted Chevys and Toyotas out there and this is what you will see.

The only way for the alignment to get thrown off by a pot-hole would be either the adjustable part being hit so hard it rotates or comes loose and throws the alignment out. So you get rid of the adjustable and then you don't have this issue. OR you bend something like a tierod, in which case you won't adjust for it…

It was EPIC!

Great article! You really captured the essence of a long distance road trip and what it does to your mind and body. It is making me excited for my annual trip down to southern California. 1,200 miles, and thanks to the stupid California speed limit of 55mph when towing a trailer it takes about 24hrs. Last year we left…

We will have to see what Robby Gordon has planned for the Gordini. Not quite a pickup, but a high performance, low production, expensive SUV.

Okay here:

Robby.

They just want someone to blame. They look at the offroad motorsport crowd because we have big trucks, with loud engines, and we are an easy target. Same thing happens in the US and is the reason why many of the offroad parks and public lands are being shut down.

10.) 28 female gymnasts in a Mini Cooper

It needs to have a few things:

Unibody is the worst idea for a 4wd vehicle. Case in point: Jeep Cherokee, four wheel them enough and you can't close the doors or the back hatch.

Oh, yeah, missed that... But was it true? :)

So... because it has 4WD and is a minivan that means he doesn't have to stay on the trail like the rest of us??

Agreed, slowing down is the best, but only if you do it slowly. If you have the trailer brakes up too high and try to brake to hard you may lock the trailers brakes and cause it to skid.

Correct. Many things will work, but don't slam on the brakes. It's easier to pull something straight then push something straight, especially when it is connect with a pin that allows rotation.

Here: