Our first experience with the Wrangler Unlimited was on a hot, dry and dusty day in the Pocono Mountains, which meant we didn’t get an opportunity to get the truck dirty. We did manage to make it flex and got more than a few shots of it with the suspension at full droop. I figured that spring time in Ontario would be the perfect time to see how it handles the goo. Little did I know that only 20 minutes away from home, winter still has a grasp on the old concession roads.

Southern Ontario is criss crossed by old concession roads that farmers used to get around as far back as the late 1800’s. Many of these roads are still in the public domain as unmaintained roads that are really only accessible to farm equipment and properly equipped 4×4’s. The Rubicon is more than well equipped, but as we were a single truck, it could be easy to get stuck and have nobody around to pull the beast out. As we headed north on the road that leads to the back end of Mosport, it quickly became apparent that the road was in no condition to be used by a lone vehicle. Deep (like axle deep) goo on one side, and deep soft snow on the other led to a fully snow covered road. We performed a 10 point turn and gently picked our way back out. The Rubi never missed a beat.

A few kilometers west found us on a road that we’ve driven before in a front wheel drive car. In July. In April, the road varied from 2 to 6 inches of stiff mud that on occasion got a bit sloppy where the spring run off was still keeping the road liquid. Being of the old school of off roaders, I believe in low range, high gear. Low & Slow. Picking our way along in low range in 4th gear, at a whopping 20 kilometers per hour, the Wrangler just smoothly picked it’s way through the ruts as if it was in a shopping mall parking lot. Occasionally, the big BFG Mud Terrain T/A’s would throw a big chunk of mud onto the side windows just to make sure we knew we were in the dirt. Not to mention making the truck pretty for a few photos afterwards!

Back out on the road, tunes coming from the Sirius satellite radio once again, the Rubi is as civilized as any soccer mom mobile. Except for the muddy rocker panels that ensure the kids can’t stay clean when they climb in and out of the ample back seat.