Sometimes you just want to get away from it all, off the beaten path, back to nature. Of course your shiny new BRZ, ancient Dodge Shadow, or whatever you happen to call your pride and joy won’t really let you go far from where the pavement ends, and we all believe in using the right tool to get the job done. Some of you do happen to own the odd off-road-mobile, and those will get your pretty deep in the bush, but what if your goal is to traverse the rough and rugged parts of the planet in something that’s neigh-on unstoppable?
If that’s the case, the you’re going to need a machine that will do dirt, snow, mud, hell, even water, without breaking a sweat. What kind of can-do machine would that most likely be? There are lots of multi-axle off-off-off roaders that will fit much of the bill, and those have such a generous contact patch that they can run over your legs and all you’d feel is a slight tickle.
Getting even more adventurous, there are weird and wonderful machines like the above twin screw drive beast from Russia that looks like something you’d burrow to the center of the Earth in to cart back giant diamonds and fight off missing links. That’s a little too far off the beaten path for our purposes here, but considering going farther in the back country than even trail rated allows, what would be your weapon of choice?
Image: OddStuffMagazine
That would definitely be the Lada Niva!
<img src="http://www.parts-specs.nl/photos/0313063-Lada-Niva-1.7i-1995.jpg" width=650>
And this is a close second…
<img src="http://images.forum-auto.com/mesimages/210199/high205.jpg" width=650>
It needs to be the right Lada Niva.
<img src="http://blegs.free.fr/nouveau%20site/bronto.jpg">
YES! Because:
<img src="http://luciferianblogdotcom.files.wordpress.com/2012/09/shtf_red_sm.jpg" width="630/">
Until it breaks down. Which will be very soon.
Luckily it can be repaired with a hammer.
and sickle…
Hahaha!!!
I guess I am already living the dream!
<img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5094/5483036452_91babf6b1f_z.jpg">
YAY!!! I bet it gets a Lada love… I just had to!
Obviously.
<img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u9Rou2QuwwU/UNtQg8lVqiI/AAAAAAAAgGw/KSrJ6NSZBbA/s1600/Ford+Raptor.jpg" width=550>
Get off the truck! You're blocking my view!
Oh heck, you beat me.
Raptor is, again, the answer.
I dunno, a Ford GT with snowtraxx $skaycog posted below is a pretty great answer.
And a NSX on mud tires.
Is that the the post-apocalypse-DIY-restart-civilisation-package? I have a hard time seeing those girls chopping down trees, but that is probably not their #1 priority either.
Since $kaycog is undoubtedly going to post something Ford GT/40, I guess this one is fair game for me.
<img src="http://moviesmedia.ign.com/movies/image/article/111/1112871/Vanishing_Point1_1282340809.jpg">
You thought I was going to choose something like this? Haha! I fooled you.
<img src="http://img.gawkerassets.com/img/17g4vrd1f9y65jpg/cmt-medium.jpg"width="500"/>
You are on the right track!
Yep, sure will be doing more than just treading water with those!
Ford Raptor FTW!
<img src="http://rwshiftinggears.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/13-ford-f-150-raptor-front.jpg"width="500"/>
Now that my kind of rock climbing.
That angle makes it seem to be walking up a wall.
No kidding………I think it's a great photo.
Somebody needs to buy out and restore that ZiL 4904 screwdrive already. I dunno why they havent made a remote controlled toy of that by now (dibs on that idea, by the way)
Not that particular vehicle, but if you want to homebrew something, here is an off-the-shelf toy with similar propulsion.
http://www.amazon.com/Tyco-Radio-Control-Terrain-…
<img src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41N1NW7ER5L._SL500_AA300_.jpg">
Always wanted an Argo.
<img src="http://www.argo8x8.jp/DSCN4289_2.jpg">
If you can't get there in an Argo it's time to start walking.
One among many. The Rokon Trailbraker.
<img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_WXShsNH9K2w/TA4lgnJ8QqI/AAAAAAAABCc/-xGNGxKTh2s/s400/rokan.jpg">
Still blown away by the concept of 2WD motorcycles.
I believe they float, too, thanks to the huge tires. You can just paddle it across the Amazon and continue on your way!
That looks awesome
"When getting stuck is not an option: Rokon."
I still intend to obtain one of those, as they are the perfect 2-wheeled complement to my street legal tractor, aka Haflinger. We may be the last ones to cross the start line, but we'll almost certainly be the only ones to make it to the finish. And while additional fuel is nice to have, in emergencies I'll be much happier when those tank wheels are filled with potable water.
And size does matter, especially considering most modern rock crawlers can't legally fit on a city street, much less the overgrown goat paths you may well encounter in the backcountry.
HEMTT
<img src="http://data.primeportal.net/hemtt2/rich_sahli/hemtt_ft/hemtt_ft_1_of_7.jpg" width="500/">
I will always regret not having somewhere to put this Tatra 813… It was 30 minutes away from me…
http://bringatrailer.com/2011/03/16/8-x-8-x-excel…
Someday, little Tatra, someday.
It is a damn shame about that Tatra getting away…
The Haaglunds Beltevogen BV206 that Antti posted over the weekend would be the one for me.
probably a 2-wheel drive bike with sidecar/floatation device. <img src="http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/photos/2011models/2011-Ural-SnowLeopard-LimitedEditionh.jpg">
Had you asked this question when I was still watching Saturday morning cartoons:
[youtube hA2mrugzhwg http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hA2mrugzhwg youtube]
It's kinda like having a wrangler and a vega at the same time
<img src="http://gomotors.net/pics/AMC/amc-eagle-02.jpg">
I prefer the second-gen.
<img src="http://www.rocky-road.com/media/sx4-4_small.jpg">
Needs more louvers
aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand im in love
Louvers need to make a comeback.
want one?
http://lincoln.craigslist.org/cto/3578375628.html
Needs more longroof… and woodgrain.
<img src="http://casualist.files.wordpress.com/2011/08/amc_eagle_wagons_19871.jpg" width="500">
M35A2
with locking diffs of course
I can only pick one! Nah, how about one for each set of conditions
Snow
<img src="http://www.autopictu.com/images/tucker-sno-cat-2000-09.jpg" width="600">
Sand
<img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6032/6317584142_5fa7374ac0.jpg">
Everywhere Else
<img src="http://das-blaue-ding.de/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/unimog-406-3.jpg" width="600">>
Unimog will AWLAYS be the answer.
Have you seen the latest "Die hard"? Probably sponsored by MB, involves an Unimog and a G doing improbable things.
Not yet, but it's on the list – Die Hard movies are officially on my Guilty Pleasures list – I can feel my brain cells dying, but it is so fun.
This would work for me
<img src="http://www.texaspinzgauer.com/images/PinzgauerTrax.jpg" width="600">
I am very, very, VERY glad I don't have the money to burn on my 710K right now, but once I get the other projects out of the way, it's time to fix up the radio wagon as a camper.
Check out pirate bay. There is a guy who has an old deuce radio truck that he converted to an RV. It is pretty amazing.Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T
The Tucker Medi-Cat laughs at your crudeness.
<img src="http://hooniverse.info/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/1999Tucker_01_700-650×433.jpg" width="500"> <a href="http://hooniverse.info/2010/08/17/your-mattracks-are-toys/” target=”_blank”>http://hooniverse.info/2010/08/17/your-mattracks-are-toys/
Rambo Lambo! I have lusted after this ever since it appeared in Motor Trend when I was a kid. I've only seen one in the wild, and it was glorious.
<img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mmk8iIFWjn0/TfdixSpnDlI/AAAAAAAAAiw/4GEsXdKEaEE/s1600/lm002.jpg" width="500">
I saw one driving the other way on the interstate once. I almost got in a wreck as I tried to make sure I had really seen what I thought I had.
There was one at a local Jag/Rover dealership when I was about 12 or 13. I was bewildered as my brother-in-law who worked there explained that it was actually a Lamborghini.
Now I'm just bewildered that someone traded it in.
Sounds like my one sighting in the wild. It was sitting at a red light and I nearly stopped mid-left turn to gawk at it.
I expect awesomeness to occur in this comment thread… and so far, so good.
I'll go with this one for now:
<img src="http://moviesmedia.ign.com/movies/image/article/121/1219875/gigahorsephoto_1330716076.jpg">
Looks like two Cadillacs gang-banging a dragster at a tractor pull.
What?
My God…..this is….beautiful…
Think outside the box, kids.
<img src="http://shortwayround.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/dsc_8658-dras-purchased.jpg" width=500>
Way outside the box!
<img src="http://media.techeblog.com/images/copter.jpg">
That first one is clearly not off-road. I can tell from the background.
Why the Bowler Nemesis, of course!
<img src="http://blog.landrover.com/wp-content/uploads/Bowler-Nemesis.jpg">
OOoooooh! Good one!
<img src="http://hooniverse.info/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_15255.jpg">
Minimalist-style.
Can't decide between wheels, skis or a boat hull? Take them all.
<img src="http://image.nettix.fi/extra/boatimg/453901_454000/hydrokopteri-muu-merkki-453997_l_e122acaf2abaeb7b.jpg" width="600">
Vavon was again on the right tracks with the Lada Niva.
Put a small pair of wings on that and you have Ekronoplan.
Surface effect flying .
Thanks, Wolfie. I was trying to remember the name.
I'd love that rediculous cork screw thingy in the top photo, other nominations are:
A PistenBully snow groomer <img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7009/6544274849_b2c43a0f10.jpg" width="500" height="301" alt="Pisten Bully snow-groomer – SKI area Nove Mesto na Morave">
and I have to nominate the Ram Powerwagon, which is sooo much fun. Here's a photo of me off-roading one in one of our recent Pickuptrucks.com/FourWheeler Magazine shootouts
<img src="http://i387.photobucket.com/albums/oo314/RPDRed6/3d7816f4-32fb-4880-b50a-399893151a31.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 3d7816f4-32fb-4880-b50a-399893151a31.jpg"/>
Back to the Beaver!
[youtube XcilWhg6zPI http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcilWhg6zPI youtube]
Where would we all be without the Beaver?
Old school Funco SS1, without a doubt.
<img src="http://i476.photobucket.com/albums/rr127/fairoakskid/FuncoSSIIFrontShot.jpg" width="512">
Also the happiest off-road vehicle.
One JESUS approved Hilux.
<img src="http://farm2.staticflickr.com/1050/938704186_c8a083d4d5.jpg">
My favorite episode…
I want the Antarctic Snow Cruiser. Sure, it was a miserable failure, but it has a plane!
<img width=500 src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/48/Antarctic_snow_cruiser_cutaway.jpg">
Read more here: <a href="http://atomictoasters.com/2011/02/the-ultimate-snow-vehicle/” target=”_blank”>http://atomictoasters.com/2011/02/the-ultimate-snow-vehicle/
404
Fixed link: http://atomictoasters.com/2011/02/the-ultimate-sn…
[youtube 35iBy09CPBM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35iBy09CPBM youtube]
My buddy showed me this the other day. I was rather impressed. Then that turned into watching video of turbocharged Can-Ams with continuously variable transmissions, which turned into watching videos of turbocharged cars with CVTs. Watching something rev up and just stay on boost is pretty cool.
Maybe I'm biased because I own one (not the pictured one), but I'd take a properly set up K5 anyday.
<img src="http://i709.photobucket.com/albums/ww96/64zim/HPIM3861800x600.jpg" width=500>
Where we're going, we don't need any roads…or bridges.
<img src="http://cache.gizmodo.com/assets/images/4/2011/04/bridgetop.jpg" width=500>
I was with a Bridge Engineer unit in Germany, We had 17 square miles of storage at GDK . Vessels and trucks of every description,but we did not have one of those.That is some kind of bridge .
My pick would be a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon two-door, equipped with Mattracks, a winch, and a Rokon Trailblazer on a bumper rack.
<img src="http://www.carsbase.com/photo/Tatra-815_Dakar_mp84_pic_60690.jpg" width="900">
How does this not disintegrate upon landing??
Its made in the Czech Republic, they don't do breakage. Hans Ledwinka's legacy lives on.
I give you the Sno-Motor:[youtube R-t0V-p90nM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-t0V-p90nM youtube]
This is another post where I've already got both. The places I like going that I can't get to with my Jeep, I walk the last bit. And if walking won't do it, I can bring climbing gear.
A nicely-restored one of these with, at most, a 2" lift and a modern four-cylinder turbodiesel and manual tranny out of a Class 4 or 5 truck.
<img src="http://static.cargurus.com/images/site/2011/06/09/00/01/1966_international_travelall-pic-4964950773513022691.jpeg" width="500" />
I want a Rooikat.
<img src="http://www.defenceweb.co.za/images/stories/LAND/LAND_new/Rooikat-Mk1D-ArmouredCar.JPG" width="600">
Or if I can't have that, the M1128 Stryker Mobile Gun System
<img src="http://www.op-for.com/picture_of_the_day/Stryker155.jpg" width="600">
I really love both the journey and the destination. I also really hate tent camping.
This really hits the spot for me.
<img src="http://memimage.cardomain.com/member_images/3/web/279000-279999/279576_173_full.jpg" width=600>
<img src="http://memimage.cardomain.com/member_images/3/web/279000-279999/279576_172_full.jpg" width=600>
But this one is a lot more likely to see my butt inside, given that it's got room for my family and they're built about 10 miles from my house.
<img src="http://www.earthroamer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/FINAL-complete-650-master-with-kelci-b.jpg" width=600>
Not sure I need or want all that. I'd be happy with a Tiger CX.
<img src="http://i25.tinypic.com/2cdg19h.jpg">
Okay, I think I might have changed my mind. I forgot about this…
<img src="http://www.boston.com/cars/newsandreviews/overdrive/Local-Motors-Rally-Fighter.jpg">
Soviet nesting dolls!
Vityaz DT-30PM Vezdesusciy
<img src="http://www.military-today.com/trucks/dt30_vityaz.jpg">
Tatra T813
<img src="http://www.military-today.com/trucks/tatra_t813.jpg">
UAZ 469
<img src="http://www.military-today.com/trucks/uaz_469.jpg">
Ural M72
<img src="http://www.ural-land.com/ural-motorcycles-world/m72.jpg">
Maybe I'd rather have a Jeep TJ and a Rokon, but then the joke doesn't work.
Wear a kidney belt for countryside drives in the UAZ 469.
With the snorkel all the way in, the Delica is becoming a pretty good choice, and once I add an air locker out of a Montero, I'll be pretty happy with it:
<img src="http://i480.photobucket.com/albums/rr161/DrKool/Delica/3_zps95de3474.jpg" width=500>
If it was just me, I'd think about a Pajero Evo:
<img src="http://www.lancerregister.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=222018&stc=1&d=1359821742" width=500>
Of course, it is difficult to go wrong with a Landy (caution, 1.5 hours, hard not to watch the whole thing)
[youtube UGWp8R-IqoE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGWp8R-IqoE youtube]
A lot of good ones are taken but how about a little vintage Type 82?
<img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/32/K%C3%BCbelwagen.jpg" width="400">
<img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OkvM28n33c4/To16xz7_LaI/AAAAAAAAKM8/G9yVRCMJCz4/s1600/bb1.jpg
" width="600">
D'oh!
Courtesy embed: <img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OkvM28n33c4/To16xz7_LaI/AAAAAAAAKM8/G9yVRCMJCz4/s1600/bb1.jpg" width="600">
Cheers Vairship. 🙂
<img src="http://cdn.inthralld.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Tiny-UNICAT-Truck-Home-on-The-Road-2.jpeg" width=500 /img>
I don't really get along with nature. Or rather, nature doesn't get along with me. I mean, I appreciate it, it looks nice, we should take care of it, and I should never, ever be there. I'm inevitably a sneezing, bug-bitten mess, and don't cope well with temperatures other than room. If I'm going off-off road, I'm taking a facsimile of home with me in a Unicat.
<img src="http://cdn.inthralld.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Tiny-UNICAT-Truck-Home-on-The-Road-3.jpeg" width=500 /img>
I enjoy camping outdoors at park campgrounds or in the wilderness precisely because it underscores how wonderful it is to have a tech-filled house to shield me from the outside world and its hardships.
My Wagoneer, once it's done
crapping all over itselfI'd like it to look about like this:<img src="http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f143/MadMaxima/Wagoneer/Ely%20Trip/IMG_4679.jpg" width=500>
For now, I'm dealing with this
But as long as we're dreaming, how about a 4 wheel steering bobbed M35A2?
<img src="http://ccsurplus.com/sites/ccsurplus.com/files/crew%20cab%202%20nail%202%20truck%20046.JPG" width="550/">
Via: http://ccsurplus.com/custom-truck/315
<img src="http://www.miracleofamericamuseum.org/exhibits/thinksnow/full%20images/DSC03030.JPG width="600">
Miracle of America Museum Polson, Mt This place has tonnage!
There aren't any roads on the moon are there?
<img src="http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/image/as15_88_11901.jpg">
I'm a sucker for crew cabs so vehicle list includes Land Rover Defender 130 crew cab (300TDI or TGV) Unimog Doka, or for really big jobs a Tatra 815
This robotic ostrich:
[youtube TZ3rAxSiiO4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZ3rAxSiiO4 youtube]
I want a 4×4 SX4 right now. I bet they are getting cheaper by the minute.
Isuzu Vehicross is boss.
<img src="http://www.wildtoys.com/vehicross/VX_MyPics/VX3quarter2007_600.jpg" width="500">
<img src="http://www.miracleofamericamuseum.org/exhibits/thinksnow/full%20images/DSC03030.JPG"> width=500
<img src="http://images.starpulse.com/news/bloggers/8/blog_images/national-geographic-rock-crawler.jpg" width="600">
Since the Snow Cruiser was already cited, I'd take a Fiat Panda Tanker <img src=http://img2.fotoalbum.virgilio.it/v/www1-3/146/146664/268468/061205_F_PandaTanker_02_1024-vi.jpg" width="600"> http://www.dainese.com/us_en/news/PANDA_TANKER
Of course, a Skoda Yeti would be just fine, too.