Yep, these diesels will go places other cars/SUV's fear to go! My cousins have a ranch with a really bad hill inside the front gate that has to be climbed to access the rest of the ranch. The hill is called the "Rock Hill" because it is all loose rock from baseball to softball size and larger. Put my '77 300D auto trans into 1st and climbed right up it (albeit very slowly to avoid damaging the underside). The Rock Hill is about 1/4 mile long and climbs about 200 feet with the last 100 yds the steepest with the worst rock. Everyone has to get a full-bore running start at the Rock Hill and most have to try it several times to make it over the top - even SUV's and 4 wheel drives. I am cussed at regularly because of the ease my 300D has climbing the Rock Hill! According to the owner's manual the 300D with the auto trans can climb a 42% grade in 1st gear. Also, I've taken my 300D onto all kinds of National/state Forrest/Park roads as well as numerous other ranch roads with no trouble!!

Tom