2025

How do they cope with a proper soaking, mud, clay etc?

Electric hub motors are the ultimate answer really. Infinite control of individual wheel speed and torque without any transmission windup to worry about. No cross- axle or inter-axle diff-locks necessary, no prop-shafts and, hence, no U/J run out angles to worry about at extreme suspension travel. No exposed moving parts, re-generative braking. Just the job. The only drawback at the moment is unsprung mass, but motor designs are improving and getting lighter all the time. In fact, it barely qualifies as a problem any more. Even battery technology is getting to the point where this is practical in off-roaders.

In the meantime, as an interim project, I'd have thought the G is particularly suited for conversion. Dump the engine and gearbox, install a 100kW electric motor and utilise the transfer case and the rest of the transmission as it is. A few nitty-gritty bits and pieces to sort out like the power steering, servo brakes etc., but feasible, I would think. Bring it on, I say

I keep looking at mine and thinking this wouldn't be rocket science, but  I'm a prize-winning procrastinator, so thinking about it is probably as far as I'll ever go.

Sounds like a project for a younger man, Mercfan....... 

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