We evaluate a lot of gear here at Expedition Portal and Overland Journal. Tents, trucks, bags, fridges, and recovery equipment are regularly used and reviewed by our team, and normally the write-ups are pretty straightforward. We cover their specifications, talk about our expectations, and determine how well the product ended up meeting them. But today…
ICON Vehicle Dynamics Full Size Suspension: It’s Super and Up To The Duty
In stock form, the suspension on the Ford Super Duty series isn’t anything to write home about. It’s fitted with small, nameless, black monotube shocks which are forced to undertake the massive job of dampening a 7,000-pound vehicle and its beefy driveline. Tuned for pavement comfort and towing, it’s the weak link in the suspension…
Field Tested: Buckstop Bumpers
When Ford designed the Excursion, it’s clear that they had a few things in mind; durability, reliability, and versatility for example, but somehow I doubt overlanding made the list. Despite its solid axles, massive payload, abundant storage space, and diesel motor, this truck has a couple issues that can make four wheel drive touring difficult,…
Field Tested: Weego JS12 Jump Starter
We’ve all been there, turn the key and a faint click click click is heard from the engine bay, the result of a flat battery. If you are fortunate enough to be parked at the mall or with friends, you are golden. But if it happens while traveling alone in the backcountry, you will pat…
General Grabber A/TX Hits Market
For most people, tires are just expensive pieces of rubber that they have to put on their cars every few years, but for us, they’re pretty darn exciting. They can make the difference in clearing an obstacle or spinning your tires, navigating a mud pit or being stuck in the slop, and getting a flat…
Toyota Updates Entire TRD Pro Lineup
For 2019 the entire TRD Pro will be outfitted with Fox 2.5-inch internal bypass shocks, along with an available roof rack for the 4Runner and a snorkel for the Tacoma.
New Release: Main Line Overland GTS Suspension
Overlanders face a rather unique problem when it comes to choosing suspension systems. Unlike racers who only need high-performance systems for lightweight trucks or long-haul truckers that need stiff springs for heavy cargo, we need something that balances comfort and performance on the dirt with payload capacity and reliability. Only the right combination will get…
Field Tested: Rally Armor Mud Flaps
Let’s take a moment to talk about mud flaps. No, not the kind with chrome women or the words “Back Off” written on them, but the simple yet effective ones available from a range of manufacturers. These inexpensive products can do much more than keep your door handles clean on the trail. They help to…
The Archaeologist’s Backpack: Building the Ultimate 4×4 Office
Bryon Bass takes to the field in a custom 4WD office: a converted 2010 Ford E350 6.0-liter diesel van.
How to Buy a Rooftop Tent
I’m sure you’ve noticed, but you can’t swing a dead cat these days without hitting a roof top tent. There are now dozens of purveyors of car-top sleepers with some auto dealers even selling them as add-on upgrades. If you don’t have one yet, statistically, I’d say you will soon enough. For those inclined to…
Top 10 New Overland Products: SEMA 2017
The annual SEMA Show is the place to find the latest in automotive aftermarket. Each year automotive professionals from around the globe descend on Las Vegas to show, discover, and/or purchase the best new gear for their respective markets. It was great to see a few innovative, quality new products specifically oriented for the overland…
Decked Announces New Systems for Midsize Pickups
Pickup owners are drawn to their vehicles by the promise of utility and large cargo-hauling capacities, but keeping items organized and within reach has never been very straightforward. Many pickup owners, myself included, have resorted to various bags, cases, totes, and home-built wooden boxes to keep things tidy, secure, and accessible. When Decked entered the…
Long Term Review: Falken Wildpeak M/T
Snow whirled out of the darkness, disappearing into the night as quickly as it came. My weary headlights were hardly up to the task, and the mountain roads seemed to curve sharper and harder as the weather raged on. We were in Colorado, and just a few hours ago I had asked my girlfriend, now…
How to properly align your lights
There’s a reason that auxiliary lights are used on expedition vehicles around the world, and it isn’t because they look cool. Well, not entirely at least. A high quality set of lights allows drivers to see obstacles and animals ahead of them before they become a problem, and that can be the difference between a safe…
What’s in your winch bag? The basic gear you should be carrying
The other day I ran into the proud owner of a well-built four-wheel drive. Eager to talk shop, he began to list a few of the numerous pieces of equipment he had installed on his new vehicle. The list included 37-inch tires, aftermarket wheels, a 4-inch lift, lights, a roof rack, a front bumper, and…
Field Tested: The Overland Kitchen
The sweet smell of carne asada wafted up from the pan below, and I inhaled deeply over the slowly rising steam. It still needed something—maybe a little more lime juice? I turned to the prep table and sliced one open, squeezing it onto the dish with a satisfying sizzle. Perfect. It was hard to believe…
Gear Scout: Roofnest Hard Shell Rooftop Tent
In 2010 I attended a local 24-hour mountain bike race, pulled into the sprawling campground, and set up my roof top tent. Judging by the pointing fingers and curious looks, you’d have thought a UFO landed on my truck. Fast forward to 2017, and the roof top tent is not just commonplace, it’s rapidly becoming…
Field Tested: Alu-Cab Expedition III
Basil Lynch walks us through one of the markets best aluminum roof top tents
Field Tested:Rancho RS9000XL
Rancho, which began in 1955 in Long Beach, California, as Rancho Jeep Supply, is the undisputed granddaddy of the four-wheel drive shock and suspension world. And while most shock manufacturers claim that their product is the best thing since the invention of peanut butter, we were quite surprised last year when Rancho’s RS9000XL drove…
Field Tested: Rhino Rack Pioneer Platform
For decades the welded steel roof-rack has enabled automotive travelers to carry the fuel and supplies necessary for long journeys, but as the needs of enthusiasts change, so to must their equipment. Modern adventurers now expect a lighter and more aerodynamic cargo system—one that is as well suited to their daily commute as it is…