Expedition Overland

Those of us in the off-roading community fully understand the appeal of 4wheeling, but those you who have never experienced the adventure of exploring The Great Outdoors probably don't understand why we spend thousands of dollars on equipment to go so far away from civilization and into the wilderness.

The guys over at Expedition Overland truly get it. They've put together some great videos of their backcountry adventures.  Check out a preview here:

Their videos show that you don't have to spend a fortune on vehicle mods to be able to access the backcountry, but it definitely helps.  It's funny to watch their near-stock Toyotas struggling at times on trails that are easy for a stock Jeep Wrangler - never mind a well-equipped Rubicon like I'm in the process of building!  At least they have high end recovery gear and survival know-how for when they bite off more than they can chew.

I'm of the belief that a great deal of safety comes from using equipment that's designed to perform well beyond the level to which it's actually taken.  The little 8-inch rear axle and fragile IFS with only a 7.5-inch front gearset in the Tacoma is the same as what's in the FJ Cruiser and 4Runner, and are the primary reason why I bought a Jeep instead of a Toyota.  Sure, the Toyota running gear can handle up to a 33" tire reliably, but the big solid axles and deep gearing in the Rubicon are designed with durability in mind for up to 37" tires.