4x4s: Capability vs. Reality

In Episode 21 of Between Two Pumps, Mike Musto, Terry McGean, and Terry Shea dig into the evolution of the 4x4, from old-school, truck-based rigs to modern SUVs and crossovers. The conversation starts with a simple question: What are you actually going to use it for? Because there's a big difference between needing legitimate off-road capability and needing all-wheel drive to get through the snow.

The guys revisit everything from early Ford Explorers, Chevy Blazers, Broncos, and Jeep Cherokees to Grand Wagoneers, Wranglers, 4Runners, Land Cruisers, Range Rovers, and today's Bronco. Along the way, they debate the tradeoffs between off-road ability, highway comfort, towing capacity, reliability, size, power, and practicality—and why the best 4x4 might be the one that can do almost everything well.

Plus: overlanding excess, questionable used Range Rovers, bulletproof Toyotas, and the Land Cruiser 70 Series—the "Erector Set of the 4x4 world."

If you could have one 4x4 that had to handle the trail, the highway, the family, and the occasional tow, what would you choose?