On the trail as a comparison, they bring along a 1964 Jeep Forward Control crew cab. It’s funny to see the two together. The Mighty FC looks like a bulldog. The old Forward Control looks like a loaf of bread. It’s great to see footage of both of these truck on the road!
Spotted: FJ62/FZJ80 Mash-up by TLC
Via West County Explorers Club: Jonathan Ward, of TLC and Icon fame, shows off what he calls a “142,” basically an FJ62 on an 80-series chassis. This truck was built through TLC, his Land Cruiser restoration shop in Southern California.
As you can imagine, this was an extensive rebuild. Even the engine was replaced with a GM Vortec unit. They went through the truck inside and out and everything looks to be first class.
La Aduana: 1974 Steyr-Puch Pinzgauer 710 Hardtop
These extraordinarily capable trucks were built in the 1970s for the Swiss military by the Austrian manufacturer
Steyr-Puch (who, coincidentally, also build the G-wagen for Mercedes-Benz).
Jeep FC Forward Control: First Drive
I am finishing this article less than two hours after driving the Forward Control
concept vehicle from the Jeep design team.
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Kelsey’s Xterra Project: Rancho Suspension Install
Overall, I was impressed with the feel of the vehicle, although I did find I was a little disappointed in the ground clearance; In addition, the suspension travel wasn’t anything to write home about.
Copper Canyon: Stories from the Vault
Cerocahui to El Fuerte on the Old Road
Introducing Stories from the Vault
VOTD: Mercedes-Benz G-Class
Here’s something for all of you G-Wagen fans, a short promotional film for the Mercedes-Benz G-Class.
La Aduana: 1979 Nissan Patrol LWB
Here in the US, the Patrol always seemed (to me anyway) like the lost icon of Japanese four-wheel drive.
78 Series Land Cruiser Prado: Project Vehicle
My affection for the 70 Series Land Cruiser has been well documented on ExPo, a vehicle I consider to be one of the best overland platforms ever constructed.
Spotted: Nicely Modded Mitsubishi Montero
I’m really impressed with the thought and detail Greg put into his truck. It’s a capable off-roader that I’ve enjoyed seeing in action.
4wd of the Year – International
What is the best overland vehicle in the world?
Why the Land Cruiser is the worst selling SUV in America
Land Cruisers are classic and authentic, and have always placed an emphasis on durability and capability over luxury and domestic ‘functionality’.
Andorra – Europe’s Mountain Kingdom
Driving a Suzuki Jimny on an Old Smuggler’s Route Through the Pyrenees.
2011 SUV of the Year – North America
The 2011 Expedition Portal Overland Awards
4wd SUV of the Year – North America (US and Canada)
Celebrating 40 Years of Four Wheel Campers
A Tour of the New FWC Production Facility
Spotted: 1941 Ford GPW “Jeep”
This jeep carries 48-star flag from days before Hawaii and Alaska joined the union.
VOTD: In Asia
Via West County Explorers Club: My friend Greg just sent me a link to this outstanding travel video by Munich-based freelance filmmaker, Vincent Urban and Clemens Krüger. Part 1 of a five-part series, it shows three friends traveling through southeast Asia in a Land Rover Defender 110. There is hardly any narration, hardly any dialogue. Moments of the trip are just strung together like memories. It’s beautifully shot and edited and gets to the heart of why we all travel.
The first three in the series are already on Vimeo. See Part 2 here and Part 3 here.
Thanks for the tip, Greg!
Video of the Day: Off-road Ukraine
via West County Explorers Club: Here’s a recent Vimeo find documenting what appears to be a group of Czechs on a 2008 off-road expedition in the Ukraine. It looks like they had a great trip. And I like the video.
Just be careful about driving over those winch cables guys. Oh, and Smokey the Bear says to clear a five-foot-radius ring around that campfire but other than that, nice one…
Best of Expo: NuKaiser 715: Mopar Concept Vehicle
The most difficult part of driving the NuKaiser is keeping the sand out of your mouth from smiling so much.
Arizona to Guatemala: Driving a Defender 110 OUT of the U.S., part 3
Phase 3: Guatemala
When we finally crossed into Guatemala, we had to pay a few bucks for some sort of mandatory agricultural spray on the underside of the vehicle.