Vehicles like the Defender and Land Cruiser have a legacy of overland capability behind them. They were some of the first, and yes, some of the best world travel vehicles in the business, but they’re no longer the only game in town. In the last 20 years, the Tacoma has earned its place amongst the legends…
Long-Term Review: Cooper STT Pro
“Just stop up there,” I said, pointing to a wide spot in the sandy track. “I need to grab a photo real quick.” The Land Cruiser slowed to a halt, and I hopped out, shutting the door behind me. That’s when the sound of hissing air grabbed my attention—a flat, crap. The warning given to…
Home on the Range – The Overland Journal Trailer Test
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in Overland Journal, Winter 2018. Photography by Chris Cordes The trailer listed hard to the side, the 44-inch tire deep into the crevasse, the Hilux’s frame broken, and a tire peeled from the bead. The Expeditions 7 team had just crossed Greenland and was now fighting for every…
What’s the charm of traveling with a battered Land Cruiser?
On a chilly morning in January, Coen and I drove 430 miles to Germany. There in a driveway stood a dirty, dilapidated truck. It radiated pride as well as loneliness and coldness, like a house that has stood empty for too long. The Land Cruiser was covered in rust and the interior was damp, caused by…
Bollinger’s B2 Makes Us Want To Go Electric
Planet Earth is an absolutely amazing place. I love its mountains, prairies, deserts, and oceans, and I want to do everything I can to protect them, but I just haven’t been able to get behind electric cars. Don’t get me wrong, I think they’re fantastic for commuting and driving on the highways, and Tesla has…
Phoenix Rising: Overland JK
Pardoned from death row, the Overland JK has risen to all occasions and won our respect. We review the Overland JK’s broad range of capability, design, and innovation.
Expedition Portal Classifieds: 2003 Discovery TReK
When most people think of Land Rover competitions, they almost always envision the Camel Trophy: its Sand Glow trucks spinning, bumping, and even swimming through rugged terrain has become one of the brand’s most iconic pieces of heritage, but it’s far from the only competition they held. Take the TReK, for example, an event designed to…
A New Overland Vehicle From Kia?
It’s abundantly clear that adventure sells these days. Advertisements featuring foreign landscapes and hip traveling couples are the new norm, and the number of vintage four-wheel drives and motorcycles appearing in imagery is downright staggering. With everyone jumping on this bandwagon, it’s easy to understand why auto-manufacturers are engaging with the overland market at an…
A Look at Outworld and Their Toyotas
A while back, I was browsing through Instagram when a 2000 4Runner popped up in front of me. I had seen this awesome Toyota several times now, and I felt like I need to learn a little more. As I dug deeper, I learned that it was one of three builds for a company called…
Chevy’s New ZR2 Bison Just Changed the Game
Just over a year ago Chevrolet unveiled the ZR2, a high-clearance, high-performance, off-road version of their already capable Colorado. (You can read about it here.) With an optional diesel motor, sliders, skid plates, a lift, and front and rear lockers as standard, it was by the far the best equipped mid-size truck available at the…
Expedition Portal Classifieds: 2017 Tacoma and Four-Wheel Camper
If you’ve been wanting a new Tacoma built for overlanding, then I have good news, your hunt is over. Up for sale today is a practically new Toyota Tacoma with what might be the ultimate combination of parts, and a build list that is almost staggering. Although the price tag might be a bit out…
“Today is a Good Day to Die”
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in Overland Journal, Fall 2007. After crossing the Rio Pico Mayo we entered the Chaco, the vast semi-desert area of northern Argentina. During the rainy season, the Chaco floods, and the clay soil makes travel nearly impossible. In the hot, dry season, the scrub forest sheds its leaves…
The Modern Explorer: Land Rover LR4 – Part III
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in Overland Journal, Winter 2014. I will be the first to admit that the introduction of a Land Rover Discovery with an independent suspension system sounded like the death knell to a brand I have come to love. Over the past few decades, each new model seemed to become increasingly…
The 2019 Toyota TRD Pro Review
Few names garner as much respect in the overland world as Toyota. The brand’s quality, capability, and reliability have made it legendary among travelers and enthusiasts alike, but during the last two years, American auto manufacturers have been turning up the heat on this Japanese giant. Trucks like the ZR2 are coming equipped with better…
The Modern Explorer: Land Rover LR4 – Part II
Overland Journal addresses wheel diameter and ground clearance on the LR4.
Expedition Portal Classifieds: FZJ85 Ute
In many regards, Australia is the four-wheel drive capital of the world. There, you’ll find some of the best trucks, trailers, and off-road gear in existence, including some of the coolest conversions on planet earth. Some of our favorites are the Ute upgrades performed on 80, 100, and 200 Series Land Cruisers. They’re actually surprisingly…
The Ultimate Overlander
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in Overland Journal, Summer 2015. One of the most hotly debated subjects around the campfire these days is what 4WD vehicle deserves the title of “Ultimate Overlander.” The conversation should not be limited to four-wheel drives sold in the United States, but to the best 4WD wagon platform…
Nissan Armada Mountain Patrol
New to the overlanding market last year was Nissan’s Titan XD PRO-4X Project Basecamp. The stock light-duty truck was endowed with an impressive collection of aftermarket add-ons that included a custom exterior body wrap from Rocket West Off-Road, a host of functional exterior accessories, and a full complement of essential camping necessities. Project Basecamp’s success…
Abenteuer and Allrad 2018
Europeans are famously prolific travelers, so it is no surprise then that the largest overland show on the planet is to be found in the town of Bad Kissingen, located in beautiful central Germany. We have had the good fortune of attending the Abenteuer & Allrad (Adventure and All-wheel Drive) in 2017 and again in…
Heart of a Range Rover Stage II
Building a Range Rover Classic for reliable, economical expedition travel. Senior Tech Editor Graham Jackson continues the restoration of his childhood steed.