I was thinking about 'the great debate' this morning and it occured to me that most of the supposed 'facts' are irrelevant if you don't factor in one critical and crucial element.
Not giving a sh*t. NGAS is a crucial factor in off-road ability and probably outweighs many of the areas discussed at length here about the virtues of different 4x4's and accessories. I've finally realised the time honoured Toyota vs Nissan debate becomes purely academic when you're out in the field and watching who actually goes where. I'm talking real life here, not on the internet or around BBQ's.
A fully kitted out late model 4x4 for 99.5% of the
population will never be as effective off-road as a basher will.
Why? Because the owners care about them, that's why. In THEORY, a fully equipped and accessorised GU will go just about anywhere, but in real life it's a totally different story.
The moment you are not willing to accept serious panel damage, roll-overs, ruined tyres and mechanical breakages is the moment that the argument becomes simply armchair theory. True.
Spend as much as you like on bits and pieces, an old basher driven using the NGAS principal will leave all the shiny 4x4's parked at the bottom of the
hill. Add abit of NGAS to the
tank and the newies will most certainly beat it - but it NEVER happens. I've sat at the bottom of hills I know I can climb because it also know that it will dent my doors and wipe off my mirrors. Theory vs Practice. My big buck 4x4 loses, the old POS wins.
I know this post is stating the bloody obvious, but if you apply NGAS awareness to most of the arguments on the forums, it completely changes the outcomes. Re-read a few posts and try it. Bottom line is a dented and rolled $5,000 Suzuki with big boots and lockers will outperform 99.99999999% of GU's and 100 series when it comes to the crunch in a real life challenge. No question about it.
I choose my vehicles for other reasons, but those who get too caught up in the great debate should keep in mind that when it comes down to it, you have to be prepared to do it, not just talk about it. Any brand of 4x4, and all the accessories in the world won't change that.
Next time the great debate becomes a little heated, ask how much NGAS they carry with them. That is what really determines a 4x4's ability in the REAL WORLD.
Just my thought for the day:-)