Hmmm... I don't think I'll ever get used to the sound of metal on stone, but bump

The knowledge that armour plating was indeed protecting all vital components from harm's way was somewhat consoling. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

after grinding bump my Liberty bounced its way down the steep grade, partially on its stock all-season mud and snow tires and partially on its skid-plate protected belly - which incidentally cover the transfer case, gas tank, and front tow hooks, held on with grade eight bolts no less. While the sound might have been disconcerting, as upsetting to me as fingernails on a chalkboard might be to others, the knowledge that armour plating was indeed protecting all vital components from harm's way was somewhat consoling, and, after an hour's intermittent pounding, as only some terrain induced belly scratching, I had accepted that all was truly well and my Liberty would yet live to fight throughout the rest of the day.

And before you go siding with my new CJ, YJ and TJ friends, citing their previous night's Liberty mocking as justifiable, that little stock 'ute

Incidentally, 4x4 roads are rated from 1 to 10, with 1 being the easiest and 10 being nearly impossible to navigate. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

managed everything thrown at it during an adventurous morning, proving equally up to the, let's say, intermediate-level trails as the surrounding solid axle SUVs, other than the scratches to its under-plating.

Incidentally, 4x4 roads are rated from 1 to 10, with 1 being the easiest and 10 being nearly impossible to navigate. Most Jamboree trails are rated below 5, meaning that stock "Trail Rated" Jeeps should have no trouble making it through to the other side providing the person at the wheel drives with prudence. Any trails over level 5, and there were some that the experts spent their day scaling, required modified Jeeps, featuring the aforementioned lift kits, large diameter tires, and experienced (and somewhat insane) drivers.