It is relatively easy to "get in over your head", unless you KNOW the trail. What starts out nice, does not always end that nice. You could go as mild as a Subaru w/lift (as stated earlier) or as wild as a Power Wagon. We own a Power Wagon. They are not for everyone. It sucks gas like nothing i have EVER seen @ 8-10 mpg at it's BEST, but it gets that whether it is empty or pulling 10,500 lbs. We recently downsized our camper to one that is 3200 lbs. Truck don't even know it is back there. We plan to do what you want to do. Having lockers front & rear & a winch is VERY comforting if things get bad quickly. Even something as mild as a rainstorm can be perilous depending on soil, hills & where you are. When i want to "get out of Dodge" i DO want to get out. We absolutely LOVE the truck & it's capabilities. I plan for the worst & hope & pray for the best. Sometimes, it really IS better to have it & not need it, then to need it & not have it. The PW option was only $6200 more in 2008 when we ordered ours. I could not put that stuff on my truck for less even WITHOUT labor costs, so for us, it was a good choice.3 Also, i am 52 yrs old----tick tock, never know how much time we got left.
Lots for you to think about. Time, money, your age, skills & tools to build what you want, wifes input, etc.. ..
