Building a Range Rover Classic for reliable, economical expedition travel. A family road-trip in the desert leads to a long-term fascination with Solihull metal.
First Drive 2019 Jeep Cherokee
Back in the early ’80s, the automotive industry was responding to consumer demands for compact sport utility vehicles capable of tackling the backcountry with same moxie as their forebearers. Jeep answered the call in 1984 with the Cherokee XJ, which took its cues from the venerable Wagoneer. Though not immediately embraced by the off-road world…
2018 North American International Auto Show
There were SO many potential overland platforms launched this week in Detroit at the North American International Auto Show, and some forthcoming vehicles that we found out a lot more about. You’ll see these new vehicles hit showrooms over the next year. There are a few updated light-duty trucks with diesel engine options, a new…
Expedition Portal Classifieds: Jeep Kitchen Rubicon
At the beginning of each morning, I sit down at my computer with a hot cup of coffee and a few minutes to browse through the for sale sections of our forums. On any given day I may stumble upon Land Cruisers, G-Wagens, Unimogs, or vintage 4x4s, so few things ever surprise me, but yesterday,…
2019 Ram 1500 Preview
As an automotive enthusiast, one of the things I look forward to each year is reviewing and driving the new crop of vehicles. Manufacturers continue to up the ante with regard to performance, capability, fuel economy, navigation systems, electronics, and creature comforts. While first public appearance usually takes place at one of the big auto…
The Defender Lives On! Well, Sort of.
This has been quite the week for automotive unveilings. It seems like everyone is releasing some new or updated vehicle, and each seems to be packed with more technology than the last. But to our surprise, Land Rover has bucked the trend. Instead of releasing another progressive design, the British manufacturer took things back a…
Expedition Portal Classifieds: ROAMR Wagoneer
Call it what you will, an obsession, a passion, or an unexplainable affliction, but I LOVE Jeep Wagoneers. There’s something so classic about them that I can’t help but want to purchase one, park it in front of a cabin in the woods, and then take it fly fishing. The only trouble is that I…
Off-Road Review: 2018 Jeep Wrangler JL
When the Wrangler made its début in 1987 as the YJ, Jeep purists poked fun at Jeep’s new prodigy, casting derogatory insults such as “Yuppie Jeep” and “Real Jeeps have round headlights.” While I agree with them regarding round headlamps, the YJ retained the DNA of its venerable predecessors in the CJ lineup. It had…
Featured Vehicle: FOTORNR
Over the last few years, the 5th-generation 4Runner has become one of the most popular four-wheel drives in the overland segment, and it’s not hard to understand why. They are capable, reliable, relatively affordable, and easy to modify, making them perfect for both new enthusiasts and experienced travelers alike. But recently, we’ve noticed a growing…
The Jeep Wrangler JL Has Arrived!
The new Wrangler JL has been released, and yes, it will have a diesel.
Featured Vehicle: Arkonik Defender 110 Ragnarök
If you live in the United States, there are really only a few paths to follow for purchasing a Defender. You can take the affordable route and buy one in well-loved and sometimes leaky condition. Alternatively, you could look at one of the many “restored to factory” choices, which are cleaned up, running well, and…
The Modern Explorer: Land Rover LR4 – Part I
Determined to vet the reliability and performance of a modern Land Rover, Overland Journal secures a 2012 LR4 and modifies it for serious exploration.
The Jeeps of SEMA 2017
Yesterday we published an article on our favorite four-wheel drives of SEMA, but it was missing one key category: Jeeps. You see, there are just so many of them at the show each year that it is becoming difficult to cover them all. There are tan, blue, chrome, and pink ones. They come bed-lined, wrapped,…
The Coolest Four-Wheel Drives of SEMA 2017
After we return from SEMA each year, our friends and families like to ask us the same thing: what was your favorite vehicle? Anyone who has ever been to SEMA will know that such a question is tough to answer. It can take days to see all of the amazing cars and trucks placed throughout…
Rethinking the Overland Jeep
I discovered it on the local dealer’s lot—a used 2013 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon. It had a cracked taillight, and the passenger front fender looked like it had been grazed, but it was clean and it checked all of the boxes: four doors, 3.6 Pentastar V6, updated interior, and the Rubicon’s standard fare of off-road…
Expedition Portal Classifieds: V8 Defender 130
If finding a clean Defender 130 for under $100,000 in the United States is difficult, finding one with a professionally installed V8 and matching drivetrain is nearly impossible. Yet they do show up every now and then, and we recently stumbled upon this great example in the for sale section of our forums. It’s a…
The Road Less Traveled: Unique Vehicles of Overland Expo East
William Cowper once said that “Variety’s the very spice of life, that gives it all its flavor,” and after attending seven Overland Expos I’d have to agree. You see, while the attendees’ experiences can change year to year with new classes and instructors, those of us working the booths wind up seeing the same things…
Off-Road Review: Range Rover Velar
When the new Range Rover Velar was revealed at the Design Museum in London, not many people took note of the name, so it might surprise you to learn that it carries weight in the company’s history. The term was derived from the Latin word velaris, meaning to veil, and in 1969 was used to…
La Aduana: Fully Restored 1979 FJ43 Land Cruiser
In the pantheon of off-road legends it could be argued only three vehicles vie for the title of most revered. That list includes the American Jeep, British Land Rover, and of course, the Japanese Land Cruiser. In its many forms, the Cruiser has proven a formidable tool, but the 40 Series introduced in 1960 represents…
Expedition Portal Classifieds: Basil Lynch’s FJ Cruiser
If you read our home page with any consistency, or browse overlanding vehicles on Instagram, there’s a good chance you already recognize this truck. It belongs to Basil Lynch, an up and coming photographer in the industry, and a contributor to Expedition Portal. Over the past few years Basil has transformed this silver FJ Cruiser…