How Good Is a Cheap Jeep?

Hang around the off-road community long enough, and it’s bound to happen. Someone with a set of Toyota keys in their pocket will smart off about reliability, and a Jeep owner will respond with a threadbare, “A stock Wrangler is more capable than a modified Toyota.” Well, the crew at TFL have decided to put that theory to the test, pitting a base, bone-stock two-door Wrangler against a pair of modified Toyotas on a fairly aggressive track.

The Toyotas are nothing to sneeze at, from a mild 4Runner with 33s, armor, and a winch, to a fully built FJ Cruiser on 37s. The little Wrangler that could, meanwhile, is riding on Nexen Mall Terrains. Woof.

We’ve spent plenty of time wheeling Jeeps, and sent a similarly equipped JK through some of Windrock’s gnarliest OHV bits. Doing so requires a different driving style. One that relies on momentum and prayer more than grip and articulation, but we managed to knock off Trail 16 before that was a Badge of Honor trail.

The crew at TFL have a little bit less luck. Here’s our suggestion: less care, more throttle. Check out the video below to see how it went.

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