Stock Jeep Wrangler vs America's Scariest Off-Road Trail!
The idea was simple. Take a stock Jeep Wrangler Rubicon to a little town in Utah called Moab, explain why it’s brilliant, indulge in some light off-roading and head home with our no claims bonus intact. Except we found ourselves scaling a trail called Cliffhanger, one of the most unforgiving tracks in the world where the drops are so long “you could read a book on the way down”. If you don’t like the sound of fingernails on a blackboard, the noise of Jeep meeting rock isn’t much better.
ALSO IN EPISODE FOUR: we meet the Ruffian Mustang and builder Chris Ashton, creator of hand-built machines that fuse the American dream with distinct Mad Max vibes, like the one you see here. But they're not all-show-and-no-go. See, being a keen autocrosser, Chris wanted his Mustang to be capable against the clock. What's resulted is this 7.0-litre beast, now making 625bhp and around 560ft lb of torque, but with the handling and balance to match all of that power. Naturally, Jethro had to have a go...
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00:00 Intro
02:17 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon
05:57 Moab challenges
12:05 The Cliffhanger
14:23 Conclusion
16:19 Studio
17:22 Ruffian Mustang
20:51 How it drives
27:21 Final Thoughts
29:01 Outro
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No even a third of the way into the video and I’m cringing at a brit beating the hell out of a jeep. Offroading is 70% skill 30% vehicle capability, this jeep could had accomplished most of this so much smoother and less damage. But on that note, also proud of top gear for getting out and creating this type of content! Stoked for the brit getting out on the trails and just going for it, respect.
He absolutely beat the shit out of that thing.
Yep, needed a better 'driver mod' for sure...
Wow that's some terrible driving. He needed some experience before they let him out on the trail.
I'll agree with you to a point, but this trail is rated 8/10 and one of the hardest in the Moab area. So a stock Jeep was bound to have difficulties.
As a not a Jeep person, who bought one when I moved to Canada. I get it. When people back home in the UK try and argue a new Defender really is a real off roader, you just can’t compare it to something that really is designed to go off road like the JL. Can you imagine the irreparable damage to any other ‘off roader’ that was straight out the factory?
Excelent! Real test and performance.
What the Jeep Wrangler/Gladiator fulfills in America is what the Legendary Toyota Land cruiser 70-series does here in Zambia (Africa in general).these two distant cousins are purposefully made to conquer any terrain.
I bought a JL brand new following a lock down driven obsession, 3 weeks old when it picked up the first “memory mark” as the yoot call them. It’s now got a lot of cosmetic damage and pin striping and I love it.
New Jeeps are trash.
let me guess, coming from a Toyota fanboi...@@xploration1437
I was expecting Rory & Trail Mater to make an appearance at any moment 😅
I think they've seen how popular Trailmater is and jumped on the bandwagon
I saw the thumbnail and knew it was Moab, just from watching Rory's videos. lol
This brilliantly showcases what makes a Wrangler a Wrangler. It might not be the most high tech off-roader, but it’s the most extreme of them all. And its capabilities are exponentially increased with simple, albeit costly modifications that you just can’t do on most other new off-roaders.
I would like it to be known that this is not at all how most people drive their "rigs" on the trail. I know ive personally managed to take my stock 2 door rubicon down the top of the world and flat iron mesa trails in Moab without a single scratch to the body. The skid plates, bumpers, and rock sliders should be the only parts with dents and scratches when driven carefully. If he would have had a proper spotter he should have been able to do that trail without a single tow strap.
Agreed. After the first obstacle when I saw the damage he did to the skid plate and bumper I literally exclaimed “ahh come on, man!” Then I saw the rest. He’s going too fast on these obstacles.
Dude just mashed it to shit. Didn't even try
Lmao yes you are correct I just got back from Moab and hit fins and things and hells revenge without any damage or scraping. It’s insane how fast he was going though the rocks.
Because Cliff Hanger is way more difficult than Top of the world.
Well you are talking about a guy who thought he was gonna need more horsepower so took it out of all ev mode. Lol. Told me everything I need to know- clueless.
Watching Ruffian Mustang I realized never before we get to that level of beauty and function in the car world. If Ruffian cars were in each episode of Top gear, I would watch them all. Thanks Chris!
This isn't really much different to how it feels driving a Jeep Wrangler on normal roads with potholes.
Especially if you’re talking about Michigan Pot Holes.
Yeah! Not stay in booty.
😂😂😂😂😂
😂
i wonder how much a rear bumper, front bumper end caps, beadlock rings and paint matched rear left fender would cost.. totally gonna be cheap...
Where it this JIMM. . .
you could pay just as much for aftermarket body panels which are far more durable, that's for sure haha
Yeah... if I were taking on a trail like that, I'd be swapping the flares for the cheapest thing that keeps it legal on the road. And it's this modular nature that makes jeeps perfect for this kinda stuff. All those parts are easy to pull and swap.
Given the Michigan plate this is likely a pre-production vehicle that Jeep gave them knowing it would get damaged. Because when they were done it was likely crushed.
This guy treats the pedal as an on off switch 😂 go slowly so the momentum does not squash the suspension. Keeps you from scrapping.
Nice to see you guys besotted with American car culture. Good stuff!
Really nice to see you boys in the USA ! Love to see more!
Props on taking on Cliffhanger. It is not a trail for the faint of heart.
Just had to take one of the most expensive stock Jeeps as an amateur on a trail like that. 😢
Well, it's not like Jack had to pay for or keep it.
Probably a pre-production vehicle that would get crushed anyway.
Experience grows over time, you need more time offroad.
This series kinda gives me the feeling of the old top gear again, love it ❤
How so? The old top gear was funny. This is not funny at all, and there is no chemistry between the presenters.
i don't understand how. sure, one guy went on a trip, another tested some high-powered vehicle...but where's the actual entertainment value? the humor? those are huge factors that created the good, the bad and the slowly
@@uber_stuber *The fat, the short and the slowly
@greatvalueblueberries there was also an episode where they were referred to as I mentioned lol or at least I think there was
Nope, old Top gear would send Porsche 911 to Rubicon trail... Driving Rubicon in Rubicon is not Top gear fun :)
there really isn't another off-roader that can do stuff like this out of the box
“At the start I couldn’t come to terms with it, now I’m used to it”. It helps when it’s not your $50k car. Jeep must offer a very reasonable insurance deductible on their press loaners.
Very likely a pre-production unit that will get crushed anyway.
when the sign on the trail says 35 inch tires and lockers mandatory and you take a stock jeep
No knowledge of Jeeps and not native English speaker: the stock Rubicon does not have diff locks? Or does "lockers" mean something else?
@@tesla-spectre moab local here, it only has 32 inch tires and not enough ground clearance for the wheelbase on that trail. lockers can't work if the wheels are not touching anything
@@paullehrbmx thanks! and yeah that makes sense :)
20 anniversary has 35s
The JL Rubicon actually comes with 33in tires. If you option it with the xtreme recon package you get a lift and 35in tires (which the one in the video does not have)
Nice to have you gents on this side of the pond and not ripping us to shreds for cars that fear corners. Granted, it took many moons for us to shed the garbage yank cars (an insult well deserved for a very long time). We have a number of small production companies that restomod the iconic Mustang but The Ruffian has got to be the most gorgeous and, to my immense surprise, drives beautifully. Hats off to Mr. Ashton and to Jack for braving Moab.
Another great Stars and Stripes episode, It's nice to see how capable the factory Jeep is. But the Mustang is just jaw-dropping. I love it, hot-rodding is still alive ;)
You should have gotten some off-road instruction before tearing up that Jeep. Mashing on the throttle than the brakes….not ideal lol
Ive always said you guys never really challenge an off-roader when you test them, it’s usually some field or a dirt road in wales. This one though, that was some real tough stuff
Like all those soft roader SUVs with their "GOAT" modes, when there's a puddle or gravel!
@@stevestogsdill5791 many but they also have tested things like the merc g wagon and Land Rover defender, those are supposed to be just as capable as a wrangler or a Land Cruiser
I thoroughly enjoyed the jeep portion of the video. The trail, although a bit scarry, did not make me pucker as much as the fact that you rashed the entire lower (bumbers, slider, fenders, skid plates, etc.) of a basically new $65k+ vehicle.
That's what that vehicle is made for. If you haven't beaten it up, you haven't used it, and you should sell it so someone else can enjoy it.
I have a 2011 Jeep Rubicon, 2.5 inch lift, 35 inch tires, aftermarket steel bumpers, amazing where you can go and what it will do. Have been to Moab a few times. A little suspension lift makes a huge difference.
That Mustang has to be one of the most beautiful I have ever seen!
This might've been the most painful Top Gear KZhead video I've ever watched🤪
It’s amazing the difference in skill required from on-road to off-road.
Guys it was a lovely video. Looking forward to other such films in the future
Wow Great video! Beautiful part of the country! Thanks for putting this together!
Great Video! I’ve just got a Rubicon Wrangler and absolutely love it 💯💯
I was fully expecting to see c90adventures in the background on his mini jeep!
Take the friggin transfer sticker off the moab decal on the back window. Dude you're killing me
Need to try with a 70s model stock jeep 😮
kzhead.info/sun/d62onsaglmJ9o5s/bejne.html how about much older jeeps that that.
On 31'' tires? 🤣
I was out there in June with my two-door stock Jeep Wrangler Rubicon on 33-in tires did 6 Jeep Badge of Honor trails Cliffhanger was not one of them. I will try it after a lift and 35-in tires next time
All of that, was.. all of that.. incredible. makes me want to do a road trip there..
Come over! It’s fun!
Don't go. Moab sucks.
Saw this Mustang on Nicole Johnson's show. It's fantabulous...
One of the best videos in recent times.
Loved doing that trail with friends, views were amazing 🔥🔥🔥
Maybe Chris doesn’t care what I think about his car/creation. But I’ll tell him anyway, Awesome.
Did no one show him the electronic sway bar disconnects? Going down cliffhanger it looks like the sway bar is still connected.
Me and my family went down one of those “hard” off-road trails with a Toyota Sienna. Was fine, very nice ride!
Awesome episode!
Fun trail. Can't wait to get back on it!
Rory, trailmater, and Crew next time!!!! They will show u a great time!!
Amazing scenery. Some of the best the US has to offer...
The Ultimate Test Drive!! I think that it did a decent job.
Great vid. Inspired.
the JL wrangler is the most capable rock crawler in the world that comes right out of the box from factory. It's the king of offroading without a doubt.
love that there are other poeple with different sports all enjoying the amazing trail!
The 2 door rubicon with no mdos would 100% tackle this.
Moab was a top tier map in Test Drive Off-Road Wide Open
13:15 That shot tho 🔥 👏
A grammatical, dumpster fire of a comment. “That shot tho fire”????? My beautiful language being destroyed by modern culture.
yep my bro 😎 @@xprettylightsx3781
@@xprettylightsx3781 its the comment section of a social media app so really its no biggie
That is nothing compare to the old ones
Thinking Jeeps marketing department erred on this video. Before doing a probably sponsored video, don’t choose a 4xe for rock crawling and make sure the driver has off road experience. I think TFL would have done a much better job. Thrashing a new Jeep and having to be towed across obstacles doesn’t exactly inspire confidence.
A lot of vehicles can do that trail off the showroom floor with a little bit of help, it just depends how much you care for it. lol You absolutely shredded that $70k Jeep. Easy when its not yours. Glad to see Jeep not be shy about loaning vehicles to see what they can do without worry.
Brilliant drive, great BGM too
Included all the parts where the Jeep get wrecked? Which was most of the video.
😎👍 Cool video! Thanks!
Full respect to both Jack and the and vehicle for the Cliffhanger run. I didn't even like looking out the Jeep's left side on my *phone screen*.
Love my 2024 Extreme recon Rubicon!
I hear Kenne Bell makes a louder supercharger that also moves a good bit more air… good excuse for an upgrade.
Seriously, my wife displays a greater degree of fearlessness while on the trails around Moab and out in the maze (I didn’t want to say there was a lot of whining on the video). I can’t wait for our next trip out there!
that feeling when you are on the edge of a cliff while driving a 4wd is what really gets to you.
The part where you got stuck. Yeah that’s the part where people with skills don’t get stuck.
That's not a "car", that's a Jeep Wrangler, a body-on-frame SUV just like a full-size pickup. In fact this is arguably the most off-road capable factory production vehicle in the world. So it's anything but a car.
That Mustang is badass.
I understand thy wanted to show the might of a hybrid Wrangler but why he took a 4 door Rubicon, when the basic of off-roading is shorter wheel-base. I guess thats why he got beached so many times. But still love this channel too much to say anything bad, loved the landscape and vid.
smooth as a 40 grit sand paper
How does one man make such a beautiful, well balanced, working car in his shed!
LOL, I’d love to see someone try this in a Land Rover.
Defender would have been toast. It is different though. The Jeep Wrangler is pretty unbeatable over that kind of terrain. Grassland and mud maybe the Defender wins and then over sandy and loose stuff at speed the Ranger Raptor beats both.
LOL yeah that's what I was thinking only an old solid axle Rover with lockers
Finally, a Top Gear episode destroying a jeep at Moab, 👍🤘
Was that the point of this video? At least now it makes sense.
Great video. But when you asked does this take any skill, you proved it does moments later as you swiped it against a rock.
Ahh. Yeah you also try to avoid bouncing off of everything while off roading as well. This is why you don’t start wheeling at Moab. You need to work your way up to it.
I feel like if you can buy a car off a showroom floor that does 0-60 in under 3 secs, a car off the showroom floor does this isn't too wild. That said, its actually all wild that some cars and SUV's are so capable off the showroom floor.
Why dont you mention this video is an episode part of the series? Also an intro would be nice..
Yeah. Weird to do A B testing.
Love that Mustang
I will pay all the money in the world for that Mustang😍😍
Loved the whole video!! That Mustang was awesome!❤❤
I can't believe how they left this poor Brit with no experience on a trail like this without even giving him a spotter or at least someone to ride along to give some tips! They just handed him a walkie-talkie and said go for it!
Haha. The last thing you needed was more horsepower. Offroading is about torque, not horsepower, which the all electric mode gives you gobs of, and immediately accessible. What you needed was a lighter foot on the throttle and properly aired down tires. But I get it, proper offroading doesn’t make great TV.
I ❤ this car.
This doesnt do the Wrangler justice on how capable it is, but does at the same time. Someone who has little offroad driving experience completing a trail in moad says loads about the jeep. But also put an experienced offroader in this same vehicle and youll be amazed at what it can do.
Just wondering where the track was that you tested the Mustang on. Looks kinda like my memories of the old Riverside raceway from 50 years ago.
Is it one of the Willow Springs interior tracks? I assumed so but now I’m not sure
@@alexbelmonte4581 May be, I’m not familiar with that track.
Needs the Xtreme Rubicon pkg😉😋🤗
0:41 i literally LOL'd after that comment 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
That Mustang is pure car porn 😮 Absolutely incredible 💚 Well done, that man 👏👏👏
This was one of your better vids in a while. Nice work!
Top Gear's content is evolving ... and we're here for it 👍👍
It’s hard to find hotrods that aren’t just all show & no go.
Moab is a great area.
Good viewing but it’s a pity you were a clueless off roader. It’s all about the right lines and controlled acceleration input to protect your vehicle. That poor Jeep! 😢
Having left foot breaking skill helps when off roading
For a dry sum motor, that sure is a big oil pan
Jack's beard matches the background.
I feel like if the UK had anything remotely close to Moab Land Rover would make different vehicles or at least a different Defender
15:45 nice view
This video is sort of false advertising…. This jeep is far from stock. A stock wrangler in most people’s minds is a base sport model with the crappy street tires on 17 inch rims that come from factory. The wrangler you tested is an absolute beast when it comes to JLs
As clarkson said in n.z in the corolla "this is the fastest car in the world".....another good saying "you can never be gentle in a rental" ahahahahahahahaha
A stock Jeep on this terrain wasn’t a wise choice after considering his limited off-roading skills. Cost of repairing the damages he made is equivalent to the cost of upgrading it to an off-roading monster!
if you not a advert compain for the jeep, how rich do you have to be to do that? :D
Love all the MTB passing you at obstacles 😂 oh the irony
Great stuff! Just make sure you pronounce it "Four By E" to endear yourself to the Jeepers :D
I know you didn't get to choose what Jeep you got to use but a 2 door would have been much better for that trail and way more interesting to see in a video. But the 4 door mall crawlers still do pretty well out there. But still, a real Jeep is 2 door.
From what I say it wouldn't have made much of a difference.