Before we left, we were repeatedly discouraged by others and by the media. Everyone said these were not safe countries for women to travel in, that a trip like this would be too physically demanding for women, one person even said we would come home in pine boxes. Despite these messages, we overcame our fears and…
Category Archives: 4WD
Automotive News: September 2017 Edition
This is the time of year in the automotive world when we start to see hopeful teases become official announcements and anticipated concepts reduced to crowd-groaning flubs. September is, of course, the launch of the auto-show season with the Frankfurt event in Germany the belle of the ball. Vehicles worthy of the public’s attention don’t…
Featured Vehicle: Dustin Miller’s 2008 4Runner
Well, there’s certainly no shortage of 5th-generation 4Runners gracing the pages of websites and magazines these days. It seems like everywhere you look there’s a new one being built up with the latest and greatest gear, and another 10 more waiting to follow it. Don’t get me wrong, it’s cool to see so much excitement…
La Aduana: 1991 Turbo Diesel Syncro Doka
Few vehicles are as iconic or sought after as the VW van. Regardless of the year, body style, or drive train, the Bus and Vanagon platforms have been the gleaming symbols of wanderlust for generations, and will likely continue to be for generations to come. Unfortunately, solid running examples have become difficult to find, which…
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…
Mercedes-Benz G-Class
For this first installment of the Overland Journal G-Wagen project vehicle, Scott Brady installs several subtle modifications to address trail performance and utility for remote travel.
Fiat-Chrysler to Produce 2018 Model Year Jeep JK
As the world holds its collective breath for the release of the latest generation Jeep Wrangler, fans of the current JK will get another year added to the timeline. In an announcement made last week, Fiat-Chrysler plans to carry the JK forward for 2018, although it wasn’t made clear if that will translate to a…
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…
Expeditions 7: Outfitting the Expeditions 7 Vehicles
Outfitting the Expeditions 7 vehicles for a trek around the world.
Building a Pinnacle Vehicle: Overland Journal’s Land Rover Discovery I SD – Part II
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in Overland Journal, Gear Guide 2009. Modifying a vehicle is nearly always a compromise. Adding horsepower typically comes at the cost of efficiency. Lifting a vehicle often comes at the cost of high-speed stability, and each new modification usually adds more weight and complexity to a platform that…
Building a Pinnacle Vehicle: Overland Journal ’s Land Rover Discovery I SD – Part I
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in Overland Journal, Fall 2008. I still remember the article about the 1991 Camel Trophy. The words and images are as visible in my mind today as the first time I saw them. I had casually picked up a 4WD publication from a newsstand. Thumbing through its pages,…
Modifying the Polaris General
The Expedition Portal staff install accessories on our long-term project General, improving utility and performance.
Bentley Bentayga: “Not that you would, but you could.”
I touched down in Durango, Colorado, and was immediately greeted by crisp, clean Colorado air and a beautiful piece of bespoke engineering, the Bentley Bentayga. The vehicle is the 98-year-old company’s first foray into the SUV category, the true premium segment really only shared with Range Rover—this is no ordinary SUV. The early release photos…
Landcruising Adventure: Getting Lost in Digital Advancement
On our arrival in Japan, on the southern island of Kyushu, we needed to plot a general route for the coming months. We skimmed our two guidebooks and marked the possible-of-interest places on our Reise Know-How roadmap. Local information is always a welcome addition and Japan, we quickly learned, has a super-organized system of tourist…
Melbourne 4WD Show :: Australia
Walking the halls of Australia’s largest 4WD show
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…
From the ExPo Vault: Exploring Patagonia—in a Clown Car
Two guys, plus one tiny car, equaled one big adventure.
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…
Why You Should Skip the SUV and Buy a Pickup
Just a few years ago while poking around the Expedition Portal forums, I stumbled into a discussion about the pros and cons of the SUV versus the venerable pickup. There were some heated exchanges volleyed back and forth as each platform has ardent advocates. There was however, a noticeably disproportionate bent toward the SUV. It…
Buy this truck and drive to South America for the price of a Rubicon
I love browsing through the depths of the Expedition Portal for sale sections. Besides seeing some seriously cool vehicles, you get a peek at the many adventures they’ve had through the years, and the many adventures still to come with new buyers. Just the other day I stumbled upon a perfect example, a 2003 F-250…