This is my second Xterra. Both have been 4wd. I didn't wheel with the first one, and I regret that. Took the new X wheeling (to an official state OHV park) 30 days after I bought it. Never thought I would use 4wd low, but it does come in handy.
I have used every feature the Offroad model came with (locker, hill descent, etc) in Moab Utah. I am damn glad to pay the 2k extra (as USMC suggested was not worth it) to get those features. I had more than one next Gen owner express remorse for not getting the locker. In Moab it would take them many tries to overcome obsticals (as many as seven attempts), and with the locker on, it was just one try for me. The Offroad model is not the end all to the Xterra, it was totally worth the extra cash in my book. Some will not agree with me, which is great.
I saw Ponyboy's rig in person and it made me jealous. I am glad there is always someone willing to go the extra mile to remind us that we are not nearly as tough or crazy as we think. I hope someday someone else can set the bar higher for him, probably take tank treads or something.