You're right, gigantor, open diff 4x4 can get an experienced back roader anywhere he should want to go, especially with modern traction control. My 16 year old H3 has a rear locker, which I've used exactly twice in the year that I've owned it, and those were both mostly to see what it could do if pushed to the limits of my driving ability, and a little bit of "send 'er" might have done as well. Taller tires definitely help. I run 33"s, and seldom scrape or bump anything, but I'll probably go with 35"s when these wear out, 'cause that extra inch of clearance always is a good thing.