For decades, we've promoted vehicles that can not only take on the toughest trails, but are street legal, too. With the advent of rock buggies, the term "toughest trails" took on a new meaning. Now, the toughest trails are so tough that even some buggies have problems on them and our street legal Jeeps, Broncos, Toyotas, etc. don't have a chance. That being said, while buggies are fun, I still like being able to drive to a trail on the pavement, explore the backcountry, then drive home in the same vehicle such as my old Rockworx YJ pictured here. My current Jeep, Project Dualsport (project buildup begins in the June '08 4WD&SU magazine), is a JK Wrangler that will be able to tackle tough trails yet still be street legal. Tough trails meaning those such as the Hammers, Montrose, Colorado, trails, Pritchett Canyon in Moab, and the like. I'll probably stay away from buggy-tough trails that would destroy the Jeep. Long backcountry trips are fun, too, and require a street legal vehicle if National Parks and Forests are traveled or the trail ends miles (or states) away from the starting point.
What do you think? Of course, usage dictates the answer, but do you think the street legal, well-built 4x4 is not only the past but the future of off-roading, or do you think that buggies are the best vehicles for the job?
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