We shall see. My goal is to see if the YXZ can fulfill rock crawling duty and carry all my overlanding/camping gear that my RMAX4 can. I already know that in the rock crawling arena, that the new 6 speed is critical to this goal but that rock crawling in a YXZ will require a different driving style. The YXZ front end is very light (the vehicle itself is nearly 400 lbs lighter), especially since the radiator was moved out back. I predict that instead of crawling the front end of the YXZ, I will simply mini launch it over obstacles. I may stick with the stock staggered tire setup to keep the front end light. All the weight is behind the passengers.
For carrying all my overlanding/camping equipment, I've seen plenty of roof rack setups that I believe will allow me to accomplish my goal. We typically set up camp and then go riding (if we even go riding.......as of late, we've simply enjoyed relaxing at the camp site) and I want to get familiar with the Northern Black Hills. Many visitors ask me about the Northern Black Hills (Nemo/Bogus Jim/Camp 5) and believe it or not many visitors have more knowledge of the area than I do. This is simply because it's 2.5 hours round trip and the YXZ can significantly cut down that time.
You may laugh at this next statement, but motivation is also for my wife who is constantly complaining at my speed. I'm only going 20-25 MPH through some of the trails but I'm hoping the YXZ's plusher suspension, lower center of gravity, and reclined seating position makes her more comfortable at speed and have less rocking side to side with the YXZ's articulation advantage when rock crawling.
I also believe that the YXZ can outlast a CVT-based machine, especially with the 2024 improvements made to the YXZ transmission and clutching, many of which were done to increase durability. The YXZ isn't rated for towing or plowing but with the new low 1st gear I believe it can satisfy those duties.
I got to meet a YXZ tuner, Graham Gaylord, who was disc golfing with some friends while visiting and snapped a shot of my RMAX4 next to his YXZ and the vast difference between the 2 platforms is apparent:
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For carrying all my overlanding/camping equipment, I've seen plenty of roof rack setups that I believe will allow me to accomplish my goal. We typically set up camp and then go riding (if we even go riding.......as of late, we've simply enjoyed relaxing at the camp site) and I want to get familiar with the Northern Black Hills. Many visitors ask me about the Northern Black Hills (Nemo/Bogus Jim/Camp 5) and believe it or not many visitors have more knowledge of the area than I do. This is simply because it's 2.5 hours round trip and the YXZ can significantly cut down that time.
You may laugh at this next statement, but motivation is also for my wife who is constantly complaining at my speed. I'm only going 20-25 MPH through some of the trails but I'm hoping the YXZ's plusher suspension, lower center of gravity, and reclined seating position makes her more comfortable at speed and have less rocking side to side with the YXZ's articulation advantage when rock crawling.
I also believe that the YXZ can outlast a CVT-based machine, especially with the 2024 improvements made to the YXZ transmission and clutching, many of which were done to increase durability. The YXZ isn't rated for towing or plowing but with the new low 1st gear I believe it can satisfy those duties.
I got to meet a YXZ tuner, Graham Gaylord, who was disc golfing with some friends while visiting and snapped a shot of my RMAX4 next to his YXZ and the vast difference between the 2 platforms is apparent:
but you’ll have to take my word for it. It’s fast enough over big whoops that it scared me.
