We have not covered Kia with any regularity on Expedition Portal or in Overland Journal. It’s not a manufacturer that has much of a legacy in the 4WD world; but if you cast your mind back to the turn of the century, you may remember the tiny first-generation Kia Sportage (1993-2002) and its successor, the…
Jeep Unveils Four Concept Vehicles at the 58th Easter Jeep Safari
At the 58th Annual Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, Utah, taking place from March 23 to 31, 2024, the Jeep brand and Jeep Performance Parts (JPP) by Mopar will unveil four “mission-capable” concept vehicles, blending heritage-inspired designs with cutting-edge technology. Bill Peffer, senior vice president and head of Jeep brand North America, remarked, “Easter Jeep…
Thérèse-Marie Becker on the Last Overland and Finding Adventure :: Overland Journal Podcast
Overland Journal Podcast Episode 186 Thérèse-Marie Becker began her overland journey as a rock climber who used her van to access the crag. From there, she joined The Last Overland team on an expedition from Singapore to London in ‘Oxford,’ the original 1955 Land Rover used during the 1955 Oxford and Cambridge Far Eastern Expedition….
ICON Celebrates 500th Land Cruiser Rebuild With 1964 FJ44
Classic Toyota Land Cruiser fans familiar with ICON (who isn’t?) are in for a treat as Jonathan Ward, renowned for his pioneering work in modern resto-mod design, has reached a significant milestone in his career with the completion of his 500th Land Cruiser project. The latest addition to his impressive repertoire is the 1964 ICON…
2024 Ford Ranger First Drive
Ford has introduced an updated contender into the mid-size pickup truck arena. The new 2024 Ford Ranger offers a wide range of comfort and capabilities with a welcomed mixture of new technologies, reliability, and performance. Last week, I spent the day driving the new 2024 Ford Ranger throughout the Wasatch Mountains just outside of Salt…
Redarc Battery Management and Voltage Monitor :: Field Tested
I have more fingers and toes than there are fuses in my classic Land Rover. The engine has no electrical components save for the alternator and the glow plugs. Even the fuel delivery is mechanical. So, I take cues from my trusty Defender and try to keep my auxiliary electrical systems as simple as possible….
KC HiLites Launches 8-inch SlimLite 8
Iconic KC HiLites recently introduced the 8-inch SlimLite 8 LED, designed for larger vehicles such as overlanding and full-size trucks, vans, Jeeps, classic Toyota and Land Rover trucks, and tow rigs. This evolution and re-imagining of a classic first introduced nearly 30 years ago, builds on the success of the top-selling 6-inch SlimLite 6. The…
KRUG Expedition Unveils 2024 Rhino XL for Europe
Crafted in Austria, the Rhino XL is the culmination of KRUG’s dedication to creating supremely capable and “affordable” expedition vehicles; KRUG claims that the Rhino XL is “the world’s most capable expedition vehicle.” That is a bold claim indeed. The Rhino XL’s primary limitation is the nearly half-million dollar price tag, which puts it out…
Kia Sorento X-Pro :: What Do You Want to Know?
This week, we’ll be getting our hands on the 2024 Kia Sorento X-Pro for a first drive. The X-Pro trim is Kia’s version of an off-road and adventure-oriented package for the three-row SUV, and it features 17-inch wheels with BF Goodrich all-terrain rubber, a locking center differential, a revised skid plate, and a roof rack….
Front Runner Launches Rivian Roof Rack Kits
Front Runner, acquired by Dometic in May 2021, has launched Slimline II roof rack kits specifically created for Rivian’s R1T and R1S models. Their timing could not be better as Rivian recently unveiled three new vehicles, the R2, R3, and R3X, and the brand is currently trending across our news feeds. Hopefully, we will be…
Will the Ram Rebel 2500 Overland? :: Video
Full-size Ram trucks are due for a big update. While the exterior design is distinctly modern (my favorite among the big pickups), and the interiors are generally top-notch (even if they lack some key features, like wireless charging), the HD models are still saddled with a previous generation 6-speed transmission and generally older mechanical tech….
Five Tips to Help Plan Your Next Overland Trip
Photography by Richard Giordano Being on the road full-time means I’m in a constant state of trip planning. The process has become so natural it runs on autopilot in the background, between fuel station visits, grocery shopping trips, and scrolling the Park4Night app for some creature comforts and facilities. I love gathering tidbits about everything…
KC HiLites Fog, Bumper, and Area Lights :: Long-Term Review
Essential Applications One of the Golden Rules of Overlanding, in the top five at least, is “Do Not Drive At Night.” We have learned this lesson the hard way, and it is one of the reasons that expansive and intricate auxiliary lighting has not been a priority for us when outfitting our vehicles. That does…
Overland News of the Week
All-New Toyota Land Cruiser Prado To Land In Australia Mid-2024 As it is marketed in Australia, the all-new Land Cruiser Prado range is set to enhance its appeal with a five-variant lineup that includes 48-volt technology across the board. The range features the GX, GXL, VX, Kakadu grades, and the new Altitude variant, each offering…
Overland Journal Podcast :: Ultra Overlanders
Overland Journal Podcast Episode 185 Last summer, I had the privilege of enjoying three weeks behind the wheel of a 2018 Ford F-150 Raptor during my long-term review of the Tune M1 camper. As someone who is used to traveling in a Land Rover with a wheezy four-cylinder turbo-diesel, planning all my passes and resigning…
Camp Six Road: A Journey Through the Heart of the Chiquibul :: Video of the Week
Lead photo by Nathan Hindman In 2010, a group of explorers set out to complete an obscure route through western Belize, home to one of the densest jungles on the planet. Known as Camp Six Road, the track is a challenging, barely distinguishable off-road trail through the trees, swamps, and slopes of Belize’s Chiquibul Forest…
Field Testing the GMC Sierra 2500 AT4x AEV :: Video
There are some key characteristics of GMC’s new Sierra 2500 HD AT4x AEV Edition pickup that are particularly appealing for overlanders. The first is a robust 2,600 pounds of payload capacity. The second is the range of functional and well-thought-out AEV upgrades, like 18-inch AEV-branded Salta wheels wearing 35-inch hybrid tires, GVW-rated tow points on…
Fuel for the Fire: Tips to Keep Your Water Boiling and Food Hot
Parked in a construction quarry beside a quiet, muddy road between the villages of Loebetsi and Kibangou in the Democratic Republic of Congo, my son, Keelan, struggled to cook a meal as we dealt with a debilitating mechanical issue and the sunset. We had recently run out of propane, and now the price was being…
Jeep Avenger to be Powered by 4xe Hybrid Technology for Europe
The Jeep Avenger, which is not sold in the US as Jeep has reportedly deemed it too compact for American consumers, has been doing quite well since Stellantis launched it in Europe in 2023. The little Jeep, the brand’s first BEV, has done so well that it was voted European Car of the Year 2023….
Designed for Marines, Used by Overlanders: The Story Behind Shower Pouch
In 2012, Mike Houston’s father, a retired Navy officer stationed in Afghanistan, shared stories of his travels between forward operating bases with the Marines. Among the many anecdotes, one recurring theme was the pervasive stench they endured inside their transport vehicles. Hygiene was a top priority for soldiers, and baby wipes were the go-to solution…