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Offroad Truck Lovers - Buy These Pickups Before It’s Too Late! | Ep. 330

Offroad Truck Lovers - Buy These Pickups Before It’s Too Late! | Ep. 330

TFL Talkin' Trucks May 08, 2026 75 min
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About this episode

The hosts kick off with a debate on what makes a pickup great off-road versus on-road, then tie their Moab testing to traditional hardware like ladder-frame design, solid axles, and lockers. Portal axles come up as a clearance hack—though they’re expensive and need gear-oil maintenance. They also cover rock-crawling realities: approach/breakover/departure angles, visibility limits from modern hood shapes, and why locker/low-range behavior can be finicky. The episode closes with practical buying and ownership talk, including emissions-delete and warranty concerns.

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Car

Unimog

"And the way that we know Jay couch is because he's a big unimog guy. Yeah. So generally, his two primary areas have been first and foremost, building some insane half million dollar plus unimog campers, even racing unimogs all kind of crazy stuff."

Unimog is a rugged off-road truck line that can be built for all kinds of specialized uses. The hosts are saying Jay Couch really likes them and even builds and races custom versions.

Concept

6x6, 8x8, and 10x10

"He's got also has a lot of six by six, eight by eight and even 10 by 10, military off-road vehicles, which are pretty cool. But he's also a big G-wagon guy..."

“6x6,” “8x8,” and “10x10” tell you how many wheels a vehicle has and how many of them get power. More driven wheels usually means better grip when the terrain is rough.

Car

G-Class Gwagon

"[SPEAKER_00]: He's got also has a lot of six by six, eight by eight and even 10 by 10, military off-road vehicles, which are pretty cool. [SPEAKER_00]: But he's also a big G-wagon guy, and I think that this Ineos appealed to him in a special kind of way, but of course, if J couch is going to do anything with Ineos, it's going to be over the top because that's how we operate. [SPEAKER_01]: Exactly, so, and just really quick before we look at J-Struck as well."

The G-Class is a luxury SUV that’s also built to go off-road. The podcast mentions special versions with extra wheels, like 6x6 and 8x8, which are made for extreme terrain. It’s being discussed because it has a reputation for rugged capability.

Car

Ineos Grenadier

"Ineo is guaranteed here, and I want to hit these points. The chassis is a ladder frame, so it's a body-on-frame vehicle. It's got solid axles front and rear."

The Ineos Grenadier is an off-road truck designed with a classic truck structure. It uses a ladder-style frame, heavy-duty axles, and it can be equipped with locking differentials so it can keep traction on tough trails.

Concept

ladder frame

"The chassis is a ladder frame, so it's a body-on-frame vehicle. It's got solid axles front and rear."

A ladder frame is the truck’s main metal skeleton. It’s built like two long rails with bars connecting them, and it’s popular on off-road trucks because it’s tough over bumps and rough terrain.

Concept

body-on-frame

"The chassis is a ladder frame, so it's a body-on-frame vehicle. It's got solid axles front and rear."

Body-on-frame means the car’s body sits on top of a separate heavy-duty frame. Off-road trucks use this because it tends to be stronger when you hit rocks, ruts, and big bumps.

Concept

solid axles front and rear

"It's got solid axles front and rear. It also has locking differential front and rear, which are optional, actually, but you could equip it from the factory."

Solid axles connect the wheels with a rigid bar. That helps the truck keep traction when the ground is uneven, because the wheels can follow bumps and dips more effectively.

Term

locking differential

"It also has locking differential front and rear, which are optional, actually, but you could equip it from the factory. Yeah."

A locking differential makes both wheels on the same axle turn together. If one wheel starts slipping, it helps the other wheel still get power so the truck can keep going.

Term

pinion angle

"with these innios vehicles in particular, if you try to lift them very heavily, much beyond an inch and a half or two inches, the pinion angle on the drive shaft gets pretty crazy, it builds up a lot of heat and the vehicles just not have destroyed itself after that."

Pinion angle is the alignment angle of the gears that send power to the driveshaft. If you lift the truck too high, that angle can get off, making the drivetrain work harder and run hotter.

Term

drive shaft

"the pinion angle on the drive shaft gets pretty crazy, it builds up a lot of heat and the vehicles just not have destroyed itself after that."

The drive shaft is the part that carries power from the drivetrain to the axle. If the truck is lifted and the angles change too much, it can cause extra stress and heat.

Term

portal axles

"Now the other cool thing about portal axles is you get a lot of ground and a lot of extra ground clearance versus doing a suspension lift because your axle moves that further from the ground... And you could put tiny tires on it still and still have a lift."

Portal axles are a special axle design that gives you extra ground clearance. Instead of lifting the whole suspension, the axle’s gearing is arranged so the wheels sit higher off the ground.

Concept

suspension lift

"typically solid axle vehicles one of the perks usually versus independent front suspension is that it's a little easier to get away with the geometry of lifting them more heavily, but not so much the case with these grenadiers... So if you do a typical suspension lift, the only way your axle is getting higher up off the ground and offering you more clearance is by running a bigger tire"

A suspension lift raises the truck by changing the suspension. It can improve clearance, but it can also mess with how the drivetrain angles line up.

Term

gear oil

"Portals are very expensive and they do require maintenance because they have gear oil in them."

Gear oil is the special lubricant that keeps gears from wearing out. Portal axles have extra gears inside, so they need gear oil and periodic service.

Concept

Camel Trophy

"And you look back at photos from camel trophy back in the day and some land rovers that did some really incredible things in those competitions and difficult tasks off-road. They were never running really huge tires."

Camel Trophy was a famous off-road event where teams drove 4x4s through very challenging terrain. They mention it to make the point that you don’t always need huge tires to do well off-road.

Term

heavy foot

"because back then, people had skill. Sure, they also had a heavy foot. You know, carry some momentum and a lot of articulation."

“Heavy foot” just means driving with more throttle than usual. Off-road, that can help keep speed and momentum when you hit rough sections.

Term

articulation

"Sure, they also had a heavy foot. Yes. You know, carry some momentum and a lot of articulation. The interesting thing actually about a stock grenadier, whether it's the SUV that they call the wagon, or the pickup truck version of it, the quartermaster, like what you brought out to Moab."

Articulation is how much a vehicle’s suspension can move up and down on one axle while keeping tires in contact with uneven terrain. More articulation helps maintain traction over bumps and dips, which matters a lot in off-road competitions.

Car

Ineos Grenadier Quartermaster

"The interesting thing actually about a stock grenadier, whether it's the SUV that they call the wagon, or the pickup truck version of it, the quartermaster, like what you brought out to Moab. Is it even though they don't look like they have a whole lot of clearance?"

The Ineos Grenadier Quartermaster is the pickup version of the Grenadier. They’re talking about it as an off-road truck that can handle trails like Moab, even if it doesn’t look like it has huge clearance at first glance.

Term

portals

"Well, because I think this, the granite deer that he brought on 37's, so those portals allowed him to put a 37-inch tall tire pretty easily... So if the stock Granidier has about 10 inches of ground clearance, J told me his portals are offering about four and a half inches of lift."

In off-road truck talk, “portals” are axle parts that add extra clearance under the truck. They help the truck sit higher so bigger tires can fit and the wheels can clear obstacles.

Term

37's

"Well, because I think this, the granite deer that he brought on 37's, so those portals allowed him to put a 37-inch tall tire pretty easily, also much wider tires as well without rubbing."

“37’s” means the truck is running very large tires—about 37 inches tall. Larger tires usually help the truck clear rocks and ruts, but they can require lift and careful fitment so they don’t rub.

Concept

test bed

"This is kind of his test bed, right? So it's not really like, hey, Jay, you know, how much is this going to cost? Because he's kind of testing things out, for sure, getting it fit it."

A “test bed” is basically a trial platform. They’re using the truck to try out the parts and make sure everything fits and works well off-road.

Term

ground clearance

"I mean, because ground clearance is insane. So if the stock Granidier has about 10 inches of ground clearance, J told me his portals are offering about four and a half inches of lift."

Ground clearance is how high the truck sits off the ground. The higher it is, the less likely you are to hit the bottom of the truck when driving off-road.

Company

Litek

"There is a German company called Litek. Litek. Thanks so, yes."

They’re a German company that makes an off-road “portal kit.” The kit helps change how the wheels sit on the truck, which can improve clearance for rough terrain.

Term

portal kit

"they also had a portal kit that was fitted to a lot of any else grenadiers. And it looked neat, but it also looked pretty top-heavy."

A portal kit is an off-road upgrade that raises the wheels using gearing near the hubs. It can give you more clearance for rocks and ruts, though the truck’s overall balance can change.

Term

track width

"They're very, very narrow track width vehicles. If I remember correctly, and if you don't believe me, feel free to Google this."

Track width is how wide the truck is from one wheel to the other. A wider track usually feels more stable, while a narrow track can feel tippier, especially if the truck sits higher.

Car

Ford Focus

"But I'm pretty sure the track width of a Ford Focus. is wider than the old G-Wag and the old solid axle G-Wagans before they updated them in 2018."

They bring up the Ford Focus to make a comparison about width. The point is that the Focus can be wider than older solid-axle G-Wagons, which can make the truck feel less tippy.

Term

tippy

"It's not like they get tippy and and also we can talk about with a little bit later because when you have a super white truck like an empty wrap there Yeah, you you have trouble fitting into some trails."

“Tippy” is shorthand for a vehicle feeling like it will tip over, which relates to rollover risk. Width, suspension geometry, and how the truck is loaded all affect how stable it feels on uneven terrain.

Term

rock crawling

"Yeah, so when we typically talk about off-roading, we are talking about rock crawling, because we live in the Rocky Mountains and Rocky is an accurate description."

Rock crawling is off-roading over rocks at very low speeds. You’re trying to keep the tires gripping while you carefully climb or go down obstacles.

Car

F-150 Raptor

".... [SPEAKER_00]: I think that like the majority of raptor trucks, for example, those are more high speed of..."

The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup truck. The podcast is talking about Raptor versions, which are built to drive faster and handle rough roads. So the F-150 is mentioned as the base truck line for that kind of performance setup.

Term

solid axle configuration

"And traditionally speaking, solid axle configuration is a great setup for rock crawling. Especially because they articulate really well"

A solid axle connects both wheels with one sturdy bar. When you hit rocks, it helps the tires stay on the ground so you can keep traction.

Term

articulate

"Especially because they articulate really well it's not to say that you can't design in an independent front suspension that articulate to really well. There's a lot of very, very capable rock buggy"

Articulation is how much the suspension can “flex” so the wheels can move independently over bumps. More flex usually means better tire contact and traction off-road.

Term

independent front suspension

"it’s not to say that you can't design in an independent front suspension that articulate to really well. There's a lot of very, very capable rock buggy, some crazy machines that run IFS"

Independent front suspension means the left and right front wheels can move separately. That can still work great off-road, but it may not match a solid axle’s wheel-to-wheel flexibility in extreme crawling.

Term

sway bar disconnect

"for example, the full size for Bronco, independent front suspension with a sway bar disconnect and you get fantastic amount of articulation from that"

A sway bar disconnect lets the suspension move more freely. Off-road, that can help each wheel stay in contact with the ground when the truck is twisting over rocks.

Car

Ford Bronco

"for example, the full size for Bronco, independent front suspension with a sway bar disconnect and you get fantastic amount of articulation from that"

The Ford Bronco is built for off-road driving. Here, they’re talking about how its suspension can be tuned (with a sway bar disconnect) to let the wheels move more over rocks.

Car

Chevrolet Colorado ZR2

"I think a good example of that is the Colorado ZR2 in the Canyon 84X because those trucks have independent front suspension like all of the GM trucks, but they're great rock crawlers because they're very tall and they have front and rear lockers."

The Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 is an off-road-focused version of the Colorado. They’re saying it can still rock-crawl well even without a solid front axle because it has good ground clearance and locking differentials.

Term

lockers

"because those trucks have independent front suspension like all of the GM trucks, but they're great rock crawlers because they're very tall and they have front and rear lockers."

Lockers are traction aids that make both wheels on an axle turn together. When one wheel loses grip on rocks, the other wheel can still pull you through.

Term

live front axle

"But it is cool to see a truck on the market with a live front axle with a solid front axle because at this point, there is the grenadier and the Jeep Gladiator."

A live front axle is a solid front axle that’s connected to the drive system. Off-road, it can help the truck keep traction and let the wheels move well over rocks.

Car

Ram Heavy Duty

"There's the heavy duty ram and the heavy duty Ford. That's about it."

Ram Heavy Duty is Ram’s big, heavy-duty truck line. The hosts mention it because it’s one of the few trucks you can buy new that still uses a solid front axle.

Car

Dodge Ram

"...ER_00]: Yes. [SPEAKER_00]: There's the heavy duty ram and the heavy duty Ford. [SPEAKER_00]: That's abo..."

The Dodge Ram is a full-size pickup truck. When people say “heavy duty,” they usually mean it’s built for towing and hauling more than a regular pickup. The podcast mentions it while comparing heavy-duty trucks.

Car

Ford Super Duty

"they would never consider a GM, HD truck because of the independent, because of the independence suspension, and they always say, you know, the Ford Super Duty and the RAM heavy duty trucks."

Ford’s Super Duty is a heavy-duty truck line meant for serious towing and work. The hosts bring it up as a popular pick for people who prefer certain heavy-duty truck designs.

Concept

independent suspension

"they would never consider a GM, HD truck because of the independent, because of the independence suspension"

Independent suspension is when each wheel can move up and down more on its own. Some off-road people don’t like it as much as a solid axle, but others prefer it because it can ride and handle better on the road.

Car

RAM heavy duty trucks

"they always say, you know, the Ford Super Duty and the RAM heavy duty trucks."

RAM makes heavy-duty pickup trucks designed for towing and tough use. In the conversation, RAM is mentioned alongside Ford as a preferred option in the heavy-duty truck world.

Concept

desert running

"you can have a good all-around truck that can do some rock crawling and can do some desert running"

Desert running is off-road driving across rough, sandy terrain. It usually requires suspension travel and stability so the truck can handle bumps and ruts.

Car

Jeep Cj2A

"I love solid front axles. It's how I learned how to drive a lot of an old CJ2A."

The CJ2A is an old Jeep that’s famous for being tough and capable off-road. The host mentions it to explain they’re used to the way solid-axle vehicles drive.

Brand

Lane Rover

"you know, without giving them too much praise and lighting comments on fire. Lane Rover does a great job, or has in the past of making some vehicles that have cross-linked air suspension fully independent"

This sounds like “Land Rover,” a brand that makes SUVs built for off-road. The host is saying Land Rover has made suspension systems that work well both off-road and on regular roads.

Term

cross-linked air suspension

"Lane Rover does a great job, or has in the past of making some vehicles that have cross-linked air suspension fully independent that still articulates really well"

Cross-linked air suspension is an air-spring suspension system where the left and right sides are connected in a way that helps the truck/suv stay controlled over bumps. The goal is better off-road wheel movement without giving up too much ride quality on the road.

Term

NVH

"The Honda Ridgeline is what I think a lot of engineers are targeting for NVH, noise vibration and harshness that kind of experience."

NVH is a measure of how much noise, shaking, and roughness you feel in the cabin. Lower NVH usually means the ride feels smoother and more “refined.”

Car

Honda Ridgeline

"No shade to the Honda Rich line. The Honda, the Honda Ridgeline is what I think a lot of engineers are targeting for NVH, noise vibration and harshness that kind of experience."

The Honda Ridgeline is a pickup that’s tuned to feel smoother and more comfortable, kind of like Honda’s SUVs. The point here is that it doesn’t drive like a typical rougher, more old-school truck.

Car

Honda Crv

"There's a Ridgeline drives a lot like a CRV across over or you know, a Honda pilot."

The Honda CR-V is a crossover SUV. In this segment it’s mentioned to explain that the Ridgeline feels more like an SUV to drive than like a classic truck.

Car

Honda Pilot

"There's a Ridgeline drives a lot like a CRV across over or you know, a Honda pilot."

The Honda Pilot is a larger family SUV. It’s mentioned to help you picture the Ridgeline’s driving feel as more SUV-like than truck-like.

Car

Ferrari F50

"[SPEAKER_01]: There is a way, I think there is a way to make a truck with a front solid axle be refined. [SPEAKER_01]: When I drive a super duty and let's say like an F-50 and we're not talking about like chassis cabs that beat you up because they have really stiff springs and they're meant for something else. [SPEAKER_01]: but like I have to 50 or so, it feels trucky and feels big and strong, but it also feels like I can go a thousand miles in one, like from here to Phoenix, without a lot of fatigue, you know, without feeling like I need to saw it to wheel a little bit or, you know, [SPEAKER_01]: However, when you lift those guys, there is also something called death wobble, where, right, so that can come up if you improperly lift something, or with the same thing as your audience."

The Ferrari F50 is a very high-end sports car made for performance. The podcast mentions it to talk about how refinement can exist even in a vehicle that’s meant to be exciting to drive. It’s being used as a reference point in a discussion about ride and handling feel.

Term

death wobble

"However, when you lift those guys, there is also something called death wobble, where, right, so that can come up if you improperly lift something, or with the same thing as your audience."

Death wobble is when a truck starts shaking violently from the front end, usually through the steering. It’s often triggered by suspension problems or an improper lift setup.

Term

neglected maintenance

"Yeah, neglected maintenance. So, scary and comfortable."

Neglected maintenance means letting wear items go too long without service, which can allow suspension and steering components to become loose or out of spec. On trucks with solid axles, that can increase the likelihood of instability problems like steering vibrations.

Topic

solid axle steering trade-offs

"You know, the whole solid axle experience... So that's the trade-off. Spending nine hours off-road over rough terrain and rocky terrain in Moam versus spending six hours on-road..."

They’re talking about why solid-axle trucks can feel great off-road but different on the highway. They also explain that steering behavior can be affected by both the truck’s design and whether key parts are worn out.

Part

ball joints

"Like, yeah, well, I'm pretty sure that jeep that you drove on the highway once was a lifted YJ Wrangler that had never seen a pair of ball joints or tie rod ends..."

Ball joints are parts that let the suspension move while keeping the wheels pointed correctly. If they’re worn, the steering can feel sloppy or unsafe.

Part

tie rod ends

"Like, yeah, well, I'm pretty sure that jeep that you drove on the highway once was a lifted YJ Wrangler that had never seen a pair of ball joints or tie rod ends..."

Tie rod ends are steering linkage parts that help move the wheels when you turn the wheel. If they wear out, the steering can feel loose and inaccurate.

Car

Jeep Wrangler JL

"So, what what the solid axle was then versus a brand new JL Wrangler, they're very different. And I actually think that the gladiator and the Wrangler have better steering with their solid front axle than the inials does."

The Jeep Wrangler JL is a newer Wrangler generation. The discussion is basically that newer Wranglers can feel more controlled and refined than older ones—especially if the older one has worn steering parts.

Term

return on center

"The Ineos steering, granted your steering, doesn't really return on center. After, after you complete the turn, it's like that the caster is maybe not quite here."

“Return on center” is the steering tendency to naturally straighten itself after you complete a turn. If it doesn’t return well, the steering can feel like it stays “off” or requires more driver correction—something the host ties to the Ineos’s steering setup.

Term

caster

"After, after you complete the turn, it's like that the caster is maybe not quite here. Yeah, and I think that was on purpose."

Caster is an angle built into the front suspension that influences how the steering feels and whether it wants to straighten itself after a turn. The host thinks the Ineos is set up so it feels more direct off-road rather than perfectly self-centering.

Car

Porsche 911

"[SPEAKER_01]: So it doesn't [SPEAKER_00]: Yeah, I think that's one of the things that they've worked on and had and they tried to help it improve It's also a lot of turns locked a lot a lot So you're shuffling the wheel around a bunch. [SPEAKER_00]: So again, the the in yells is an enthusiast vehicle and enthusiast vehicles are always compromised [SPEAKER_00]: think about something like a portion 9-11, if you tried to convince, you know, your wife or somebody that this was a smart buy, they would say, well, you know, it's got a tiny trunk in the back seat, so you can't really use them. [SPEAKER_00]: And, right, yeah, that's because it's an enthusiast vehicle and it's compromised to be a sports car."

The Porsche 911 is a sports car designed for fast driving and cornering. People talk about it a lot because it feels responsive when you turn the steering wheel. The podcast is referencing how it handles when you’re making lots of turns.

Term

solid front axles

"It's got solid front axles, it's got the option of these lockers. It's, body on frame, it's very traditional in all of those ways, which is going to have an impact on the way that it drives and the way it operates."

Solid front axles connect both front wheels with a rigid axle. That can help the tires stay in contact with the ground when you hit rocks, ruts, or uneven trails.

Term

delete

"Um, he says, my son-in-law wants to delete his 2025 GMC 3-liter Duramax turbo diesel. He's convinced it won't void his warranty."

Here, “delete” means taking out emissions equipment from the truck. People do it to change performance or simplify the system, but it can cause legal trouble and may affect warranty coverage.

Term

EGR

"if you remove deleting means removing emissions equipment, so basically almost like straight piping it, maybe putting a muffler, but removing the DPS, EGR, DLEF, EGR, DLEF, maybe."

EGR is a system that sends a bit of exhaust back into the engine. It helps the truck burn cleaner, and deleting it usually means the truck no longer follows emissions rules.

Term

DLEF

"if you remove deleting means removing emissions equipment, so basically almost like straight piping it, maybe putting a muffler, but removing the DPS, EGR, DLEF, EGR, DLEF, maybe."

DLEF refers to an emissions system component on some diesel trucks. When people “delete” it, they remove parts that help the truck meet emissions standards.

Term

straight piping

"if you remove deleting means removing emissions equipment, so basically almost like straight piping it, maybe putting a muffler, but removing the DPS, EGR, DLEF, EGR, DLEF, maybe."

Straight piping means removing the muffler and other exhaust restrictions so exhaust flows directly out. It typically makes more noise and can change backpressure, which may alter how the engine and turbo spool feel compared with stock.

Term

warranty

"So, and this is a newer truck. So, as such, first of all, it almost surely will avoid warranty."

Warranty is the manufacturer’s promise to pay for certain repairs. If you modify the emissions system, the company may refuse to cover problems later.

Concept

street legal

"That is something that you could buy brand new with a solid axle edition of the vehicles that we were talking about, though they're not street legal."

Street legal means you’re allowed to drive it on public roads. If it’s not street legal, you may not be able to register it or pass inspections where you live.

Term

wheelbase

"And I think the rocks are also, it's trying to combine payload capability, the wheelbase that it has with different springs, because it has a lot of payload. And when you put a different spring on, they'll be a little bit less flex in that."

Wheelbase is how long the truck is from front wheels to rear wheels. That length changes how stable and how “maneuverable” the truck feels over bumps and obstacles.

Term

payload capability

"And I think the rocks are also, it's trying to combine payload capability, the wheelbase that it has with different springs, because it has a lot of payload. And when you put a different spring on, they'll be a little bit less flex in that."

Payload capability is how much weight a truck can carry in addition to its own curb weight. In this segment, the host links payload to suspension tuning—using different springs to manage how the truck flexes and handles when loaded.

Term

springs

"And I think the rocks are also, it's trying to combine payload capability, the wheelbase that it has with different springs, because it has a lot of payload. And when you put a different spring on, they'll be a little bit less flex in that."

Springs are what help the truck absorb bumps. If you change them to be stiffer, the suspension usually moves less, which can affect how well the truck grips on rough trails.

Brand

Cognito

"Remember, we went to Cognito, I think, was the aftermarket company, and we got some beefier components for it, because some of those components are just thin, and unless you actually use it, which is using it after out."

Cognito makes aftermarket upgrades for off-road trucks. The idea is to replace weaker factory parts with stronger ones so they last when you drive hard off-road.

Term

airing down

"Exactly, but you know what, when when I aired down, we did seven mile and backwards bill trails. ... Earring down to about, I went to about 26 PSI because I didn't want to go too low, I don't know just the thing that I do."

Airing down is when you let some air out of your tires for off-road driving. It helps the tires grip better on dirt and rocks and can make the ride less bouncy.

Topic

Moab

"Yeah, and well, and also the granted near quartermaster is built at the factory in France, so it has a lot going against it with chicken tacks and other territory on the truck. ... When I was there in Moab, near Moab, and..."

Moab is a well-known off-road area in Utah. People go there for trails, and the hosts are describing their experience driving in that region.

Topic

cliffhanger 2.0

"Well, and Tommy and I, we took that Grenadier and a Jeep Gladiator up cliffhanger 2.0, which isn't a trail that we've been using as often recently. And it's a very difficult trail we broke."

“Cliffhanger 2.0” is the name of a particular off-road trail they drove. They’re saying it’s a tough route and they tested two trucks on it.

Car

Jeep Gladiator

"Well, and Tommy and I, we took that Grenadier and a Jeep Gladiator up cliffhanger 2.0, which isn't a trail that we've been using as often recently. And it's a very difficult trail we broke."

The Jeep Gladiator is a Jeep pickup designed for off-road use. In this segment, they’re taking it on a very difficult trail to see how well it handles rough terrain.

Car

Ram Rebel

"And we actually broke. Was it a front drive shaft a long time ago on a ram rebel? I slightly lifted ram rebel."

The Ram Rebel is a truck trim meant for off-road driving. Here they’re talking about breaking a front drive shaft, which is part of the drivetrain that can get stressed when you lift the truck and run bigger tires.

Term

bigger tires

"It wasn't a stock truck, so it probably was a little bit stressed because we lifted it and put bigger tires on it, but we did break a rebel."

Bigger tires can help a truck roll over obstacles and clear the ground better. But they can also put extra strain on parts of the drivetrain, especially when combined with a lift.

Concept

traction

"It was beautiful in this video, but the NEOs and the Jeep, both did a great job getting up this very challenging stretch of trail, challenging as far as traction is concerned especially."

Traction just means how well the tires can grip the ground. On rough trails, the surface changes as you drive, so grip can get better or worse each time.

Term

winch

"I'm not so surprised that a lot of people don't option the winch because the winch from the factory on these is pretty expensive."

A winch is a powered cable that can pull you (or another vehicle) out of a stuck situation. The hosts are saying the factory winch option costs a lot, so not everyone orders it.

Term

quad motor system

"Because remember years back, when we first heard about the Rivian R1T and the R1S and the four motors, the quad motor system, I thought it was the end game."

A quad motor system means the truck or SUV has four electric motors working at the same time. Because each motor can be controlled separately, the vehicle can send power to the wheels that have grip, but the computer has to do it correctly.

Car

Rivian R1T

"Because remember years back, when we first heard about the Rivian R1T and the R1S and the four motors, the quad motor system, I thought it was the end game."

The Rivian R1T is an electric pickup built with off-roading in mind. Here, they’re talking about how its multiple electric motors and computer control send power to the wheels when traction is tricky.

Car

Rivian R1S

"Because remember years back, when we first heard about the Rivian R1T and the R1S and the four motors, the quad motor system, I thought it was the end game."

The Rivian R1S is Rivian’s electric SUV. They mention it alongside the R1T because both use multiple electric motors, and the computer has to manage traction off-road.

Term

E-locker

"Yeah, so it seems like on the software side of things, whenever you have an E-locker where basically the software is trying to send power to the wheels that still have traction."

An E-locker is a computer-controlled way to “lock” how power is shared between wheels. The idea is to keep both sides working together when traction is uneven, but the software has to time it correctly.

Term

torque

"And also Rivian since then came out with a two motor system... system that you kind of use the other thing that I think is a limiting factor with them is that those electric motors obviously they produce a boatload of torque, right?"

Torque is the force that helps the vehicle move and pull, especially at low speeds or when climbing. The hosts also point out that dyno testing can make torque numbers feel confusing on EVs because the measurement method is indirect.

Term

dyno

"And when measuring, measuring torque in an EV is a little wonky because when you put a vehicle on a dyno it's, it's a little counterintuitive, but on a dyno the dyno actually measures horsepower measures of the work being done, but it calculates torque based on RPM."

A dyno (dynamometer) is a test device that measures how much power a vehicle makes under controlled conditions. The segment notes that it measures horsepower directly and then derives torque from RPM, which can make EV torque measurements seem counterintuitive.

Concept

low range

"Okay, but as much torque as EVs do have huge amounts They don't have the advantage of the multiplication of gearing that you get in a combustion vehicle with not only several gears in its transmission But a low range Transparency and the axle as well too."

Low range is an off-road gear setting that makes the vehicle crawl and pull harder at low speed. The point here is that EVs already have strong torque, but they may not get the same extra “gear multiplication” that traditional trucks use.

Car

electric G wagon, the G580 with EQ technology

"One interesting thing though, it's it's kind of equipped on the wrong vehicle because there's not really an off-road package of it, but the electric G wagon, the G580 with EQ technology. has low range gearing, so it's a quad motor vehicle, one electric motor for each wheel..."

The Mercedes-Benz G580 with EQ technology is an electric version of the classic G-Wagen formula: a body-on-frame off-road platform with serious low-speed capability. In this setup, it uses a quad-motor layout (one motor per wheel) and low-range gearing so it can crawl and handle obstacles like a traditional off-road SUV.

Car

G-wagon

"It's just limited on tires and clearance because it's a G-wagon... But the four wheel drive system they engineered into this electric G-wack is really good."

“G-wagon” usually means the Mercedes-Benz G-Class. It’s famous for being tough off-road, and in this clip they’re discussing how its tires and clearance affect how well it does on dirt.

Term

slip test

"But we put it on the slip test. It did fantastic."

A slip test is a way to see how well a vehicle can keep moving when the tires start to lose grip. It checks whether the truck can control wheel spin and still make progress.

Term

slicks

"I know, it's got slicks for like racing... It looks so out of place on the dirt because of the wheel tire package because of the clearance."

Slicks are special race tires that have almost no tread. They can grip really well on a clean, dry surface, but they may not work as well on dirt because they don’t have the pattern to dig in.

Term

four wheel drive system

"But the four wheel drive system they engineered into this electric G-wack is really good."

Four-wheel drive means power goes to all four wheels. That usually helps the truck move better on slippery or uneven ground.

Term

tank turn

"Oh, I see you doing the tank turn, too. Whoo!"

A tank turn is when a vehicle basically spins around in place. It happens by making the wheels on opposite sides move in opposite directions.

Term

depreciation

"Did you wagon will take some of this thing out of the depreciation? Probably."

Depreciation is how much the car’s resale value goes down as time passes. They’re wondering if buying this kind of truck/SUV could help reduce that loss.

Car

Mercedes G-Wagon

"Because ultimately, even though the sales on the electric G wagons aren't huge, I think people would still like to have a G wagon of some sort. And I don't think these are ever going to be $15,000 cars."

The Mercedes G-Wagon is a tough, off-road SUV. Here, they’re talking about an electric version and whether people will still want a G-Wagon even if the electric sales aren’t huge.

Car

Dodge Power Wagon

"...d from rebel at the time, there wasn't the diesel power wagon, but even, you know, regular power wagon, [SPEAKE..."

The Dodge Power Wagon is a pickup truck version that’s built for off-road and tough jobs. The podcast is talking about different Power Wagon options, including whether a diesel version was available at the time. It’s mentioned because it’s designed to handle rough driving.

Term

fake scoop

"they all have a performance kind of appearance hood that has a basically a fake scoop scoop it's going to be more of a hood bulge I guess than it's a bulge which is not functional and it takes away visibility. [3148.2s] [SPEAKER_00]: Yeah so on the off road trims of the truck your visibility is actually worse and it's really bad."

A “fake scoop” is a hood feature that looks like it’s for airflow, but it doesn’t actually do much. In this case, it also makes the hood shape taller, which can block your view of the trail.

Term

heightened seating position

"Well, there would be a way to put a real number on it and it would depend a little bit on your heightened seating position, but it's maybe 10. [3165.6s] [SPEAKER_00]: ten feet or more in front of you that you can't see past."

This just means the driver sits higher up in the truck. Even then, the hood and windshield shape can still block your view of what’s right in front of you on the trail.

Term

camera systems

"because the camera systems, even though they can be helpful, they kind of flatten things out it's hard to get a real feel for it. So, uh, yeah, visibility in a lot of modern cars, not really a thing."

Camera systems are the built-in cameras that show you what’s around the car. They can help in tight spots, but off-road they might not show distance and depth as clearly as looking directly.

Term

visibility

"because the camera systems, even though they can be helpful, they kind of flatten things out it's hard to get a real feel for it. So, uh, yeah, visibility in a lot of modern cars, not really a thing."

Visibility is how well you can see what’s around you while driving. Off-road, it matters a lot because you need to judge obstacles and distance, and cameras don’t always show depth the way your eyes do.

Term

extension line

"So you could bring your own extension case through the extension line. And also snatch blocks."

An extension line is extra cable you add so the winch can reach farther. It’s useful when the anchor point is too far away.

Term

snatch blocks

"So you could bring your own extension case through the extension line. And also snatch blocks. You can do multiplication."

A snatch block is a pulley for your winch cable. It helps you change the cable’s direction and can make the winch pull harder in certain setups.

Car

Chevy Colorado

"That wouldn't be the case with the big hoods even like the Chevy Colorado. The Ford Ranger has kind of a large hood but I think the Colorado has a very large hood in front of it."

The Chevy Colorado is a mid-size truck. The point here is that bigger trucks often have worse visibility because they sit higher and have taller hoods.

Car

Ford Ranger

"The Ford Ranger has kind of a large hood but I think the Colorado has a very large hood in front of it. So a lot of these new vehicles even in mid-sized."

The Ford Ranger is a mid-size truck. They’re saying the hood design can make it harder to see obstacles when you’re driving off-road.

Term

angles of approach

"So one of them is angles of approach, breakover, departure, which is a big deal. So in general, my go-to category of pickup truck."

This is how steep a hill you can drive up before the front of the truck starts scraping. Bigger approach angle usually means fewer “bottoming out” moments.

Term

breakover

"So one of them is angles of approach, breakover, departure, which is a big deal. So in general, my go-to category of pickup truck."

Breakover is about how well the truck can go over a bump without scraping the bottom. If the breakover angle is low, you’re more likely to get stuck or damage the undercarriage.

Term

departure

"So one of them is angles of approach, breakover, departure, which is a big deal. So in general, my go-to category of pickup truck."

Departure angle is the steepest downward slope a vehicle can descend without the rear bumper or underbody hitting first. It matters for off-road descents because it helps prevent dragging the back of the truck on rocks or ledges.

Concept

mid-size pickup truck

"So in general, my go-to category of pickup truck. if I'm going to be picking out of anything to take off road, is going to be a mid-size because weight is also a big factor."

They like mid-size trucks for off-roading because they’re not as heavy as full-size trucks. That can make it easier to keep moving in soft dirt or ruts.

Concept

line choice

"That's one of the reasons that I like mid-sizeders, also because they're narrow. And when you're narrow, you get more line choice."

Line choice means the path you choose through the trail. If the truck is narrower, you often have more room to pick a safer route.

Car

Ranger Raptor

"The Ranger Raptor sits very low compared to an 84X or Colorado's R2. And especially if you get like a ZR2 bison or Canyon 84x A-E-V, mm-hmm."

The Ranger Raptor is Ford’s more off-road-ready Ranger. They point out it sits lower than some competitors, which can change how well it clears bumps and ledges.

Term

approach angle

"I think, so here's the thing about the Quartamaster that we took off road. The approach angle is plenty, I think it's over 36 degrees, and I felt really confident approaching some of those ledges, and then you I would not hit my bumper."

Approach angle is how well the truck can drive up toward a hill or ledge without scraping the front. Taller tires and higher clearance usually help it climb more steeply.

Term

hitch

"It's like 25 degrees, but it's long Still the tail is very long on the truck So I was dragging my hitch. I did not take off my hitch and the receiver."

A hitch is the receiver-mounted towing interface on a truck’s rear, and it can hang lower than the bumper. In off-road use, the hitch/receiver can become the first contact point when departure angle is limited.

Term

receiver

"I did not take off my hitch and the receiver. I'm talking about the receiver sticks out a little bit of a truck Not the actual ball, but the receiver sticks out."

The receiver is the square hitch opening on the back of the truck. If it sticks out low, it can hit rocks or the ground when you’re going off-road.

Term

35s

"thing about Tacoma, Tacoma, you cannot get it on 35s. Like you could with a bison for example. Yeah. And it's stock."

“35s” means tires that are about 35 inches tall. Bigger tires can help off-road, but they’re harder to fit without the right setup.

Term

front locker

"even the trail sport ridge line does not have a front locker or rear or rear lock or any acts all of the axles for that matter"

A front locker is a feature that makes the front wheels work together when traction is bad. It helps the truck keep moving when one tire starts slipping.

Term

rear lock

"even the trail sport ridge line does not have a front locker or rear or rear lock or any acts all of the axles for that matter"

A rear lock refers to a locking differential (or locking axle feature) on the rear axle. Like a front locker, it improves traction by preventing one rear wheel from spinning freely when the other wheel has grip.

Car

Bronco Raptor

"...g some high speeds and does a running like what a bronco raptor set up for [SPEAKER_00]: But again, a lot of the ..."

The Bronco is an off-road SUV made for driving on rough trails. The podcast mentions a Bronco Raptor setup, which is a version built for more aggressive off-road driving, including higher speeds. It’s included because it’s an off-road vehicle that’s meant to move quickly over rough terrain.

Concept

vehicle recovery

"he uses it as a recovery vehicle specifically because it's big and heavy and they so it's an anchor exactly a substantial vehicle like that for recoveries is actually really useful"

Vehicle recovery is how you help a stuck vehicle get unstuck. They’re saying some trucks are better at this because they’re heavy and capable enough to pull.

Concept

narrow vs wide off-road vehicle tradeoff

"But again, a lot of the stuff around us, man, narrow is a big advantage. ... Because it's a smaller vehicle, narrower and, you know, better clearances"

Off-road, being wider can make it harder to fit through tight spaces. The hosts are saying narrow trucks often do better on narrow trails with obstacles close together.

Term

push-button start

"It does not have a push button start. ... If you're in the middle of the Serengeti and let's say the button fails, you push button. Push start."

Push-button start means you start the truck by pressing a button instead of turning a key. They’re talking about what happens if that system fails far from help.

Term

fuse box

"you could open the panel down by your right knee, and there's a fuse box there, and it's really easy to reach."

A fuse box is where the car’s electrical protection devices live. If something goes wrong electrically, a fuse can cut power to prevent damage.

Term

Apple CarPlay

"but in order to have it visible somewhere for mapping or something like that, it does have Apple CarPlay, which is nice."

Apple CarPlay lets you connect an iPhone to the car and use certain apps on the car’s screen. The hosts say it helps with things like mapping.

Term

safety regulations

"But at this point, actually putting a key into the steering column and turning it to start a vehicle... ...then there are some kind of, what I would describe as overseas, the European regulations, safety regulations, so some of the things that it chimes at you for."

Safety regulations are rules that require cars to include certain safety features. The hosts think those rules are part of why the Grenadier constantly warns you, even though it’s built with older-style hardware.

Term

analog gauges

"because you've got that group of dummy lights directly in front of you, but it doesn't have the old school analog gauges."

Analog gauges are the classic dashboard dials with needles. The hosts say this truck doesn’t use those and instead relies more on screens and warning lights.

Term

dummy lights

"because you've got that group of dummy lights directly in front of you, but it doesn't have the old school analog gauges."

Dummy lights are the little warning/indicator lights on the dashboard. The hosts are saying there are a lot of them, and they can be annoying compared with older-style gauges.

Term

locker engagement

"Or lockers and otherwise. Yes, and auxiliary switches up above that you could add lights to [SPEAKER_00]: I will say though, not all locker engagement is made equal because any else the engagement and disengagement on the lockers can be finicky."

A locker helps your truck get traction by tying the wheels together. “Engagement” just means how smoothly and reliably it locks and unlocks when you try to use it.

Car

Jeep Wrangler Gladiator

"Yeah, yeah, maybe maybe a little finicky, especially compared to, I think, Ford on the Bronco and Jeep on the Wrangler Gladiator, theirs work immediately."

The Jeep Wrangler Gladiator is a Jeep-based pickup meant for off-road driving. In this discussion, it’s used as an example of lockers that engage quickly.

Car

Toyota Tacoma

"And granted your works a little bit like Tacoma, I would say. Yeah, yeah, Toyota can also be a little tough with getting in a low range and also engaging lockers."

The Toyota Tacoma is a popular off-road-capable truck. The point here is that the speaker thinks its low-range and locker controls can be a little harder to engage.

Term

transfer case

"Yeah, yeah, Toyota can also be a little tough with getting in a low range and also engaging lockers."

The transfer case is the box that sends power to all four wheels. It also provides the low-gear mode used for slow, tough off-road driving.

Concept

off-roading

"It's true, unless you care about a vehicle in some ways the more fun you have off-roading it, the more things you can do with it... If you're interested in this kind of podcast format, diving deep into the subject of off-road vehicles and everything really that has to do with off-roading..."

Off-roading means driving on rough or unpaved ground, like trails. The hosts are saying that with a cheaper truck, you’re more willing to use it hard and not stress about scratches.

Car

Ford Mustang

"...hings you can do with it, I mean, you could get a Mustang up, hell's gate. [SPEAKER_00]: If you were willin..."

The Ford Mustang is a sports car made for performance and fun driving. The podcast mentions it in the context of driving it to a tough or extreme place, which suggests it can be used beyond just normal roads. It’s brought up because it’s part of an “if you’re willing” driving story.

Topic

Modfest

"He's going towards Modfest... Modfest. So he's going to have some offroading for us to look at."

Modfest sounds like an event where people bring and check out modified vehicles. Here, it’s mentioned because it’ll include off-roading stuff for the hosts to cover.

Car

Toyota Land Cruiser

"...ool video. [SPEAKER_01]: It was Land Rover versus Land Cruiser. [SPEAKER_00]: Yeah, and everyone that's watched ..."

The Toyota Land Cruiser is a large SUV designed for both everyday driving and off-road trails. People talk about it because it’s built to be tough and capable. In the podcast, it’s mentioned as part of a comparison video.

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