I'll state this to avoid confusion... 
The current Jeep Wranglers are the most capable off road vehicles you can by off of a new car showroom anywhere on earth. You can spend a ton of money on whatever you like, and you may equal a stock Rubicon. Of course, the Wranglers have one of the largest aftermarkets of all cars, trucks and SUVs. A 4" lift, 35" Mud/Terrains and some additional armor puts the Jeep beyond 99% of what would try to match it.
How about the Rodeo? You need a 3" lift to run 32" tires. I'm running 33" rubber on a stock heavy duty (same as a Rubicon) suspension (32" is standard, but 33" fit without rubbing at full deflection). Specifically, 285/70-17 Mud/Terrains. I have 11" of ground clearance, likely more than your lifted Rodeo. All Wranglers have BLD (Brake Lock Differentials). While not true lockers, they mimic lockers to the point that Jeep's testing show that BLD will enable a Sport or Sahara to tackle nearly any obstacle that a Rubicon can manage. BLD requires a different driving style, more RPM less reliance on low end torque. Add the Trac-Lok rear axle (as I did) and it only enhances traction as the BLD algorithm is optimized to work best with this axle. Approach, break over and departure angles are the best on any SUV. Rodeos have independent front suspensions. Not a lot of flex and far more prone to damage. Rodeos can be built into capable off road trucks, but you have add a lot of mods and $$ just to keep up with a stock Wrangler JK.
If there was no Jeep, I'd consider a second generation Disco or a Hummer H3. However, the little Suzuki Samurai is probably the next most capable with a minimum amount of dollars in upgrades. Not much power, but you don't need much power if you have the proper gearing.
The guys over at Project-JK organize some of the most challenging off road adventures in the southwest. These guys drive seriously upgraded Jeeps. On one such trip, they were joined by stock Wranglers (2007 and later) JKs. Guess what? The stock JKs were able to negotiate these insane trails, with stock All Terrain tires to boot.
In Britain, they tested a Sahara diesel against a Land Rover Defender 90 (also a diesel). The Defender has been touted as the best off road vehicle on the planet. The D90's price tag was nearly double that of the Jeep. Test results.... The Sahara easily matched the D90 off road, and was vastly superior on the road. It would have been no contest at all if the Brits had tested a Rubicon... I don't believe Rubicons are sold in Europe.
How about some really well made, eye popping videos from Project-JK?
The Bullfrog Jeep trail.. Rated "difficult". Watch the stock Wrangler hanging in there with much modified JKs.
http://www.youtube.com/user/wayalife#p/a/f/1/aLERd3D4HCo
More great Project-JK videos... Should start with part 2 of the Easter Moab run...
http://www.youtube.com/user/wayalife
(Image removed from quote.)
My regards,
Widewing
Preach it Brother WW.
You are right on the JK Rubi being the best stock off road vehicle money can buy. Nothing beats solid axles and the JK really fixed most of the TJs flaws. They are so nice they are almost not jeeps.
My brother in Laws, JK Rubi stock is better off road then my 05 Rubi with 33 and a 2 inch lift.
Anyone who says they out wheel a jeep in anything with independent front suspension is talking out their rear end. Or only wheeling Mall parking lots.
And basing your opinion of jeeps on their 90s sqaure headlight wragler when its two generations from the current model is a little silly considering just how good the modern jeeps are. Hell a JK softop at 70 on the freeway is quiet enough to have a normal conversation in.
