I'm not saying I don't need lockers or I wouldn't love to have lockers fore and aft (just give me a few months!), but just like you said, anywhere it can fit it can go. I've done Lower Proving grounds, Lower helldorado, Pritchett, lots of cool lines in Lil' Moab, don't spin a tire on dump bump, walked up rock chucker and widowmaker with little effort, and lots of other stuff. Granted, some of those trails and obstacles are easy for you, but would you take an H2 through them and expect it to emerge unscathed?
I am by no means tooting my own horn, because I know my rig is ghetto and needs tons of work and I can't drive for ****, but I walked right up 3 different climbs in Hells Revenge that a toy p/u w/ dual cases, locked front and rear on 37's spent dozens of tries on before it could do them--right after he told me there is no way an open diffed rig would go up it. Kevin Hawkins told me that he didn't think it was possible for an open diffed rig to do the Rock Pile. After 2 tries he thought I was going to make it. If I had a dollar for every time someone has told me that I couldn't do something because I was open--and then did it, I'd have at least enough for a case of Corona's to hand out after the trail. So please don't take offense or flame me because I don't take your oppinion as law that a H2 can kill me off road.
The logic behind the claim you find so rediculous--
1) I weigh half as much as the H2
2) I'm narrower & more versitile WB
3) My HP to weight ratio is better (250-275hp)
4) solid axles, more flex
5) better break over, entrance, departure
6) body damage doesn't matter
7) axles that don't seem to break easily w/ open diffs
8) probably equal clearance under the diffs
9) lack of fear to try something that someone else says I can't do
H2 has on me:
1) bigger engine
2) bigger rear axle
3) rear locker
4) HD drivetrain
Your trying to make the argument that a vehicle with a locker is superior to a vehicle without a locker regardless of other factors. Old Caddy's have a big block and stout gear--if you put a locker in it will it be an offroad machine? If you lock the h2 up front and rear and pit it against the Assassin w/ open diffs, who do you think will win? There are other variables in the equation than just a big engine and a locker and the H2 is built on a platform that is inherantly disadvantaged. It's an Escalade w/ OBA.
A locker makes up for a lot, but is it enough? The entire argument is based on inductive logic that just reeks of fallacy. For an assembly line vehicle it's formidable I concede, but the notion that a locker makes up for anything is as "preposterous" as paying 1400 dollars for leather.
So, i'm not saying you don't know what you are talking about because you probably have way more experience than myself. I realize the value of a locker and I'm not trying to devalue that. I've watched many a locker push or pull a rig over an obstacle. But that rear locker has a LOT of weight to push. Besides, I'm sure you'll agree that there is no equation that makes a rig superior. It may look better on paper, but other factors come into play. Unless there is some higher law of wheeling that I'm not privy to , then I stand by my claim. So until someone can logicaly qualify an argument for the H2's superiority a little better, we'll just have to agree to disagree.
Can the H2 go anywhere that I can go? Hell yes. Can it go a few more places? Probably. But I can promise you that if or when it does it will not look the same afterwards.
Cody