Hell’s Revenge is one of the hardest trails in Moab. But not for the 6 weird vehicles we found doing it!
While you’re figuring out if you should drop 2 Gs on new Swampers, these nearly stock rigs are making easy work of some of Hell’s Revenge obstacles in Moab.
Porsche Cayenne S Crushes Hell’s Gate
If you’ve got 10s of thousands in your Jeep, you will weep when you see this basically stock ‘08 Porsche walk right up the crack.
The only upgrade on the Porsche is a set of slightly larger 32" General ATX tires and…well, that’s it!
Why is the Cayenne so capable?
The drivers says it’s because of the 400hp V8 engine (it’s actually closer to 385hp and 369 lb-ft of torque), center locking diff, and low range gearing from the factory.
Also, keep in mind that Porsche has some off road in it’s DNA:
They’ve successfully raced in the Paris-Dakar Rally, so they know something about off road.
While this car would have retailed for somewhere in the $70k range new, you could pick up an ‘08 for $10-20k today.
Subaru Sedan Does Hell’s Revenge
This Subaru Legacy sedan was built by a dental tech and managed to complete Hell’s Revenge.
Let’s be real: As you would expect, this thing has some mods and bypassed obstacles.
But still, most people would be too afraid to do this trail in this thing!
Chris, the builder, says it has Subaru Outback struts, 1/2" spacers, Outback rear upper control arms, Outback rear subframe spacers, and oversized Yokohama Geolander tires.
These mods provide some of the necessary lift and ground clearance.
What else?
He also modified the front bumper to give a better approach angle and added skid plates to protect the underside.
A Stock Kia Sorento Smoothly Shoots Up Hell’s Gate
Okay, the driver and spotter definitely have some skill here. There is maybe a little bit of dramatic editing, but the ease this Kia has going up would put many built Jeeps to shame.
How did they do it?
First, the Sorento has all wheel drive.
Next:
They ran all terrain tires, put a skid plate under the oil pan, and disconnected the sway bars for Hell’s Gate.
That last item was probably very important!
Stock sway bars usually limit suspension articulation in a big way. This has lead many off roaders to install aftermarket sway bars, sway bar disconnect kits, or remove sway bars altogether!
If you’re planning to drive on roads, you shouldn’t remove the sway bars, but this can really give you the flex and traction that you need off road.
Acura MDX Completes the Trail
You wouldn’t expect an Acura on the trail, but this MDX does the job.
It didn’t complete all the obstacles (some on Hell’s Revenge have bypasses) but it did pretty well.
The approach and departures angles aren’t great, but the lift and larger tires clearly help keep the bumpers out of the rocks. The most you can lift an MDX is about 3" with a spacer kit.
Why does it do so well?
Besides the tires and lift, these Acuras also have a four wheel drive system called VTM-4. At low speeds, the system can be locked to provide true four wheel drive. Even better, it locks the rear diff like a real locker.
Rivian R1T on All-Terrains Inches Up Hell’s Gate
You wouldn’t expect to see an Electric Rivian truck on Hell’s Gate in Moab, but here we are!
The driver practically crawls up the notch compared to most off roaders who tackle it.
What’s to like about a Rivian?
It outputs between 533-835 horsepower depending on the configuration, can ford water to around 3 1/2 feet deep, and has an approach angle better than 45 degrees.
Because a Rivian is electric, all the rules about how the drivetrain works go out the window.
The truck climbing Hell’s Gate has a single electric motor at each wheel. Combined with software, this allows complete traction control. It’s like having lockers without flipping a switch or experience the clacking with an auto-locker.
Ford Crown Victoria
What tire pressure do you use?
I don’t know, whatever’s in there.
This dude doesn’t need a $70k Jeep to get where he’s going!
There is something great about seeing a stock car being driven around on one of the hardest trails in the country.
A Crown Vic doesn’t even have four wheel drive!?
There is an especially steep climb that the car struggles with, but the driver is able to power through and make it to the top.
Is it going over Rocker Knocker and other similar trails where you need some ground clearance?
Obviously not.
But it’s clearly going where a lot of pavement-pounding grocery getters wouldn’t dare to go.
Cybertuck Up Hell’s Gate
Well, despite being super ugly (haha), the Cybertruck cruises right up Hell’s Gate.
Like the Rivian, it’s electric.
Cybertrucks are available with from one to three motors - but the single motor design is only two wheel drive. The motors put out between 315 and 845 hp, depending on configuration.