I haven't seen any discussion for this, but this (in my opinion) is the best 4x4 ever built. Well, actually it's a 4x4x4. If you haven't seen it, it's the Jeep Hurricane concept revealed at the International Auto Show. Make sure to look at the reveal video.

Jeep Hurricane

Dual Hemi's, 4 wheel steering, 4 wheel independent drive, and a zero-turning radius. Wow. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Depends on how radical you wish to get... There are some Artic snow gizmos that would put it to shame..

Me? I think the Rubi is the best on the common everyday market place.
Big JIm

Stock with manufacturer options.... Well, I would agree with BigJim for the Rubi, the Liberty maxed out is pretty good for off roading from what I have heard, but never driven one, so don't know. The Military HMMWV (Hummer) without the restrictions like governer, is a really great 4X4, but you can't find any of them around.... I'd be more partial to the Rubi since it is the result of tweaking and modifications over quite a few years and the designers had the end user in mind, what they wanted.... The Hurricane is interesting, but looks like a mechanical nightmare with it's design like the military HMMWV but steering on the rear axle. Looks like the big super mods like "BigFoot". If I had the money to buy one, I would just for the fun of it, but I'd bet that this thing will run about $45,000 or more....

Although the Hurricane is an interesting design and would be awesome to dog for a day. It just doesnt pass the muster for best 4x ever built. Two engines, five diffs, two cases and two transmissions, if i'm not mistaken. it probably weighs 7000 pounds. Is it locked? for all it's qualities the humvee is probably, pound for pound the best. I mean mil spec, intake and exhaust snorkels, hydraulic winch, turbo diesel, the works. Great clearance and stability. It can traverse 5 feet of water, if it isn't swept away. Can the hurricane do the same? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" />

Jeeps have been traversing 5 ft of water in the annual Swamp buggy Races in Naples FL for years. The problem with Hummvees is they are too big and heavy. Sure they're great in the desert but they suck in mud and/or on tight trails. When they get stuck they really get stuck! Somebody had one (Military model) at an offroad event near here a couple of years ago and they had to be pulled out of the mud by Jeeps more than once. The Hummers aint even worth mentioning <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/barf.gif" alt="" />

Think of all the parts to maintain/break... It is neither economical nor practical, which is why it is a Concept car.

not even worth mentioning might be extreme. I'm sure the government spent ooodles designing that thing. And although it is big, the military models, and I mean the real military models, not the H1 or H2 or hummers that people call them, but the HMMWV. This is the military model and most often comes striped to the bone, unless it has body armor, and is not all that heavy for its apparent size. As for the mud, with a good set of tires I think they can hold their own. But I'd still never buy one, I'm a jeepaholic for life. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/notooth.gif" alt="" />

the hurricane has NO storage space. no tools, no parts. the real hummvee has the final gear reduction right on the wheel spindles, a wicked tight turning radius, and 16 inches of clearance straight up the middle. my yj has a toolbox in back, a basstube, and lotts of great memories. wouldn't trade it for anything!

The current base model (M1097A2) has a curb weight of 5900lbs bare bones. It's 84" wide (sans mirrors) and 190.5" long with a 130" wheelbase. No treading lightly with that baby!<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" /> I was refering to the H1 and H2 as unworthy of mention. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/barf.gif" alt="" />

I don't have the specs in front of me, it's been a couple years since I had to ship one over to Iraq.... I don't recall it weighing too much. The weight was never a problem. The width is horrid... I knocked a couple mirrors off when trying to get down narrow paths.... The fact that it has a 6.2 L V8 Turbo diesel that has all sorts of governers on it is the problem. When the rev limiter and speed gov are removed, a properly maintained HMMWV, other than it's length, are awesome. Stock options it can easily out do any Jeep with "STOCK OPTIONS". Consider taking something like BigJim's Ford Ranger, go back to the factory and max it out with options. It will really blow your socks off if you are used to the 2WD version with "cute" tires.... It still won't touch a Jeep maxed out or many of the other ORV's. BUT, if you take it and put a 351 in with all sorts of snazzy stuff, you will start making it a wild rig, but it's still not the stock version. Back to basics and stock options, That would be something to start looking at all of the runners for asking what the "Best 4x4 ever built" question....