If you've never been on the receiving end of the strap you're just not trying hard enough!
As far as solid axle vs. IFS....if you want to go fast (think Baja) a properly set IFS will trump solid axle. For hardcore rockcrawling a properly set up solid axle is prefered since it will flex far more . Of course there are exceptions to the rule.
As far as that rubicon...operator error!