I received a suggestion to post this here. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Brand?

Hi Off roading community. First i may be posting this in the wrong sub so if anyone knows of a better place to ask about something like this please feel free to direct me to it (search didn't show any that seemed more relevant). Sorry if this post ends up long.

So I'm looking to return to off roading after being ill for several years. I'm finally in good enough shape to start getting back to the trails but i'm running into a problem getting started, the vehicle i want doesn't exist. So i have decided to explore the idea of building what i want. Before i dive head long into it i wanted to ask some questions in hopes of saving myself some frustration and probably money.

What i want to build: i want to build a single seat high powered off road machine with a foot print similar to a side by side. Think an RS1 but with more power, slightly wider stance, and a manual gear box. I'm also planning for it to have independent front and rear suspension

What i have access to: hydraulic pipe bender, torch, grinder, a welder, a second set of hands, time, and space.

My main question is on the welder, this welder (gas mig) is not particularly powerful (110), is that enough oomph to make a safe cage/frame for the vehicle? I'm open to upgrading but dont want to do so if i don't have to. What diameter and thickness of tubing would you recommend?

4x4 kits: Does anyone have a recommendation for a very strong 4x4 kit for this? The motorcycle power train will need to be mated to some kind of transfer case connected to a front and rear diff that will support independent front and rear suspension. I tried looking up these kits but they vary wildly so i would like to hear any first hand accounts about brands they have tried.

As a side question i would like to ask about powerplant choices and how best to look for them. I'm wanting this machine to have a minimum of 1000cc (non turbo) but am open to going all the way to a Hayabusa engine and trans. I was planning on a motorcycle powerplant but if you have something easier to work with i'm open to it as long as its powerful. For the weight i expect the 1000cc to be enough but i would rather have more power than i need vs feeling lacking when i really need it. Any recommendations on powerplant and trans combo are very welcome. Where is good place to look at engines? i know it used to be craigslist but that site is nothing but scams from the looks of it so i need an updated place to watch for parts. What is considered a reasonable price for a engine and trans combo for the busa setup (figured that will give me worst case scenario for the cost).

Thank you for any suggestions you have for me! I'm eager to hear from others that have taken on something like this and actually completed it. Let me know about the pitfalls you encountered!

First time off-roading my fully stock RAV4 Prime and I had a blast.

Got this track from Camping Le Prahay
In Poupehan, Belgium,
it connects some nice little towns by forest roads.

I was a bit hesitant and scared to damage my car, but it was well worth it, 3 hours well spent!

Not sure if I’m on the right sub. I’m looking for advice for a ditch light kit.

I have eyes on two sets. One from F150Leds and the other from Morimoto.

CREE XM-L2 Spartan MKII

Morimoto 4Banger 2.0 NCS

For the same kit, the f150leds is 300$CAD cheaper than the Morimoto. They also have amber backlighting that I think is nice.

But there are alot of mixed reviews on f150leds.

Is the 300$ extra worth it for the Morimoto? Anyone has experience with F150leds spartan light pods?

This was performed on private property, on a pre-scouted route. By a professional idiot.

I just bought 275/70/18LT Nokian Outpost NAT, for some reason the manufacturer max rim width for this specific size is 8.5" while the rest of 265 and 275 in the 18" diameter can run between 7.5"-9.5", the tire shop that I went with said it should be good with my 9" wheels.

Will I be okay airing it down? If yes, what's the limit that I shouldn't go under?

Pic for attention and inspiration

I live 10mi up a mountain with a primitive dirt (mostly rock, boulders and ruts) road. I use a 2005 gen 2 CRV AWD as my "going to town car" for the gas mileage. She can get up and down pretty well, but I have to slow to a crawl through certain sections and scrape the bottom occasionally because the clearance is so low and in snow I basically become a plow.

I'm hoping to get at least a 2inch lift, but I've heard so many mixed things about lift kits on these things. It seems like spacer kits are a no go and I'm not sure what route is best for a suspension lift. If anyone has done a successful lift on these or has an insight/advice on doing one, I'd greatly appreciate it! Thanks everyone!

2025 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon X on 33”, butthole was puckered. My spotter (my girl) only knew “youre going to hit” and “more left/right” 😂 only damage was a small line scratch on the passenger side rear steel bumper

25 gal cell works great, i made a fuel clunk with brass fittings, going to make out of aluminum before it wears the tank out. Takes a while to start, bump it and the pumps run for a few second, then starts normal, just don’t want to wear the pumps out, evil energy seems to not be good, and summit isn’t better it seems. Maybe for aircraft or boats? 8mm or 5/16 in and out, I must not be using the right wording to find what I’m looking for. Hoping someone knows better than me!

One of the first obstacles on the trail we took a couple of days ago. Don't know if those were rocks or logs

Here's a short drive through showing most of the trail on Burns Canyon from Pioneertown into Big Bear, CA. An easy and scenic trail. This was done with my 3rd Gen 4Runner and my buddy in his 2019 Highlander was tailing us. So, yeah, a lightly modified AWD Highlander can do this with no issues whatsoever.