[stuart bowes]

I wonder if you'll also end up with hideous bump-steer as well which would make it nigh-on undriveable

either way really (and I'm not saying this to be negative nancy or anything) but truthfully the XC range was only ever designed to fill a gap in a road car market, it was never an actual off-road car which is what it sounds like you need

personally, in your position I'd probably look to sell it while it's still working (the 4c is a strong selling point) to someone who does mostly road driving and find something more suitable with better ground clearance, a landrover or the indestructible Toyota land cruiser would be obvious first choices but many others are available

the XC's are great cars and all that, but if you're going to hammer it over difficult terrain it strikes me that at some point you're going to end up stranded (think James May, Africa special, snapped rear axle?)